Autodesk Maya vs Onshape

Autodesk Maya9.2Visit Onshape8.6Visit

Higher score Autodesk Maya #2 in 3D Design Software 9.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Autodesk

vs

Onshape #8 in 3D Design Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Onshape

• Autodesk Maya fits best

  Professional animation and VFX production

• Onshape fits best

  Collaborative cloud CAD teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Autodesk Maya 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Onshape 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#2 in 3D Design Software	#8 in 3D Design Software
Best for	Professional animation and VFX production	Collaborative cloud CAD teams
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$2,010/user/yr	$1,500/user/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Docs · 24/7	Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	50+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Autodesk Maya 2/4 · Onshape 1/4
Parametric modeling	✓	✓
Native rendering	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Animation tools	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Collaboration workspace	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Modeling mode	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Import/export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, effects, and rendering Supports OpenUSD workflows and scripting with Python and plug-ins Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Unreal Engine integration	Real-time collaboration with version history and commenting Parametric parts, assemblies, surfacing and mixed modeling Mobile editing plus REST API and App Store integrations
Cons	Annual subscription is $2,010 per user, billed annually Desktop-only deployment limits access to desktop workflows Its broad production toolset may exceed the needs of simpler 3D work	Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents Standard starts at $1,500 per user annually Simulation, rendering and CAM are listed on Professional, not Standard
Our verdict	Autodesk Maya is a desktop 3D toolset for artists and production teams working in film, television, games, and related visual-effects workflows. It brings modeling, layout, animation, effects, and rendering into one application, with… Read the review →	Onshape brings 3D CAD and product data management into a cloud-based workspace for product design teams, individual professionals, educators and manufacturers. Its tools cover parametric parts and assemblies, drawings, surfacing, and mixed… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Autodesk Maya — where it wins

  • Combines modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, effects, and rendering
  • Supports OpenUSD workflows and scripting with Python and plug-ins
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Unreal Engine integration

  Where it doesn't

  • Annual subscription is $2,010 per user, billed annually
  • Desktop-only deployment limits access to desktop workflows
  • Its broad production toolset may exceed the needs of simpler 3D work

• Onshape — where it wins

  • Real-time collaboration with version history and commenting
  • Parametric parts, assemblies, surfacing and mixed modeling
  • Mobile editing plus REST API and App Store integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents
  • Standard starts at $1,500 per user annually
  • Simulation, rendering and CAM are listed on Professional, not Standard

• Autodesk Maya9.2/10 · 30-day trial

  A production-focused 3D suite with broad tools, priced for committed teams.

  Visit AutodeskFull verdict →
• Onshape8.6/10 · Free plan

  Browser-based CAD combines parametric design, version history and live team collaboration.

  Visit OnshapeFull verdict →