Inventor vs SolidWorks: Cost & What You Get

Autodesk Inventor and Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks are both premium 3D CAD packages, and their list prices are nearly identical—around $2,500 to $3,000 per year for a commercial subscription. However, the total cost of ownership differs significantly once you factor in ecosystem lock-in, training, and the cost of add-ons, and what you get for that money is two quite different design philosophies.

Formula

The calculator above works out the total subscription cost difference over a given number of years. The formula is straightforward:

Cost difference = (Inventor annual price − SolidWorks annual price) × Years

Where:

• Inventor annual price (USD) – what you pay per year for an Inventor subscription.
• SolidWorks annual price (USD) – what you pay per year for a SolidWorks subscription.
• Years – how many years you plan to use the software.

The result is the total extra (or saved) amount over that period. If the difference is negative, Inventor costs less; if positive, SolidWorks costs less.

Worked Example

Using the default values: Inventor at $2,800/year, SolidWorks at $2,800/year, over 5 years.

1. Subtract the SolidWorks price from the Inventor price: $2,800 − $2,800 = $0.
2. Multiply by the number of years: $0 × 5 = $0.

The calculator shows a cost difference of $0, meaning the two are identical in this scenario. In practice, you’ll rarely pay the list price—resellers discount both, and the actual difference is usually small (a few hundred dollars per year) unless you need specialized add-ons.

Background: Two Approaches to 3D Modeling

Both Inventor and SolidWorks are history-based parametric modelers: you build a part by sketching 2D profiles, adding dimensions and constraints, then extruding or revolving those sketches into 3D features. Every feature is recorded in a tree, and you can go back and edit any earlier step, which updates the whole model automatically.

The key difference is their heritage. SolidWorks was designed from the ground up as a Windows-native, mid-range CAD tool aimed at mechanical design and manufacturing. It has been around since 1995 and has a massive install base, especially in small and mid-sized machine shops, tooling, and consumer product development.

Inventor, released in 1999, is part of Autodesk’s manufacturing portfolio. It was built to compete directly with SolidWorks, but it integrates closely with other Autodesk tools like AutoCAD (for 2D drawings) and Fusion 360 (for cloud-based design). Inventor is often chosen by companies that already use AutoCAD and want a smooth upgrade path.

What You Get With Each License

A standard commercial subscription for either program includes the core 3D modeling environment, 2D drawing creation, assembly modeling, and basic rendering. Both also include a parts library, sheet metal tools, weldments (structural frames), and the ability to create exploded views and animations.

Beyond that, the two diverge:

• SolidWorks – includes a powerful configuration manager (for creating design variations like different sizes of the same part), a large built-in library of standard hardware (bolts, bearings), and a well-regarded simulation package (SolidWorks Simulation) that lets you run stress, thermal, and frequency analyses without leaving the interface. The user interface is often described as more intuitive for beginners.
• Inventor – includes a unique “dynamic simulation” environment for analyzing mechanisms with moving parts, a more advanced generative design tool (available in the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection), and better integration with AutoCAD DWG files. Inventor’s assembly constraints are more flexible, and it handles very large assemblies (thousands of parts) more gracefully in many tests.

Both packages can be rented monthly (around $300–$400/month) or bought as perpetual licenses (pay once, use forever), but perpetual licenses are being phased out by both vendors in favor of subscriptions.

Hidden Costs: Add-ons, Training, and Ecosystem

The list price is only the beginning. Here are the real cost drivers:

• Add-ons – SolidWorks has a huge ecosystem of third-party add-ons (for gear design, piping, mold design, etc.) that often cost $1,000–$5,000 each. Inventor also has add-ons, but many are bundled into Autodesk’s “Product Design & Manufacturing Collection,” which costs about $3,000/year and includes Inventor, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, and several specialized tools. If you need those tools, the collection is cheaper than buying them separately.
• Training – Both have steep learning curves. A week-long instructor-led course costs $1,500–$2,500. Many users find SolidWorks easier to learn on their own due to more tutorials and a larger user community. Inventor’s learning curve is steeper, but Autodesk provides free online tutorials and a university program.
• File compatibility – If you collaborate with other companies, you need to exchange files. Both read and write neutral formats like STEP and IGES, but native file exchange between the two is poor. If your customers use SolidWorks, you’ll likely need to buy SolidWorks too (or use a viewer).

