Onshape vs. SimScale

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Onshape
Score 7.2 out of 10
N/A
Onshape is a cloud-native product development platform with integrated CAD, data management and analytics. Onshape aims to accelerate time to market and improve innovation by: 1) Access: Unlike file-based CAD which is on-premise only, Onshape enables remote access for designers and engineers from anywhere, and on any internet-connected device -including tablets and smart phones. 2) Collaboration: Onshape aims to eliminate the version control problems and blocking of file-based…
$1,500
per year per user
SimScale
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
SimScale is an engineering simulation platform that aims to revolutionize the way engineers, designers, scientists, and students design products. The SimScale platform is fully cloud-based and is accessible completely via a standard web browser. The easy-to-use interface supports numerous simulation types including Structural Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, and more. The vendor says that SimScale eliminates many of the hurdles that accompany traditional simulation tools: high…N/A
Pricing
OnshapeSimScale
Editions & Modules
Standard
1,500
per year per user
Professional
2,500
per year per user
Enterprise
Contact sales team
per year per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
OnshapeSimScale
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsNo dedicated hardware is required. Works on all web-connected devices including tablet, Chromebook, iPhone, Android.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
OnshapeSimScale
Considered Both Products
Onshape
Chose Onshape
The main reason that I selected Onshape over Solidworks is that it is significantly cheaper. Additionally, with the cloud-based updates, they are able to add functionality more quickly through updates, so in the long term I think their functionality will outpace that of …
SimScale
Chose SimScale
SimScale is much faster to spin up on than OpenFOAM. Ansys CFD tools are much more expensive! Both tools require expensive computing equipment to run, which SimScale does not!
Best Alternatives
OnshapeSimScale
Small Businesses
ARCHICAD
ARCHICAD
Score 8.9 out of 10
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor
Score 8.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
DraftSight
DraftSight
Score 8.8 out of 10
Navisworks
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
Navisworks
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
OnshapeSimScale
Likelihood to Recommend
9.3
(61 ratings)
8.5
(4 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(2 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.6
(38 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.3
(34 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
OnshapeSimScale
Likelihood to Recommend
PTC
Onshape shall be used by organizations where cost is a major factor as the license is relatively competitive than the competition. Where Onshape , excels the most is the ability to be operational on any device with internet connection and webbrowser. Onshape doesn't require your hardware to be beefed with Graphic cards (if added better). Where onshape can be better. If they are able to include simulation packages bundled like SOLIDWORKS.
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SimScale GmbH
For a small company, SimScale is a great fit. It allows me to gain the use and support of higher-end software analysis on demand without the traditional high cost. This is super convenient for a company that does occasional design and analysis. Since the computing is cloud-based it also allows me to process large and detailed models without the high hardware cost that can be required. One potential drawback is that the design information is stored on someone else's server. For some industries and companies this would be a deal-breaker.
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Pros
PTC
  • Cloud-based infrastructure and collaboration is a primary benefit.
  • The available documentation is extremely thorough.
  • The ability to integrate with other software for simulation, renderings, etc. is fantastic.
  • Not having to save and being able to clearly see versions and change history is excellent.
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SimScale GmbH
  • Material non-linear analysis.
  • Geometric non-linear analysis.
  • Meshing.
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Cons
PTC
  • Dimensioning a hole feature in a drawing when there are multiple holes, the hole count does not parametrically update. For example, when there are 3x of the same hole, Onshape forces you to manually type in 3x instead of parametrically populating the hole count. This gets very dangerous if say, one of the 3x holes changes but you forget to update the 3x to 2x. Other CAD software does provide this.
  • I know Onshape provides guidance on performance considerations and how to structure a project through their literature, however, a dedicated video from Onshape that directly addresses the guidelines on how to minimize file load and reload times would be beneficial to all future and current Onshape users. I think they should incorporate this directly in their training. Poindexter by Design went through the growing pains of this issue but through the Onshape literature and our own experiences we've developed guidelines on how to keep our Onshape performance maximized!
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SimScale GmbH
  • Learning from tutorials is great, but limiting. The online help is a must.
  • Some simulations take a lot of time, but at least it's not on your PC.
  • Sometimes the software times out due to the server.
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Likelihood to Renew
PTC
Familiarity and ability to work from any location. Also easy to cooperate with potential customers, existing customers, systems users, and fabricating shops. Most of the standard designs are now in On Shape and I would like to continue using it. It is easier to run versions to clarify imrovements to the previous designs
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SimScale GmbH
I had a great experience with SimScale but we only used the software for a short period of time to complete the current design requirements. It is not a software that we would continually subscribe to. Next subscription event would occur when there is a design requirement to do so.
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Usability
PTC
Onshape is great software and I have no trouble recommending it to CAD users and companies that need to do design work
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SimScale GmbH
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
PTC
Been fairly standard experience with support team. Issues have always been addressed, but is understandably focused on business side applications which typically has different issues than education applications. I have very few IT issues with the design side of the software, my issues are more often with the control of users and access
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SimScale GmbH
No answers on this topic
Online Training
PTC
I might be biased by coming from using three different CAD softwares in the past, so I already understood many modeling concepts, but the training OS offers is really good. Videos are clear, they explain operations in good detail and besides that OS has a really good help system that explains even more how every tool works.
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SimScale GmbH
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
PTC
Onshape is revolutionary. Its advantage is that it can be used without having to download it. You are free to work wherever you want. This means that even if you take a vacation or attend a family event, your work will not be interrupted. You can still bring your work and complete it quickly.
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SimScale GmbH
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
PTC
I have used SOLIDWORKS for over four years, and the vault system is time intensive for control of design history, and revision management. I have used Pro-E for over four years, and this has the capability but is not user-friendly. Not needing high-end computers is another great reason to choose Onshape
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SimScale GmbH
SimScale is much faster to spin up on than OpenFOAM. Ansys CFD tools are much more expensive! Both tools require expensive computing equipment to run, which SimScale does not!
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Return on Investment
PTC
  • Super fast idea to concept parts and prototypes
  • So easy to share things with co-workers or higher management that I do it all the time
  • No, IT support is needed so no IT cost and no hassle working with in-house IT and their way of doing things
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SimScale GmbH
  • It has allowed us to increase our service offering which has lead to additional work.
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ScreenShots

SimScale Screenshots

Screenshot of Thermodynamics: Gearbox Thermal SimulationScreenshot of Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Gantry Crane Stress AnalysisScreenshot of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): HVAC Internal Flow Analysis