CATIA
CATIA: A deep engineering suite for complex products, with enterprise pricing to match. Ranked #2 of 80 in 3D CAD Software by our editors (9.3/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for enterprise engineering and advanced product design.
At a glance
- Editor score9.3 / 10
- PricingPricing on request
- Best forEnterprise engineering and advanced product design
- Assembly designYes
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on CATIA
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 modeling, direct modeling, part and assembly design, advanced surface and Class-A surfacing, sheet-metal workflows, mechanism motion, associative drawings, bills of materials, simulation integration, product lifecycle management, and collaborative product data. It is positioned for industries including automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, consumer products, architecture, engineering, and construction.
Pricing is structured around paid editions rather than a free plan. The Student Edition costs $60 as a one-time educational offer. Commercial access is available through the Quarterly Subscription at $1,961 per user per quarter or the Yearly Subscription at $6,537 per user per year. The student offer is restricted and educational, while the recurring subscriptions are intended for commercial use. Prices exclude local taxes and may vary by country, making CATIA a substantial investment for organizations evaluating advanced engineering workflows.
CATIA’s main strength is breadth: it combines detailed mechanical and surface design with sheet-metal manufacturing workflows, kinematic design, automation through Knowledgeware templates and rules, and integration with simulation and product lifecycle management. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform adds cloud-based real-time collaboration and shared product data, while integrations include ENOVIA and 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight Premium. CATIA supports web and Windows environments, with CATIA V5 also available in certified on-premises configurations, and handles formats including DWG, DXF, Revit, Rhino, IGES, STEP, ACIS/SAT, FBX, Collada, OBJ, MicroStation, IFC, STL, and 3DXML. Choose it for complex, enterprise-scale product development; smaller teams focused on simpler modeling may prefer a narrower, lower-cost tool.
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CATIA pricing
CATIA fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Modeling method | Parametric |
| Assembly design | Yes |
| Sheet-metal tools | Yes |
| Surface modeling | Yes |
| Cloud collaboration | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Web browser applications on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform; Windows for CATIA V5 sheet-metal software. |
| File import and export | STEP import and export; DXF, STL, VRML and IGES are listed as supported by other CATIA V5 products. |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows |
| Support | Community |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions |
| Pricing | Pricing on request |
| Website | 3ds.com |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
CATIA integrations
CATIA lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- 3DEXPERIENCE platform
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions
Alternatives to CATIA
- Siemens NXDeep hybrid CAD with Teamcenter integration for large engineering organizations.9.4
- SOLIDWORKSFull mechanical CAD with broad design, manufacturing, simulation, and collaboration tools.9.2
- Autodesk FusionA broad CAD-to-manufacturing platform with strong value across design and production workflows.9.1
CATIA vs the competition
- CATIA vs Siemens NX
- CATIA vs SOLIDWORKS
- CATIA vs Autodesk Fusion
- CATIA vs Creo
- CATIA vs Autodesk Inventor
- CATIA vs Onshape
Compare CATIA with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
CATIA is ranked in 10 of our directories; the 6 strongest besides 3D CAD Software.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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