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Software · head to head

Siemens NX vs SolidWorks

S

Siemens NX

Software

Integrated product design and manufacturing

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SolidWorks logo

SolidWorks

Software

3D CAD design software for engineers and designers

From
$3300/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; SolidWorks windows-only software with no native macOS or Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD, SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Siemens NX and SolidWorks differ
AttributeSiemens NXSolidWorks
Starting price$29/month$3300/year
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows
Founded19631993

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Siemens NX

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

Only in SolidWorks

  • 3D solid modeling
  • Assembly design
  • Technical drawings
  • Simulation
  • Rendering
  • PDM systems
  • ERP systems
  • CAM software

Both cover

  • Enterprise security
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Siemens NX

  • Enterprise product designnot SolidWorks
  • Manufacturingnot SolidWorks
  • Simulationnot SolidWorks

SolidWorks

  • Product designnot Siemens NX
  • Engineering analysisnot Siemens NX
  • Manufacturing documentationnot Siemens NX
  • Prototypingnot Siemens NX
  • Quality controlnot Siemens NX

Where each one falls short

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

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.

SolidWorks

  • Windows-only software with no native macOS or Linux support
  • High perpetual licensing costs compared to cloud-based competitors like Fusion 360
  • Performance can degrade with very large assemblies containing thousands of parts
  • Requires separate licensing for advanced simulation features in Professional and Premium editions

Pricing, plan by plan

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

SolidWorks

$3300/year
  • Standard$846/year
    • Parametric modeling
    • Assemblies and drawings
    • Basic analysis
  • Professional$4995/year (approx)
    • Advanced simulation
    • Surfacing tools
    • Sheet metal design
  • Premium$7100/year (approx)
    • All Professional features
    • Reverse engineering
    • Advanced analysis

Which should you pick?

Choose Siemens NX if

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

Choose SolidWorks if

  • You need 3d solid modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assembly design.
SolidWorks review

Questions people ask

Is Siemens NX or SolidWorks better?
Neither clearly leads. Siemens NX starts at $29/month and SolidWorks at $3300/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Siemens NX or SolidWorks?
Siemens NX starts at $29/month and SolidWorks at $3300/year.
Does Siemens NX or SolidWorks run on more platforms?
Siemens NX runs on Windows, Linux. SolidWorks runs on Windows.
What is Siemens NX best used for?
Siemens NX is most often used for enterprise product design, manufacturing, simulation. Of those, enterprise product design and manufacturing are not what SolidWorks is typically brought in for.
What can Siemens NX do that SolidWorks cannot?
Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD, CAM programming, CAE simulation, Additive manufacturing. SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling, Assembly design, Technical drawings, Simulation. Both handle Enterprise security, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SolidWorks: What is the cost of SolidWorks?

SolidWorks pricing varies by license type. Standard Edition costs approximately $846 on average, while Professional and Premium editions are priced higher depending on reseller and licensing model. Costs typically range from $3,300 to $7,100 depending on features and add-ons.

Source
SolidWorks: What editions of SolidWorks are available?

SolidWorks offers three main editions: Standard (essential CAD with parametric modeling and assemblies), Professional (adds advanced simulation and surfacing), and Premium (comprehensive engineering suite with reverse engineering and complex analysis).

Source
SolidWorks: Does SolidWorks run on macOS?

SolidWorks is primarily a Windows-only application. While macOS users can run it via virtual machines or Boot Camp, native macOS support is not available.

Source
SolidWorks: What AI capabilities does SolidWorks 2026 include?

SolidWorks 2026 integrates native AI assistants LEO and AURA directly into the interface. These AI features provide design assistance and automation for tasks like optimization and feature creation.

Source
SolidWorks: Can I create assemblies and complex 3D models in SolidWorks?

Yes. SolidWorks includes unlimited assembly capabilities, parametric modeling for complex designs, detailing and drawing tools, and built-in analysis for stress simulation and dynamic motion.

Source
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