# Altair OptiStruct, Designcenter Solid Edge vs Designcenter NX Comparison

| | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 34 | 599 | 527 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (39.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (54.2% of reviews) | Enterprise (37.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Starting at $90.47 Per Month | Starting at $238.75 1 Subscription Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Altair OptiStruct

**Not enough data**

### Designcenter Solid Edge

Pros:
- Ease of Use (101 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (64 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (47 reviews)
- Difficult Learning (46 reviews)

### Designcenter NX

Pros:
- Features (80 reviews)
- Ease of Use (64 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (31 reviews)
- Learning Difficulty (30 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (25 reviews) | 8.4 (435 reviews) | 9.0 (237 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.8 (25 reviews) | 8.3 (475 reviews) | 8.2 (437 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (258 reviews) | 8.0 (301 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.4 (91 reviews) | 8.3 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (23 reviews) | 8.2 (405 reviews) | 8.6 (224 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (89 reviews) | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.5 (24 reviews) | 8.4 (423 reviews) | 8.8 (230 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Altair OptiStruct

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Designcenter Solid Edge

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Designcenter Solid Edge Design and Drafting XaaS

Price: Starting at $90.47 Per Month

Description: Get started quickly with part & assembly design, automated drawings, basic animation and rendering.

Key Features:
- 2D drafting
- Data import and reuse
- Basic 3D part design

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Designcenter NX

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Designcenter X NX Essentials

Price: Starting at $238.75 1 Subscription Per Month

Description: Browser-based essential NX CAD, CAM and CAE tools. Create and edit NX data with zero translation.

Key Features:
- Feature-based solid modeling
- Synchronous technology
- Drafting

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Altair OptiStruct** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.2/10 | 115 |
| **Designcenter NX** | N/A | N/A |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 8.6 (100 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.4 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.4 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 7.9 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 7.9 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.1 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.4 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Altair OptiStruct** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.5/10 | 193 |
| **Designcenter NX** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | 8.9 (183 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | Not enough data | 9.0 (185 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | Not enough data | 8.7 (179 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | Not enough data | 8.1 (171 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | Not enough data | 8.5 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | 8.3 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | Not enough data | 8.6 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | Not enough data | 8.4 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | Not enough data | 8.5 (170 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | Not enough data | 8.7 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | Not enough data | 8.3 (170 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Altair OptiStruct** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.9/10 | 97 |
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.2/10 | 56 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.8 (86 reviews) | 8.9 (48 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (68 reviews) | 8.6 (47 reviews) | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (76 reviews) | 8.9 (49 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | 7.8 (76 reviews) | 8.2 (52 reviews) | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | 8.5 (80 reviews) | 9.1 (51 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | 7.7 (66 reviews) | 8.4 (49 reviews) | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.6 (83 reviews) | 9.2 (51 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 8.3 (47 reviews) | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | 8.4 (74 reviews) | 8.9 (48 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 5.9 (15 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 6.2 (15 reviews) | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Altair OptiStruct** | 8.5/10 | 25 |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.1/10 | 103 |
| **Designcenter NX** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.2 (17 reviews) | 8.7 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.6 (17 reviews) | 8.6 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 9.0 (17 reviews) | 8.6 (96 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering tools** | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 8.0 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 8.0 (15 reviews) | 7.7 (81 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 9.1 (24 reviews) | 8.0 (87 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 7.8 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Work

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 8.2 (14 reviews) | 7.8 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 7.7 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 9.1 (17 reviews) | 7.8 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 8.5 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (77 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Integrate** | 8.1 (14 reviews) | 8.0 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | 8.1 (89 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task** | 8.3 (19 reviews) | 8.0 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 7.9 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.8 (18 reviews) | 8.6 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Altair OptiStruct** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.8/10 | 125 |
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.8/10 | 89 |

#### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 9.3 (77 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | 7.7 (94 reviews) | 8.6 (72 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 9.1 (73 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.3 (95 reviews) | 9.3 (74 reviews) | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 7.5 (91 reviews) | 8.7 (72 reviews) | 

#### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | 8.1 (96 reviews) | 9.0 (73 reviews) | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | 8.2 (96 reviews) | 8.7 (74 reviews) | 
| **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | 7.8 (99 reviews) | 8.7 (73 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | 7.3 (91 reviews) | 8.5 (73 reviews) | 
| **File size** | Not enough data | 7.4 (100 reviews) | 8.7 (73 reviews) | 

#### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | 7.8 (91 reviews) | 8.6 (73 reviews) | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | 7.4 (89 reviews) | 8.2 (72 reviews) | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | 7.6 (90 reviews) | 8.7 (72 reviews) | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | 7.6 (97 reviews) | 8.8 (75 reviews) | 

#### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 7.8 (94 reviews) | 8.8 (74 reviews) | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | 7.9 (91 reviews) | 8.6 (72 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 7.7 (91 reviews) | 8.8 (72 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 7.9 (104 reviews) | 8.9 (76 reviews) | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to Altair OptiStruct (1):** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae)

**Unique to Designcenter Solid Edge (5):** [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)

**Unique to Designcenter NX (2):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Altair OptiStruct | Designcenter Solid Edge | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 39.4% | 54.2% | 28.6% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 36.4% | 30.4% | 34.2% | 
| **Enterprise** | 24.2% | 15.4% | 37.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Altair OptiStruct

- **Automotive:** 40.6%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 9.4%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 9.4%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 6.3%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 6.3%
- **Research:** 3.1%
- **Mining & Metals:** 3.1%
- **Machinery:** 3.1%
- **Higher Education:** 3.1%
- **Other:** 9.4%

#### Designcenter Solid Edge

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 21.4%
- **Automotive:** 12.6%
- **Design:** 9.0%
- **Machinery:** 5.8%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.8%
- **Computer Software:** 3.8%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.6%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 3.1%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Higher Education:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 32.6%

#### Designcenter NX

- **Automotive:** 15.8%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 13.3%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 11.4%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 5.8%
- **Defense & Space:** 5.8%
- **Design:** 5.6%
- **Oil & Energy:** 4.0%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.7%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 2.9%
- **Semiconductors:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 29.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Altair OptiStruct

- [Abaqus](https://www.g2.com/products/abaqus/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (54 reviews)
- [Ansys LS-DYNA](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-ls-dyna/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (48 reviews)
- [Inventor Nastran](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor-nastran/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews)
- [Ansys Mechanical](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (92 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (279 reviews)

### Alternatives to Designcenter Solid Edge

- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)

### Alternatives to Designcenter NX

- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (997 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Altair OptiStruct

- Title: [Can i do the kinematics & dynamic analysis of rigid body (Mechanism ) along with the FEA analysis](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32044-can-i-do-the-kinematics-dynamic-analysis-of-rigid-body-mechanism-along-with-the-fea-analysis) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, OptiStruct is fully integrated with MotionSolve, Altair’s motion analysis solver, supporting both rigid and flex bodies FE analyses.  See..."
- Title: [Inertia relief analysis of same model was performed using Optistruct and Nastran, Result of Optistruct was showing very high stresses to that of Nastran. Why is it so?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32003-inertia-relief-analysis-of-same-model-was-performed-using-optistruct-and-nastran-result-of-optistruct-was-showing-very-high-stresses-to-that-of-nastran-why-is-it-so) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "OptiStruct solves both linear and nonlinear problems using an enhanced proprietary version of NASTRAN. We’d need to see the model to troubleshoot your issue."

### Designcenter Solid Edge

- Title: [Is Solidworks or Solid Edge better?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solidworks-or-solid-edge-better) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Solidworks"
- Title: [Is Solid Edge free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "No"
- Title: [What is Solid Edge used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-solid-edge-used-for) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is used for 3D modeling as well as drafting."
- Title: [What file type does Solid Edge use?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-file-type-does-solid-edge-use) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Solid Edge uses proprietary file formats with specific extensions similar to other 3D CAD systems.  Those are:
.ASM = Assemblies
.PAR = Parts
.PSM = Sheet..."
- Title: [Is Solid Edge good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-good) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Very Good"

### Designcenter NX

- Title: [Which companies are using NX software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-companies-are-using-nx-software) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "https://www.sw.siemens.com/de-DE/customer-case-study/?fm_1ARrzH=true&f2=EwNgrAjFEiQ"
- Title: [What is NX software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-nx-software-used-for) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "NX software used mainly for CAD modeling, Simulation And analysis"
- Title: [What is NX CAD used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-nx-cad-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It is used for Product design as well as Tool/Mold design. It is also used for 2D drawing. In die casting industry, it is used vastly for Mold design due to..."
- Title: [Can I use NX for 3D printing purpose?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-use-nx-for-3d-printing-purpose) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Yes. You can use"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/altair-optistruct-vs-designcenter-solid-edge-vs-designcenter-nx)