ZWSOFT

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.

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

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

• CAD software solutions
• 2D drafting software
• 3D CAD modeling
• CAM manufacturing software
• DWG-compatible CAD

Headquarters

HQ city

Guangzhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Network Licenses: Network license options for enterprise teams allowing multiple simultaneous users, providing flexible deployment for organizations.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LeadSoft (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 20 April 2026LeadSoft, 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

Emerging 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

• Xx.com/zwsoft
• YouTubeyoutube.com/zwsoft
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZWSOFT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zwsoft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZWSOFT