Onshape

What is Onshape?

Onshape is a revolutionary cloud-native computer-aided design platform that has fundamentally changed how engineers and product designers approach CAD software. Developed by a team of former SolidWorks executives and engineers, Onshape was founded in 2012 and launched publicly in 2015 with the mission of creating a modern CAD system built entirely in the cloud. Unlike traditional desktop CAD applications, Onshape runs entirely in a web browser, eliminating the need for expensive workstations, complex installations, and time-consuming file management while enabling unprecedented collaboration capabilities.

What makes Onshape truly distinctive is its architecture as the first fully cloud-native CAD platform. Every aspect of the software was designed from the ground up for the cloud, not simply adapted from desktop software. This means automatic version control that tracks every change made to a design, real-time collaboration where multiple engineers can work on the same model simultaneously, and access from any device with a web browser including tablets and smartphones. The platform combines professional-grade parametric modeling with modern software development practices like branching and merging that have revolutionized collaboration in software engineering.

Acquired by PTC in 2019, Onshape continues to evolve as a leading solution for agile product development teams. The platform is particularly popular among startups, educational institutions, and forward-thinking engineering teams who value collaboration, accessibility, and freedom from IT infrastructure burdens. With its subscription-based model and free tier for makers and hobbyists, Onshape has democratized access to professional CAD tools while pushing the entire industry toward more connected, collaborative approaches to product design and engineering.

Key Features

• Full Cloud Architecture: Runs entirely in web browsers with no software installation required, providing access from any computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet connectivity.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple designers can work simultaneously on the same model with live updates, comments, and presence indicators showing who is working where.
• Built-in Version Control: Automatic tracking of every design change with complete history, branching and merging capabilities inspired by modern software development practices.
• Parametric Part Modeling: Professional-grade feature-based modeling with sketches, extrusions, revolves, sweeps, lofts, and comprehensive constraint systems for precise designs.
• Assembly Modeling: Powerful assembly tools with mates, assembly configurations, and the ability to reference parts from any document without file management headaches.
• Integrated Drawings: Create detailed engineering drawings with automatic views, dimensions, annotations, and bills of materials directly from 3D models.
• FeatureScript: Custom programming language allowing users to create new modeling features, automate repetitive tasks, and extend platform capabilities.
• Standard Content Library: Extensive library of standard parts including fasteners, bearings, structural shapes, and configurable components for faster design.
• Simulation and Analysis: Built-in simulation tools for stress analysis, motion studies, and thermal analysis to validate designs before manufacturing.
• API and Integrations: Comprehensive REST API enables integration with PLM systems, ERP software, manufacturing tools, and custom business applications.

What’s New

Onshape continuously delivers new features and improvements through regular updates, with enhancements deployed automatically without requiring user action or downtime.

• Enhanced Simulation: Expanded simulation capabilities with improved mesh quality, faster solve times, and additional analysis types for comprehensive design validation.
• Variable Studios: New Variable Studios allow centralized management of design parameters across multiple parts and assemblies for efficient design iteration.
• Improved Rendering: Enhanced visualization capabilities with better materials, lighting options, and faster rendering for more photorealistic design presentations.
• Mobile App Enhancements: Updated iOS and Android applications with improved viewing, markup, and approval capabilities for design review on the go.
• Assembly Performance: Significant performance improvements for large assemblies with faster loading, smoother manipulation, and better memory management.
• Drawing Improvements: Enhanced drawing tools with better automatic dimensioning, improved section views, and more annotation options for documentation.
• Collaboration Features: New commenting and notification systems for better team communication and design review workflows within the platform.
• Integration Expansions: Additional connectors for popular manufacturing, PLM, and project management tools for streamlined product development workflows.

System Requirements

Web Browser (All Platforms)

• Browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge (latest versions)
• Operating System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.14+, Linux, Chrome OS
• Internet: Broadband connection (10+ Mbps recommended)
• Graphics: WebGL-capable graphics card with updated drivers
• RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended for complex assemblies)
• Display: 1920 x 1080 minimum resolution

iOS

• Device: iPhone 8 or later, iPad Air 2 or later
• Operating System: iOS 14.0 or later
• Storage: 200 MB for app installation

Android

• Device: Devices with ARMv8 processor
• Operating System: Android 8.0 or later
• Storage: 150 MB for app installation

How to Install Onshape

Web Browser Access (No Installation Required)

1. Open any supported web browser on your computer
2. Navigate to onshape.com and click Sign Up
3. Choose your plan (Free, Standard, or Professional)
4. Create your account with email and password
5. Verify your email address through the confirmation link
6. Log in and start designing immediately in your browser
7. Bookmark the page for quick access to your workspace

# Onshape requires no local installation
# Simply access through web browser

# For optimal performance, ensure browser is updated
# Chrome example:
google-chrome --version

# Clear browser cache if experiencing issues
# Chrome: Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data

# Test WebGL support
# Visit get.webgl.org to verify GPU acceleration

iOS Mobile App

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad
2. Search for “Onshape” in the search bar
3. Tap Get to download the free application
4. Open the app and sign in with your Onshape account
5. Access and view your designs on mobile

Android Mobile App

1. Open Google Play Store on your Android device
2. Search for “Onshape” in the search bar
3. Tap Install to download the application
4. Open and sign in with your existing Onshape credentials
5. View, comment, and approve designs on mobile

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Zero Installation: Access professional CAD from any computer with a web browser, eliminating IT burden, hardware requirements, and software deployment complexity entirely.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple engineers can work on the same design simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes instantly like Google Docs for CAD.
• Automatic Version Control: Every change is automatically saved with complete history, enabling easy comparison, rollback, and branching without file management.
• Cross-Platform Access: Work from Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, or mobile devices with the same full-featured experience and synchronized data.
• Free Tier Available: Generous free plan for hobbyists, makers, and students provides access to professional CAD tools without cost barriers.
• Always Updated: Continuous deployment means users always have the latest features without manual updates, restarts, or version compatibility issues.
• Integrated Data Management: Built-in PDM eliminates need for separate product data management systems with automatic backup and organization.

Cons

• Internet Required: Cloud-only architecture means no offline work capability, which can be problematic in areas with unreliable connectivity.
• Subscription Cost: Professional plans require ongoing subscription payments rather than perpetual licenses, adding long-term costs for commercial use.
• Learning Curve: Interface and workflows differ from traditional CAD systems, requiring adaptation time for experienced users of desktop software.
• Performance Dependency: Complex assemblies and operations depend on internet connection quality and server load for responsive performance.
• Limited Ecosystem: Smaller plugin and add-on ecosystem compared to established desktop CAD platforms with decades of third-party development.

Onshape vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Onshape?

Onshape is ideal for:

• Distributed Engineering Teams: Companies with designers in multiple locations benefit enormously from real-time collaboration and cloud-based access without VPN complexity.
• Startups and Small Companies: Organizations without dedicated IT infrastructure appreciate the zero-maintenance, browser-based approach that eliminates hardware and software administration.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and universities can provide students access to professional CAD tools on any device without computer lab restrictions or licensing complexity.
• Makers and Hobbyists: The free tier provides genuine professional CAD capabilities for personal projects, prototyping, and learning without financial commitment.
• Agile Product Teams: Teams practicing modern product development methodologies appreciate the version control, branching, and collaboration features inspired by software development.
• Cross-Platform Users: Designers who work across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems or need access from multiple devices benefit from truly platform-independent access.

Onshape may not be ideal for:

• Offline Workers: Engineers who frequently work in locations without reliable internet connectivity cannot access Onshape’s cloud-based functionality.
• Legacy Workflow Users: Organizations deeply invested in traditional file-based CAD workflows may find the transition to cloud-native approaches disruptive.
• Plugin-Dependent Users: Those relying heavily on specialized third-party CAD add-ons may find fewer options in Onshape’s younger ecosystem.
• Highly Regulated Industries: Some organizations with strict data residency or security requirements may face compliance challenges with cloud-only architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onshape really free to use?

Yes, Onshape offers a genuinely capable free tier for makers, hobbyists, and non-commercial use. The free plan includes full parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, and version control with unlimited documents. The main limitations are that free designs are publicly accessible and some advanced features like simulation are not included. For commercial use, professional plans starting around $1,500 per year provide private documents and additional capabilities. Educational users also get free access with expanded features.

Can Onshape handle large assemblies?

Onshape can handle assemblies with thousands of parts, though performance depends on internet connection and browser capabilities. The platform uses intelligent loading that only brings necessary geometry into memory, and features like simplified representations help manage complex assemblies. Users report working successfully with assemblies containing several thousand components. Very large assemblies may require patience during initial loading, but the cloud architecture means server-side processing power is substantial.

How does Onshape compare to SolidWorks?

Both are professional parametric CAD systems with similar core modeling capabilities, but they differ fundamentally in architecture. Onshape runs entirely in browsers with built-in collaboration and version control, while SolidWorks is desktop software requiring local installation and separate PDM systems. Many Onshape founders came from SolidWorks, so workflows feel familiar. Onshape offers subscription pricing while SolidWorks typically requires larger upfront license purchases. Choose based on collaboration needs, platform requirements, and existing infrastructure.

Is my data secure in Onshape’s cloud?

Onshape employs comprehensive security measures including encryption in transit and at rest, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and regular security audits. Data is stored in AWS data centers with enterprise-grade physical security. Access controls allow granular permission management for documents. For enterprises with specific requirements, Onshape offers additional security options. However, the free tier makes designs public by default, so sensitive commercial work requires paid plans with private documents.

Can I import files from other CAD systems?

Onshape supports importing files from virtually all major CAD systems including STEP, IGES, SOLIDWORKS, Creo, NX, Inventor, Rhino, and many others. Imported geometry can be used as reference for new designs or converted to native Onshape features for full editing. Export options are similarly comprehensive for sharing with manufacturing partners or other CAD users. The platform handles translation automatically in the cloud without requiring local conversion software or licensing.

Final Verdict

Onshape represents a genuine paradigm shift in CAD software, proving that professional-grade mechanical design tools can exist entirely in the cloud without sacrificing capability. The platform successfully combines powerful parametric modeling with modern software development concepts like real-time collaboration, automatic version control, and continuous deployment. For teams frustrated by file management, IT overhead, and collaboration barriers in traditional CAD, Onshape offers a compelling alternative that feels like a glimpse of the future.

The platform’s greatest strengths lie in collaboration and accessibility. The ability for multiple engineers to work simultaneously on the same model, seeing each other’s changes in real time, eliminates the tedious check-in/check-out workflows of traditional PDM systems. Browser-based access means working from any computer without IT involvement, and the free tier genuinely enables hobbyists and students to learn professional CAD tools. PTC’s ownership ensures continued development and enterprise feature expansion.

Onshape is the ideal choice for distributed engineering teams, startups without IT infrastructure, educational institutions, and forward-thinking organizations ready to embrace cloud-native design. The internet dependency and subscription costs may deter some users, and those with extensive plugin dependencies might find the ecosystem limiting. However, for teams valuing collaboration, accessibility, and freedom from software administration burdens, Onshape delivers a polished, capable platform that continues to push the entire CAD industry forward.