About SOLIDWORKS SOLIDWORKS, SOLIDWORKS Design Standard, per user $2,820 USD a year
≈$4,020.47 CAD (converted from USD)
Every pick below has a free version.
Key file formats .sldprt .sldasm .step .stl Filter alternatives 2 alternatives
Windows1 macOS1 Linux1 Web1 iOS1 Android1
Open source1 Free tier1
Works offline1 No account needed1
Tool License Platforms Status
Strong 2 tools Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
1 On
Best for browser CAD on non-commercial projects
License: Free tier
Status: Verified Oct 7, 2026 STEP STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Geometry and face color carry over STL STL: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Imported meshes are reference only and cannot be edited DXF DXF: opens and saves, full fidelity. 2D sketches and drawings SLDPRT SLDPRT: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports as non-parametric geometry; exports STEP instead SLDASM SLDASM: opens only, partial fidelity. Import the assembly and its parts as a single zip file , 0 people switched from SOLIDWORKS to Onshape Onshape for changes The Free plan is for non-commercial use and every document is public. Private documents need a paid plan. Runs in a browser, so no Windows requirement. Free version: Free plan is for non-commercial use and all documents are public. Standard costs US$1,500 per user per year.
2 Fr
Best for open-source parametric part design
License: Open source
Status: Unknown
DWG DWG: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers only DXF DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detail PDF PDF: saves only, full fidelity. TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing STL STL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Mesh format STEP STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Solid geometry exchange +1 more , 0 people switched from SOLIDWORKS to FreeCAD FreeCAD for changes Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with no license cost. The workflow differs, and migrating means exporting STEP files from SOLIDWORKS.
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Feature parity How each alternative covers what people use SOLIDWORKS for. Numbers link to editor notes.
Feature parity with SOLIDWORKS Feature Onshape FreeCAD Modeling Parametric part modeling with a feature tree Note 1Part Design and Sketcher build solids from a feature tree Assemblies and mates Note 2Mates and mate connectors Note 3A built-in Assembly workbench with fewer mates and lighter large-assembly handling Sheet metal and weldments Note 4Sheet metal tools are built in Note 5Sheet metal tools come from the SheetMetal workbench Documentation Detailed 2D drawings from models Note 6Drawings are part of the Free plan Note 7TechDraw makes dimensioned sheets with fewer drafting standards Interoperability Opens and saves SLDPRT and SLDASM files Note 8Imports SLDPRT and zipped SLDASM files as static geometry; exports STEP, not SOLIDWORKS files Note 9SLDPRT and SLDASM do not open; export STEP from SOLIDWORKS Parity score 90% 50%
FreeCAD, Parametric part modeling with a feature tree: Part Design and Sketcher build solids from a feature tree Onshape, Assemblies and mates: Mates and mate connectors FreeCAD, Assemblies and mates: A built-in Assembly workbench with fewer mates and lighter large-assembly handling Onshape, Sheet metal and weldments: Sheet metal tools are built in FreeCAD, Sheet metal and weldments: Sheet metal tools come from the SheetMetal workbench Onshape, Detailed 2D drawings from models: Drawings are part of the Free plan FreeCAD, Detailed 2D drawings from models: TechDraw makes dimensioned sheets with fewer drafting standards Onshape, Opens and saves SLDPRT and SLDASM files: Imports SLDPRT and zipped SLDASM files as static geometry; exports STEP, not SOLIDWORKS files FreeCAD, Opens and saves SLDPRT and SLDASM files: SLDPRT and SLDASM do not open; export STEP from SOLIDWORKS Not covered by any free alternative yet: Opens and saves SLDPRT and SLDASM files. See all feature gaps
File formats Can each alternative open and save SOLIDWORKS files?
Opening and saving SOLIDWORKS files Format Onshape FreeCAD .sldprt Note 1Imports as non-parametric geometry; exports STEP instead Note 2SolidWorks files do not open; export STEP from SolidWorks .sldasm Note 3Import the assembly and its parts as a single zip file Note 4SolidWorks files do not open; export STEP from SolidWorks .step Note 5Geometry and face color carry over Note 6Solid geometry exchange .stl Note 7Imported meshes are reference only and cannot be edited Note 8Mesh format
Onshape, .sldprt: Imports as non-parametric geometry; exports STEP instead FreeCAD, .sldprt: SolidWorks files do not open; export STEP from SolidWorks Onshape, .sldasm: Import the assembly and its parts as a single zip file FreeCAD, .sldasm: SolidWorks files do not open; export STEP from SolidWorks Onshape, .step: Geometry and face color carry over FreeCAD, .step: Solid geometry exchange Onshape, .stl: Imported meshes are reference only and cannot be edited FreeCAD, .stl: Mesh format Switching saves about $2,820 USD / ≈$4,020 CAD (estimated from the USD price) a year. Prices checked Oct 7, 2026 ; ≈ means converted from USD.
Based on SOLIDWORKS Design Standard, per user. Price source . USD to CAD at 1.4257 as of Oct 7, 2026.
SOLIDWORKS is a product of Dassault Systèmes, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for SOLIDWORKS: Windows.