MicroStation
6.9#22 in 3d cad softwareFrom $2,656 a yearWindows
VisitMicroStation vs SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
8.3#3 in 3d cad softwareFrom $48 a yearWebmacOSWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | MicroStation | SOLIDWORKS |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 | 1993 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Exton, Pennsylvania, United States | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA |
| Support | Bentley points users to product documentation, community forums, technical articles, webinars, and support resources. | Online purchases include technical support and access to getting-started resources covering installation, onboarding and tutorials. |
MicroStation plans
- MicroStation$2,656 a year
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 MicroStation if…
MicroStation suits engineers, architects, and construction professionals working on infrastructure designs. It is relevant to teams needing 2D and 3D CAD with built-in BIM, geospatial data, and support for drawing-file formats such as DWG and DXF.
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.