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# Autodesk Vault vs SolidWorks PDM Comparison - What are their main differences?

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VaultSolidWorks PDM[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Autodesk Vault**

**$195.00** Per User Per Year · Basic

**SolidWorks PDM**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Autodesk Vault**
$$$$$

**SolidWorks PDM**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Autodesk Vault**
Not enough reviews yet

**SolidWorks PDM**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**Autodesk Vault** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**SolidWorks PDM** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Autodesk Vault** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**SolidWorks PDM** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Autodesk Vault**
Not enough data

**SolidWorks PDM**

CAD Integration (1)

Document Management (1)

Configuration Issues (1)

Difficult Setup (1)

Integrations

**Autodesk Vault**
Not enough data

**SolidWorks PDM**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7b9e2011e4e380b736270f9543c8ba45/vxelements.JPG "Product Avatar Image")

VXelements

](https://www.g2.com/products/vxelements/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pdm/integrations)

Screenshots

**Autodesk Vault**
 ![Autodesk Vault screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1229211/vault-key-features-overview-image.png)

**SolidWorks PDM**
No screenshot available

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.9** /10

Based on 47 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**8.6** /10

Based on 59 responses

Ease of Use

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.1** /10

Based on 47 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**8.0** /10

Based on 60 responses

Ease of Setup

**Autodesk Vault**

**6.6** /10

Based on 28 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**6.4** /10

Based on 22 responses

Ease of Admin

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.7** /10

Based on 28 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**7.2** /10

Based on 20 responses

Quality of Support

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.2** /10

Based on 46 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**7.9** /10

Based on 54 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.8** /10

Based on 28 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**8.0** /10

Based on 20 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Autodesk Vault**

**7.8** /10

Based on 47 responses

**SolidWorks PDM**

**8.3** /10

Based on 55 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Product Data Management (PDM)

**6.4** /10

Based on 5 responses

**7.9** /10

Based on 45 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
53.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
21.2%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
53.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
21.2%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
50.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
33.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
15.5%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
50.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
33.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
15.5%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Autodesk Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d83b6590bd9cd3208dee48dd77709dde/autodesk-vault.svg "Autodesk Vault")](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-vault/reviews)
Autodesk Vault

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
15.4%

Oil & Energy
9.6%

Machinery
7.7%

Civil Engineering
7.7%

Automotive
5.8%

Other
53.8%

[![SolidWorks PDM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5b96883b5463a68b929df96cdde63c4/solidworks-pdm.png "SolidWorks PDM")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pdm/reviews)
SolidWorks PDM

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
22.5%

Design
8.5%

Automotive
8.5%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
7.0%

Machinery
7.0%

Other
46.5%

Alternatives

**Autodesk Vault Alternatives**

 ![Teamcenter](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d83699653e967e265705cdd3b757685d/teamcenter.svg "Teamcenter")

[
Siemens Teamcenter
](/products/teamcenter/reviews)

 ![Synergis Adept](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d314e181c159505bc68d6a9b74b194c1/synergis-adept.svg "Synergis Adept")

[
Synergis Adept
](/products/synergis-adept/reviews)

 ![Windchill](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5a47e416fa5c4039d99965f7b29b17e2/ptc-windchill.svg "Windchill")

[
Windchill
](/products/ptc-windchill/reviews)

 ![Aras Innovator](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a7d9fc6df0948e7a6221a9058bc342a2/aras-innovator.svg "Aras Innovator")

[
Aras Innovator
](/products/aras-innovator/reviews)

**SolidWorks PDM Alternatives**

 ![Teamcenter](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d83699653e967e265705cdd3b757685d/teamcenter.svg "Teamcenter")

[
Siemens Teamcenter
](/products/teamcenter/reviews)

 ![Synergis Adept](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d314e181c159505bc68d6a9b74b194c1/synergis-adept.svg "Synergis Adept")

[
Synergis Adept
](/products/synergis-adept/reviews)

 ![Aras Innovator](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a7d9fc6df0948e7a6221a9058bc342a2/aras-innovator.svg "Aras Innovator")

[
Aras Innovator
](/products/aras-innovator/reviews)

 ![Windchill](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5a47e416fa5c4039d99965f7b29b17e2/ptc-windchill.svg "Windchill")

[
Windchill
](/products/ptc-windchill/reviews)

## Vault vs SolidWorks PDM FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Vault vs SolidWorks PDM?

SolidWorks PDM stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction and stronger support scores compared to Vault.

| | [Vault](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-vault/reviews) | [SolidWorks PDM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pdm/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.1/5 (54 reviews) | 4.2/5 (80 reviews) |
| Largest Segment | Mid-Market | Small-Business |
| Ease of Setup score | 6.6 | 6.4 |
| Quality of Support score | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Integrated with Autodesk Inventor and strong version control | Customizable workflows and strong revision management |

### How do the pricing models of Vault and SolidWorks PDM compare?

SolidWorks PDM is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its price-to-capability ratio.

- **Vault:** Reviewers note that Vault's initial cost is more expensive and requires significant hardware investment, with some expressing concerns about value for small teams.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Reviewers mention that while SolidWorks PDM can be expensive for small organizations, they are generally satisfied with the value provided, especially for its robust features and workflow automation.

