Link copied to clipboard # Mastercam vs SolidWorks CAM Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/mastercam/solidworks-cam/export.csv) MastercamSolidWorks CAM[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **Mastercam** [ 4.1/5(26) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews#reviews) **SolidWorks CAM** [ 4.3/5(34) ](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-cam/reviews#reviews) Pricing **Mastercam** No pricing available **SolidWorks CAM** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Mastercam** Not enough reviews yet **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **Mastercam** Not enough reviews yet **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **Mastercam** $$$$$ **SolidWorks CAM** $$$$$ Average Discount **Mastercam** Not enough reviews yet **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough reviews yet Pros & Cons **Mastercam** [ Ease of Use (12) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2469327&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Tooling (6) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2469314&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Difficult Learning Curve (11) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2469333&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Feature Limitations (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2469330&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough data Screenshots **Mastercam** ![Mastercam 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/1572856/UI---Small-Screen.png) **SolidWorks CAM** No screenshot available Ratings Meets Requirements **Mastercam** 9.1 9.121 **SolidWorks CAM** 9.1 9.131 Ease of Use **Mastercam** 8.2 8.221 **SolidWorks CAM** 8.8 8.831 Ease of Setup **Mastercam** 6.9 6.96 **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough data Ease of Admin **Mastercam** 7.2 7.26 **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough data Quality of Support **Mastercam** 7.9 7.919 **SolidWorks CAM** 8.3 8.329 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Mastercam** 8.3 8.36 **SolidWorks CAM** Not enough data Product Direction (% positive) **Mastercam** 8.8 8.820 **SolidWorks CAM** 7.7 7.730 Features Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)[Hide 40 FeaturesShow 40 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.6 20 8.4 21 CAD to CAM CAD-CAM Import 8.8(won by 0.1) 20 8.7 19 CAM Data Exchange 8.1 18 8.4(won by 0.3) 18 CAD/CAM Compatibility 8.2 20 8.5(won by 0.3) 20 Data Verification Not enough data Not enough data CNC Programming CNC Workflows 8.6(tied score) 19 8.6(tied score) 17 CNC Feature Recognition 8.6(won by 0.5) 19 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.1 17 Programming Control 8.3 20 8.7(won by 0.4) 17 Configurable Workflow Not enough data Not enough data Job Card Not enough data Not enough data Version Control Not enough data Not enough data Machining Job Set-up 8.7(won by 0.3) 19 8.4 20 Operations 8.7(won by 0.5) 20 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.2 19 Tooling and Toolpaths 9.1(won by 0.7) 20 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.4 19 Additional Functionality G-Code Output Not enough data Not enough data Batch Processing Not enough data Not enough data Toolpath Generation Not enough data Not enough data Collaboration Tools Not enough data Not enough data 2D and 3D Machining Not enough data Not enough data Multi-Language Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data AI/Machine Learning Not enough data Not enough data Data Management Not enough data Not enough data Templates Not enough data Not enough data For Aerospace Industry Not enough data Not enough data Multi-Axis Machining Support Not enough data Not enough data Setup Sheet Generation Not enough data Not enough data For Automotive Industry Not enough data Not enough data Tool Library Management Not enough data Not enough data Data Import/Export Not enough data Not enough data Nesting Not enough data Not enough data Additive Manufacturing Not enough data Not enough data Reporting & Statistics Not enough data Not enough data IoT Integration Not enough data Not enough data Material Database Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Updates Not enough data Not enough data Customizable User Interface Not enough data Not enough data CAD Integration Not enough data Not enough data Role-Based Permissions Not enough data Not enough data Roughing & Finishing Strategies Not enough data Not enough data Machine Simulation Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![Mastercam](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_cb11df30421532fbfdd0e9b54308702b/mastercam.png "Mastercam")](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews) Mastercam Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 33.