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CAD · head to head

Creo vs Shapr3D

Creo logo

Creo

CAD

Award-winning 3D CAD software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

CAD

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shapr3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Creo every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • They diverge on capability: Creo covers Parametric modeling, Shapr3D covers Parametric history.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Creo and Shapr3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Creo and Shapr3D differ
AttributeCreoShapr3D
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsIPadOS, MacOS, Windows
Founded19852015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (CAD).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Creo

  • Parametric modeling
  • Simulation
  • Generative design
  • Additive manufacturing
  • AR integration
  • Model-based definition
  • Windchill PLM
  • ThingWorx IoT

Only in Shapr3D

  • Parametric history
  • Visualization
  • 2D drawings
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Import/export
  • Annotations
  • Fusion 360
  • SolidWorks

Both cover

  • Direct modeling
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Creo

  • Parametric 3D mechanical CAD for product and machinery designnot Shapr3D
  • Mold design and mold machining workflowsnot Shapr3D

Shapr3D

  • Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot Creo
  • Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot Creo
  • Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot Creo

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Creo

  • Every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added
  • Capabilities such as the Generative Design Extension, Creo Simulation Live, Advanced Assembly Extension and GD&T Advisor are sold as separate paid extensions
  • Published prices in the PTC Store cover only Creo Design Essentials, the Creo Suites and select extensions; the other design packages require talking to sales
  • Buying an individual extension requires contacting a sales representative rather than self service

Shapr3D

  • The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
  • Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
  • Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
  • Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
  • Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
  • On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Creo

$29/month
  • Creo Elements/Direct$2310/month
    • Direct modeling
  • Creo Parametric$2310/month
    • Parametric modeling
    • Simulation
  • Creo+$2930/month
    • SaaS delivery
    • Real-time collaboration

Shapr3D

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 2 projects
    • cloud storage
    • basic import/export (XT, STEP, IGES, DWG, STL)
  • Pro$299/year
    • unlimited shared team projects
    • up to 2 contributors
    • high-resolution exports
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • granular access control
    • flexible data storage (single tenant/private cloud/on-premises)
    • unlimited renders

Which should you pick?

Choose Creo if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want simulation.
Creo review

Choose Shapr3D if

  • You need parametric history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want visualization.
Shapr3D review

Questions people ask

Is Creo or Shapr3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Creo starts at $29/month and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Creo or Shapr3D?
Shapr3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Creo and Free for Shapr3D.
Does Creo or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
Creo runs on Windows. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Shapr3D for free?
Yes. Shapr3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Creo starts at $29/month.
What is Creo best used for?
Creo is most often used for parametric 3d mechanical cad for product and machinery design, mold design and mold machining workflows. Of those, parametric 3d mechanical cad for product and machinery design and mold design and mold machining workflows are not what Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
What can Creo do that Shapr3D cannot?
Creo covers Parametric modeling, Simulation, Generative design, Additive manufacturing. Shapr3D covers Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings, Apple Pencil support. Both handle Direct modeling, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Creo: Does Creo offer a free trial or evaluation version?

Yes, PTC offers a free trial of Creo. Users can instantly access a fully functional trial of Creo. The page also provides a 30-day free trial option for both Creo and Creo+.

Source
Shapr3D: How much does Shapr3D cost?

Shapr3D Basic tier is free. Pro tier is $299 per year or available monthly with price not specified on the pricing page. Enterprise pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.

Source
Creo: What licensing options does Creo provide?

Creo supports flexible licensing options including on-premises solution and Creo+, a SaaS offering. Licensing tiers support solo designers, small teams up to 5 licenses, and growing teams with 5 or more licenses. PTC also offers a startup program with free or discounted access.

Source
Shapr3D: Is there a free trial for Shapr3D Pro?

Yes, Shapr3D offers a 14-day free trial for Pro tier that requires a credit card, plus a 14-day money-back guarantee on purchases.

Source
Creo: Is Creo free for students and educators?

Yes, Creo is available for free to students and educators through PTC Education. Students and educators from grade school through university can get free access to Creo to learn advanced CAD capabilities.

Source
Shapr3D: What is the difference between Shapr3D Pro and Enterprise?

Pro tier includes up to 2 contributors on unlimited shared team projects, 50 renders daily, technical drawings, and AR on iPad. Enterprise provides granular access control, flexible data storage options (single tenant, private cloud, on-premises, or cloud off), unlimited renders, extended import/export formats, and dedicated account management.

Source
Shapr3D: Does Shapr3D offer educational pricing?

Yes, Shapr3D is free for students and educators with annual license renewal through an in-app application form.

Source
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