Siemens NX vs Onshape

Siemens NX9.4Visit Onshape8.9Visit

Higher score Siemens NX #1 in 3D CAD Software 9.4/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Siemens NX

vs

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

• Siemens NX fits best

  Large industrial engineering organizations

• Onshape fits best

  Cloud-first collaborative engineering 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	Siemens NX 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Onshape 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in 3D CAD Software	#7 in 3D CAD Software
Best for	Large industrial engineering organizations	Cloud-first collaborative engineering teams
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	$1,500/user/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Web	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	1 integrations	50+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Siemens NX 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	Hybrid	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Windows desktop; NX X Design is cloud SaaS and supports browser-based access	Not checked yet
File import and export	IGES, STEP AP203, STEP AP214, DXF/DWG, STL, 3MF; NX X data exchange also lists JT, Solid Edge and SolidWorks open	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines parametric, synchronous, assembly, sheet-metal, and surface modeling Supports Teamcenter, Siemens Xcelerator, and Live Share collaboration Runs across web, Windows, and Linux with broad CAD translation support	Real-time collaboration, commenting and version control Parametric, assembly, surfacing and mixed modeling Web, iOS, Android, REST API and App Store access
Cons	Paid product with no free plan Feature depth may exceed the needs of smaller design teams AI capabilities are limited to higher-tier or add-on offerings	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	Siemens NX is 3D CAD software for mechanical product development, with tools for feature-based parametric modeling, synchronous direct modeling, assemblies, sheet metal, freeform surfaces, drafting, and product validation. It is aimed at… 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

• Siemens NX — where it wins

  • Combines parametric, synchronous, assembly, sheet-metal, and surface modeling
  • Supports Teamcenter, Siemens Xcelerator, and Live Share collaboration
  • Runs across web, Windows, and Linux with broad CAD translation support

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid product with no free plan
  • Feature depth may exceed the needs of smaller design teams
  • AI capabilities are limited to higher-tier or add-on offerings

• 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

• Siemens NX9.4/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  Deep hybrid CAD with Teamcenter integration for large engineering organizations.

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

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

  Visit OnshapeFull verdict →