# Top 10 SOLIDWORKS Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 632 The Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software solutions below are the most common alternatives that users and reviewers compare with SOLIDWORKS. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to SOLIDWORKS include design software and features. The best overall SOLIDWORKS alternative is Autodesk Fusion. Other similar apps like SOLIDWORKS are Onshape, Designcenter Solid Edge, Inventor, and Creo. SOLIDWORKS alternatives can be found in [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) but may also be in [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam) or [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to SOLIDWORKS - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) - [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) - [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews) - [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to SOLIDWORKS Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how SOLIDWORKS stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, and Higher Education, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) By Autodesk **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 511 Autodesk Fusion is a comprehensive cloud software platform that integrates various tools for 3D design, manufacturing, electronics, simulation, and generative design. It serves as a collaborative, cloud-enabled CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) software. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Fusion is: - Easier to set up - Easier to admin - Easier to do business with Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [Sketching](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-solidworks) **Compare Autodesk Fusion with other alternatives:** - [Autodesk Fusion vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-onshape) - [Autodesk Fusion vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Autodesk Fusion vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-inventor) - [Autodesk Fusion vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-creo-2025-08-26) - [Autodesk Fusion vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-autodesk-fusion) - [Autodesk Fusion vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-sketchup) - [Autodesk Fusion vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-designcenter-nx) - [Autodesk Fusion vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-ironcad) - [Autodesk Fusion vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-catia) ### 2. [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) By PTC **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 695 Onshape is a modern CAD system that eliminates design gridlock and helps engineers do their best work. Onshape unites advanced modeling tools and design data management in a secure cloud workspace that has rapidly become the primary CAD system for thousands of companies worldwide. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, Onshape is: - Better at support - Easier to admin - Easier to set up Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [Sketching](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-solidworks) **Compare Onshape with other alternatives:** - [Onshape vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-sketchup) - [Onshape vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-onshape) ### 3. [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) By Siemens Digital Industries Software **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 587 Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software solutions for product development — 3D design, simulation, manufacturing, data management, cloud collaboration, and more. Solid Edge combines the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design – made possible with synchronous technology. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, Designcenter Solid Edge is: - Easier to do business with - Easier to admin - Better at support Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [Additive Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-solidworks) **Compare Designcenter Solid Edge with other alternatives:** - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-onshape) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-inventor) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-sketchup) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-ironcad) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) ### 4. [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) By Autodesk **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 438 Inventor® 3D CAD software offers an easy-to-use set of tools for 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation. Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-solidworks) **Compare Inventor with other alternatives:** - [Inventor vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-inventor) - [Inventor vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-onshape) - [Inventor vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-inventor) - [Inventor vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-inventor) - [Inventor vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-inventor) - [Inventor vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-sketchup) - [Inventor vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-inventor) - [Inventor vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-ironcad) - [Inventor vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-inventor) ### 5. [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) By PTC **Average Rating:** 4.1/5 **Total Reviews:** 198 Creo Parametric provides a broad range of powerful yet flexible 3D CAD capabilities to accelerate the product development process. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, Creo is: - More expensive Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Additive Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-solidworks) **Compare Creo with other alternatives:** - [Creo vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-creo-2025-08-26) - [Creo vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-onshape) - [Creo vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Creo vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-inventor) - [Creo vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-creo-2025-08-26) - [Creo vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-sketchup) - [Creo vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-designcenter-nx) - [Creo vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-ironcad) - [Creo vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-creo-2025-08-26) ### 6. [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) By Autodesk **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 1,909 2D and 3D CAD design software tools. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD is: - Easier to do business with - Better at support - Easier to set up Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-solidworks) **Compare AutoCAD with other alternatives:** - [AutoCAD vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-autodesk-fusion) - [AutoCAD vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-onshape) - [AutoCAD vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [AutoCAD vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-inventor) - [AutoCAD vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-creo-2025-08-26) - [AutoCAD vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-sketchup) - [AutoCAD vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-designcenter-nx) - [AutoCAD vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-ironcad) - [AutoCAD vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-catia) ### 7. [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) By Trimble **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 1,321 SketchUp is intuitive, powerful 3D modeling software built for professionals and creatives of all kinds. