Alternatives to Solidworks
Solidworks is a widely used 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) solution that includes technical data management (PDM) tools and can integrate with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platforms.
Developed by Dassault Systèmes, Solidworks has become a leading solution in the industrial sector. However, other solutions on the market offer similar, or even more specialized, functionalities.
In this article, we outline five relevant alternatives to Solidworks to help you make an informed decision.
PTC Creo + Windchill
PTC Creo is also a 3D CAD suite—comprehensive and modular, covering detailed design of parts and assemblies with advanced features.
PTC Windchill is PTC’s PLM solution: a centralized web-based platform that manages product data, versions, configuration, and processes from design through to manufacturing and service. Windchill natively includes PDM functions (CAD file management, BOMs, technical documents) within its PLM framework.
Its open architecture facilitates integration with other enterprise systems and offers role-based configurable applications, while ensuring secure and traceable access to product data for all stakeholders. The Creo + Windchill bundle forms a cohesive solution: designs created in Creo can be directly managed, versioned, and submitted for approval workflows in Windchill.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on alternatives to PTC Windchill.
Onshape (PTC)
Onshape is a next-generation alternative to Creo, fully cloud-based. It’s a platform that combines 3D CAD and PDM, accessible via a simple web browser, with no local installation needed. Onshape provides a complete parametric 3D modeling environment coupled with real-time data management.Unlike traditional file-based tools, Onshape stores models in a unique cloud database, offering automatic saves, no crashes or data loss, and full traceability of changes.
PDM is native: Onshape includes advanced version control, enabling users to create design branches, merge them, and revert to any previous version. Multiple users can work simultaneously on the same part or assembly. Every change is instantly visible to others, eliminating issues of locked files or version conflicts.Onshape’s cloud ecosystem can also support the product lifecycle through additional modules, akin to PLM features.
Autodesk Inventor + Vault (Autodesk)
Autodesk Inventor is Autodesk’s flagship 3D CAD solution for parametric mechanical design. It integrates seamlessly with the Autodesk ecosystem. Inventor allows users to create 3D models of parts and assemblies, generate drawings, run stress simulations, and includes dedicated features.
Alongside, Autodesk Vault is Autodesk’s product data management (PDM) tool. Vault comes in several editions (Basic, Workgroup, Professional) and integrates with Windows to manage files and other documents.This combination provides Autodesk users with a centralized solution offering a unified workflow across multiple functionalities.
Autodesk has many strengths—but do you know its alternatives?
Siemens Solid Edge + Teamcenter (Siemens)
Solid Edge is Siemens’ proposed solution, covering the full product development process with a suite of tools.Solid Edge includes integrated PDM features for small-scale file management.
To go further, Siemens offers integration with Teamcenter, its enterprise-level PLM system. The combination of Solid Edge and Teamcenter allows capturing, managing, and sharing all design data. Solid Edge provides a unified database accessible to design and manufacturing teams, while Teamcenter offers a full set of PLM functionalities to streamline the process from design to production.
For more information, explore our article on alternatives to Siemens Solid Edge and Teamcenter.
Aletiq
Aletiq is a modern SaaS (100% cloud-based) tool for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM/EDM).
Important: Aletiq does not include a 3D CAD module, so it’s not a design alternative, but rather an alternative to PDM/PLM tools that can integrate with Solidworks (or other CAD software).
Its goal is to replace or complement the Solidworks ecosystem on collaborative, document management, and lifecycle management aspects. Aletiq’s approach is intuitive, collaborative, and flexible.
Concretely, Aletiq is a unified cloud platform for centralizing all technical product data: CAD files, PDF drawings, multi-level BOMs, specification documents, quality procedures. All this information is stored in a secure "digital vault", organized by items and product configurations.
Aletiq also provides classic PDM features and a full PLM suite. It promises to reduce time spent managing technical data by a factor of 10.
The tool includes project management features (milestone tracking, deliverables) and quality management, so all key product processes are monitored in a single interface. Finally, Aletiq includes an Electronic Document Management (EDM) module to control the lifecycle of applicable documents with approval workflows.Today, as you’ve seen, the landscape of design and technical data management software offers a wide range of options. With this list of Solidworks alternatives, you should be able to select the tool best suited to your company’s needs.
No solution is universally better than another: each occupies a specific position.
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