SolidWorks is one of the most popular 3D CAD software products on the market. You may end up regretting not using Solidworks. This article provides an overview and details of all SolidWorks pricing options. Once you understand the pricing, get started with Solidoworks!
- 1 SolidWorks Pricing Options
- 2 SolidWorks Pricing Table
- 3 How to Buy SolidWorks
- 4 SolidWorks Pricing Options
- 5 SolidWorks Pricing Table
- 6 Which SolidWorks License is Better?
- 7 The Bottom Line
- 8 SolidWorks Pricing FAQ
- 8.1 How much does each SolidWorks package cost?
- 8.2 How can I get the best deal on SolidWorks?
- 8.3 What packages are available for SolidWorks?
- 8.4 Is there a free trial available for SolidWorks?
- 8.5 I still have more questions about SolidWorks pricing. Who can I contact?
- 8.6 What are the system requirements for SolidWorks 2024?
- 8.7 What are SolidWorks’ available regions?
- 8.8 What are the benefits of upgrading to the latest version of SolidWorks?
- 8.9 What are some SolidWorks alternatives?
- 8.10 Are there any free alternatives to SolidWorks?
- 9 Solidworks price varies depending on license
SolidWorks Pricing Options
SolidWorks’ pricing structure is not straightforward for the typical consumer, which is why it is important to discuss your specific needs with a licensed reseller. To help you understand how the pricing options break down, it’s best to think of them according to licensing term and product category.
Pricing According to Licensing Term
From SolidWorks’ website, there are two licensing options available:
- Subscription license
- Perpetual license
This means that you can either pay an upfront fee for a certain number of months or years to use the software, or you can buy a perpetual license that allows you to use the software forever.
Subscription License
This option means that you will be charged a quarterly or annual fee to use the software. The benefit of this is that you always have the latest version of SolidWorks and you don’t have to pay for an upgrade. The downside is that if you stop paying the annual fee, you will no longer have access to the software.
As of this article’s publication, the yearly price for this option is around $2,797 per year, which includes all software updates and upgrades released during the term of the license.
Perpetual License
With this option, you pay an upfront fee for a perpetual license, which means you own a license to use the software forever. The downside of this is that as new versions of the software are released, you have to pay for an upgrade in order to use the new features.
As of this article’s publication, the price of this option is around $4,195, which includes the right to use all software updates and upgrades released during the first 12 months after purchase. After the first 12 months, users can purchase an annual maintenance plan to continue receiving software updates and upgrades.
To get the best deal on SolidWorks, it is recommended that you buy a perpetual license and purchase the annual maintenance plan. This will give you the most bang for your buck in the long run!
Pricing According to Category
SolidWorks offers a variety of solutions that are tailored to your specific CAD needs. Below are some of the most popular options.
Design / Engineering (3D CAD)
SolidWorks is a trusted standard in 3D CAD design and engineering for over 25 years. With intuitive 3D design and product development solutions, SolidWorks helps you turn your innovative ideas into great product designs. Some of the benefits of using 3D CAD SolidWorks include:
- Creating fast and accurate designs, including 3D models and 2D drawings of complex parts and assemblies.
- Designing for cost and manufacturing with cost estimation tools and manufacturability checks.
- Interacting with team members and controlling revisions with standardized data management tools.
- Eliminating errors and rework by using integrated motion and stress analysis tools.
There are also different packages available for 3D CAD: Standard, Professional, and Premium.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Features |
|
In addition to the features in Standard, Professional also provides:
|
In addition to the features in Standard and Professional, Premium also includes additional advanced tools for greater design complexity. It has the most comprehensive set of tools for mechanical, electrical, fluid flow, and thermal simulation. This package is recommended for users who need to design the most complex products.
|
| Subscription License |
|
|
|
| Perpetual License | $4,195 | $5,764 | $8,395 |
Manufacturing / Production
Source: SolidWorks
The full 3DEXPERIENCE platform can help you get more insights and analytics to help streamline your entire organization.
Even the coolest ideas won’t thrive if they can’t be produced efficiently. Companies need a set of tools that let design and manufacturing teams work together, from Enterprise Resource Planing to the shop floor. This allows businesses to make better decisions in real-time, and manage quality issues while improving their overall manufacturing and business operations. Supply chain management solutions can help increase throughput, reduce inventory, and streamline the order-to-cash process.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Subscription License |
|
|
– |
| Perpetual License | – | $3,120 | – |
Simulation
Simulation tools can help you validate your designs before you build them. This can include things like Computational Fluid Dynamics, Electromagnetics Simulation, Plastics Injection Molding Simulation, or Structural Simulation. By using simulations early in the design process, you can catch potential problems and address them before they become too expensive or time-consuming to fix.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Manufacturing companies often use computer simulations to improve the quality of their products and avoid manufacturing issues. One such simulation is fluid flow and heat transfer simulation, which can help predict how a product will behave under different conditions. This information can be used to improve quality control and make necessary adjustments before products are actually manufactured.
