Onshape vs Shapr3D:
Which CAD software is right for you?

Shapr3D and Onshape are both modern CAD tools that offer flexible alternatives to desktop-based traditional CAD.

They have lots of similarities, but they differ in one big way. Onshape is browser-based, while Shapr3D is a downloadable application that runs on iPad, Windows, and Mac.

Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and we’re here to break them down for you.

Shapr3D runs natively on iPad, Windows, and Mac. You can access new and existing projects on your device, whether or not you’re connected to the internet.

This can come in handy if you travel a lot and like modeling on the go, don’t always have reliable internet, or want to access projects at a client meeting or shop floor and don’t have Wi-Fi.

Onshape is known for being relatively easy to use, especially for those who come from CAD backgrounds. But if you’re a CAD beginner, the workflows and history tree can feel overwhelming.

Shapr3D’s intuitive modeling experience features an adaptive user interface, which predicts and surfaces only the tools needed for your next step. This cuts down on clutter and saves you the trouble of digging through menus to find what you need.

Additionally, push-pull modeling (especially on the iPad with Apple Pencil) lets you grab and drag faces and edges to shape your model like clay, while still recording your steps in the history sidebar for parametric edits.

If you often work alone or with a small team, you likely don’t need all the cloud collaboration and PDM features that Onshape has for a higher price tag. Shapr3D Pro gives you Team spaces, version control, and review links at a fraction of the cost, along with all the modeling and visualization tools you need for professional projects.

Whether you’re working on a top-secret project or just want to keep your designs to yourself, Shapr3D allows you to choose who you want to share your work with. Projects are kept private and stored locally on your device, unless you choose to upload them to cloud-based Team spaces and share them with colleagues or reviewers.

With Onshape’s Free plan, your designs are publicly accessible. To gain private storage, you’ll need to pay for their Standard plan, which can be cost-prohibitive for small teams or individual users.

Onshape’s strength lies in its cloud-based collaboration and PDM system. For large teams that work remotely, accessing files in the cloud provides a source of truth and ability to collaborate in real time. However, these features come at a cost that could be too high for smaller teams.

Onshape has the ability to handle large assemblies, making it a better fit for models with lots of parts.