# Creo, KeyCreator vs Designcenter Solid Edge Comparison

| | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 200 | 141 | 599 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (37.8% of reviews) | Small-Business (55.1% of reviews) | Small-Business (54.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Starting at $708.00 Per Year | Starting at $90.47 Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Creo

Pros:
- Ease of Use (11 reviews)
- Features (9 reviews)

Cons:
- Complexity (4 reviews)
- Not User-Friendly (4 reviews)

### KeyCreator

Pros:
- 3D Modeling (2 reviews)
- Accuracy (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Complexity (2 reviews)
- Learning Curve (2 reviews)

### Designcenter Solid Edge

Pros:
- Ease of Use (98 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (62 reviews)

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

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.5 (169 reviews) | 9.1 (114 reviews) | 8.4 (435 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.5 (169 reviews) | 9.0 (114 reviews) | 8.3 (475 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.1 (32 reviews) | 8.7 (19 reviews) | 8.2 (258 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.4 (15 reviews) | 8.9 (16 reviews) | 8.4 (91 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.8 (159 reviews) | 8.7 (113 reviews) | 8.2 (405 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.2 (15 reviews) | 9.2 (16 reviews) | 8.8 (89 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.8 (164 reviews) | 7.9 (111 reviews) | 8.4 (423 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Creo

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### KeyCreator

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: KeyCreator Drafting Standard

Price: Starting at $708.00 Per Year

Description: The most compatible, efficient, and agile drafting solution available

Key Features:
- Optimized Traditional Drawing and Construction Tools
- Generate drawings from 3D solids
- Organize objects with levels/sub-levels, entity naming, external references, and custom properties

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

#### Free Trial

Yes

### 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

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | N/A | N/A |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.2/10 | 115 |

#### CAD to CAM

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

#### CNC Programming

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

#### Machining

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

### 3D Modeling

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | 8.1/10 | 89 |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Sculpting** | 7.9 (66 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Topology** | 8.3 (61 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | 8.8 (78 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Brush Variety ** | 7.6 (60 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Effects** | 8.2 (68 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Move

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Animate** | 8.1 (68 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Render** | 7.9 (71 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.8 (77 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Store & Manage

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Pipeline ** | 8.5 (63 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Controls** | 8.7 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Template library ** | 8.3 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | 6.9 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | 7.2 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | 8.7/10 | 38 |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.5/10 | 193 |

#### Design

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 9.1 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.9 (183 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | 9.3 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.0 (185 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.8 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.7 (179 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 8.2 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (171 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.9 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (176 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.3 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.3 (167 reviews) | 
| **Views** | 8.7 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (176 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | 8.3 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.4 (167 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.5 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (170 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.5 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.7 (176 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.7 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.3 (170 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | N/A | N/A |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.9/10 | 97 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (86 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (68 reviews) | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (76 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.8 (76 reviews) | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (80 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.7 (66 reviews) | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (83 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (74 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **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 |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | 7.8/10 | 22 |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.1/10 | 103 |

#### Design

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.8 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (98 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.7 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (96 reviews) | 
| **Rendering tools** | 8.1 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (95 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 7.0 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (81 reviews) | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 7.3 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (87 reviews) | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 7.3 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 

#### Work

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 7.0 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 7.1 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (83 reviews) | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 7.3 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (84 reviews) | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 7.4 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (77 reviews) | 
| **Integrate** | 8.3 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (84 reviews) | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.0 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (89 reviews) | 
| **Task** | 8.0 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (90 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.7 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.9 (85 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (92 reviews) | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Creo** | 8.5/10 | 14 |
| **KeyCreator** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.8/10 | 125 |

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

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.2 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | 8.3 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (94 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.9 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.3 (95 reviews) | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | 7.9 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.5 (91 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | 9.4 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (96 reviews) | 
| **Import Files** | 9.2 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (96 reviews) | 
| **File Interoperability** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (99 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.3 (91 reviews) | 
| **File size** | 8.3 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.4 (100 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (91 reviews) | 
| **Custom Scripts** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.4 (89 reviews) | 
| **Custom Menus** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (90 reviews) | 
| **Custom Interface** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (97 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (94 reviews) | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | 7.7 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.9 (91 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.9 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (91 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | 7.3 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.9 (104 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad)

**Unique to Creo (4):** [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing)


**Unique to Designcenter Solid Edge (4):** [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), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Creo | KeyCreator | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 27.1% | 55.1% | 54.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 35.1% | 42.0% | 30.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 37.8% | 2.9% | 15.4% | 

### By Industry

#### Creo

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 22.3%
- **Automotive:** 20.2%
- **Design:** 14.4%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 5.9%
- **Machinery:** 4.8%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.2%
- **Defense & Space:** 3.2%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 2.7%
- **Consumer Goods:** 2.7%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 18.6%

#### KeyCreator

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 23.2%
- **Automotive:** 18.1%
- **Machinery:** 9.4%
- **Design:** 8.7%
- **Plastics:** 6.5%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 5.8%
- **Consumer Goods:** 3.6%
- **Medical Devices:** 2.9%
- **Military:** 2.2%
- **Industrial Automation:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 17.4%

#### 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%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Creo

- [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)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (315 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 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)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)

### Alternatives to KeyCreator

- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 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 (1930 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 reviews)
- [Simcenter 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/simcenter-3d/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (192 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)
- [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 (1930 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 (315 reviews)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Creo

- Title: [What is Creo Parametric used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-creo-parametric-used-for) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Creo Parametric is a 3D CAD software used for designing, modeling, and simulating mechanical components. It supports parametric modeling, assembly design,..."
- Title: [Who uses Creo Parametric?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/who-uses-creo-parametric) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "its a 3d,2d Computer aided design software. being used in industries at R&D departments to design new products, validate and improve existing design. 
"
- Title: [Why Creo is called parametric?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-creo-is-called-parametric) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "The models in Creo should be created with parameters (dimensions and associations between shapes) to fully define the part/model

Creo also has a..."

### KeyCreator

- Title: [What file formats does KeyCreator support?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/translators) — 7 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "KeyCreator's robust set of translators will allow you to open and edit nearly any CAD file as if it were your own. Read files from SOLIDWORKS, Pro/E,..."

### 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"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/creo-2025-08-26-vs-keycreator-vs-designcenter-solid-edge)