Plasticity vs SolidWorks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Plasticity and SolidWorks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Plasticity
Powerful solid and surface modeling software for creative professionals and engineers.
Best for you if:
- • You want perpetual license, no subscription required
SolidWorks
Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Plasticity | SolidWorks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $175/mo Upgrade from Indie to Studio plan | Free plan |
Category | 3D Design Developer Tools | 3D Design CAD & Simulation |
Rating | 3.3/5 Trustpilot 3.4 · G2 4.0 · SourceForge 2.5 5 reviews | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 1,517 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Plasticity or SolidWorks?
Choose Plasticity if
- You want perpetual license, no subscription required
- You want powerful solid and surface modeling capabilities
Choose SolidWorks if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want industry-standard with a large user base and community support
- You want powerful and comprehensive feature set for diverse design tasks
In-Depth Analysis
Plasticity
Powerful solid and surface modeling software for creative professionals and engineers.
The pricing for Plasticity, specifically the "Upgrade from Indie to Studio" at $175, seems fair given the comprehensive feature set for professional solid and surfacing tools.
Strengths
- Pro: Perpetual license, no subscription required
- Pro: Powerful solid and surface modeling capabilities
- Pro: Advanced direct editing for flexible design changes
- Pro: Utilizes industry-leading Parasolid and xNURBS kernels
- Pro: Affordable compared to other high-end CAD software
Weaknesses
- Con: Free Starter plan has limited export formats and no commercial use
- Con: Some advanced features (xNURBS) are only available in higher tiers or specific OS versions
- Con: Enterprise features like enhanced support and custom integrations require direct contact
Key features
SolidWorks
Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry-standard with a large user base and community support.
- Pro: Powerful and comprehensive feature set for diverse design tasks.
- Pro: Relatively intuitive user interface for a professional CAD package.
- Pro: Strong integration with other SolidWorks products and third-party add-ons.
- Pro: Excellent for creating detailed manufacturing drawings.
Weaknesses
- Con: High cost of perpetual licenses and annual maintenance.
- Con: Can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware.
- Con: Steep learning curve for beginners without prior CAD experience.
Key features
Plans and prices: Plasticity vs SolidWorks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Plasticity |
| plasticity.xyz/upgrade read Nov 3, 2026 |
| SolidWorks | No plan prices on file | solidworks.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Plasticity pricing and SolidWorks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Plasticity
- Choose if you want powerful solid and surface modeling software for creative professionals and engineers
SolidWorks
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.3/5 from 5 reviews for Plasticity, 4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews for SolidWorks; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Plasticity starts at $175/mo; SolidWorks has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only SolidWorks has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Plasticity and SolidWorks compare in 2026?
On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.3/5 from 5 reviews for Plasticity, 4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews for SolidWorks; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Plasticity starts at $175/mo; SolidWorks has no public paid plan price on file. Only SolidWorks has a free plan.
What are Plasticity and SolidWorks used for?
Plasticity: Powerful solid and surface modeling software for creative professionals and engineers. SolidWorks: Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
What does Plasticity cost vs SolidWorks?
Plasticity's cheapest paid plan is Upgrade from Indie to Studio at $175/mo. SolidWorks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Plasticity and SolidWorks?
Plasticity's main strength: perpetual license, no subscription required. SolidWorks's main strength: industry-standard with a large user base and community support.