# Designcenter Solid Edge, Simcenter 3D vs Inventor Comparison

| | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 599 | 192 | 440 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (54.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (50.5% of reviews) | Mid-Market (42.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Starting at $90.47 Per Month | No pricing available | $2085 1 year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Designcenter Solid Edge

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

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

### Simcenter 3D

Pros:
- Simulation Tools (24 reviews)
- Simulation (21 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (8 reviews)
- Complexity (7 reviews)

### Inventor

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Assembly Issues (1 reviews)
- Complexity (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.4 (435 reviews) | 8.5 (132 reviews) | 8.8 (376 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (475 reviews) | 8.1 (160 reviews) | 8.4 (377 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.2 (258 reviews) | 8.0 (83 reviews) | 7.9 (107 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.4 (91 reviews) | 7.8 (23 reviews) | 7.7 (99 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (405 reviews) | 8.4 (131 reviews) | 8.1 (346 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (89 reviews) | 8.4 (23 reviews) | 8.2 (94 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.4 (423 reviews) | 8.7 (128 reviews) | 8.3 (371 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### Simcenter 3D

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Inventor

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: 1 Year

Price: $2085 1 year

Description: Choose online store or reseller or call toll-free 1-844-821-0545.


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

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.2/10 | 115 |
| **Simcenter 3D** | N/A | N/A |
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | 8.6 (100 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | 8.4 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | 8.4 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | 7.9 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | 7.9 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Programming Control** | 8.1 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Operations** | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | 8.4 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.5/10 | 193 |
| **Simcenter 3D** | N/A | N/A |
| **Inventor** | 8.2/10 | 38 |

#### Design

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.9 (183 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | 9.0 (185 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.9 (37 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.7 (179 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (38 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 8.1 (171 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (35 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.5 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (37 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.3 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.4 (36 reviews) | 
| **Views** | 8.6 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (37 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | 8.4 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (36 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.5 (170 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (36 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.7 (176 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (36 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.3 (170 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (36 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.9/10 | 97 |
| **Simcenter 3D** | N/A | N/A |
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

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

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | 7.8 (76 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File Editing** | 8.5 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

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

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Downloadable Application** | 8.4 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

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

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **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 |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.1/10 | 103 |
| **Simcenter 3D** | 8.0/10 | 95 |
| **Inventor** | 7.5/10 | 20 |

#### Design

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 8.4 (90 reviews) | 9.0 (20 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.6 (98 reviews) | 8.2 (84 reviews) | 8.6 (20 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.6 (96 reviews) | 8.2 (84 reviews) | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 
| **Rendering tools** | 8.0 (95 reviews) | 8.0 (76 reviews) | 7.6 (19 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 7.7 (81 reviews) | 7.7 (76 reviews) | 5.6 (16 reviews) | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 8.0 (87 reviews) | 8.2 (85 reviews) | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 8.2 (72 reviews) | 7.1 (17 reviews) | 

#### Work

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 7.9 (66 reviews) | 6.9 (15 reviews) | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 7.7 (83 reviews) | 8.0 (67 reviews) | 6.8 (15 reviews) | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 7.8 (84 reviews) | 8.2 (75 reviews) | 7.2 (16 reviews) | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 7.7 (77 reviews) | 7.7 (64 reviews) | 7.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Integrate** | 8.0 (84 reviews) | 7.9 (73 reviews) | 7.6 (16 reviews) | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.1 (89 reviews) | 7.5 (72 reviews) | 7.7 (17 reviews) | 
| **Task** | 8.0 (90 reviews) | 7.9 (73 reviews) | 7.7 (18 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.9 (85 reviews) | 7.7 (69 reviews) | 6.9 (18 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.6 (92 reviews) | 7.7 (77 reviews) | 8.1 (19 reviews) | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.8/10 | 125 |
| **Simcenter 3D** | 7.8/10 | 23 |
| **Inventor** | 9.0/10 | 6 |

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

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | 7.7 (94 reviews) | 7.5 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 8.1 (16 reviews) | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.3 (95 reviews) | 8.0 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | 7.5 (91 reviews) | 7.8 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | 8.1 (96 reviews) | 7.3 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | 8.2 (96 reviews) | 7.5 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | 7.8 (99 reviews) | 7.9 (20 reviews) | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | 7.3 (91 reviews) | 7.6 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 7.4 (100 reviews) | 8.0 (16 reviews) | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | 7.8 (91 reviews) | 7.3 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | 7.4 (89 reviews) | 7.7 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | 7.6 (90 reviews) | 7.9 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | 7.6 (97 reviews) | 8.9 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 7.8 (94 reviews) | 6.7 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | 7.9 (91 reviews) | 8.1 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.7 (91 reviews) | 7.6 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 7.9 (104 reviews) | 8.3 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [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)

**Unique to Designcenter Solid Edge (3):** [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


**Unique to Inventor (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Designcenter Solid Edge | Simcenter 3D | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 54.2% | 50.5% | 35.0% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 30.4% | 25.8% | 42.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 15.4% | 23.7% | 22.3% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### Simcenter 3D

- **Automotive:** 14.7%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 10.0%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 8.9%
- **Design:** 6.3%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 6.3%
- **Computer Software:** 4.7%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 4.2%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.2%
- **Semiconductors:** 3.2%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.6%
- **Other:** 35.8%

#### Inventor

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 24.9%
- **Machinery:** 7.8%
- **Design:** 7.1%
- **Construction:** 5.0%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.8%
- **Utilities:** 3.8%
- **Automotive:** 2.6%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 2.6%
- **Industrial Automation:** 2.4%
- **Education Management:** 2.4%
- **Other:** 37.7%

---
## Alternatives

### 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)
- [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 (1933 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)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)

### Alternatives to Simcenter 3D

- [Ansys Mechanical](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (92 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)
- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1933 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (997 reviews)
- [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (279 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [Altair Hypermesh](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-hypermesh/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (88 reviews)

### Alternatives to Inventor

- [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)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (43 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)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)
- [SolidWorks Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-simulation/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (60 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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"

### Simcenter 3D

- Title: [What is Simcenter 3D used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-simcenter-3d-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "imcenter 3D is a comprehensive simulation and analysis software developed by Siemens. It's used for various engineering and design purposes,..."

### Inventor

- Title: [What are some of the best practices for students working in groups to use Inventor?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-some-of-the-best-practices-for-students-working-in-groups-to-use-inventor) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi, to be honest with you, I would work with a consultant on that. It shouldn't take more than a day for a consultant to help with a report that will answer..."
- Title: [How do you handle the data creation problem?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-handle-the-data-creation-problem) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You basically need to create each model from scratch in Inventor. You can copy your AutoCAD in Inventor and extrude the models but the models won't be..."
- Title: [Is integration with other Autodesk products being considered?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15145-is-integration-with-other-autodesk-products-being-considered) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Autodesk published a video on how to export Inventor parts to Revit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue7-WtyiUtI"
- Title: [Is there a good place to look for more advanced tutorials/examples for iLogic?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13895-is-there-a-good-place-to-look-for-more-advanced-tutorials-examples-for-ilogic) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I'm not aware of a flat out repository for examples, but there is a fantastic thread on the Inventor forum that showcases a ton of different examples. If you..."
- Title: [there is a form to get more realistic renders from inventor?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12147-there-is-a-form-to-get-more-realistic-renders-from-inventor) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Max can load Inventor files natively, so that's certainly one option.

The render engine in Inventor is pretty good, though. There is a great deal of ..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-simcenter-3d-vs-inventor)