ZWSOFT
ZWSOFT (SSE: 688083) is a Guangzhou-based, publicly traded CAD/CAE/CAM software provider founded in 1998, offering DWG-compatible ZWCAD, ZW3D 3D CAD/CAM, and the ZWCAD 365 cloud platform to AEC and manufacturing professionals across 90+ countries via perpetual licenses, subscriptions, and a tiered reseller network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersGuangzhou, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ZWSOFT does
ZWSOFT is a Guangzhou-headquartered, publicly listed (SSE: 688083) provider of CAD, CAE, and CAM software founded in 1998. The company operates 7 global R&D centers, 16 sales and branch offices spanning APAC, EMEA, and the Americas, and reports more than 1.4 million active users across 90+ countries; it self-identifies as the #1 CAD brand in China. Its product portfolio centers on ZWCAD (DWG-compatible 2D CAD with parametric drafting and AI-assisted Smart features), ZWCAD 365 (cloud collaboration platform launched in late 2025), and ZW3D (integrated 3D CAD/CAE/CAM for product design, mold, and manufacturing). Supporting layers include ZWCAD Mobile, ZWCAD MFG, and a marketplace of 400+ third-party applications across GIS, civil, structural, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and plant design.
The business model blends one-time perpetual licenses (ZWCAD Standard from $899, Professional from $1,399, MFG from $1,699; ZW3D from $1,800) with annual subscriptions starting at $322/year, network licensing for enterprise deployments, and marketplace transactions. Distribution is hybrid: self-serve 30-day trials and online store for SMB/individuals, direct enterprise sales, and a tiered Platinum/Gold/Authorized reseller program with up to 50% channel margins covering 90+ countries. Customer segments skew toward AEC (architecture, construction, surveying, civil) and Manufacturing (mechanical, automotive, rail transit, shipbuilding, defense, mold); enterprise logos include Hyundai KEFICO Vietnam, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, Grupo Avintia, Thang Tien Engineering, VIMPO MAKİNE, Steurer GmbH, and Madro. API support (LISP, VBA, ZRX, .NET) preserves AutoCAD-style customization, reducing switching friction. Recent strategic moves include the December 2025 ZWCAD 365 Middle East launch, the April 2026 LeadSoft SuperWORKS IA ECAD partnership at Hannover Messe, and sequential annual version releases (ZWCAD 2025, 2026), positioning the firm as a cost-efficient AutoCAD alternative expanding into cloud and electrical design.
ZWSOFT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZWSOFT
- Legal name
- ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(Guangzhou)
- Website
- https://zwsoft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- ZWSOFT (SSE: 688083) is a Guangzhou-based, publicly traded CAD/CAE/CAM software provider founded in 1998, offering DWG-compatible ZWCAD, ZW3D 3D CAD/CAM, and the ZWCAD 365 cloud platform to AEC and manufacturing professionals across 90+ countries via perpetual licenses, subscriptions, and a tiered reseller network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZWSOFT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Rules & Decision Management Platforms (BRMS/DMN) (HDAEAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)
Keywords
Where ZWSOFT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guangzhou
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices16 records
Markets served
ZWSOFT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Perpetual): ZWSOFT sells perpetual software licenses providing lifetime ownership. ZWCAD Standard starts at $899, Professional at $1,399, MFG at $1,699. ZW3D starts at $1,800 (one-time purchase). Available globally through direct sales and resellers.
- Software Subscriptions: Annual subscription plans for ZWCAD starting at $322/year. ZWCAD Flex (subscription-based) is available in Canada. These provide ongoing access with updates and support.
- Network Licenses: Network license options for enterprise teams allowing multiple simultaneous users, providing flexible deployment for organizations.
- Third-Party Applications: ZWSOFT offers over 400 third-party applications and add-ons for various industries through its application marketplace, providing additional revenue streams from the developer ecosystem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ZWCAD Standard - Basic 2D CAD |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ZWCAD Professional |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ZWCAD MFG - Manufacturing |
| Subscription | Annual | ZWCAD Annual Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ZW3D All-in-One 3D CAD/CAE/CAM |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ZW3D Product Tiers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
ZWSOFT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZWSOFT develops and sells proprietary CAD, CAE, and CAM software solutions. Its flagship offerings include ZWCAD (professional 2D CAD with DWG compatibility), ZWCAD Flex (subscription-based 2D CAD), and ZW3D (all-in-one 3D CAD/CAE/CAM for product design and manufacturing). The company also provides ZWCAD 365, a cloud-connected collaboration platform. Products are sold via perpetual licenses, annual subscriptions, and network licensing for enterprise teams, serving AEC and manufacturing professionals worldwide.
Product overview
ZWSOFT is a global provider of high-end CAD, CAE, and CAM software delivering all-in-one CAx solutions. The product portfolio centers on two flagship brands: ZWCAD (2D CAD) and ZWCAD Flex (subscription-based 2D CAD), and ZW3D (all-in-one 3D CAD/CAE/CAM). ZWCAD serves as the core 2D drafting platform with DWG compatibility, while ZW3D provides integrated 3D design, simulation, and manufacturing capabilities. Additional offerings include ZWCAD Mobile for mobile access, ZWCAD MFG for manufacturing-specific workflows, ZWCAD 365 for cloud collaboration, and a marketplace of over 400 third-party industry applications. The company serves 1,400,000+ active users across 90+ countries through a network of global R&D centers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZWCAD: Professional 2D CAD software for drafting and 3D navigation with DWG compatibility
- ZWCAD Flex
- ZW3D
Products and services
- ZWCAD Professional 2D CAD software offering seamless DWG compatibility, parametric design, Smart Match, PDF Import, and efficiency-boosting features. Designed for architects, engineers, and designers across AEC and manufacturing industries.
