# Designcenter NX vs SolidWorks CAM Comparison

| | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 527 | 34 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (37.3% of reviews) | Small-Business (42.4% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Starting at $238.75 1 Subscription Per Month | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Designcenter NX

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

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

### SolidWorks CAM

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (237 reviews) | 9.1 (31 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.2 (437 reviews) | 8.8 (31 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.0 (301 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (224 reviews) | 8.3 (29 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.6 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.8 (230 reviews) | 7.7 (30 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### SolidWorks CAM

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter NX** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | 8.4/10 | 21 |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 8.7 (19 reviews) | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 8.6 (17 reviews) | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.7 (17 reviews) | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.4 (20 reviews) | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.2 (19 reviews) | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.4 (19 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.2/10 | 56 |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | N/A | N/A |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | 8.9 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **3MF Compatible** | 8.6 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | 8.9 (49 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | 8.2 (52 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Editing** | 9.1 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | 8.4 (49 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | 9.2 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | 8.3 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Downloadable Application** | 8.9 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | 5.9 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | 6.2 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.8/10 | 89 |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | N/A | N/A |

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

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.3 (77 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering Tools** | 8.6 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 9.1 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 9.3 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | 8.7 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | 9.0 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | 8.7 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | 8.7 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | 8.5 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 8.7 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | 8.6 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | 8.2 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | 8.7 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | 8.8 (75 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.8 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | 8.6 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.8 (72 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.9 (76 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**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)

**Unique to SolidWorks CAM (1):** [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Designcenter NX | SolidWorks CAM | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 28.6% | 42.4% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 34.2% | 33.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 37.3% | 24.2% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### SolidWorks CAM

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 30.3%
- **Design:** 9.1%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 9.1%
- **Biotechnology:** 6.1%
- **Higher Education:** 6.1%
- **Research:** 6.1%
- **Medical Devices:** 3.0%
- **Industrial Automation:** 3.0%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.0%
- **Primary/Secondary Education:** 3.0%
- **Other:** 21.2%

---
## Alternatives

### 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)

### Alternatives to SolidWorks CAM

- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [NX CAM](https://www.g2.com/products/nx-cam/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (297 reviews)
- [SolidCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidcam/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [Mastercam](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (26 reviews)
- [GibbsCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/gibbscam/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [CAMWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/camworks/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [HSM](https://www.g2.com/products/hsm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [PowerMill](https://www.g2.com/products/powermill/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [FeatureCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/featurecam/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [Cimatron](https://www.g2.com/products/cimatron/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (14 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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"

### SolidWorks CAM

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-nx-vs-solidworks-cam)