Link copied to clipboard

# Designcenter X vs SOLIDWORKS Comparison - What are their main differences?

Share
[
Export
](/compare/designcenter-x/solidworks/export.csv)

DesigncenterSOLIDWORKS[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Designcenter X**
Free Trial

**Starting at $238.75** 1 Subscription Per Month · Designcenter X Essentials

**SOLIDWORKS**
Free Trial

**$2,820.00** Per Year · SOLIDWORKS Design Standard Offer

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Designcenter X**
4 months

Based on 11 responses

**SOLIDWORKS**
4 months

Based on 14 responses

Return on Investment

**Designcenter X**
10 months6 months sooner

Based on 9 responses

**SOLIDWORKS**
16 months

Based on 13 responses

Perceived Cost

**Designcenter X**
$$$$$

**SOLIDWORKS**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Designcenter X**
13%3% more

**SOLIDWORKS**
10%

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Designcenter X**
[
Features (81)
](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1296900&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Ease of Use (64)
](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1297356&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Learning Curve (31)
](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1297072&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Learning Difficulty (30)
](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1296952&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**SOLIDWORKS**
[
Ease of Use (37)
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1930356&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Features (29)
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1930595&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Performance Issues (17)
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1935588&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Slow Performance (15)
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1931247&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

Integrations

**Designcenter X**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_3f9c0906fd6d9b7d077d88bc63dfc5f1/capital.png "Product Avatar Image")

Capital

](https://www.g2.com/products/capital/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_8f084fbe752fc76561b33772f9b084b7/microsoft-copilot.png "Product Avatar Image")

Microsoft Copilot

](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-copilot/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_218a6468d313312e43446d6a8135f441/microsoft-teams.png "Product Avatar Image")

Microsoft Teams

](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-teams/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_3f9c0906fd6d9b7d077d88bc63dfc5f1/nx-cam.png "Product Avatar Image")

NX CAM

](https://www.g2.com/products/nx-cam/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/integrations)

**SOLIDWORKS**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dfb12a5a88f8f2862f8227c868951fc6/ansys-fluent.JPG "Product Avatar Image")

Ansys Fluent

](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-fluent/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9b382ecc8231d9ab219026ed27878ac1/ansys-mechanical.png "Product Avatar Image")

Ansys Mechanical

](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_269a752fb4baefda8b9e83f98c7646dc/autocad.png "Product Avatar Image")

AutoCAD

](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_74e8c2b6032e9e6ea745b0b308009973/autodesk-fabrication-estmep.png "Product Avatar Image")

AutoDesk Fabrication ESTmep

](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fabrication-estmep/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/integrations)

Screenshots

**Designcenter X**
 ![Designcenter X 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/1779261/Sustainability.png)

**SOLIDWORKS**
 ![SOLIDWORKS 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/1834212/AURA_resized.jpg)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Designcenter X**

9.0

9.0259

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.8

8.8590

Ease of Use

**Designcenter X**

8.2

8.2535

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.7

8.7595

Ease of Setup

**Designcenter X**

7.9

7.9399

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.5

8.5165

Ease of Admin

**Designcenter X**

8.5

8.550

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.2

8.258

Quality of Support

**Designcenter X**

8.6

8.6245

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.2

8.2528

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Designcenter X**

8.7

8.750

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.4

8.458

Product Direction (% positive)

**Designcenter X**

8.7

8.7251

**SOLIDWORKS**

8.6

8.6575

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Additive Manufacturing

8.2

60

7.9

71

Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

8.8

190

8.4

95

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Not enough data

8.8

56

CAD Data Exchange

Not enough data

8.8

38

General-Purpose CAD

Not enough data

8.9

133

PCB Design

Not enough data

8.2

15

Simulation & CAE

Not enough data

8.3

73

CAD Viewers

Not enough data

9.0

55

CAD Libraries

Not enough data

8.9

40

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
34.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
39.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
34.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
39.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
46.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
32.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
20.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
46.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
32.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
20.8%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Designcenter X](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/8d4655b084a2e02363480806f5169b72/designcenter-x.svg "Designcenter X")](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-x/reviews)
Designcenter X

Automotive
17.0%

Aviation & Aerospace
14.2%

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
10.5%

Defense & Space
6.0%

Airlines/Aviation
5.2%

Other
47.1%

[![SOLIDWORKS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/87a0eaa40f8b9a14542c077a348a699d/solidworks.svg "SOLIDWORKS")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews)
SOLIDWORKS

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
22.4%

Design
11.8%

Automotive
6.6%

Medical Devices
5.7%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
5.6%

Other
47.9%

Alternatives

**Designcenter X Alternatives**

 ![Onshape](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64b9ed904ebc3f3bc714a720216f40d4/onshape.svg "Onshape")

[
Onshape
](/products/onshape/reviews)

 ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion")

[
Autodesk Fusion
](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews)

 ![PTC Creo](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/08b448f824b860f3e6ecfb4228fad4d9/ptc-ptc-creo.svg "PTC Creo")

[
Creo
](/products/ptc-ptc-creo/reviews)

 ![AutoCAD](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1531166548/autocad.svg "AutoCAD")

[
AutoCAD
](/products/autocad/reviews)

**SOLIDWORKS Alternatives**

 ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion")

[
Autodesk Fusion
](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews)

 ![Onshape](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64b9ed904ebc3f3bc714a720216f40d4/onshape.svg "Onshape")

[
Onshape
](/products/onshape/reviews)

 ![Designcenter Solid Edge](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d83699653e967e265705cdd3b757685d/designcenter-solid-edge.svg "Designcenter Solid Edge")

