# Best Product Data Management (PDM) Software - Page 5 *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)* Product data management (PDM) software manages product data such as CAD models and manufacturing instructions. PDM is mostly used by manufacturing companies to control product data from design to production. This type of software is beneficial for designers creating the initial specifications of a new product and production managers following manufacturing instructions. PDM can be delivered separately or as a part of a [PLM software](https://www.g2.com/categories/plm) solution. PDM should not be confused with [product information management (PIM) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-information-management-pim), which is used mostly by retailers to manage information on products after they are manufactured. To qualify for inclusion in the Product Data Management category, a product must: - Deliver a single repository for all types of product data - Manage various kinds of data such as 3D models or digital content - Track data ownership, version control, and release status - Create technical specifications to manufacture and maintain products - Provide a full audit trail of all changes made to product information - Facilitate collaboration between internal and external teams ## How Many Product Data Management (PDM) Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 80 ### Category Stats (May 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.32/5 (↓0.01 vs Apr 2026) - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 97 - **Buyer Segments**: Mid-Market 49% │ Enterprise 26% │ Small-Business 25% - **Top Trending Product**: SolidWorks PDM (+0.015) *Last updated: May 18, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Product Data Management (PDM) Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 5,100+ Authentic Reviews - 80+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Which Product Data Management (PDM) Software Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [OpenBOM](https://www.g2.com/products/openbom/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Aras Innovator](https://www.g2.com/products/aras-innovator/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### Sibe Sibe is a collaboration-first cloud PDM built for mechanical engineering teams using SOLIDWORKS. It helps teams manage CAD files, preserve references, control revisions, and collaborate securely without the cost and complexity of traditional PDM systems. With Sibe, engineers can check files in and out, manage versions, track history, and work on individual parts or subassemblies directly from a native SOLIDWORKS add-in. This helps prevent accidental overwrites, broken references, and merge conflicts, even when teams are working concurrently or offline. Sibe also includes web-based collaboration tools for non-CAD stakeholders. Teams can share projects, specific versions, or released revisions with vendors, customers, manufacturing teams, and reviewers on any device. Unlimited web visitors are free, and access controls help protect IP by managing roles, permissions, and download rights. Because Sibe is cloud-based, there are no servers, VPNs, or heavy admin work required. Teams can start quickly, avoid complex upfront migration, and build a controlled engineering workflow from design through approval and release. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1697&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1697&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1697&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=1333984&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1697&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fproduct-data-management-pdm%2Fsmall-business&secure%5Btoken%5D=b9d9450c495fbe0c2b77171abc1219e1c90b37dfb10384c436b99759482d26d5&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sibe.io%2Fcloud-based-pdm&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## What Is Product Data Management (PDM) Software? [CAD & PLM Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-plm) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Product Data Management (PDM) Software? - [Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-lifecycle-management-plm) - [Engineering Document Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/engineering-document-management) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Product Data Management (PDM) Software? ### What You Should Know About PDM Software ### What is PDM Software? PDM, or product data management software gives users a place to store and manage all product information. This centralized database for all product information can store designs, engineering data, bills of materials, and critical information on processes used to create and modify product data. Accessing design files from CAD software or other design solutions can be extremely challenging at times. Sometimes these design files can be difficult to find, or not communicate enough information about the product. PDM software creates a centralized database for users so they can have access to critical product data that would otherwise be difficult to locate. Key Benefits of PDM Software - Find data more efficiently, saving time for users - Provide more visibility and improve collaboration across teams - Reduce development errors and costs ### Why Use PDM Software? PDM software helps companies gain total control over their product information and data. This allows users to improve collaboration, enhance traceability, and create a more efficient product development process. Additionally, one central location for all this important product information provides more visibility across teams, as well as accessibility and ease of use for clients. In a competitive market, designers and manufacturers must use every edge they have so they can bring products to market in the most efficient way possible. PDM software provides that extra edge, and is an essential tool to get the most out of engineering and design teams. **Improved collaboration —** Perhaps the most useful function of installing a PDM software is collaboration. PDM software allows users to share data quickly, track revisions that are made to the data, and provide comments and suggestions in the database. **Quicker time to market —** When engineers have quicker access to the data they’re looking for, it allows them to design at a more efficient pace. This generally speeds up the design process and quickly brings the product to market. **Less errors —** A centralized database where multiple users and teams can check each other’s data usually results in fewer errors. This both enhances and expedites the process as errors can be caught and corrected by multiple parties. ### Who Uses PDM Software? **Manufacturers —** Manufacturers utilize PDM software so they can control product data throughout the product lifecycle, from initial design stages to the final production of a product. Having control over product data allows manufacturers to streamline and automate processes related to the product such as engineering change orders. ### Kinds of PDM Software **Cloud PDM —** Cloud solutions allow users to access the software on an online server. This gives users the added benefit of providing more collaboration and accessibility. For businesses that work with companies in other countries, this is a crucial factor to consider. The drawbacks for some businesses might be the subscription-based model that many operate on; this means that most services charge on a monthly basis instead of a one-time cost. The reliance on internet connectivity to use the software can also be difficult for some organizations. Cloud connectivity can be difficult for some businesses and organizations if they do not always have reliable access to the internet. **On-premise PDM —** On-premise solutions are generally installed on local desktops and come at a one-time cost. The associated benefits of on-premise solutions include customizability, not relying on Wi-Fi, and having total control and ownership of the software. However, on-premise PDMs do not benefit from updates or additional IT help if something is not working properly like cloud PDMs. ### PDM Software Features **Remote access —** One of the key features of PDM software is remote access. This is especially useful for teams that have to communicate across the globe. The PDM enables remote design locations to receive real-time updates on design changes, which allows them to have immediate access to the data. **Secure access—** Secure access features allow users to set permissions on who is allowed to access the software. This is a great way to ensure that your data is always secure. **Data lookup —** Data lookup features allow users to quickly locate documents based on product names, contained data, metadata, workflow state, and other parameters. **Collaboration—** Beyond sharing access to data, PDM software allows users to share collaborative feedback on each other’s work. Users can share 2D or 3D views of teammate’s work and offer comments and feedback directly in the software. **Revision control —** PDM software allows users to go back and look at all past changes that were made in the dataset. Even if a project has been going on for months, users can access past versions. This ensures that no data gets lost, and allows users to reuse old designs. **Manufacturing processes —** Manufacturers use PDM software for managing product data, and to establish a centralized location for best processes. ### Potential Issues with PDM Software **Having multiple CAD systems —** One of the major issues that can occur when implementing a PDM is if you need to import data from multiple CAD systems. Often times, vendors have a PDM associated with their particular CAD system. These are PDM systems that offer more functionality if they are integrated with the same vendor’s CAD system. Some users say that the only problem with this is that if you have other CAD systems, then the PDM might lag more or have difficultly integrating with it. ### Software and Services Related to PDM Software [**Computer-aided design software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad) **—** PDM software is designed to integrate with general purpose CAD software. Users can import their design data into the PDM so multiple teams can access, view and edit the data. This makes all of the data accessible and easy to locate for users. [**Quality management system (QMS)**](https://www.g2.com/categories/quality-management-qms) **—** Connecting your PDM software with a quality management system or QMS allows users to enhance the data stored in their PDM. By integrating a QMS, users add an extra layer of data that can include critical information related to quality standards and regulations. The QMS can also serve as a great database for any incidents or inspections that are related to any products.