# Onshape vs OpenSCAD Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Onshape excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher score compared to OpenSCAD. Users appreciate its centralized interface, which makes it easier to keep track of projects and simplifies the export process.
- **Users say** Onshape's implementation process is smooth and intuitive, with many highlighting the browser-based functionality that allows access from any device without the need for heavy installations. This flexibility is a major advantage for those who prefer not to be tied to a specific machine.
- **Reviewers mention** that Onshape's support quality is notably high, with quick response times from the help center. In contrast, OpenSCAD users have expressed a desire for more robust support options, as they often rely on community forums for assistance.
- **According to verified reviews** , Onshape shines in ease of use, with users praising its straightforward interface and user-friendly features. OpenSCAD, while appreciated for its coding capabilities, can be less intuitive for those unfamiliar with programming, which may hinder some users' experiences.
- **Users highlight** that Onshape's strong performance in the small business segment is a testament to its adaptability and user-friendly design. OpenSCAD, while popular among niche users, has a smaller market presence, which may limit its appeal for broader business applications.
- **Reviewers note** that OpenSCAD offers unique advantages for those who prefer a coding approach to 3D modeling, allowing for complex creations through mathematical equations. However, this can be a barrier for users seeking a more visual and interactive design experience, which Onshape provides effectively.



| | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 695 | 31 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (79.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (56.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $1,500.00 1 User Per Year | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Onshape

Pros:
- Ease of Use (28 reviews)
- Collaboration (22 reviews)

Cons:
- Missing Features (18 reviews)
- Lack of Features (10 reviews)

### OpenSCAD

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.4 (597 reviews) | 8.3 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.0 (601 reviews) | 7.6 (26 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.3 (179 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.1 (127 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (587 reviews) | 8.7 (18 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.3 (126 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.5 (578 reviews) | 6.6 (24 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Onshape

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Onshape Standard

Price: $1,500.00 1 User Per Year

Description: For the individual user or small team who only needs basic data management.

Key Features:
- Part & Assembly Modeling
- Drawings
- Runs on Web & Mobile

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

#### Free Trial

Yes

### OpenSCAD

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 8.4/10 | 240 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.8 (233 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | 9.3 (236 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | 9.0 (231 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | 7.4 (194 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.6 (230 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.1 (195 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.9 (225 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | 7.9 (198 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.2 (211 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.3 (221 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.1 (204 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 7.9/10 | 169 |
| **OpenSCAD** | 9.5/10 | 8 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | 8.6 (160 reviews) | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | 7.9 (78 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | 7.9 (100 reviews) | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | 6.0 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Editing** | 8.4 (125 reviews) | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | 5.7 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | 8.8 (130 reviews) | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | 9.6 (160 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Feature Not Available | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Product Data Management (PDM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 8.5/10 | 48 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Metadata

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Repository** | 9.2 (40 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Taxonomy** | 7.8 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Types** | 8.4 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Data Management

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Version Control** | 9.2 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Alignment** | 8.3 (40 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Workflows** | 8.3 (43 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Lifecycle** | 8.0 (41 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **AI Image-to-Text** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

### CAD Viewers

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 8.7/10 | 155 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### File Options

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Import files** | 8.9 (146 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Export files** | 9.1 (147 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **View 2D files** | 8.1 (135 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **View 3D files** | 9.3 (145 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Batch convert files** | 7.8 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 8.5 (133 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dimensioning tools** | 8.8 (149 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Change units** | 9.1 (142 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **3D/solid modeling tools** | 9.1 (145 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.7 (150 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### PCB Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | N/A | N/A |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **PCB layout editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Schematic editor** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D modeling tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Component placement** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Library

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Component libraries** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Board size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Layers** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Customization

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Custom interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 6.8/10 | 23 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.6 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering tools** | 7.7 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 3.7 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 5.8 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 5.6 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Work

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 5.3 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 4.4 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 6.0 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 4.8 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Integrate** | 6.8 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.0 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task** | 8.1 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.3 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.4 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 7.7/10 | 17 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### New Product Introduction

