CATIA vs Onshape

CATIA9.3Visit Onshape8.9Visit

Higher score CATIA #2 in 3D CAD Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CATIA

vs

Onshape #7 in 3D CAD Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Onshape

• CATIA fits best

  Enterprise engineering and advanced product design

• Onshape fits best

  Cloud-first collaborative engineering teams

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Side by side

Feature	CATIA 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Onshape 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in 3D CAD Software	#7 in 3D CAD Software
Best for	Enterprise engineering and advanced product design	Cloud-first collaborative engineering teams
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	$1,500/user/yr
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Community	Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	50+ integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CATIA 4/4 · Onshape 0/4
Assembly design	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Sheet-metal tools	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Surface modeling	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Cloud collaboration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Modeling method	Parametric	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Web browser applications on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform; Windows for CATIA V5 sheet-metal software.	Not checked yet
File import and export	STEP import and export; DXF, STL, VRML and IGES are listed as supported by other CATIA V5 products.	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Generative, parametric, direct, solid, and surface modeling Sheet-metal, assembly, motion, drawings, simulation, and PLM integration 3DEXPERIENCE collaboration with broad format support	Real-time collaboration, commenting and version control Parametric, assembly, surfacing and mixed modeling Web, iOS, Android, REST API and App Store access
Cons	Commercial subscriptions start at $1,961 per user per quarter There is no free plan Its broad scope may exceed the needs of narrow CAD projects	Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents Standard Plan starts at $1,500 per user per year Simulation, CAM and rendering begin on the Professional Plan
Our verdict	CATIA is 3D CAD and product-engineering software from Dassault Systèmes for designers and engineers developing complex products, assemblies, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary projects. Its capabilities span parametric and generative… Read the review →	Onshape is a cloud-native 3D CAD and product data management platform for product design teams, individual professionals, educators and manufacturers. It combines parametric part and assembly modeling with drawings, surfacing, mixed… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CATIA — where it wins

  • Generative, parametric, direct, solid, and surface modeling
  • Sheet-metal, assembly, motion, drawings, simulation, and PLM integration
  • 3DEXPERIENCE collaboration with broad format support

  Where it doesn't

  • Commercial subscriptions start at $1,961 per user per quarter
  • There is no free plan
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of narrow CAD projects

• Onshape — where it wins

  • Real-time collaboration, commenting and version control
  • Parametric, assembly, surfacing and mixed modeling
  • Web, iOS, Android, REST API and App Store access

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents
  • Standard Plan starts at $1,500 per user per year
  • Simulation, CAM and rendering begin on the Professional Plan

• CATIA9.3/10 · Pricing on request

  A deep engineering suite for complex products, with enterprise pricing to match.

  Visit CATIAFull verdict →
• Onshape8.9/10 · Free plan

  A cloud-first CAD suite with strong collaboration, versioning and engineering depth.

  Visit OnshapeFull verdict →