Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Product Data Management Software

OpenBOM vs HELiOS

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score OpenBOM #4 in Product Data Management Software 7.4/10 Free plan · paid from $30/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit OpenBOM
HELiOS #8 in Product Data Management Software 6.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ISD Group

OpenBOM leads on 1 check, HELiOS on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenBOM · 7.4/10
  • Free planonly OpenBOM
  • Most featuresHELiOS · 3 of 3

OpenBOM scores higher on our rubric for product data management software: 7.4 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

OpenBOM offers free plan; HELiOS doesn't. HELiOS offers cad file viewing; OpenBOM doesn't publish it. HELiOS offers approval workflows; OpenBOM doesn't publish it. On deployment, HELiOS gives you On-premises where OpenBOM offers Cloud.

OpenBOM is the better fit for SMB teams wanting BOM and change management value. HELiOS is the better fit for on-premise CAD and ERP-linked engineering teams.

  • OpenBOM fits best

    SMB teams wanting BOM and change management value

  • HELiOS fits best

    On-premise CAD and ERP-linked engineering teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OpenBOM 7.4/10 Visit ↗ HELiOS 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.8
Ranking #4 in Product Data Management Software #8 in Product Data Management Software
Best for SMB teams wanting BOM and change management value On-premise CAD and ERP-linked engineering teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $30/user/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Self-hosted
Platforms Web Windows
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 19 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBOM 1/3 · HELiOS 3/3
CAD file viewing Not published ✓ (best)
Revision control ✓ ✓
Approval workflows Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
CAD integrations Not published AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, EPLAN P8, HiCAD
Storage limit Not published Not published
Deployment Cloud On-premises
Our review
Pros
  • Multi-level BOMs, revisions, comparisons, and approval workflows
  • Inventory, procurement, RFQs, and purchase orders in one workspace
  • REST API plus broad CAD, ERP, PDM, and PLM integrations
  • Connects CAD, documents, articles, releases and product structures
  • Integrates with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, EPLAN P8 and HiCAD
  • Generates article-based ERP bills of materials from CAD structures
Cons
  • Centers on BOM operations rather than deep file-centric PDM
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published
  • Costs reflect editor seats and product-data records
  • Windows-only deployment narrows platform choice
  • Self-hosted operation requires local infrastructure and administration
  • Project-based customization can demand more implementation planning
Our verdict

OpenBOM is a browser-based product data platform for engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations teams. It organizes item catalogs, multi-level bills of materials, revisions, change requests, change orders, approvals, CAD…

Read the review →

HELiOS is a product data and lifecycle management system for engineering and manufacturing organizations. It brings CAD data, drawings, articles, office documents, emails and related product information into one environment. Release and…

Read the review →
  1. OpenBOMProduct Data Management Software 7.4Free plan · paid from $30/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
  2. HELiOSProduct Data Management Software 6.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenBOM — where it wins

    • Multi-level BOMs, revisions, comparisons, and approval workflows
    • Inventory, procurement, RFQs, and purchase orders in one workspace
    • REST API plus broad CAD, ERP, PDM, and PLM integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Centers on BOM operations rather than deep file-centric PDM
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published
    • Costs reflect editor seats and product-data records

  • HELiOS — where it wins

    • Connects CAD, documents, articles, releases and product structures
    • Integrates with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, EPLAN P8 and HiCAD
    • Generates article-based ERP bills of materials from CAD structures

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only deployment narrows platform choice
    • Self-hosted operation requires local infrastructure and administration
    • Project-based customization can demand more implementation planning
  • OpenBOM7.4/10 · Free plan · paid from $30/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    BOM-focused product data management with change control, inventory, and CAD connectivity.

    Visit OpenBOMFull verdict →
  • HELiOS6.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A Windows-based PDM/PLM system connecting CAD, documents, workflows and ERP bills of materials.

    Visit ISD GroupFull verdict →

More comparisons

All product data management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update