Alibre Design
7.4#10 in 3d cad softwareAPISelf-hostedWindows
VisitAlibre Design vs SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
8.3#3 in 3d cad softwareFrom $48 a yearWebmacOSWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Alibre Design | SOLIDWORKS |
|---|---|---|
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1997 | 1993 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas, United States | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA |
| Offline use | Offline perpetual licenses require no internet on the machine; licensing information must be transferred during initial licensing and yearly thereafter. | SOLIDWORKS Design can be used without an internet connection |
| Parametric modeling | Yes | Yes |
| Platform access | desktop | both |
| Render engine | built-in | built-in |
Alibre Design plans
- Design Pro$999 a month
- Design Expert$1,999 a month
- Alibre Design Pro$999, paid once
- Alibre Design Expert$1,999, paid once
SOLIDWORKS plans
- SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services$2,820 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Professional with Cloud Services$3,456 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Premium with Cloud Services$4,716 a year
- SOLIDWORKS for Makers$48 a year
Pick Alibre Design if…
Alibre Design suits business, education, and hobby users who need mechanical modeling and 2D documentation. It also supports automation and a range of imports, with format support varying by version.
Pick SOLIDWORKS if…
SOLIDWORKS suits people and organizations working with 3D product design, including industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology, and transportation markets. Students can use Design Standard at no cost, while Makers is aimed at personal, non-commercial use.