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SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS · Waltham, Massachusetts, USA · founded 1993
What it is
SOLIDWORKS provides 3D software for creating, simulating, publishing, and managing product data. SOLIDWORKS Design supports parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet-metal work, and framing, while the broader portfolio includes simulation tools for assessing performance, efficiency, and durability. The locally installed Design application can work offline. With Cloud Services, it connects to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for collaboration and data management, including sharing designs, markups, and revisions. Browser-based xDesign tools offer modeling without local installation. Standard with Cloud Services costs $2,820 a year for one machine-locked device, excluding local taxes; Professional is $3,456 a year and Premium is $4,716 a year for a single user, also excluding local taxes. The Makers plan is $48 a year for personal, non-commercial use. Design Standard is free for students. Online purchases include technical support, and orders can be cancelled and refunded within 15 days after purchase.
For and against
For
- Supports parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, and framing
- Design can be used without an internet connection
- Cloud Services supports design sharing and revision management
- Design Standard is free for students
Against
- Standard costs $2,820 a year, excluding local taxes
- Makers is limited to personal, non-commercial use
- Makers storage is 25 GB and cannot be expanded
- Makers has no free trial
The verdict
SOLIDWORKS combines core 3D design workflows with simulation and cloud collaboration options. Compare the plan scope and annual cost, and note that the Makers plan is for non-commercial use.
Who it suits
SOLIDWORKS suits people and organizations working on 3D product design, simulation, and product data management. Its stated markets include industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology, and transportation organizations.
Plans and prices
SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services
device license · machine-locked single device · parts, assemblies and drawings · cloud collaboration and revision management
Read 28 Sep 2026 · solidworks.com
SOLIDWORKS Design Professional with Cloud Services
everything in Standard · CAD component library · photorealistic rendering · tolerance stack-up analysis
Read 28 Sep 2026 · solidworks.com
SOLIDWORKS Design Premium with Cloud Services
everything in Professional · electrical cable and harness routing · pipe and tube routing · linear static analysis
Read 28 Sep 2026 · solidworks.com
SOLIDWORKS for Makers
personal, non-commercial use · 25 GB 3DEXPERIENCE cloud storage · storage cannot be expanded · no free trial
Read 28 Sep 2026 · solidworks.com
On the record
- AI
- Commercial SOLIDWORKS Design and Design with Cloud Services customers receive AURA and LEO virtual companions and listed AI competencies without an additional license.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- AI included
- AI Virtual Companions are included for eligible commercial licenses without an additional licensesolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Animation tools
- Yessolidworks.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Audience
- SOLIDWORKS says its markets include industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology and transportation organizations.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Browser product
- SOLIDWORKS xDesign is a collection of browser-based modeling tools usable on any device without local installation.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Quality certification
- The company states that it is ISO 9001:2015 QMS certifiedsolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Cloud access
- Locally installed application connected to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platformsolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Cloud connection
- SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services connects the locally installed application to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform for collaboration and data management.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Collaboration sharing
- Teams can share and mark up designs with stakeholders from any locationsolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Community size
- The SOLIDWORKS community has more than 8 million users worldwidesolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Core CAD
- SOLIDWORKS Design supports parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet-metal and framing workflows.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The SOLIDWORKS Solution Partner Program works with hundreds of partners, and Certified Gold Products provide integration inside the SOLIDWORKS interface.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Offline use
- SOLIDWORKS Design can be used without an internet connectionsolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Operating systems
- Client SOLIDWORKS products list Windows 10 and Windows 11 64-bit support, while eDrawings for Mac lists supported macOS releases.solidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Parametric modeling
- Yessolidworks.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Payment methods
- Accepted methods include credit card, PayPal, wire transfer, and prepaid purchase orderssolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Platform access
- bothsolidworks.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Premium price
- $4,716 USD per year for a single user, excluding local taxessolidworks.com · read 28 Sep 2026
