Comparing SOLIDWORKS Solutions Available for Online Purchase: Which One is Right for You? 

Written by | Prableen Sachdeva
November 11, 2024
| 11:43 am
SOLIDWORKS is a trusted name in the world of 3D CAD design, offering professional-grade solutions that cater to a wide range of industries. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer, a product designer, or part of a large team, finding the right SOLIDWORKS solution to meet your needs is crucial.
When purchasing SOLIDWORKS online, there are three main options available for you to receive your license instantly: 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services, and SOLIDWORKS Cloud. Each of these solutions offers unique benefits, features, and capabilities. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
  1. 3D Modeling and 2D Drawings

    3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services both offer professional-grade CAD tools SOLIDWORKS users know and trust. They allow you to create high-quality 3D models and 2D drawings for manufacturing, testing, and prototyping. SOLIDWORKS Cloud, on the other hand, brings next-generation, cloud-based CAD to the table. It allows you to design freely without worrying about complex assembly structures, and the cloud-based nature means you can work from any device, anywhere.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Professional-grade CAD
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Professional-grade CAD
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Next-gen, cloud-based CAD for flexibility and mobility

  2. Real-time Cross-team Collaboration

    All three solutions provide real-time collaboration tools. This is essential for design teams working together, allowing multiple stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly on the same project, regardless of their location.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Included
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Included
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Included

  3. Hassle-free Storage and Revision Management

    Keeping track of design versions and revisions can be challenging. Fortunately, all three solutions include hassle-free storage and revision management in the cloud. This ensures that you and your team are always working on the latest version of the design, and previous iterations are easily accessible when needed.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Cloud-based storage and revision management included
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Cloud-based storage and revision management included
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Cloud-based storage and revision management included

  4. Scaling Up to a Full 3DEXPERIENCE Works Portfolio

    For teams and businesses looking to grow, the ability to scale your software capabilities is important. All three options give you the opportunity to expand your toolset by adding more solutions from the 3DEXPERINCE Works portfolio. This allows you to customize your software suite to meet your growing demands as projects and workflows become more complex.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Scalable
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Scalable
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Scalable

  5. Licensing

    The licensing structure varies between the three solutions. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Cloud allow a specific user to access the software from multiple devices, offering flexibility for those who switch between computers. SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services, however, is licensed to a single machine, meaning only that device can access the software.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Access on multiple devices
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Single machine access
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Access on multiple devices

  6. Installation Requirements

    One of the standout features of SOLIDWORKS Cloud is that it requires no installation. It’s a fully cloud-based solution, so you can use it anywhere, on any device (including mobile devices). In contrast, both 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS AND SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services require local installation on a PC.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Local installation required
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Local installation required
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: No installation needed, fully cloud-based

  7. Updates

    Keeping your software up-to-date ensures that you’re always working with the latest features and security patches. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS benefits from automatic cloud updates, but requires manual updates for the local installation, which must be done within 30 days. SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services requires users to manually download and install updates. SOLIDWORKS Cloud, being entirely cloud-based, updates automatically.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Automatic cloud updates, manual for local install
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Manual updates required
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Automatic updates

  8. Training & Support

    No matter which solution you choose, training and support are included. SOLIDWORKS and CAD Micro provide excellent customer support and a range of training options to ensure users can maximize their design potential.

      3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: Included
      SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services: Included
      SOLIDWORKS Cloud: Included

Which SOLIDWORKS Solution is Right for You?

SolidWorks 3DEXPERIENCE Simulation

3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS

Choose 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS if you want professional-grade CAD with the flexibility to work across multiple devices, and you’re comfortable with a local installation. It’s perfect for teams that want to scale and integrate additional 3DEXPERIENCE Works solutions.
4 reasons why companies are moving to the cloud 2021 Blog Hero Banner

SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services

Choose SOLIDWORKS with Cloud Services if you need professional-grade CAD but prefer a more straightforward licensing model where the software is tier to a single machine. This solution is ideal for individual users or teams that are fine with manual updates and local installations.
Secure files stored on the cloud

SOLIDWORKS Cloud

Choose SOLIDWORKS Cloud if you’re looking for maximum flexibility and mobility. With no installation required and the ability to work from any device, SOLIDWORKS Cloud is perfect for teams and individuals who need to collaborate and design on the go.
Each solution offers powerful tools for design and engineering, but your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs in terms of installation preferences, licensing flexibility, and cloud-based collaboration. Whichever you choose, you’ll be equipped with world-class SOLIDWORKS CAD capabilities.

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