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 50.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 16.7% [![SolidWorks CAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_51513dd017a4f1ed31d18697091a61a4/solidworks-cam.png "SolidWorks CAM")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-cam/reviews) SolidWorks CAM Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 42.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 33.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 24.2% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 33.3% 42.4% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 50.0% 33.3% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 16.7% 24.2% Reviewers' Industry [![Mastercam](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_cb11df30421532fbfdd0e9b54308702b/mastercam.png "Mastercam")](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews) Mastercam Mechanical or Industrial Engineering 16.7% Machinery 16.7% Education Management 12.5% Research 8.3% Semiconductors 4.2% Other 41.7% [![SolidWorks CAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_51513dd017a4f1ed31d18697091a61a4/solidworks-cam.png "SolidWorks CAM")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-cam/reviews) SolidWorks CAM Mechanical or Industrial Engineering 30.3% Design 9.1% Information Technology and Services 9.1% Biotechnology 6.1% Higher Education 6.1% Other 39.4% FAQs ## Mastercam vs SolidWorks CAM FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between SolidWorks CAM vs Mastercam? SolidWorks CAM stands out for its higher user satisfaction and support scores, while Mastercam is more established in small-business environments. | [SolidWorks CAM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-cam/reviews) | [Mastercam](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.3/5 (34 reviews) | 4.1/5 (26 reviews) | | Mid-Market | Small-Business | | — | 6.9 | | 8.3 | 7.9 | | Easy to learn and integrates with SolidWorks CAD | Ease of use and user-friendly interface (12 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam compare? SolidWorks CAM is perceived as more expensive but worth the investment, while Mastercam is also considered costly but offers strong value for its capabilities. - **SolidWorks CAM:** Reviewers frequently mention that the software is expensive, but many state it is worth the money for its features and integration with SolidWorks CAD. - **Mastercam:** Reviewers describe Mastercam as incredibly expensive, but highlight its productivity and value, especially for advanced CNC programming. - **Switching reasons:** Reviewers note that while both products are costly, the decision often comes down to required features and integration with existing CAD workflows. ### What are the best alternatives to SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam? The top three alternatives to SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam are Autodesk Fusion, NX CAM, and SolidCAM. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [SolidWorks CAM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-cam/reviews) | 4.3/5 (34 reviews) | Mid-Market | Expensive but worth the investment for integration and features | Easy to learn and integrates with SolidWorks CAD | | [Mastercam](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercam/reviews) | 4.1/5 (26 reviews) | Small-Business | Incredibly expensive, but strong value for advanced CNC programming | Ease of use and user-friendly interface (12 all-time mentions) | | [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive feature set and strong cloud capabilities | | [NX CAM](https://www.g2.com/products/nx-cam/reviews) | 4.4/5 (345 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Advanced manufacturing features and flexibility | | [SolidCAM](https://www.g2.com/products/solidcam/reviews) | 4.3/5 (38 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Strong integration with SolidWorks and robust CAM tools | ### Which Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) features should I prioritize when comparing SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam? Buyers comparing SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam should prioritize ease of use, integration with CAD, quality of support, performance, and learning curve. - **Ease of Use:** SolidWorks CAM scores 8.8, Mastercam 8.2; Mastercam has 12 all-time mentions for ease of use. - **Integration with CAD:** SolidWorks CAM is frequently praised for integration with SolidWorks CAD; Mastercam has 4 all-time mentions for CAD integration. - **Quality of Support:** SolidWorks CAM scores 8.3, Mastercam 7.9. - **Performance:** Mastercam has 4 all-time mentions for performance; SolidWorks CAM reviewers note hardware requirements and occasional crashes. - **Learning Curve:** Mastercam