Fluid flow and thermal performance are important considerations when designing new products. SolidWorks provides tools to easily predict how products will behave under different conditions, making it easier to accelerate product innovation. This can help you make sure that your products are performing as intended, and that any potential problems are caught before they become an issue.
Electromagnetics Simulation
When it comes to designing and placing electromagnetic components and systems, it’s important to make sure that everything is working as efficiently as possible. This means taking into account both low and high-frequency electromagnetic waves to optimize performance and reliability. Additionally, you will want to be mindful of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) risks and the exposure of the human body to electromagnetic fields. With the right tools, you can ensure that your device passes all required legal certification tests.
Plastics Injection Molding Simulation
Injection molding is a process that is used to create plastic parts. When designing parts for injection molding, it is important to make sure that the part can be manufactured without any defects. This can be done by using simulation software to predict and avoid manufacturing defects, which can help to improve the quality of the parts and decrease the time to market.
Structural Simulation
Source: SolidWorks
This is a tool that allows you to simulate how your design will hold up under different loads and conditions. It is useful for testing the strength of your design and for finding potential areas of improvement.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Subscription License | – | – | – |
| Perpetual License | $3,995 | $7,595 | $11,595 |
SolidWorks Pricing Table
Important: These SolidWorks prices should be used only as a general guideline. Pricing varies between resellers and is subject to change at any time by individual resellers or SolidWorks. Furthermore, some packages offered by SolidWorks may not be included or pricing may be missing from this table if relevant information could not be found.
| Category | Sub-Category | Licensing Term | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Design | Design / Engineering (3D CAD) | 1-year License | $2,797 | $3,468 | $4,848 |
| 3-month License | $860 | $1,084 | $1,515 | ||
| Perpetual License | $4,195 | $5,764 | $8,395 | ||
| Electrical 3D CAD Add-On
(3D CAD license required) |
Perpetual License | $6,295 | – | – | |
| Electrical Schematics | Unspecified | $4,195 | $6,295 | – | |
| Manufacturing | Manufacturing / Production | 1-year License | Free with 3D CAD | $1,304 | – |
| 3-month License | Free with 3D CAD | $391 | – | ||
| Perpetual License | – | $3,120 | – | ||
| Simulation | Simulation | Perpetual License | $3,995 | $7,595 | $11,595 |
| Simulation Add-on (FEA) | 1-year License | $2,194 | $4,654 | $7,154 | |
| 3-month License | $658 | $1,396 | $2,146 | ||
| Perpetual License | $4,195 | $7,975 | $12,175 | ||
| Flow Simulation Add-on (CFD) | Perpetual License | $14,695.00(Unspecified) | |||
| Technical Communication | Technical Communication | 3-month License | $931 | ||
| 1-year License | $3,104 | ||||
| Perpetual License | $5,765 | ||||
| Visualize | – | Perpetual License | $1,570 | $3,145 | – |
| Inspection | – | Perpetual License | $2,410 | $4,195 | – |
| MBD add-on | – | Perpetual License | $2,095(General) | ||
How to Buy SolidWorks
If you check SolidWorks’ website to get an idea of the pricing, you will notice that it doesn’t list any prices. That’s because you have to buy the software through a local partner or a licensed reseller. The resellers are more than just salespeople. They work with you to understand your unique challenges, then recommend the right solution for you — after-purchase services include effective customer support and deep industry knowledge that help ensure a long-term partnership.
In order to purchase the SolidWorks software, you will need to seek out a local partner or directly contact SolidWorks. There are a few reasons why this program is only available through these specific channels.
If you don’t know what Solidworks is, please take a look at this article.
Training and Certification
The first reason has to do with training and certification. Local partners and the maker of SolidWorks are the only ones who can offer official training courses that certify users in SolidWorks. This is important because customers want to be able to trust that whoever is responsible for suggesting appropriate SolidWorks solutions also knows how to use the software correctly.
Customer Support
The second reason is customer support. SolidWorks promises certain levels of customer support to its users, and it can only guarantee the quality of service if users go through the proper channels.
After-purchase Customer Care
Lastly, what you’re paying for is more than just the software itself. When you buy SolidWorks from a local partner, you’re also getting years of experience and expertise from the reseller in using the software.
Therefore, to buy SolidWorks, you need to find a local partner, contact SolidWorks, or search SolidWorks’ website to find a reseller.
