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

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · 3D CAD Software

SOLIDWORKS vs Creo

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score SOLIDWORKS #3 in 3D CAD Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SOLIDWORKS
Creo #5 in 3D CAD Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit PTC Creo

SOLIDWORKS leads on 1 check, Creo on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSOLIDWORKS · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly SOLIDWORKS
  • Free trialonly Creo

SOLIDWORKS scores higher on our rubric for 3d cad software: 9.2 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

SOLIDWORKS offers free plan; Creo doesn't.

SOLIDWORKS is the better fit for established teams needing full mechanical CAD. Creo is the better fit for manufacturing teams needing integrated engineering tools.

  • SOLIDWORKS fits best

    Established teams needing full mechanical CAD

  • Creo fits best

    Manufacturing teams needing integrated engineering tools

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 SOLIDWORKS 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Creo 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.1
Ranking #3 in 3D CAD Software #5 in 3D CAD Software
Best for Established teams needing full mechanical CAD Manufacturing teams needing integrated engineering tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $2,820/device/yr —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Windows, Web Windows
Support Docs Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SOLIDWORKS 0/4 · Creo 0/4
Assembly design Not checked yet Not checked yet
Sheet-metal tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Surface modeling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Modeling method Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
File import and export Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, weldments, molds, and structures
  • Includes simulation, motion analysis, rendering, and manufacturing documentation
  • Offers web and Windows access with cloud collaboration and revision management
  • Combines parametric and direct modeling with assemblies and simulation
  • Covers additive, CNC, rendering, drawings, and model-based definition
  • Supports Windchill, ANSYS, multi-CAD migration, and AI-assisted design
Cons
  • The annual entry price is high for smaller teams and individual professionals
  • Advanced routing and analysis require the Premium tier
  • Commercial access is paid, while free access is documented for students
  • Core Creo is a desktop product for Windows systems
  • There is no free plan
  • Locked and floating licenses impose different access constraints
Our verdict

SOLIDWORKS is 3D CAD and product development software for engineers, designers, and technology professionals. It supports parametric part, assembly, and 2D drawing modeling, with specialized tools for sheet metal, weldments, molds, and…

Read the review →

Creo is PTC’s parametric 3D CAD platform for engineers, designers, and manufacturers. It brings parametric and direct modeling together with part and assembly design, model animation, integrated simulation, rendering, 2D drawings, and…

Read the review →
  1. SOLIDWORKS3D CAD Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Creo3D CAD Software 9.130-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SOLIDWORKS — where it wins

    • Covers parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, weldments, molds, and structures
    • Includes simulation, motion analysis, rendering, and manufacturing documentation
    • Offers web and Windows access with cloud collaboration and revision management

    Where it doesn't

    • The annual entry price is high for smaller teams and individual professionals
    • Advanced routing and analysis require the Premium tier
    • Commercial access is paid, while free access is documented for students

  • Creo — where it wins

    • Combines parametric and direct modeling with assemblies and simulation
    • Covers additive, CNC, rendering, drawings, and model-based definition
    • Supports Windchill, ANSYS, multi-CAD migration, and AI-assisted design

    Where it doesn't

    • Core Creo is a desktop product for Windows systems
    • There is no free plan
    • Locked and floating licenses impose different access constraints

More comparisons

All 3D CAD software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update