SolidWorksvs
Inventor
Inventor: Autodesk's parametric CAD software competing on simulation, surfacing, and sheet metal design for mechanical engineering.
Overview
What SolidWorks does
SOLIDWORKS is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program published by Dassault Systèmes. It's used for 3D modeling, simulation, and product data management, widely adopted in mechanical engineering and product design industries.
What people use it for
- Product design
- Engineering analysis
- Manufacturing documentation
- Prototyping
- Quality control
Related searches
The honest half
Where it falls short
Concrete and checkable, so you can decide whether any of them matter to you. This is the half of a review a vendor will not write about 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
Cross-shopped
What people choose instead of SolidWorks
Each pairing was judged by two reviewers asking whether a buyer would genuinely weigh the two against each other. The ones that failed were deleted rather than published.
- SolidWorksvsFusion 360
Fusion 360: Cloud-based CAD platform from Autodesk offering parametric modeling, simulation, and lower pricing than SolidWorks with subscription model.
- SolidWorksvsAutoCAD
AutoCAD: Autodesk's foundational CAD platform widely used for 2D drafting and 3D design across mechanical and other engineering disciplines.
Pricing
What SolidWorks costs
Taken from the vendor's own pricing page. Prices move, so check before you buy.
Standard
$846 /yr
- Parametric modeling
- Assemblies and drawings
- Basic analysis
Professional
$4,995 /year (approx)
- Advanced simulation
- Surfacing tools
- Sheet metal design
Premium
$7,100 /year (approx)
- All Professional features
- Reverse engineering
- Advanced analysis
Capabilities
Features
3D solid modeling
3D solid modeling capability
Assembly design
Assembly design capability
Technical drawings
Technical drawings capability
Simulation
Simulation capability
Rendering
Rendering capability
PDM systems
Integration with PDM systems
ERP systems
Integration with ERP systems
CAM software
Integration with CAM software
PLM platforms
Integration with PLM platforms
Enterprise security
Enterprise security security feature
Data vault
Data vault security feature
Access controls
Access controls security feature
Answered, with sources
Questions people ask
Each answer names the page it came from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
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.
SourceWhat 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).
SourceDoes 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.
SourceWhat 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.
SourceCan 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.
SourceBehind it
Who makes SolidWorks
- Company
- Dassault Systèmes
- Based in
- Vélizy-Villacoublay, France
Timeline
SolidWorks over time
Keep looking
Where to go from SolidWorks
- SolidWorks alternativesEvery product people weigh against it
- SolidWorks pricingPlans, floors and what the tiers exclude
- SolidWorks badgesWhich rules it meets, and the figure behind each
- All Manufacturing softwareThe full category
- Best Manufacturing softwareThe shortlist, and how it was cut
Best Manufacturing software for
Compare SolidWorks with
Other Manufacturing software
Cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform
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Softwr does not host reviews and shows no star rating for SolidWorks, because a rating we did not collect is not ours to publish. What is here is the pricing and platform detail from the vendor’s own pages, limitations we could state concretely, and alternatives a reviewer confirmed people weigh against it. Tell us if any of it is wrong.
More on SolidWorks
SolidWorks alternatives
What people switch to, and what they give up
SolidWorks pricing
Every tier, and where the cost actually lands
Compare SolidWorks
Put it head to head with anything we hold
SolidWorks badge
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Best Manufacturing software alternatives
Field operations management for installing, inspecting and maintaining physical work
Cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform
Collect, monitor, analyze and drive action with machine data
Frontline operations platform for manufacturing