Onshape is a browser-based CAD and PDM platform from PTC. See pricing ($1,500-$2,500/user/year), features, pros, and cons before you buy.
Category
Design
Pricing
Free plan for non-commercial use (unlimited public storage); Standard $1,500/user/year; Professional $2,500/user/year; custom Enterprise pricing on request. Free professional-grade access available for qualifying students, educators, and startups.
Onshape is a cloud-native 3D CAD platform now owned by PTC. Unlike traditional desktop CAD software, Onshape runs entirely in a web browser and combines parts modeling, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, frames, surfacing, and configurations with a built-in product data management (PDM) system that supports branching, merging, and release management directly on the CAD data. Because the platform is cloud-native, teams can collaborate on the same models in real time from any device, with automatic saving, complete audit trails, and unlimited undo history instead of manually managed file versions. Onshape targets mechanical engineers, industrial designers, and manufacturing teams across industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, electronics, medical devices, and robotics, and also offers free access for students, educators, hobbyists, and qualifying startups. Add-on modules extend the core CAD/PDM platform with CAM Studio, simulation, PCB Studio for electronics design, Render Studio for visualization, Model-Based Definition (MBD), an AI Advisor, and native Apple Vision Pro support.
Key Features
3D CAD Modeling — Full parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, frames, and surfacing tools that run entirely in a web browser.
Built-in PDM — Product data management with branching, merging, and release management built directly into the CAD platform rather than sold separately.
Real-Time Collaboration — Multiple engineers can edit the same assembly simultaneously from any device, with automatic saving and complete audit trails.
CAM, Simulation & PCB Studio — Add-on modules for CAM Studio, simulation, PCB Studio for electronics design, and Render Studio for visualization on paid plans.
Model-Based Definition & AI Advisor — MBD tooling and an AI Advisor assist engineering workflows, alongside native Apple Vision Pro support for model review.
Runs entirely in a browser on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, tablet) with no local installation, license servers, or manual file syncing to manage
Built-in PDM with branching, merging, and full version history is included rather than sold as a separate product
True real-time multi-user collaboration lets several engineers edit the same assembly simultaneously
Free tier plus free education and startup programs make professional-grade CAD accessible to hobbyists, students, and early-stage companies
Cons
Paid plans are priced per user per year ($1,500 Standard / $2,500 Professional) with no published monthly option, which can be a large upfront commitment for small teams
The Free plan only allows public, non-commercial documents, so any commercial work requires a paid subscription
Enterprise-grade features such as SSO, custom release management, and Arena PLM connection are gated behind custom Enterprise pricing that requires contacting sales
As a fully cloud-based tool, Onshape requires a stable internet connection and does not offer a traditional offline desktop mode