Onshape
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Onshape firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Onshape
- Legal name
- Onshape (PTC subsidiary)
- Website
- https://onshape.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Onshape industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud-native CAD/PDM Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- EDA Cloud/SaaS, Design Data Management & Collaboration (HDAHAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools) (HDAEAKAK)
Keywords
Where Onshape is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Onshape business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription Software Licenses: Onshape operates as a SaaS subscription model with tiered pricing plans (Standard, Professional, Enterprise) billed annually per seat. Revenue is generated through recurring subscription fees with no perpetual license option.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Plan - $1,500/user/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Plan - $2,500/user/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Plan - Custom pricing |
| Freemium | Annual | Education Plan - Free |
| Freemium | Annual | Startup Program - Free for 6 months |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Onshape product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Onshape provides a cloud-native 3D CAD and Product Data Management (PDM) platform delivered as SaaS and accessible from any web browser or mobile device. The platform unifies parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, surfacing, and frames with built-in PDM, real-time multi-user collaboration, automatic version control, branching/merging, and integrated manufacturing tools including simulation, CAM, PCB design, rendering, and Model-Based Definition.
Product overview
Onshape is a cloud-native Product Development Platform offering unified 3D CAD and built-in Product Data Management (PDM) as a single integrated system. The platform operates as a SaaS solution accessible from any browser or device with automatic updates every three weeks. The core Onshape CAD platform includes parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, frames, surfacing, and configurations, while integrated modules extend capabilities to Simulation (cloud-based FEA), CAM Studio (CNC machining, Beta), PCB Studio (ECAD integration), Render Studio (photorealistic rendering), Model-Based Definition (MBD for manufacturing PMI), Custom Features (FeatureScript extensibility), AI Advisor (natural language assistance), and Onshape Vision (Apple Vision Pro spatial computing). PDM functionality is built directly into the platform with Branch & Merge (Git-style version control), Release Management (approval workflows), Bill of Materials (real-time synchronized BOMs), and integrated PLM connections to Arena PLM and Windchill PLM (Beta). The platform offers tiered plans: Onshape Professional ($2,500/user/year) for teams, Enterprise (custom pricing) for large organizations with SSO and advanced analytics, Education (free) for students and educators, and Free for hobbyists. Onshape Government provides ITAR/EAR compliant deployment on AWS GovCloud. Integration ecosystem includes third-party apps via Onshape App Store, plus native connections to Luminary Cloud (Physics AI simulation), Altium (ECAD/MCAD), and enterprise systems via REST API.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Onshape Core CAD Platform Cloud-native 3D CAD and Product Data Management platform accessible from any browser or device. Provides real-time collaboration, built-in versioning, branching/merging, parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, and integrated PDM with automatic updates every three weeks.
- Onshape Government Cloud-native CAD and PDM solution built on AWS GovCloud facilitating ITAR/EAR compliance for defense contractors and government agencies while eliminating complex IT infrastructure requirements.
- Onshape App Store Marketplace platform featuring third-party partner-developed applications that extend Onshape CAD functionality in areas like design, data management, simulation, and manufacturing.
- Onshape Mobile App Native iOS and Android applications enabling viewing, editing, and real-time collaboration on CAD designs from mobile devices. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Quantifiable outcome
- $1.25 million annual savings per customer
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Onshape
Customer profileNamed customers22 records
Segments14 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Onshape technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability7 records
Feature10 records
Onshape partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Luminary CloudcoreLuminary Cloud launched integration with Onshape enabling engineering teams to iterate on large design spaces natively within Onshape using Luminary Cloud's Physics AI platform. The integration collapses the traditional barrier between CAD and simulation, allowing near real-time performance predictions and thousands of design variants to be explored.
- SimScalecorePTC and SimScale collaborate to empower start-ups using PTC Onshape with free access to cloud-native simulation enabling accelerated product innovation. SimScale offers cloud-native simulation that works directly with Onshape data for advanced CFD or multiphysics analysis.
- SimScalecoreStrategic collaboration providing free access to SimScale cloud-native simulation for Onshape users, enabling accelerated product innovation for start-ups and young companies.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagshipPTC and AWS have a strategic collaboration agreement where Onshape is built on AWS infrastructure. AWS highlighted the strategic collaboration as enabling real-time collaboration across distributed teams. The partnership supports Onshape Government on AWS GovCloud for ITAR/EAR compliance.
- Arena PLMcoreOnshape-Arena Connection enables seamless, online and cloud-native connection between CAD, PDM, and PLM. The connection is complimentary to Onshape Enterprise and Arena Launch or OnshapeScale customers. Enables bidirectional sync of BOMs, part numbers, and CAD-neutral files.