SolidWorks Pricing Options
SolidWorks’ pricing structure is not straightforward for the typical consumer, which is why it is important to discuss your specific needs with a licensed reseller. To help you understand how the pricing options break down, it’s best to think of them according to licensing term and product category.
Pricing According to Licensing Term
From SolidWorks’ website, there are two licensing options available:
- Subscription license
- Perpetual license
This means that you can either pay an upfront fee for a certain number of months or years to use the software, or you can buy a perpetual license that allows you to use the software forever.
Subscription License
This option means that you will be charged a quarterly or annual fee to use the software. The benefit of this is that you always have the latest version of SolidWorks and you don’t have to pay for an upgrade. The downside is that if you stop paying the annual fee, you will no longer have access to the software.
As of this article’s publication, the yearly price for this option is around $2,797 per year, which includes all software updates and upgrades released during the term of the license.
Perpetual License
With this option, you pay an upfront fee for a perpetual license, which means you own a license to use the software forever. The downside of this is that as new versions of the software are released, you have to pay for an upgrade in order to use the new features.
As of this article’s publication, the price of this option is around $4,195, which includes the right to use all software updates and upgrades released during the first 12 months after purchase. After the first 12 months, users can purchase an annual maintenance plan to continue receiving software updates and upgrades.
To get the best deal on SolidWorks, it is recommended that you buy a perpetual license and purchase the annual maintenance plan. This will give you the most bang for your buck in the long run!
Pricing According to Category
SolidWorks offers a variety of solutions that are tailored to your specific CAD needs. Below are some of the most popular options.
Design / Engineering (3D CAD)
SolidWorks is a trusted standard in 3D CAD design and engineering for over 25 years. With intuitive 3D design and product development solutions, SolidWorks helps you turn your innovative ideas into great product designs. Some of the benefits of using 3D CAD SolidWorks include:
- Creating fast and accurate designs, including 3D models and 2D drawings of complex parts and assemblies.
- Designing for cost and manufacturing with cost estimation tools and manufacturability checks.
- Interacting with team members and controlling revisions with standardized data management tools.
- Eliminating errors and rework by using integrated motion and stress analysis tools.
There are also different packages available for 3D CAD: Standard, Professional, and Premium.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Features |
|
In addition to the features in Standard, Professional also provides:
|
In addition to the features in Standard and Professional, Premium also includes additional advanced tools for greater design complexity. It has the most comprehensive set of tools for mechanical, electrical, fluid flow, and thermal simulation. This package is recommended for users who need to design the most complex products.
|
| Subscription License |
|
|
|
| Perpetual License | $4,195 | $5,764 | $8,395 |
Manufacturing / Production
The full 3DEXPERIENCE platform can help you get more insights and analytics to help streamline your entire organization.
Even the coolest ideas won’t thrive if they can’t be produced efficiently. Companies need a set of tools that let design and manufacturing teams work together, from Enterprise Resource Planing to the shop floor. This allows businesses to make better decisions in real-time, and manage quality issues while improving their overall manufacturing and business operations. Supply chain management solutions can help increase throughput, reduce inventory, and streamline the order-to-cash process.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Subscription License |
|
|
– |
| Perpetual License | – | $3,120 | – |
Simulation
Simulation tools can help you validate your designs before you build them. This can include things like Computational Fluid Dynamics, Electromagnetics Simulation, Plastics Injection Molding Simulation, or Structural Simulation. By using simulations early in the design process, you can catch potential problems and address them before they become too expensive or time-consuming to fix.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Manufacturing companies often use computer simulations to improve the quality of their products and avoid manufacturing issues. One such simulation is fluid flow and heat transfer simulation, which can help predict how a product will behave under different conditions. This information can be used to improve quality control and make necessary adjustments before products are actually manufactured.
Fluid flow and thermal performance are important considerations when designing new products. SolidWorks provides tools to easily predict how products will behave under different conditions, making it easier to accelerate product innovation. This can help you make sure that your products are performing as intended, and that any potential problems are caught before they become an issue.
Electromagnetics Simulation
When it comes to designing and placing electromagnetic components and systems, it’s important to make sure that everything is working as efficiently as possible. This means taking into account both low and high-frequency electromagnetic waves to optimize performance and reliability. Additionally, you will want to be mindful of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) risks and the exposure of the human body to electromagnetic fields. With the right tools, you can ensure that your device passes all required legal certification tests.
Plastics Injection Molding Simulation
Injection molding is a process that is used to create plastic parts. When designing parts for injection molding, it is important to make sure that the part can be manufactured without any defects. This can be done by using simulation software to predict and avoid manufacturing defects, which can help to improve the quality of the parts and decrease the time to market.
