# Inventor vs SOLIDWORKS Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that SOLIDWORKS excels in **ease of use** , with many users praising its intuitive interface that simplifies 3D modeling and assembly, even for complex designs. One user highlighted how easy it is to change dimensions without needing to redo the entire model, enhancing creativity and productivity.
- **Users say** that Inventor offers a high level of **customization** , allowing them to set up shortcuts and adjust text styles to fit their preferences. This flexibility makes it a favorite among those who appreciate a tailored user experience, as noted by a reviewer who found it efficient for both beginners and experienced users.
- **According to verified reviews** , SOLIDWORKS stands out in **simulation capabilities** , receiving high marks for its tools that support both static and dynamic system designs. Users have noted the software's robust features for parametric modeling and simulations, which significantly boost their productivity.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Inventor is user-friendly, it sometimes lacks the extensive feature set that SOLIDWORKS provides. Users appreciate Inventor's accuracy in 3D modeling and 2D drafting, but some feel that SOLIDWORKS offers a broader range of tools for complex projects.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that SOLIDWORKS has a strong community and support network, with many users benefiting from the wealth of resources available for troubleshooting and learning. This support is crucial for users who may encounter challenges during implementation or day-to-day use.
- **Users report** that both products have similar scores for **quality of support** , but SOLIDWORKS has a larger volume of recent reviews, indicating a more active user base. This can be beneficial for potential buyers looking for a software solution with a proven track record and ongoing user engagement.



| | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 440 | 643 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (42.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (44.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2085 1 year | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Inventor

Pros:
- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Features (2 reviews)

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

### SOLIDWORKS

Pros:
- Ease of Use (37 reviews)
- Features (29 reviews)

Cons:
- Performance Issues (17 reviews)
- Slow Performance (15 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (376 reviews) | 8.8 (535 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (377 reviews) | 8.6 (540 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.9 (107 reviews) | 8.3 (112 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.7 (99 reviews) | 8.0 (47 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.1 (346 reviews) | 8.2 (475 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.2 (94 reviews) | 8.3 (47 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.3 (371 reviews) | 8.6 (529 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

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.7/10 | 53 |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 9.0 (42 reviews) | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.8 (42 reviews) | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.9 (43 reviews) | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 8.7 (39 reviews) | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.4 (37 reviews) | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.6 (39 reviews) | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.7 (39 reviews) | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.8 (39 reviews) | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 8.2/10 | 38 |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.8/10 | 112 |

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 9.5 (107 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | 8.9 (37 reviews) | 9.4 (107 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.5 (38 reviews) | 9.2 (103 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 7.6 (35 reviews) | 8.1 (100 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.2 (37 reviews) | 8.5 (98 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | 7.4 (36 reviews) | 8.4 (90 reviews) | 
| **Views** | 8.0 (37 reviews) | 9.3 (101 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | 7.7 (36 reviews) | 8.3 (85 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.1 (36 reviews) | 8.6 (94 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | 9.0 (96 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.2 (36 reviews) | 8.4 (90 reviews) | 

### CAD Libraries

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.9/10 | 35 |

#### Library

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Categorize** | Not enough data | 8.9 (29 reviews) | 
| **Search** | Not enough data | 8.6 (28 reviews) | 
| **Deduplication** | Not enough data | 8.4 (28 reviews) | 
| **Feedback** | Not enough data | 8.6 (23 reviews) | 

#### CAD

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Types** | Not enough data | 8.8 (24 reviews) | 
| **Models** | Not enough data | 9.4 (30 reviews) | 
| **Compatibility** | Not enough data | 9.1 (29 reviews) | 

#### Integration

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Catalogs** | Not enough data | 8.5 (26 reviews) | 
| **CAD & PLM** | Not enough data | 9.6 (29 reviews) | 
| **ERP** | Not enough data | 8.6 (25 reviews) | 

### CAD Data Exchange

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.8/10 | 34 |

#### Data

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D Format** | Not enough data | 9.3 (29 reviews) | 
| **Data Quality** | Not enough data | 8.8 (27 reviews) | 
| **Extra Information** | Not enough data | 8.3 (26 reviews) | 
| **Standard Format** | Not enough data | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 
| **Translate** | Not enough data | 8.3 (24 reviews) | 
| **Validation** | Not enough data | 8.7 (25 reviews) | 

#### Logistics

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Integrate** | Not enough data | 9.1 (25 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 7.9/10 | 66 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.7 (61 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.5 (47 reviews) | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.4 (52 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | 7.5 (55 reviews) | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (60 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | 7.6 (49 reviews) | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.8 (58 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | 7.7 (48 reviews) | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | 8.6 (53 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | 6.0 (20 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | 6.1 (20 reviews) | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### CAD Viewers

