Softwr

Manufacturing · head to head

SolidWorks vs Inventor

SolidWorks logo

SolidWorks

Manufacturing

3D CAD design software for engineers and designers

From
$3300/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Inventor logo

Inventor

3D & CAD

Professional-grade 3D mechanical design

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SolidWorks windows-only software with no native macOS or Linux support; Inventor autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product
  • They diverge on capability: SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling, Inventor covers Parametric modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SolidWorks and Inventor actually diverge.

Attributes where SolidWorks and Inventor differ
AttributeSolidWorksInventor
Starting price$3300/year$29/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
CategoryManufacturing3D & CAD
Founded19931982

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

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 SolidWorks

  • 3D solid modeling
  • Technical drawings
  • PDM systems
  • ERP systems
  • CAM software
  • PLM platforms
  • Enterprise security
  • Data vault

Only in Inventor

  • Parametric modeling
  • Sheet metal
  • Technical documentation
  • Frame generator
  • AutoCAD
  • Vault
  • Fusion 360
  • Nastran

Both cover

  • Assembly design
  • Simulation
  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

SolidWorks

  • Product designnot Inventor
  • Engineering analysisnot Inventor
  • Manufacturing documentation
  • Prototypingnot Inventor
  • Quality controlnot Inventor

Inventor

  • Mechanical designnot SolidWorks
  • Product developmentnot SolidWorks
  • Manufacturing documentation

Both are used for manufacturing documentation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Inventor

  • Autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Inventor

$29/month
  • Inventor$2085/month
    • Full mechanical design
    • Simulation
    • Documentation
  • Product Design & Manufacturing Collection$2475/month
    • Inventor + AutoCAD + more

Which should you pick?

Choose SolidWorks if

  • You need 3d solid modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want technical drawings.
SolidWorks review

Choose Inventor if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want sheet metal.
Inventor review

Questions people ask

Is SolidWorks or Inventor better?
Neither clearly leads. SolidWorks starts at $3300/year and Inventor at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SolidWorks or Inventor?
SolidWorks starts at $3300/year and Inventor at $29/month.
Does SolidWorks or Inventor run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is SolidWorks best used for?
SolidWorks is most often used for product design, engineering analysis, manufacturing documentation, prototyping. Of those, product design and engineering analysis are not what Inventor is typically brought in for.
What can SolidWorks do that Inventor cannot?
SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling, Technical drawings, PDM systems, ERP systems. Inventor covers Parametric modeling, Sheet metal, Technical documentation, Frame generator. Both handle Assembly design, Simulation, Rendering, 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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