- PTC WindchillcoreOnshape-Windchill Connection (Beta) enables real-time data synchronization between Onshape and Windchill PLM, eliminating middleware and administrative overhead. The connection is included with Onshape Enterprise and Windchill Designer licensing with no installation required on end-user machines.
- AltiumcoreOnshape Altium Connector enables seamless data exchanges and workflows between ECAD (Altium) and MCAD (Onshape) teams with bi-directional cloud link for electrical and mechanical design collaboration.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Onshape competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Shapr3D: Cloud-backed, iPad-first professional CAD application with a modern subscription model. Targets overlapping professional design and education segments with a mobile-first UX, representing an emerging alternative to browser-based CAD platforms like Onshape.
- nTopology: Engineering design platform purpose-built for advanced manufacturing and latticed/complex geometry. Adjacent emerging CAD player with overlap in high-end design and additive manufacturing use cases relevant to Onshape customers.
- Alibre Design: Affordable parametric MCAD offering for hobbyists, makers, and small engineering teams. Emerges as a price-conscious alternative for SMB segments overlapping Onshape's Standard tier and education/startup program users.
Others
- SimScale: Cloud-native CAE/simulation platform that is a direct technology and go-to-market partner with Onshape (via the SimScale integration providing free startup access). Comparable to Onshape in cloud-native engineering software DNA, though focused on simulation rather than CAD.
Direct peers
- Autodesk Fusion 360: Autodesk's cloud-native MCAD/CAE/CAM platform sold as a subscription product. Closest direct competitor to Onshape: both are browser-accessible, professional SaaS CAD offerings targeted at the same design teams and education/startup funnels.
- SolidWorks: Dassault Systèmes' flagship desktop MCAD system that dominates Onshape's enterprise target customer base. Direct competitor on the same mechanical design workloads, differentiated primarily by file-based versus cloud-native architecture (also now a PTC sibling product post-Onshape acquisition).
Broad incumbents
- PTC Creo: PTC's own flagship parametric MCAD suite for advanced engineering. Operates in the same product category as Onshape within PTC's portfolio and competes for the same enterprise design budgets, particularly for higher-complexity assembly and manufacturing workflows.
- Autodesk Inventor: Autodesk's desktop MCAD product for mechanical design and 3D mechanical simulation. Competes with Onshape in the same professional and SMB design segments, anchored within Autodesk's broader AEC/manufacturing portfolio.
- Dassault Systèmes CATIA: High-end MCAD platform dominating aerospace and automotive product development as part of Dassault's 3DEXPERIENCE portfolio. Competes with Onshape for premium engineering and large-enterprise design work where integration with broader PLM is decisive.
- Siemens NX: Siemens's high-end MCAD/CAE/CAM system part of its broader PLM portfolio. Competes with Onshape for advanced engineering and manufacturing customers, especially where full-stack Siemens Xcelerator integration is preferred.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Onshape social profiles
Digital presenceOnshape compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Onshape financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Onshape leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Onshape funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Onshape M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Onshape
What does Onshape do?
Onshape provides a cloud-native 3D CAD and Product Data Management (PDM) platform delivered as SaaS and accessible from any web browser or mobile device. The platform unifies parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, sheet metal, surfacing, and frames with built-in PDM, real-time multi-user collaboration, automatic version control, branching/merging, and integrated manufacturing tools including simulation, CAM, PCB design, rendering, and Model-Based Definition.
Is Onshape a public or private company?
Onshape is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Onshape founded?
Onshape was founded in 2012. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Onshape based?
Onshape is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Onshape make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription Software Licenses.
Who are Onshape's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Shapr3D, nTopology and Alibre Design. SimScale is listed as an others. Direct peers are Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolidWorks. Broad incumbents are PTC Creo, Autodesk Inventor, Dassault Systèmes CATIA and Siemens NX.
Does Onshape have an API?
Yes. Onshape provides a robust, open REST API enabling integration at every level of the product. The API supports bidirectional connectivity for connecting CAD data to ERP, PLM, CAM, PDM, and other enterprise systems. Developers can access the Onshape Developer Portal for documentation and support. The API supports BOM API for advanced customization, enabling export of BOM data to ERP systems and custom app development. Developer documentation is at dev-portal.onshape.com.
What industry is Onshape in?
Onshape's product category is Cloud-native CAD/PDM Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAFAJ, EDA Cloud/SaaS, Design Data Management & Collaboration, with a secondary code of HDAEAKAK, Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools). Its NAICS code is 51821 and its SIC code is 7372.