SOLIDWORKS
3D printing software
CAD data exchange software
CAD libraries
CAD viewers
General-purpose CAD software
Mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) software
PCB design software
Sketching software
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software
Simulation & CAE software
CAD software
Garment CAD software
Interior decorating software
Interior designs software
Interior rendering software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$48 per year
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
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What is SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a 3D mechanical CAD (MCAD) platform used to design parts, assemblies, and 2D drawings for product development and manufacturing. It is primarily used by mechanical engineers, designers, and manufacturing teams for parametric modeling, documentation, and downstream workflows such as simulation and CAM through integrated and add-on modules. The product emphasizes feature-based solid modeling, assembly management, and broad interoperability with common CAD and manufacturing file formats. It is typically deployed as a desktop application with optional data management and collaboration capabilities through related offerings.
Mature parametric modeling workflow
SOLIDWORKS provides feature-based parametric part and assembly modeling with established tools for constraints, configurations, and design intent. It supports detailed 2D drawings with dimensioning and annotation workflows used in manufacturing documentation. For many mechanical design teams, this breadth reduces the need to switch between separate tools for core modeling and drafting. The workflow is oriented toward engineered products rather than purely artistic or mesh-centric modeling.
Broad manufacturing-oriented ecosystem
The platform connects to manufacturing workflows via integrated or companion capabilities such as CAM, simulation/CAE, and product data management, depending on licensing and configuration. It supports common downstream deliverables (e.g., drawings, neutral CAD exports, and manufacturing-friendly geometry) used for CNC, tooling, and supplier handoff. A large ecosystem of certified add-ins, resellers, and training resources supports specialized needs. This can be advantageous compared with tools that focus mainly on hobbyist 3D printing or standalone mesh preparation.
Interoperability and data exchange
SOLIDWORKS imports and exports widely used CAD formats (including neutral standards) to support collaboration with suppliers and customers using different systems. It includes tools for viewing, checking, and preparing models for exchange, which helps in multi-CAD environments. Assembly structures, metadata, and drawing outputs can be packaged for review and release processes. This is useful when compared with products that primarily target a single workflow such as slicer-based 3D printing preparation.
Licensing and total cost
SOLIDWORKS is typically licensed commercially with tiered packages and optional modules, which can increase total cost for simulation, CAM, or data management needs. Costs can be higher than entry-level CAD tools and free/open-source modelers used for basic design or mesh editing. Budgeting often requires planning for maintenance, upgrades, and add-on functionality. This can be a constraint for small teams that only need occasional CAD use.
Hardware and performance demands
Large assemblies, complex drawings, and advanced simulation workloads can require workstation-class hardware and careful performance tuning. Users may need certified graphics drivers and IT support to maintain stability across updates. Performance can degrade with very large datasets or complex feature histories, requiring model simplification strategies. Lightweight viewers or cloud-first tools may be easier to run on modest hardware.
Not specialized for some domains
While SOLIDWORKS can be used in many design contexts, it is primarily optimized for mechanical product design rather than domain-specific workflows like garment patternmaking, interior rendering, or dedicated PCB layout. Some of these use cases rely on specialized libraries, rendering pipelines, or electrical design rule checks that are not core to the base product. Teams in those domains may need additional dedicated software or integrations. Mesh-centric sculpting and advanced artistic modeling are also typically better served by tools designed around polygon workflows.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $2,820 USD/year* | Single-user named license (cloud-connected), parts/assemblies/drawings, production-ready docs, technical support. 15-day money-back policy. |
| Professional | $3,456 USD/year* | Everything in Standard plus intelligent component library, photorealistic rendering, automated tolerance stacks, cost estimation, CAD standards checking. |
| Premium | $4,716 USD/year* | Everything in Professional plus electrical/cable routing, pipe & tube routing, linear static and time-based motion analysis, advanced surface flattening. |
| Quarterly option (Design) | Starting at $845 USD/quarter** | Quarterly licenses available (named-user/cloud-connected option listed). |
| SOLIDWORKS for Makers (personal/non-commercial) | $48 USD/year (base)*** | Full-functionality for personal use (makers/hobbyists earning <$2,000 USD/year). Promotional discount shown on site (e.g., $24 USD/year with code valid through Feb 17, 2026). |
*Prices shown on SOLIDWORKS "Design Offer Plans and Pricing" page for annual subscriptions. **Quarterly starting price referenced on SOLIDWORKS product page as an alternative purchase cadence. ***Maker offer is a separate personal-use offering on the official SOLIDWORKS Makers page.
Seller details
Dassault Systèmes SE
Vélizy-Villacoublay, France
1981
Public
https://www.3ds.com/
https://x.com/3DS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dassaultsystemes/
