Rhino 3D 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 Rhino 3D 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:
Rhino 3D
Design, model, present, analyze, and realize your ideas with versatile 3D modeling software.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly versatile and used across many industries
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 | Rhino 3D | SolidWorks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $95/mo Upgrade Rhino 8 for Windows and Mac (Students or faculty) plan | Free plan |
Category | 3D Design Design | 3D Design CAD & Simulation |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 1,517 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Upgrades are not free, costing $595 for commercial. | n/a |
Choose Rhino 3D or SolidWorks?
Choose Rhino 3D if
- You want highly versatile and used across many industries
- You want perpetual licenses with no maintenance fees
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
Rhino 3D
Design, model, present, analyze, and realize your ideas with versatile 3D modeling software.
Rhino 3D's pricing is fair, especially considering it's a perpetual license for powerful 3D modeling software.
Watch out
Upgrades are not free, costing $595 for commercial.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly versatile and used across many industries
- Pro: Perpetual licenses with no maintenance fees
- Pro: Flexible licensing options, including floating licenses
- Pro: Significant discounts for students and educators
- Pro: Access to Work-In-Progress versions for future features
Weaknesses
- Con: Can have a learning curve for new users
- Con: Requires a one-time purchase, no subscription option mentioned
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: Rhino 3D vs SolidWorks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rhino 3D |
| rhino3d.com/upgrade read Oct 28, 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 Rhino 3D pricing and SolidWorks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Rhino 3D
- Choose if you want design, model, present, analyze, and realize your ideas with versatile 3D modeling software
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.
- Only SolidWorks has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews); Rhino 3D has none we can show.
- Rhino 3D starts at $95/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 Rhino 3D 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. Only SolidWorks has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews); Rhino 3D has none we can show. Rhino 3D starts at $95/mo; SolidWorks has no public paid plan price on file. Only SolidWorks has a free plan.
What are Rhino 3D and SolidWorks used for?
Rhino 3D: Design, model, present, analyze, and realize your ideas with versatile 3D modeling software. SolidWorks: Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
What does Rhino 3D cost vs SolidWorks?
Rhino 3D's cheapest paid plan is Upgrade Rhino 8 for Windows and Mac (Students or faculty) at $95/mo. SolidWorks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Rhino 3D and SolidWorks?
Rhino 3D's main strength: highly versatile and used across many industries. SolidWorks's main strength: industry-standard with a large user base and community support.