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, SketchUp is: - Easier to set up - Easier to admin - More usable Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Sketching](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/solidworks-vs-sketchup) **Compare SketchUp with other alternatives:** - [SketchUp vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-sketchup) - [SketchUp vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-sketchup) ### 8. [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) By Siemens Digital Industries Software **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 524 Designcenter NX is an integrated product design solution that streamlines and accelerates the product development process for engineers who need to deliver innovative products in a collaborative environment. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, Designcenter NX is: - Better at support - Easier to admin - Easier to do business with Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Additive Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-solidworks) **Compare Designcenter NX with other alternatives:** - [Designcenter NX vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-designcenter-nx) - [Designcenter NX vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-onshape) - [Designcenter NX vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter NX vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-inventor) - [Designcenter NX vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-designcenter-nx) - [Designcenter NX vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-designcenter-nx) - [Designcenter NX vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-sketchup) - [Designcenter NX vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-ironcad) - [Designcenter NX vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-designcenter-nx) ### 9. [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews) By IronCAD **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 43 IronCAD's mission has and continues to be the creation of award winning 3D Design Collaboration Solutions that lead the industry in their ease-of-use and design productivity. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, IronCAD is: - Easier to admin - Easier to set up - Easier to do business with Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-solidworks) **Compare IronCAD with other alternatives:** - [IronCAD vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-onshape) - [IronCAD vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/inventor-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-sketchup) - [IronCAD vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-ironcad) - [IronCAD vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-ironcad) ### 10. [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) By Dassault Systemes **Average Rating:** 4.2/5 **Total Reviews:** 252 CATIA is a comprehensive software suite developed by Dassault Systèmes, designed to facilitate the entire product development process from conceptualization to manufacturing. It integrates advanced 3D modeling, simulation, and collaboration tools, enabling users to design, analyze, and manage complex products and systems efficiently. CATIA's intuitive interface and robust capabilities support a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and consumer goods, fostering innovation and enhancing product quality. Key Features and Functionality: - 3D Modeling and Design: Offers parametric and non-parametric modeling tools for creating precise and complex geometries, accommodating both mechanical and surface design needs. - Simulation and Analysis: Provides integrated simulation capabilities to test and validate product performance under real-world conditions, reducing the need for physical prototypes. - Systems Engineering: Supports model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to manage complex product architectures, ensuring consistency across mechanical, electrical, and software components. - Collaboration Tools: Facilitates real-time collaboration among multidisciplinary teams through a unified platform, enhancing communication and decision-making processes. - Knowledge Management: Enables the capture and reuse of design knowledge and best practices, promoting standardization and efficiency across projects. Primary Value and User Solutions: CATIA addresses the challenges of modern product development by providing a unified environment that integrates design, simulation, and collaboration tools. This integration allows organizations to accelerate innovation, improve product quality, and reduce time-to-market. By supporting a wide range of disciplines and industries, CATIA helps users manage complex product lifecycles, ensure design accuracy, and foster collaboration across global teams, ultimately leading to more sustainable and impactful customer experiences. Reviewers say compared to SOLIDWORKS, CATIA is: - More expensive Categories in common with SOLIDWORKS: [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [SOLIDWORKS vs CATIA](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-solidworks) **Compare CATIA with other alternatives:** - [CATIA vs Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-fusion-vs-catia) - [CATIA vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-onshape) - [CATIA vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [CATIA vs Inventor](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-inventor) - [CATIA vs Creo](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-creo-2025-08-26) - [CATIA vs AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-catia) - [CATIA vs SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-sketchup) - [CATIA vs Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-designcenter-nx) - [CATIA vs IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/catia-vs-ironcad) ## Explore Articles - [What legal billing software supports multiple currencies and rates?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-legal-billing-software-supports-multiple-currencies-and-rates) - [Best value EDI software for manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-s-the-best-value-edi-software-for-manufacturing) - [Leading VoIP services for medium-sized enterprises](https://www.g2.com/discussions/leading-voip-services-for-medium-sized-enterprises) - [Ramp Up](https://www.g2.com/glossary/ramp-up-definition) - [Best account orchestration solution for boosting sales](https://www.g2.com/discussions/best-account-orchestration-solutions-for-boosting-sales-performance) - [Best-rated customer data platform for software firms](https://www.g2.com/discussions/best-rated-customer-data-platform-for-software-firms) ## Spotlight Categories - [Purchasing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/purchasing-software) - [E-Signature Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-signature) - [Survey Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/survey)