Link copied to clipboard # Rhinoceros vs SOLIDWORKS Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/rhinoceros/solidworks/export.csv) RhinocerosSOLIDWORKS[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **Rhinoceros** **$495** · Rhino 5 for Windows Upgrade **SOLIDWORKS** Free Trial **$2,820.00** Per Year · SOLIDWORKS Design Standard Offer **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Rhinoceros** Not enough reviews yet **SOLIDWORKS** 4 months Based on 14 responses Return on Investment **Rhinoceros** Not enough reviews yet **SOLIDWORKS** 16 months Based on 13 responses Perceived Cost **Rhinoceros** $$$$$ **SOLIDWORKS** $$$$$ Average Discount **Rhinoceros** Not enough reviews yet **SOLIDWORKS** 10% **Pros & Cons** from reviews **Rhinoceros** [ 3D Modeling (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1509050&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Ease of Use (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1509429&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Lack of Features (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1509178&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ 3D Modeling (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1509512&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 **Rhinoceros** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7fe3ac866a6ee2c8e79ddc61b45ae7d2/adobe-illustrator.png "Product Avatar Image") Illustrator ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-illustrator/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_242ea9ef146ec0359ea99dbaedc5e26a/revit.png "Product Avatar Image") Revit ](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/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 **Rhinoceros** ![Rhinoceros 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/11086/rhino3.jpg) **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 **Rhinoceros** 8.6 8.6171 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.8 8.8591 Ease of Use **Rhinoceros** 7.9 7.9173 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.7 8.7596 Ease of Setup **Rhinoceros** 8.9 8.925 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.5 8.5166 Ease of Admin **Rhinoceros** 7.9 7.915 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.2 8.258 Quality of Support **Rhinoceros** 7.8 7.8141 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.2 8.2529 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Rhinoceros** 8.3 8.312 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.4 8.458 Product Direction (% positive) **Rhinoceros** 8.5 8.5168 **SOLIDWORKS** 8.6 8.6575 **Features** ratings from reviews General-Purpose CAD 8.9 8 8.9 133 Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Not enough data 8.8 56 CAD Data Exchange Not enough data 8.8 38 PCB Design Not enough data 8.2 15 Simulation & CAE Not enough data 8.3 73 CAD Viewers Not enough data 9.0 55 Additive Manufacturing Not enough data 7.9 71 CAD Libraries Not enough data 8.9 40 Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Not enough data 8.4 95 User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 55.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 24.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 19.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 55.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 24.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 19.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 46.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 32.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 20.8% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 46.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 32.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 20.8% **Reviewers' Industry** [![Rhinoceros](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565739/rhinoceros.png "Rhinoceros")](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) Rhinoceros Architecture & Planning 37.4% Design 25.1% Higher Education 4.8% Construction 2.7% Mechanical or Industrial Engineering 2.7% Other 27.3% [![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 **Rhinoceros Alternatives** ![AutoCAD](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1531166548/autocad.svg "AutoCAD") [ AutoCAD ](/products/autocad/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) ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion") [ Autodesk Fusion ](/products/autodesk-fusion/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) ## Rhinoceros vs SOLIDWORKS FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between SOLIDWORKS vs Rhinoceros? SOLIDWORKS stands out for its industry-standard parametric modeling and robust simulation tools, while Rhinoceros is favored for its NURBS-based freeform modeling and plugin flexibility. | [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) | [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (646 reviews) | 4.4/5 (192 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 8.3 | 8.9 | | 8.2 | 7.8 | | Ease of Use (37 all-time mentions) | 3D Modeling (3 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros compare? Rhinoceros is rated as the stronger value on price and cost satisfaction, with a higher reviewer score than SOLIDWORKS. - **SOLIDWORKS:** In recent reviews, several users cite high licensing costs and note that the software is expensive for small companies, though some mention competitive pricing options and good value for money. - **Rhinoceros:** Reviewers consistently highlight Rhinoceros as affordable, with one stating it is "very cheap if you consider the piece of software it is," and others noting its non-subscription licensing as a major advantage. - **Switching reasons:** Reviewers mention switching to Rhinoceros for its lower cost and flexible licensing compared to subscription-based alternatives. ### What are the best alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros? The top 3 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros are AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion, and Onshape. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (646 reviews) | Small-Business | High licensing cost, competitive pricing options | Ease of Use (37 all-time mentions) | | [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) | 4.4/5 (192 reviews) | Small-Business | Affordable, non-subscription licensing | 3D Modeling (3 all-time mentions) | | [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1940 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Industry-standard drafting and design | | [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE workflows | | [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) | 4.7/5 (725 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Cloud-based collaboration and version control | ### Which Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) features should I prioritize when comparing SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros? Buyers should prioritize parametric modeling, simulation tools, ease of use, integration capabilities, and cost/value when comparing SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros. - **Parametric Modeling:** SOLIDWORKS is frequently cited for its parametric power and automated updates (27 all-time mentions for 3D Modeling), while Rhinoceros is noted for NURBS-based freeform modeling (3 all-time mentions for 3D Modeling). - **Simulation Tools:** SOLIDWORKS has 16 all-time mentions for simulation tools, with reviewers highlighting robust FEA and integrated simulation capabilities; Rhinoceros reviewers do not cite simulation as a core strength. - **Ease of Use:** SOLIDWORKS has 37 all-time mentions for ease of use, with many reviewers praising its intuitive interface; Rhinoceros has 3 all-time mentions for ease of use, with some noting a steeper learning curve. - **Integration Capabilities:** SOLIDWORKS is cited for integrations with CATIA and SolidWorks Simulation (38 and 13 all-time mentions, respectively); Rhinoceros is noted for integration with Revit and Adobe Illustrator. - **Cost/Value:** Rhinoceros is consistently described as affordable and non-subscription, while SOLIDWORKS is frequently noted as expensive, especially for small businesses. ### What are the pros and cons of SOLIDWORKS vs Rhinoceros? SOLIDWORKS is strongest in parametric modeling and simulation, while Rhinoceros excels in flexible NURBS-based modeling and plugin extensibility. - **SOLIDWORKS strengths:** Ease of use (37 all-time mentions), robust 3D modeling (27), intuitive user interface (21), powerful simulation tools (16), and strong CAD integration (15). - **SOLIDWORKS trade-offs:** Performance issues (17 all-time mentions), slow performance with large assemblies (15), high system requirements (14), complexity for advanced features (11), and high cost (11). - **Rhinoceros strengths:** Flexible 3D modeling (3 all-time mentions), compatibility and customization (2 each), strong plugin ecosystem, and affordable licensing. - **Rhinoceros trade-offs:** Steep learning curve for beginners, limited native simulation and rendering, occasional crashes, and less robust drafting/documentation tools compared to SOLIDWORKS. ### Is SOLIDWORKS or Rhinoceros better for small businesses? Rhinoceros is the better fit for small businesses, with reviewers consistently highlighting its affordability and flexible licensing. - **SOLIDWORKS:** Small-Business segment; reviewers note high licensing costs and resource requirements as challenges for small companies, though some appreciate its industry-standard features. - **Rhinoceros:** Small-Business segment; reviewers praise its low cost, non-subscription licensing, and suitability for creative and technical small business needs. ### Which Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) platform has better integrations? Reviewers favor SOLIDWORKS for integrations, especially with other engineering and CAD tools. - **SOLIDWORKS:** Integrates with CATIA (38 all-time mentions) and SolidWorks Simulation (13), with reviewers highlighting strong compatibility for engineering workflows. - **Rhinoceros:** Integrates with Revit (16 all-time mentions) and Adobe Illustrator, with reviewers noting plugin flexibility and interoperability for design and architecture. ### How do SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros compare on customer support? SOLIDWORKS and Rhinoceros are rated within 0.4 points on Quality of Support, with SOLIDWORKS at 8.2 and Rhinoceros at 7.8, indicating near parity. - **SOLIDWORKS:** Reviewers frequently mention responsive and helpful support, with many citing the large user community and extensive tutorials as valuable resources. - **Rhinoceros:** Reviewers highlight prompt and diligent support, strong community forums, and comprehensive learning resources, though some note a steeper learning curve for complex issues. ### Which is easier to implement, SOLIDWORKS or Rhinoceros? Rhinoceros scores higher on Ease of Setup (8.9 vs. 8.3), making it easier to implement than SOLIDWORKS. - **SOLIDWORKS:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward but note that installation can be time-consuming and may require high-end hardware for optimal performance. - **Rhinoceros:** Reviewers consistently praise its intuitive licensing system and quick setup process, with many citing ease of installation and minimal hardware requirements.