has 11 all-time mentions for a difficult learning curve; SolidWorks CAM is described as easy to learn, especially for beginners. ### What are the pros and cons of SolidWorks CAM vs Mastercam? SolidWorks CAM's headline strength is ease of learning and CAD integration, while Mastercam is recognized for its user-friendly interface and tooling flexibility. - **SolidWorks CAM strengths:** Easy to learn, especially for beginners; strong integration with SolidWorks CAD; intuitive user interface; comprehensive 3D modeling and simulation capabilities. - **SolidWorks CAM trade-offs:** High hardware requirements; expensive pricing; occasional crashes and lack of autosave; less effective for intricate parts compared to Mastercam. - **Mastercam strengths:** Ease of use (12 all-time mentions); user-friendly interface (5 mentions); flexible tooling (6 mentions); strong CAD integration (4 mentions); powerful for CNC programming and multi-axis machining. - **Mastercam trade-offs:** Difficult learning curve (11 mentions); expensive pricing (4 mentions); complex interface (4 mentions); feature limitations (5 mentions); some reviewers cite inadequate support (3 mentions) and software bugs (4 mentions). ### Is SolidWorks CAM or Mastercam better for small businesses? Mastercam is the better fit for small businesses, as it is most widely used in the small-business segment and receives strong small-business reviewer sentiment. - **SolidWorks CAM:** Largest reviewer segment is Mid-Market; reviewers highlight ease of use and integration but note high hardware requirements and cost. - **Mastercam:** Largest reviewer segment is Small-Business; reviewers in this segment praise its user-friendly interface, flexibility, and value for CNC programming. ### Which Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) platform has better integrations? SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam are at parity for integrations, as neither product has recent reviewer-cited integration data or all-time mention counts for specific third-party tools. - **SolidWorks CAM:** Reviewers highlight integration with SolidWorks CAD and ANSYS, but no all-time mention counts are available. - **Mastercam:** Reviewers mention compatibility with most CAD software and ease of importing various file formats, but no all-time mention counts are available. ### How do SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam compare on customer support? SolidWorks CAM and Mastercam are at near-parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.3 and 7.9 respectively, a difference below the materiality threshold. - **SolidWorks CAM:** Reviewers consistently praise the support team, with multiple reviews rating support at 6.0 or 7.0 out of 7.0 and describing support as helpful and responsive. - **Mastercam:** Support experiences are mixed; while many reviewers rate support highly (6.0 or 7.0), some cite slow or inadequate service, particularly with regional resellers. ### Which is easier to implement, SolidWorks CAM or Mastercam? Mastercam is easier to implement, with an Ease of Setup score of 6.9 and multiple reviewers highlighting straightforward setup and training availability. - **SolidWorks CAM:** Reviewers note that setup is straightforward for those familiar with SolidWorks, but no Ease of Setup score is available. - **Mastercam:** Reviewers highlight ease of setup, availability of training at resellers, and a 6.9 Ease of Setup score. Alternatives **Mastercam Alternatives** ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion") [ Autodesk Fusion ](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) ![NX CAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a536d7a8c281cd06128c8aab580e663a/nx-cam.svg "NX CAM") [ NX CAM ](/products/nx-cam/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) ![SolidCAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a4fcd11931d116be6cc5fd74d1d25cd/solidcam.svg "SolidCAM") [ SolidCAM ](/products/solidcam/reviews) **SolidWorks CAM Alternatives** ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion") [ Autodesk Fusion ](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) ![NX CAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a536d7a8c281cd06128c8aab580e663a/nx-cam.svg "NX CAM") [ NX CAM ](/products/nx-cam/reviews) ![SolidCAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a4fcd11931d116be6cc5fd74d1d25cd/solidcam.svg "SolidCAM") [ SolidCAM ](/products/solidcam/reviews) ![GibbsCAM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_9131d3edb141821b15a5bfa3e0556f5f/gibbscam.jpg "GibbsCAM") [ GibbsCAM ](/products/gibbscam/reviews) ## Mastercam vs SolidWorks CAM - Mastercam and SolidWorks CAM both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that SolidWorks CAM is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Mastercam over SolidWorks CAM.