How to Choose: Which Is Right for You?

There is no universal “better” – it depends on your industry and existing software:

• Choose SolidWorks if: you are a mechanical engineer designing parts for manufacturing, you want the most tutorials and community help, or you work for a company that already uses SolidWorks (file compatibility is king).
• Choose Inventor if: you work in a company that uses AutoCAD heavily, you need advanced simulation or generative design, or you handle very large assemblies (e.g., industrial machinery).

Both offer free trial versions (typically 30 days) – download both and test with your own parts. That’s the most reliable way to decide.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that “Inventor is cheaper because it’s part of the Autodesk suite.” That’s only true if you need the whole suite. If you just need one CAD package, the prices are virtually the same.

Another issue: both programs are heavy. They require a powerful workstation (16 GB RAM minimum, a discrete GPU, and a fast SSD). Budget an extra $1,500–$3,000 for a suitable computer if you don’t already have one.

Also, beware of “student” or “hobbyist” licenses – they are heavily discounted (sometimes free) but are legally only for non-commercial work. Using them for paid projects can get you in legal trouble.

Cost Comparison Over 5 Years

Assuming you pay the same list price each year, the software cost is identical. But the total cost of ownership over 5 years often looks like this:

• SolidWorks – $2,800 × 5 = $14,000 for software, plus $1,500–$3,000 for training, plus $1,500 for a decent workstation = $17,000–$18,500.
• Inventor – $2,800 × 5 = $14,000 for software, plus $2,000–$3,000 for training (if you need it), plus $1,500 for a workstation = $17,500–$18,500.

If you add the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection at $3,000/year, the 5-year cost rises to $15,000 for software alone. But you get several other programs that would cost thousands separately.

Ultimately, the difference is usually less than $1,000 over 5 years – not a deciding factor. The deciding factor is which software your collaborators use and which interface you find more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free version of either?

Both offer free trials (30 days) and free student versions (with a valid .edu email). Autodesk also offers a free “hobbyist” license for Inventor for non-commercial projects. SolidWorks has a free “Maker” version for hobbyists, but it has limited file types and watermarks.

Can I open SolidWorks files in Inventor?

Not directly. Inventor can import SolidWorks files (up to a certain version) using a built-in translator, but the import is often imperfect – missing features or broken constraints. The reverse (SolidWorks opening Inventor files) is not possible natively. You’re better off exchanging STEP or IGES files, which preserve geometry but lose feature history.

Which is better for 3D printing?

Both are excellent. They both export STL files, which is what most 3D printers use. The choice doesn’t matter for 3D printing – it’s more about your design workflow. If you’re a hobbyist, consider Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists) instead.

Do I need a powerful computer?

Yes. Both require a dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA Quadro or similar), at least 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended for large assemblies), and a fast SSD. A typical gaming laptop is not ideal – you want a workstation-class GPU for smooth rotation and rendering.

Can I pay monthly instead of yearly?

Yes, both offer monthly subscriptions (around $300–$400/month), but they are much more expensive per year than an annual subscription. Monthly is best for short-term projects.

Which has better customer support?

Both have online knowledge bases, forums, and phone support. SolidWorks has a larger user community (more unofficial help on Reddit, YouTube, etc.). Autodesk has a more extensive official help system and a well-regarded university program. In practice, you’ll rely more on Google than on official support for both.

Related

• Desktop Hard Drives in NAS: Why It’s a Bad Idea
• API Platforms for Selling and Monetizing Your API
• Milwaukee Battery Systems: M12, M18, MX Fuel Explained

in t | Inventor annual cost (USD) | USD | 2800 | 0 | 100000
in s | SolidWorks annual cost (USD) | USD | 2800 | 0 | 100000
in y | Years of use | years | 5 | 1 | 30
out diff | Cost difference (Inventor - SolidWorks) | USD | (t - s) * y | 0
out inv_total | Inventor total cost | USD | t * y | 0
out sw_total | SolidWorks total cost | USD | s * y | 0