Structural Simulation
This is a tool that allows you to simulate how your design will hold up under different loads and conditions. It is useful for testing the strength of your design and for finding potential areas of improvement.
| Package | Standard | Professional | Premium |
| Subscription License | – | – | – |
| Perpetual License | $3,995 | $7,595 | $11,595 |
SolidWorks Pricing Table
Important: These SolidWorks prices should be used only as a general guideline. Pricing varies between resellers and is subject to change at any time by individual resellers or SolidWorks. Furthermore, some packages offered by SolidWorks may not be included or pricing may be missing from this table if relevant information could not be found.
Which SolidWorks License is Better?
The main difference between the subscription license and the perpetual license options is that with a subscription, you will have to pay every year to keep using SolidWorks. With the perpetual license, you make a one-time payment, and then you own the most recent software release from that year.
If you plan to only use SolidWorks in-house and know that the release version you are planning to buy can handle all of your CAD, manufacturing, or simulation needs for the foreseeable future, then a perpetual license is probably your best option.
However, if you are a consultancy or a firm that plans to share SolidWorks files with clients, you may run into compatibility issues if you are not both running the same version of the software. You can always upgrade your software even with a perpetual license, but it can be costly if it has been several years since you purchased the perpetual license.
The Bottom Line
You should now have a better understanding of the different SolidWorks packages and their corresponding pricing. If you’re looking for the best SolidWorks price, then you will need to find a local partner or reseller. The price you pay will depend on the licensing options you choose, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $860 to $16,000 for the software.
And remember, when you buy SolidWorks, you’re not just paying for the software itself, but also for the years of experience and expertise of the reseller who will help guide you through the selection process and after-sales support.
Please keep in mind that prices are always subject to change and what you’re quoted today may not be what you’re quoted tomorrow. That’s why it’s important to always consult with a SolidWorks specialist to get the most accurate pricing for your business needs.
SolidWorks Pricing FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions about SolidWorks pricing.
How much does each SolidWorks package cost?
The price of each SolidWorks package varies depending on the edition, duration of license, and support options. Please refer to the table above.
How can I get the best deal on SolidWorks?
There are a few ways to get a good deal on SolidWorks. Firstly, take advantage of any discounts or promotions that may be available. Secondly, consider purchasing a longer license duration to get a better price per month. Finally, make sure to shop around and compare prices from different resellers.
What packages are available for SolidWorks?
There are three main SolidWorks packages available, which cater to different needs and budgets. The price of each SolidWorks package depends on the edition, duration of the license, and support options.
SolidWorks Standard: This package is the most affordable SolidWorks package, which includes core CAD functionality.
SolidWorks Professional: This package includes all the features of the Standard package, plus advanced simulation and design validation tools.
SolidWorks Premium: This package includes all the features of the Standard and Professional packages, plus additional advanced tools for greater design complexity.
Is there a free trial available for SolidWorks?
Yes, there is a free trial available for SolidWorks. The free trial allows you to use all features of the software for a limited time. After the free trial period expires, you will need to purchase a license to continue using SolidWorks.
I still have more questions about SolidWorks pricing. Who can I contact?
If you have further questions about SolidWorks pricing, we suggest contacting SolidWorks customer support.
What are the system requirements for SolidWorks 2024?
To run SolidWorks 2022, you need a computer with Windows 10 or 11, a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor, and 16GB of RAM.
For 3D CAD modeling and design, SolidWorks provides a list of certified graphics cards and drivers. While any high-end GPU will likely work with the software, those provided on the list have been tested and confirmed to be compatible.
SolidWorks also requires an active subscription to use the software.
What are SolidWorks’ available regions?
For regional pricing, you need to contact SolidWorks or a local partner because there may be different discounts or promotions available in your area. SolidWorks is currently available in these regions:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East and Africa
- Latin America
What are the benefits of upgrading to the latest version of SolidWorks?
Some of the benefits of upgrading to the latest version of SolidWorks include:
- New features and enhancements
- Improved performance
- Enhanced file management
- Increased software stability
What are some SolidWorks alternatives?
If you are looking for an alternative to SolidWorks, there are a few options available. Some of the most popular alternatives include:
- Autodesk Inventor
- Siemens NX
- PTC Creo
- CATIA
- Solid Edge
These are just a few of the many alternatives available on the market. When choosing an alternative, it is important to consider your specific needs and requirements.
Are there any free alternatives to SolidWorks?
There are a few free alternatives to SolidWorks available. These include:
- FreeCAD
- BRL-CAD
- Onshape
Solidworks price varies depending on license
The price of Solidworks varies depending on the license, so it is best to choose the course you like.
