Onshape: A Smarter Alternative to SOLIDWORKS xDesign

Since 2016, we've been listening to professional CAD users describe the friction that slows them down every day.

In order of annoyance, the most common complaints are:

• “I’ve lost data due to crashes.”
• “I cannot edit on the road.”
• “Not everyone on the team and suppliers are on the same version of CAD software.”
• “It takes a long time to configure a computer and install CAD software on it.”
• “The fees I’m paying for CAD & PDM licenses, maintenance, and hardware.”
• “Dealing with license codes and registration hassles.”
• “The biggest problems I have is its A) Super laggy. Just waste a lot of time waiting. B) Constantly losing connection.”

While times have changed since then, many of the same complaints remain, even as more “cloud” CAD solutions are made available.

According to the survey results in The State of Product Development & Hardware Design 2023-2024 report, on-premise CAD issues related to accessing design data result in almost a whole workday’s worth of lost productivity.

The report asked more than 1,400 engineering and manufacturing professionals worldwide about their biggest challenges in product development, how they’re solving them, and what tools they’re using to improve processes.

While identifying the pain points with on-premise CAD, like SOLIDWORKS, the report also found that teams are shifting toward cloud options, like PTC’s Onshape and SOLIDWORKS xDesign.

However, they are encountering a different experience depending on the cloud architecture powering each platform.

Why Teams Are Moving to Cloud-Native CAD

When we asked CAD users who moved to Onshape from on-premise systems why they made the change, their answers pointed to a consistent theme: They wanted to spend less time managing software and more time doing their work.

Here’s what they, along with G2 reviewers, said:

• “Affordable solution that provides the level of functionality and reliability that I need without the initial sticker shock that goes along with most CAD software packages.”
• “I believe it’s the future.”
• “To have my own professional CAD capability no matter where I work.”
• “Being able to collaborate with someone offsite.”
• “I like the ease of use and revision retention.”
• “Flexibility of the work environment is important to us.”
• “It makes my work easier.”
• “It’s cool.”
• “Not having to worry about crashes and auto-saving/infinite undos are amazing.”
• “Well-implemented product with an uncomplicated UI and the features you need.”

The pattern is clear: Teams don’t just want CAD in the cloud. They want CAD that was designed for the cloud, and there’s a meaningful difference.

Not All Cloud CAD Is Built the Same

Now, in 2026, other CAD vendors are catching on by offering cloud solutions – like SOLIDWORKS xDesign – and encouraging users to adopt them.

In fact, The State of Product Development report found that in just the last few years, the number of mainstream CAD users relying on newer cloud products almost doubled from 15.9 percent to 28.3 percent.

However, as the report also notes, the nuances of the cloud architecture powering CAD systems are creating different experiences, underlining one basic fact: Not all cloud CAD systems are built the same.

SOLIDWORKS xDesign vs. Onshape

According to The State of Product Development, teams are more satisfied using cloud-native CAD (Onshape) tools than teams relying on other systems.

Why? Onshape was built from the cloud up, placing the cloud at the center of the platform. So don’t be fooled by cloud-hybrid solutions.

Most cloud-advertised products are really traditional desktop CAD systems at their core, still based on copying files and storing them in the cloud.

What Cloud-Native Means in Practice

Here’s how that architectural difference translates into tangible benefits for engineering and design teams:

• Work from anywhere, on any device: No installation, no compatibility issues, no IT configuration required
• Always on the latest version: Updates happen automatically in the background, so your whole team and your suppliers are always in sync
• Real-time collaboration: Multiple team members can work on the same design simultaneously, with a single source of truth and no version conflicts
• No data loss: Continuous auto-saving means crashes don’t cost you work
• Simpler licensing: No license codes, no hardware locks, no separate add-on purchases required to access cloud features

Aligning with User Needs: Onshape's Commitment

As the industry shifts towards cloud CAD, Onshape stands as the SOLIDWORKS xDesign alternative, driven by a commitment to making users' lives easier.

We’re here to make your job easier by helping you build better products faster in the cloud; empowering you to work from anywhere on any computer; and getting rid of the hassles of IT, installation, upgrades, and licensing.

With Onshape, the future of CAD is here, offering an innovative and reliable alternative to SOLIDWORKS xDesign for engineers and designers alike.

(Content from this blog was originally published on February 25, 2016.)