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CAD · head to head

Shapr3D vs Siemens NX

Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

CAD

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Siemens NX logo

Siemens NX

CAD

Integrated product design and manufacturing

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shapr3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects; Siemens NX siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.
  • They diverge on capability: Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shapr3D and Siemens NX actually diverge.

Attributes where Shapr3D and Siemens NX differ
AttributeShapr3DSiemens NX
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIPadOS, MacOS, WindowsWindows, Linux
Founded20151963

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 Shapr3D

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

Only in Siemens NX

  • Advanced CAD
  • CAM programming
  • CAE simulation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Sheet metal
  • Mold design
  • Industrial machinery
  • Teamcenter PLM

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Shapr3D

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

Siemens NX

  • Enterprise product designnot Shapr3D
  • Manufacturingnot Shapr3D
  • Simulationnot Shapr3D

Where each one falls short

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

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

Siemens NX

  • Siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Siemens NX

$29/month
  • NX Design$4500/month
    • CAD design
    • Core modeling
  • NX CAM$5500/month
    • Manufacturing programming
  • NX Complete$8500/month
    • Full suite
    • CAD/CAM/CAE

Which should you pick?

Choose Shapr3D if

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

Choose Siemens NX if

  • You need advanced cad.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want cam programming.
Siemens NX review

Questions people ask

Is Shapr3D or Siemens NX better?
Neither clearly leads. Shapr3D starts at Free and Siemens NX at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shapr3D or Siemens NX?
Shapr3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Shapr3D and $29/month for Siemens NX.
Does Shapr3D or Siemens NX run on more platforms?
Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows. Siemens NX runs on Windows, Linux.
Can I use Shapr3D for free?
Yes. Shapr3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Siemens NX starts at $29/month.
What is Shapr3D best used for?
Shapr3D is most often used for direct modelling cad on ipad with apple pencil, producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawings, sharing cad projects with collaborators on desktop and tablet. Of those, direct modelling cad on ipad with apple pencil and producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawings are not what Siemens NX is typically brought in for.
What can Shapr3D do that Siemens NX cannot?
Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD, CAM programming, CAE simulation, Additive manufacturing. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Siemens NX: Does Siemens NX offer a free trial?

Yes, Siemens offers a 30-day free trial of both Designcenter CAD and NX CAM software that is fully functional. Users can get a hands-on feel for the software without any financial commitment before purchasing.

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
Siemens NX: Is NX free for students?

Yes, Siemens offers free CAD/CAM Student Edition access to Designcenter and NX for students and educators. Academic offerings are available for those in educational institutions.

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
Siemens NX: What licensing options does NX provide for different business sizes?

Siemens offers scalable licensing for startups, mid-size companies, and multinational corporations. Designcenter and NX CAM support flexible team-based licensing to match organizational size and manufacturing needs.

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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