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Ideation** | 8.0 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Time-to-market** | 8.0 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cost estimating** | 6.9 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Product approval** | 8.2 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### CAD

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **CAD Models** | 9.3 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CAD Options** | 8.0 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Conversion** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Supplier alignment** | 7.9 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Communication** | 8.3 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Development** | 8.5 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Document Management** | 8.5 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Product Data Management

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Product Metadata** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Data Quality** | 8.2 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Version Control** | 8.5 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Bill of Materials

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **BOM management** | 8.8 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-level BOM** | 8.8 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **BOM Types** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **BOM visualization** | 8.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Engineering Change Management

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **ECR Workflows** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Change Management** | 8.5 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **ECO Management** | 8.0 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Simulation

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Testing** | 6.3 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Analysis** | 6.4 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Optimization** | 6.8 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Analytics

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reporting** | 7.0 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Costing** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Product Intelligence** | 7.1 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Quality management

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Quality planning** | 6.8 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Traceability** | 6.7 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | 6.9 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Integration

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **ERP** | 6.9 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **MES** | 6.1 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **PIM** | 6.7 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Maintenance** | 7.4 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **AI Image-to-Text** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Onshape** | 8.5/10 | 39 |
| **OpenSCAD** | N/A | N/A |

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

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.9 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering Tools** | 7.5 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.2 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.9 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | 7.1 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | 9.1 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | 8.9 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 8.7 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | 8.6 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | 8.6 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | 8.1 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | 8.2 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.9 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | 8.5 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.6 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 9.1 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing)

**Unique to Onshape (7):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Product Data Management (PDM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-data-management-pdm), [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-lifecycle-management-plm), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Sketching Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching), [PCB Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pcb-design)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Onshape | OpenSCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 79.0% | 56.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 16.7% | 16.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 4.3% | 26.7% | 

### By Industry

#### Onshape

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 19.7%
- **Design:** 10.1%
- **Medical Devices:** 6.5%
- **Machinery:** 6.2%
- **Industrial Automation:** 5.7%
- **Consumer Goods:** 4.8%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 4.6%
- **Automotive:** 3.8%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.5%
- **Manufacturing:** 2.9%
- **Other:** 32.2%

#### OpenSCAD

- **Entertainment:** 16.7%
- **Design:** 13.3%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 6.7%
- **Research:** 6.7%
- **Biotechnology:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 6.7%
- **Higher Education:** 6.7%
- **Arts and Crafts:** 3.3%
- **Broadcast Media:** 3.3%
- **Computer Hardware:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 26.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Onshape

- [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)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 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)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 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)

### Alternatives to OpenSCAD

- [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)
- [Tinkercad](https://www.g2.com/products/tinkercad/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (119 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (315 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Onshape

- Title: [What is Onshape used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-onshape-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Collaboratively design products and solutions for problems using a browser on nearly any computer. Manage the data for the parts you design and prepare them..."
- Title: [When can we expect some better surfacing tools or plugins.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/when-can-we-expect-some-better-surfacing-tools-or-plugins) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You should really try some of the custom feature scripts like sculpt, Plane, 3D sketch and surface extend. Also, I'm sure there are more since I looked into it."
- Title: [Does this product have the capability to show stress/strain, show transfer of heat, and airflow?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/42157-does-this-product-have-the-capability-to-show-stress-strain-show-transfer-of-heat-and-airflow) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "No, only through partner apps"
- Title: [Onshape's 2D drawing platform doesn't let you make a sketch aside from line or spline.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/34202-onshape-s-2d-drawing-platform-doesn-t-let-you-make-a-sketch-aside-from-line-or-spline) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It has many basic sketch features"
- Title: [What is the fastest way to deselect multiple items when zoomed into a design?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/33946-what-is-the-fastest-way-to-deselect-multiple-items-when-zoomed-into-a-design) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Tapping the Space Bar"

### OpenSCAD

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-openscad)