# Inventor, SolidWorks CAM, Mastercam vs SolidCAM Comparison

| | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 440 | 34 | 26 | 38 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (42.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (42.4% of reviews) | Mid-Market (50.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (45.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2085 1 year | No pricing available | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Inventor

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

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

### SolidWorks CAM

**Not enough data**

### Mastercam

Pros:
- Ease of Use (12 reviews)
- Tooling (6 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning Curve (11 reviews)
- Feature Limitations (5 reviews)

### SolidCAM

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (376 reviews) | 9.1 (31 reviews) | 9.1 (21 reviews) | 8.7 (22 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (377 reviews) | 8.8 (31 reviews) | 8.2 (21 reviews) | 8.3 (23 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.9 (107 reviews) | Not enough data | 6.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.7 (99 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.1 (346 reviews) | 8.3 (29 reviews) | 7.9 (19 reviews) | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.2 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.3 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.3 (371 reviews) | 7.7 (30 reviews) | 8.8 (20 reviews) | 7.0 (23 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### SolidWorks CAM

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Mastercam

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### SolidCAM

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | 8.4/10 | 21 |
| **Mastercam** | 8.6/10 | 20 |
| **SolidCAM** | 8.7/10 | 18 |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 8.7 (19 reviews) | 8.8 (20 reviews) | 9.0 (14 reviews) | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 8.1 (18 reviews) | 8.7 (13 reviews) | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.5 (20 reviews) | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 8.6 (17 reviews) | 8.6 (19 reviews) | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 8.6 (19 reviews) | 8.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.7 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (20 reviews) | 8.5 (13 reviews) | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.4 (20 reviews) | 8.7 (19 reviews) | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.2 (19 reviews) | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.4 (19 reviews) | 9.1 (20 reviews) | 9.0 (15 reviews) | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 8.2/10 | 38 |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | N/A | N/A |
| **Mastercam** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidCAM** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.6 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | 8.9 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.5 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | 7.6 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.2 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | 7.4 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.0 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | 7.7 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.1 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.2 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 7.5/10 | 20 |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | N/A | N/A |
| **Mastercam** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidCAM** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.6 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.7 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering tools** | 7.6 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 5.6 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 7.5 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 7.1 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Work

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 6.9 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 6.8 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 7.2 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 7.6 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrate** | 7.6 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 7.7 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Task** | 7.7 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 6.9 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.1 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 9.0/10 | 6 |
| **SolidWorks CAM** | N/A | N/A |
| **Mastercam** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidCAM** | N/A | N/A |

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

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to Inventor (3):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)

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

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

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


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Inventor | SolidWorks CAM | Mastercam | SolidCAM | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 35.0% | 42.4% | 33.3% | 45.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 42.7% | 33.3% | 50.0% | 33.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 22.3% | 24.2% | 16.7% | 21.2% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### 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%

#### Mastercam

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 16.7%
- **Machinery:** 16.7%
- **Education Management:** 12.5%
- **Research:** 8.3%
- **Semiconductors:** 4.2%
- **Nanotechnology:** 4.2%
- **Mining & Metals:** 4.2%
- **Medical Devices:** 4.2%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.2%
- **Furniture:** 4.2%
- **Other:** 20.8%

#### SolidCAM

- **Machinery:** 15.2%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 12.1%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 12.1%
- **Automotive:** 12.1%
- **Education Management:** 9.1%
- **Manufacturing:** 6.1%
- **Design:** 6.1%
- **Computer Software:** 6.1%
- **Maritime:** 3.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 3.0%
- **Other:** 15.2%

---
## Alternatives

### 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)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (605 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 (256 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)

### 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 (311 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)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (605 reviews)
- [hyperMILL](https://www.g2.com/products/hypermill/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (10 reviews)

### Alternatives to Mastercam

- [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 (311 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (605 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)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 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)

### Alternatives to SolidCAM

- [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 (311 reviews)
- [CAMWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/camworks/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [PowerMill](https://www.g2.com/products/powermill/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [hyperMILL](https://www.g2.com/products/hypermill/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (10 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (605 reviews)
- [ESPRIT](https://www.g2.com/products/esprit/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (6 reviews)
- [GibbsCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/gibbscam/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [HSM](https://www.g2.com/products/hsm/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [SprutCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/sprutcam/reviews) — 3.5/5 stars (12 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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 ..."

### SolidWorks CAM

No discussions available for this product.

### Mastercam

No discussions available for this product.

### SolidCAM

- Title: [Is SolidCAM the same as CAMWorks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solidcam-the-same-as-camworks) — 1 comment *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "SOLIDWORKS CAM powered by CAMWorks and CAMWorks itself are not the same as SolidCAM. 

SolidCAM is a Gold Product Partner of SOLIDWORKS and an advanced,..."
- Title: [Do you Arabic inferface Solidcam version?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/50073-do-you-arabic-inferface-solidcam-version) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "SolidCAM currently supports: Czech, Danish, German, English, French, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian,..."

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