### What are the best alternatives to Vault and SolidWorks PDM?

The top three alternatives to Vault and SolidWorks PDM are Siemens Teamcenter, Synergis Adept, and Windchill.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Vault](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-vault/reviews) | 4.1/5 (54 reviews) | Mid-Market | Initial cost is more expensive, requires significant hardware investment | Integrated with Autodesk Inventor and strong version control |
| [SolidWorks PDM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pdm/reviews) | 4.2/5 (80 reviews) | Small-Business | Can be expensive for small organizations, but strong value for robust features | Customizable workflows and strong revision management |
| [Siemens Teamcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/teamcenter/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1469 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade scalability and integration |
| [Synergis Adept](https://www.g2.com/products/synergis-adept/reviews) | 4.4/5 (205 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Strong document management capabilities |
| [Windchill](https://www.g2.com/products/ptc-windchill/reviews) | 4.1/5 (121 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Comprehensive product lifecycle management |

### Which Product Data Management (PDM) features should I prioritize when comparing Vault and SolidWorks PDM?

Buyers should prioritize Version Control, Workflow Customization, Integration with CAD tools, Ease of Use, and Quality of Support when comparing Vault and SolidWorks PDM.

- **Version Control:** Both Vault and SolidWorks PDM are highly rated for version control, with frequent positive mentions in reviews.
- **Workflow Customization:** SolidWorks PDM is repeatedly praised for customizable workflows and electronic approval processes; Vault is noted for integration with Autodesk workflows.
- **Integration with CAD tools:** Vault is tightly integrated with Autodesk Inventor, while SolidWorks PDM is natively integrated with SolidWorks and supports multiple CAD formats.
- **Ease of Use:** SolidWorks PDM scores 8.0, Vault scores 7.1 on Ease of Use.
- **Quality of Support:** SolidWorks PDM scores 7.9, Vault scores 7.2 on Quality of Support.

### What are the pros and cons of Vault vs SolidWorks PDM?

SolidWorks PDM's headline strength is customizable workflows and revision management, while Vault's is integration with Autodesk Inventor and robust version control.

- **Vault strengths:** Integrated with Autodesk Inventor, strong version control, centralized storage, and secure authentication.
- **Vault trade-offs:** Higher initial cost, complex setup requiring IT expertise, performance issues with large files, and limited workflow customization.
- **SolidWorks PDM strengths:** Customizable electronic workflows, strong revision and version management, user-friendly Windows Explorer interface, and robust search capabilities.
- **SolidWorks PDM trade-offs:** Setup and maintenance can be complex and technical, higher cost for small organizations, and occasional performance issues with large assemblies.

### Is Vault or SolidWorks PDM better for small businesses?

SolidWorks PDM is a better fit for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Small-Business segment and receives positive sentiment from small-business reviewers.

- **Vault:** Most popular in the Mid-Market segment, with reviewers noting higher initial costs and more complex setup, which may be less ideal for small businesses.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Most popular in the Small-Business segment, with reviewers highlighting ease of use, strong workflow automation, and suitability for small teams.

### Which Product Data Management (PDM) platform has better integrations?

SolidWorks PDM is favored by reviewers for integrations, with positive mentions of easy integrations and CAD tool compatibility.

- **Vault:** Reviewers highlight integration with Autodesk Inventor and other Autodesk products, but do not cite third-party integrations in recent reviews.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Reviewers mention easy integrations, especially with SolidWorks, DriveWorks, SW Electrical, SW Manage, and Composer, with positive sentiment around integration flexibility.

### How do Vault and SolidWorks PDM compare on customer support?

SolidWorks PDM outperforms Vault on Quality of Support by a material margin, scoring 7.9 versus Vault's 7.2.

- **Vault:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful but note variability, with some citing the need for IT expertise and occasional slow response times.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Reviewers consistently praise support quality, highlighting responsive assistance, helpful documentation, and effective onboarding for new users.

### Which is easier to implement, Vault or SolidWorks PDM?

Vault and SolidWorks PDM score within 0.2 points on Ease of Setup (6.6 vs 6.4), indicating near parity in implementation difficulty.

- **Vault:** Reviewers report that setup requires significant IT expertise, with complex server and network configuration, but once implemented, administration is straightforward.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Reviewers note that setup and configuration can be technical and may require dedicated IT or PDM admin support, but onboarding and user adoption are generally smooth after initial deployment.

### Which product has better Version Control?

Both Vault and SolidWorks PDM are highly rated for Version Control, with strong reviewer sentiment and frequent positive mentions.

- **Vault:** Reviewers consistently praise version control capabilities, with positive feedback on tracking revisions, check-in/check-out, and preventing file duplication.
- **SolidWorks PDM:** Reviewers highlight robust version control, check-in/check-out, and revision management, with strong scores and positive sentiment in recent reviews.

## Autodesk Vault vs SolidWorks PDM

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found SolidWorks PDM easier to use and do business with overall. However, reviewers preferred the ease of set up with Autodesk Vault, along with administration.

- Reviewers felt that SolidWorks PDM meets the needs of their business better than Autodesk Vault.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that SolidWorks PDM is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of SolidWorks PDM over Autodesk Vault.