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 9.0/10 | 49 |

#### File Options

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Import files** | Not enough data | 8.9 (44 reviews) | 
| **Export files** | Not enough data | 9.1 (43 reviews) | 
| **View 2D files** | Not enough data | 9.1 (43 reviews) | 
| **View 3D files** | Not enough data | 9.3 (44 reviews) | 
| **Batch convert files** | Not enough data | 8.3 (35 reviews) | 
| **File size** | Not enough data | 8.3 (41 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dimensioning tools** | Not enough data | 9.5 (43 reviews) | 
| **Change units** | Not enough data | 9.1 (41 reviews) | 
| **3D/solid modeling tools** | Not enough data | 9.2 (43 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | 9.4 (43 reviews) | 

### PCB Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.2/10 | 15 |

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **PCB layout editing** | Not enough data | 7.9 (12 reviews) | 
| **Schematic editor** | Not enough data | 7.8 (12 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D modeling tools** | Not enough data | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 
| **Component placement** | Not enough data | 8.7 (13 reviews) | 

#### Library

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Component libraries** | Not enough data | 8.2 (13 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Board size** | Not enough data | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 
| **Layers** | Not enough data | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 

#### Customization

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom commands** | Not enough data | 7.8 (12 reviews) | 
| **Custom interface** | Not enough data | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 7.5/10 | 20 |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.2/10 | 64 |

#### Design

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (20 reviews) | 9.2 (62 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.6 (20 reviews) | 9.0 (62 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 8.8 (62 reviews) | 
| **Rendering tools** | 7.6 (19 reviews) | 7.7 (60 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 5.6 (16 reviews) | 8.0 (54 reviews) | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 7.9 (56 reviews) | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 7.1 (17 reviews) | 7.4 (49 reviews) | 

#### Work

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 6.9 (15 reviews) | 7.6 (41 reviews) | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 6.8 (15 reviews) | 7.8 (42 reviews) | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 7.2 (16 reviews) | 8.3 (51 reviews) | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 7.6 (14 reviews) | 8.1 (44 reviews) | 
| **Integrate** | 7.6 (16 reviews) | 8.4 (47 reviews) | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 7.7 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (53 reviews) | 
| **Task** | 7.7 (18 reviews) | 8.4 (51 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 6.9 (18 reviews) | 8.2 (49 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.1 (19 reviews) | 8.6 (53 reviews) | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Inventor** | 9.0/10 | 6 |
| **SOLIDWORKS** | 8.4/10 | 45 |

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

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.4 (36 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | 8.7 (28 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.2 (30 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 9.1 (26 reviews) | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 7.7 (25 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | 8.6 (31 reviews) | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | 8.6 (27 reviews) | 
| **File Interoperability** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 8.3 (29 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.0 (26 reviews) | 
| **File size** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 7.3 (32 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | 8.4 (23 reviews) | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | 8.4 (24 reviews) | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | 7.6 (24 reviews) | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | 8.2 (24 reviews) | 

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

| Feature | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 8.0 (27 reviews) | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | 8.4 (23 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 7.9 (23 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (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 (7):** [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [Sketching Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching), [PCB Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pcb-design), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [CAD Libraries](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-libraries), [CAD Data Exchange Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-data-exchange), [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Inventor | SOLIDWORKS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 35.0% | 44.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 42.7% | 33.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 22.3% | 21.9% | 

### 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

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 23.2%
- **Design:** 11.7%
- **Automotive:** 6.6%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 5.9%
- **Medical Devices:** 5.8%
- **Machinery:** 5.6%
- **Higher Education:** 4.6%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 4.5%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.0%
- **Consumer Goods:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 26.8%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Inventor

- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (598 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (199 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 (255 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)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (526 reviews)

### Alternatives to SOLIDWORKS

- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (517 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (598 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1929 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 (526 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 (255 reviews)
- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (768 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

- Title: [What is SOLIDWORKS used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-solidworks-used-for) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "A person can use SolidWorks for many things, Part modeling, Assembly Testing, rendering, Creating working animation of any machine or product. Start..."
- Title: [How to stop or cancel a ongoing command.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-to-stop-or-cancel-a-ongoing-command) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "By pressing escape key."
- Title: [best use o this software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/35425-best-use-o-this-software) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Making 2D sketches and extruding them to make 3d sketches."
- Title: [Where is the Features toolbar in Solidworks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/where-is-the-features-toolbar-in-solidworks) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Right-click in the window border, click Toolbars, and select or clear a toolbar name.
Click Tools > Customize. On the Toolbars tab, select the toolbars to..."
- Title: [What are features in Solidworks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-features-in-solidworks) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Solidworks have so many feature like sketch tool, Part modeling, Assembly modeling, Drawing Tool, Sheet metal, weldments, Surface modeling, Rendering Tool,..."

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