Software Alternatives & Startups

SolidWorks VS SOLIDSO

Compare SolidWorks VS SOLIDSO and see what are their differences

SolidWorks

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. SolidWorks is the leading supplier of 3D CAD product design engineering software.

Rating
0 reviews
SOLIDSO

Affordable, professional 3D CAD for Linux: a SolidWorks-style workflow as a native Linux program, no Wine, no virtual machine. Free edition, one licence code unlocks everything.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial €35 / Annually (1 User)

Which is more popular?

3D popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
195 vs 3

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

SolidWorks
SOLIDSO
Website solidworks.com solidso.com
Pricing —
Freemium Free trial €35 / Annually (1 User) Official pricing
Company — Startup from Hong Kong · 2026
Listed in

About SolidWorks and SOLIDSO

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

SolidWorks
SOLIDSO

No description of SolidWorks yet.

Engineers who want to work on Linux have only a few native 3D CAD systems to choose from. SOLIDSO closes that gap: the parametric system runs natively on Linux, for example on Linux Mint, and concentrates on what is actually needed in everyday design work. SOLIDSO covers the usual workflow:...

Read more about SOLIDSO

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SolidWorks 5 features
SOLIDSO 0 features
  • Comprehensive Toolset
    SolidWorks offers a robust suite of tools for 3D CAD, simulation, manufacturing, and data management, making it suitable for a wide range of engineering and design tasks.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    SolidWorks is known for its intuitive UI that makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. This reduces the learning curve significantly.
  • Extensive Community and Support
    With a large user base and active forums, finding solutions to problems and gaining insights is relatively easy. SolidWorks also provides thorough documentation and customer support.
  • Frequent Updates
    The software continually gets updated with new features and improvements, ensuring users have access to the latest technologies and capabilities.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    SolidWorks integrates well with numerous other software applications, enhancing workflow efficiency and enabling seamless transitions between different stages of design and manufacturing.

Possible disadvantages

  • High Cost
    SolidWorks is relatively expensive, which can be a barrier for small businesses and individual users. Licensing and subscription fees can add up quickly.
  • Hardware Demands
    The software requires a powerful computer with ample RAM and a high-performance graphics card, leading to higher hardware costs.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are easily graspable, mastering advanced features and tools can take significant time and effort.
  • Limited Mac Support
    SolidWorks primarily supports Windows, with limited options for Mac users unless they run a Windows OS via Bootcamp or similar solutions.
  • Occasional Software Bugs
    Like any complex software, SolidWorks may encounter bugs or stability issues, which can disrupt work and reduce productivity.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

SolidWorks
SOLIDSO

Overall verdict

  • Yes, SolidWorks is considered good, particularly for engineering and product design professionals who require sophisticated modeling capabilities. Its extensive features, reliability, and widespread use in the industry make it a solid choice for professionals.

Why this product is good

  • SolidWorks is widely regarded as a leading choice for computer-aided design (CAD) due to its robust set of features, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive support for 3D modeling. It offers a variety of tools for both simple and complex design needs, making it a versatile option for many industries. In addition, it is widely used in educational settings, which contributes to a large, skilled user base familiar with the software. The integration with other tools, enhanced simulation capabilities, and ongoing updates further enhance its reputation.

Recommended for

  • Mechanical Engineers
  • Product Designers
  • Manufacturing Professionals
  • Engineering Students
  • Architects needing 3D CAD capabilities

No analysis of SOLIDSO yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SolidWorks 3 videos + Add
SOLIDSO 1 video + Add

First Look at SOLIDWORKS Software - SOLIDWORKS

More videos

  • - SOLIDWORKS 2018 Overview
  • - SOLIDWORKS 2019 - Large Design Review Mode

Why SOLIDSO?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
SolidWorks
SOLIDSO
100% 100%
3D
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
94% 94%
CAD
6% 6%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SolidWorks and SOLIDSO.

What makes your product unique?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO is a parametric 3D CAD built exclusively for Linux. It is simple, affordable and developed together with its users, with sketches, 3D parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings in one tool. A free edition is available.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

SOLIDSO's answer:

Choose SOLIDSO if you work on Linux and want CAD that gets out of your way. Most designers use only a small part of what large CAD suites offer, yet they pay for all of it, often with costly maintenance contracts. SOLIDSO concentrates on the everyday workflow: parametric sketches with dimensions and relations, 3D parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings with an editable title block.

Native on Linux: built only for Linux, so you can work without Windows or a cloud account. Affordable: low launch prices, fixed until the end of each licence term, even if prices rise later. Easy to try: a free edition is available. Shaped by users: a small team from Germany and Austria develops it with user feedback, so your needs can influence the next versions.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO’s primary audience is people who design physical parts and work on Linux, or want to switch to it: mechanical designers and small engineering offices, small manufacturers and workshops, makers and 3D-printing enthusiasts, and students and educators. They need a reliable tool for everyday work (parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings), not a large suite with advanced simulation or product-lifecycle features. Many of them care about low cost, independence from US cloud services and security, which Linux offers. SOLIDSO is built for them: simple to learn, affordable, and shaped by user feedback.

What's the story behind your product?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO grew out of a practical problem: engineers who work on Linux have only a few native 3D CAD systems to choose from, and the large Windows systems come with high licence costs and maintenance contracts.

So a small team from Germany and Austria set out to build a CAD system for Linux only: simple, affordable and focused on what most designers need every day. The company behind it is SolidTechnics Ltd., based in Hong Kong.

SOLIDSO is developed together with its users. Prices are intentionally low at launch to attract active users and to fund further development. Prices will probably be adjusted in the future, but every order placed at today’s price stays fixed until the end of its term.

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

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