[
Designcenter Solid Edge
](/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews)

 ![Inventor](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ce04423e3201c72cb3ff129d2325b8d4/inventor.svg "Inventor")

[
Inventor
](/products/inventor/reviews)

## Designcenter vs SOLIDWORKS FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Designcenter vs SOLIDWORKS?

Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS are both highly rated MCAD platforms, but Designcenter stands out for its higher Quality of Support and administrative ease, while SOLIDWORKS is favored for its ease of use and industry-standard status.

| [Designcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter/reviews) | [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (669 reviews) | 4.5/5 (646 reviews) |
| Enterprise | Small-Business |
| 8.1 | 8.3 |
| 8.6 | 8.2 |
| Customizability and integration with PLM | Ease of use and robust 3D modeling (37 all-time mentions) |

### How do the pricing models of Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS compare?

Reviewers rate Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS at parity for value, with both products scoring equally on price satisfaction.

- **Designcenter:** In recent reviews, several users mention that licensing is complex and the price is higher than expected, but they appreciate the comprehensive feature set.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Reviewers describe SOLIDWORKS as competitively priced for its capabilities, though some cite high licensing costs and expensive hardware requirements as trade-offs.
- **Switching reasons:** Some reviewers have switched from Designcenter to alternatives like Revit for civil building tasks due to slower development in that area.

### What are the best alternatives to Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS?

The top three alternatives to Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS are Autodesk Fusion, Onshape, and CATIA.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Designcenter](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter/reviews) | 4.5/5 (669 reviews) | Enterprise | Licensing complexity and higher price noted in recent reviews | Customizability and PLM integration |
| [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (646 reviews) | Small-Business | Competitively priced but high hardware and license costs cited | Ease of use and robust 3D modeling (37 all-time mentions) |
| [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) | 4.7/5 (725 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |

### Which Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) features should I prioritize when comparing Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS?

Buyers comparing Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS should prioritize ease of use, integration capabilities, quality of support, export file handling, and administrative ease.

- **Ease of Use:** SOLIDWORKS scores 8.6, Designcenter 8.2; 37 all-time mentions for SOLIDWORKS ease of use.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Designcenter integrates with Teamcenter (68 all-time mentions), Simcenter, and Capital; SOLIDWORKS integrates with CATIA (38 all-time mentions) and SolidWorks Simulation.
- **Quality of Support:** Designcenter scores 8.6, SOLIDWORKS 8.2.
- **Export Files:** Both products are frequently cited for export file capabilities in recent reviews.
- **Ease of Admin:** Designcenter scores 8.5, SOLIDWORKS 8.0.

### What are the pros and cons of Designcenter vs SOLIDWORKS?

Designcenter's headline strength is its customizability and PLM integration, while SOLIDWORKS is recognized for its ease of use and robust 3D modeling capabilities.

- **Designcenter strengths:** Customizability, integration with PLM, and comprehensive modules for modeling, analysis, and costing.
- **Designcenter trade-offs:** Licensing complexity, higher price, occasional performance issues with large assemblies, and integration challenges with some Siemens products.
- **SOLIDWORKS strengths:** Ease of use (37 all-time mentions), robust 3D modeling (27 all-time mentions), intuitive user interface (21 all-time mentions), strong simulation tools (16 all-time mentions), and industry-standard file compatibility.
- **SOLIDWORKS trade-offs:** Performance issues (17 all-time mentions), slow performance with large assemblies (15 all-time mentions), high system requirements (14 all-time mentions), and higher licensing costs (11 all-time mentions).

### Is Designcenter or SOLIDWORKS better for small businesses?

SOLIDWORKS is better suited for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Small-Business segment and is frequently praised for its ease of use and onboarding.

- **Designcenter:** Most popular in the Enterprise segment, with reviewers noting its comprehensive features but also citing a steeper learning curve and higher cost.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Most popular in the Small-Business segment, with reviewers highlighting its intuitive interface, quick onboarding, and suitability for both beginners and professionals.

### Which Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) platform has better integrations?

Designcenter is favored for integrations due to its strong connections with enterprise PLM and engineering tools.

- **Designcenter:** Integrates with Teamcenter (68 all-time mentions), Simcenter, and Capital, with reviewers frequently citing these integrations as valuable for engineering workflows.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Integrates with CATIA (38 all-time mentions) and SolidWorks Simulation, with reviewers noting straightforward add-on support and compatibility with other CAD packages.

### How do Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS compare on customer support?

Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS are rated at near-parity for Quality of Support, with Designcenter scoring 8.6 and SOLIDWORKS 8.2, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Designcenter:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive and helpful, though some mention slow response times and limited tracking on bug reports.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Reviewers highlight excellent customer support, helpful onboarding resources, and a large community for troubleshooting, though a few note occasional slowdowns in support response.

### Which is easier to implement, Designcenter or SOLIDWORKS?

Designcenter and SOLIDWORKS are rated at near-parity for Ease of Setup, with scores of 8.1 and 8.3 respectively, indicating similar implementation experiences.

- **Designcenter:** Reviewers frequently mention easy initial setup, with some noting a learning curve for advanced features and configuration options.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as straightforward and quick, with minimal downtime for onboarding new users.

### Which product has better Export Files?

SOLIDWORKS is more frequently cited for its Export Files capabilities, with reviewers highlighting its strong file export and compatibility features.

- **Designcenter:** Reviewers mention export file handling as a useful feature, but without a high all-time mention count or standout sentiment compared to SOLIDWORKS.
- **SOLIDWORKS:** Export Files is a top-cited feature in recent reviews, with many reviewers praising its ability to export to multiple formats and its industry-standard file compatibility.