- ZWCAD Flex Subscription-based DWG-compatible CAD solution offering 2D drafting and 3D navigation with seamless DWG compatibility for improved productivity. Targeted at customers preferring recurring payment models, available in Canada.
- ZW3D Affordable all-in-one 3D CAD/CAE/CAM solution that guides users through the entire product development journey from conception to production. Supports both solid and surface modeling, integrated simulation, and CNC machining for mechanical engineers, product designers, and manufacturers.
- ZWCAD 365 Cloud-connected CAD collaboration platform enabling real-time, centralized collaboration on DWG files across multiple devices. Designed for construction, architecture, and engineering sectors requiring distributed team workflows.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 76% total project time reduction and up to 83% faster report generation (LeadSoft SuperWORKS IA built on ZWCAD platform)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ZWSOFT
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ZWSOFT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
ZWSOFT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- LeadSoft (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.coreLeadSoft, a 30-year industrial electrical digitalization software company, built its SuperWORKS IA ECAD platform on the ZWCAD platform in partnership with ZWSOFT. The platform was independently benchmarked to deliver up to 76% project time reduction and 83% faster report generation. LeadSoft is using this partnership to expand into European and North American markets at Hannover Messe 2026.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ZWSOFT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- IronCAD: Niche alternative 3D CAD provider focused on direct modeling and hybrid 2D/3D workflows. Competes with ZW3D in mid-market mechanical design with emphasis on ease of use.
Broad incumbents
- Hexagon AB: Provider of CAD/CAM/CAE and metrology software (e.g., DESIGNER, EDGECAM) via its Manufacturing Intelligence division. Broad incumbent competing with ZW3D across CAM and dimensional inspection.
- Dassault Systèmes: Provider of SOLIDWORKS (mid-market 3D CAD) and CATIA (high-end CAD/CAE), competing with ZW3D in mechanical design and product development. A broad enterprise incumbent with deep PLM ecosystem integrations.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software: Vendor of Solid Edge, NX, and Teamcenter, competing with ZW3D across CAD/CAM/CAE and PLM. A broad incumbent in manufacturing-focused design software.
- PTC: Provider of Creo (3D CAD), Onshape (cloud CAD), and Windchill (PLM). Competes with ZW3D in mechanical CAD and with ZWCAD 365 in cloud-native CAD delivery.
- Bentley Systems: Provider of OpenBuildings, OpenRoads, and infrastructure-focused CAD/BIM applications. Competes with ZWCAD in AEC, particularly in large infrastructure and plant design projects.
- Trimble: Provider of SketchUp and construction-technology solutions. Overlaps with ZWCAD in AEC, particularly in architecture, MEP, and construction workflow tooling.
Direct peers
- Autodesk: Maker of AutoCAD, the dominant 2D DWG-based CAD platform that ZWCAD is explicitly benchmarked against (1.98x faster, lower cost). Autodesk is ZWSOFT's primary direct competitor and the anchor of its value proposition.
- Bricsys: Developer of BricsCAD, a DWG-compatible 2D/3D CAD platform offering a similar value proposition to ZWCAD: AutoCAD-compatible interface at lower price points. Most direct comparable niche competitor.
- Mastercam (CNC Software): Leading standalone CAM software widely used in CNC machining, competing directly with the CAM module of ZW3D in manufacturing and mold-making workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZWSOFT social profiles
Digital presenceZWSOFT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZWSOFT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
ZWSOFT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
ZWSOFT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZWSOFT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZWSOFT
What does ZWSOFT do?
ZWSOFT develops and sells proprietary CAD, CAE, and CAM software solutions. Its flagship offerings include ZWCAD (professional 2D CAD with DWG compatibility), ZWCAD Flex (subscription-based 2D CAD), and ZW3D (all-in-one 3D CAD/CAE/CAM for product design and manufacturing). The company also provides ZWCAD 365, a cloud-connected collaboration platform. Products are sold via perpetual licenses, annual subscriptions, and network licensing for enterprise teams, serving AEC and manufacturing professionals worldwide.
Is ZWSOFT a public or private company?
ZWSOFT is a private company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was ZWSOFT founded?
ZWSOFT was founded in 1998. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is ZWSOFT based?
ZWSOFT is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, in the Asia region.
How does ZWSOFT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Perpetual) is the primary driver. The others are software Subscriptions, network Licenses and third-Party Applications.
Who are ZWSOFT's main competitors?
IronCAD is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Hexagon AB, Dassault Systèmes, Siemens Digital Industries Software, PTC, Bentley Systems and Trimble. Direct peers are Autodesk, Bricsys and Mastercam (CNC Software).
Does ZWSOFT have an API?
Yes. ZWSOFT provides APIs for third-party application development and customization, including LISP, VBA, ZRX, and .NET. These APIs enable developers to migrate or build custom applications on top of ZWCAD, allowing automation, workflow customization, and feature extensions. Developer documentation is at www.zwsoft.com/support/zwcad-devdoc.
What industry is ZWSOFT in?
ZWSOFT's product category is Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAG, Business Rules & Decision Management Platforms (BRMS/DMN), with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 5045.