What should I consider before purchasing SOLIDWORKS?

Before buying SOLIDWORKS or any 3D CAD software, it's important to evaluate your needs, budget, and setup to ensure you choose the right solution. Here are key steps to guide your decision: Research: Explore videos, articles, or speak with a SOLIDWORKS expert to understand the different license types and features available. Evaluate: Request a demo or trial to see how SOLIDWORKS works in your specific industry. Personalized demonstrations and expert guidance are available. Budget Planning: Choose the version and license model (term vs. perpetual) that fits your needs. Don’t forget to budget for training—it can significantly improve productivity. Also, ensure your hardware is compatible with SOLIDWORKS. Purchase Process: Term licenses can be bought online via a webstore. Perpetual licenses require a quote from an authorized reseller. Once purchased, SOLIDWORKS is delivered digitally—usually within 72 hours, often sooner. You'll receive a serial key and installation support from the technical team. Getting Started: Our Onboarding team will provide all licensing details. You can also opt for a QuickStart service to streamline setup and optimize configurations. Starting training early helps you get up to speed quickly.

What are the versions of SOLIDWORKS?

There are three versions of SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD - Standard, Professional and Premium. Each version builds upon the capabilities of the one below, meaning that all versions have the powerful mechanical design functionalities you need. SOLIDWORKS Standard - From concept to manufacturing, SOLIDWORKS Standard equips you with intuitive tools for creating parametric parts, assembling components, and generating detailed 2D drawings. Includes: - 3D Part and Assembly Design - 2D Drawing Tools - Sheet Metal & Weldments - Mold Design - CAM Programming and Simulation* - SOLIDWORKS Cloud Services** SOLIDWORKS Professional includes all features of Standard, plus enhanced tools for visualization, data management, and productivity. Includes all the features of Standard plus: - Photorealistic Rendering (SOLIDWORKS Visualize*) - Data Management (PDM Standard) - Library of 1000s of common fasteners (Toolbox) - Design Checker & File Utilities - Reverse Engineering (ScanTo3D) SOLIDWORKS Premium is the most advanced version, Premium adds powerful simulation and routing capabilities for complex design needs. - FEA (SOLIDWORKS Simulation) - Motion Analysis - CATIA V5 Translator - Electrical Wire and Cable Routing - Pipe and Tube Routing - Surface Flatten Commands

How can I buy SOLIDWORKS?

SOLIDWORKS term licenses can be purchased directly online using a credit card. For perpetual licenses, you’ll need to work with an authorized SOLIDWORKS reseller who can provide pricing and support tailored to your needs.

What are the different SOLIDWORKS license types?

SOLIDWORKS offers several license types to meet different needs, including: Commercial – For businesses and professional use. Student – Discounted licenses for individual students. Educational – For schools and academic institutions. Startup & Entrepreneur – Special programs for early-stage businesses. Maker – Affordable option for hobbyists and personal projects.

FAQ

SOLIDWORKS Pricing

Complete Cost Guide for Term, Perpetual and Cloud-Connected Licenses

How much does SOLIDWORKS cost?

Choosing the right SOLIDWORKS license starts with clear, up-to-date pricing. Below you will find verified costs for SOLIDWORKS Standard, Professional, and Premium.

SOLIDWORKS pricing depends on license type, role, and subscription model. This guide breaks down current cost ranges and what impacts final pricing. Plus comparisons of term and perpetual licensing and answers to the most common buying questions.

License Type	Annual Cost	Perpetual Cost (Base)
SOLIDWORKS Design Standard	$2,820	$4,195
SOLIDWORKS Design Professional	$3,456	$5,765
SOLIDWORKS Design Premium	$4,716	$8,395

*SOLIDWORKS Pricing is listed in US dollars and is subject to change.

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Buy SOLIDWORKS

Summary:

The lowest entry point for commercial usage is a 3-month term license starting at $846 USD.
Students, researchers, entrepreneurs and hobbyists can typically buy SOLIDWORKS at a fraction of the price.
SOLIDWORKS perpetual licenses start from $4,195 USD, plus an annual subscription cost.

Contact us today for the latest SOLIDWORKS price information. One of our expert team will get in touch to discuss your requirements, purchase options and help you find the ideal SOLIDWORKS solution for your company.

What to Consider?

How to Buy SOLIDWORKS?

Before you purchase SOLIDWORKS, or any 3D CAD solution, there are a number of factors you should consider to ensure you choose the right product for your requirements and budget.

Explore the topics below for our recommendations on how to buy SOLIDWORKS.

1. Research - Find the right solution

Speaking with an expert can be the quickest and easiest way to find out about the software, plus it is free!
If you like to browse the information for yourself, then search our website for accurate and current information. Watch videos, read whitepapers, attend a virtual or local event and even listen to a case study from an exisiting customer.
SOLIDWORKS is sold through Value Added Resellers, consider the partnership you wish to build into the future. Our team have experience dealing with individuals through to multi-national enterprises.

2. Evaluate - Get a SOLIDWORKS demo or trial

Industry specific demonstrations give a first look at the software and be tailored to show conent which is relevant to you. Demonstrations can can be arranged within the same week and last up to 2 hours.
If you still have questions following a demonstration, then a product trial could give those final answers you require.
Another option is a guided Hands-on session with one of our technical team. This can give assurances and are a quicker and more efficient way to work through your specific needs compared to trials.

3. Budget - Software, training, hardware, support

Software - decide the version based on your requirements and your preferred licensing model i.e. rental or perpetual.
Training - it is important to invest in skills alongside the software. Having knowledge on the best methodolgies can really boost the output of your business over time.
Hardware - Make sure your hardware is suitable for running SOLIDWORKS. Our Hardware Guide will help. See system requirements also.
Support - SOLIDWORKS is sold by Value Added Resellers. Consider the partnership and support they can give you. Multi-year services or enhanced support may bring value.

4. Where to Purchase SOLIDWORKS - What to expect?

You can buy a SOLIDWORKS Term License online from our store. Or ask our team for a quote.
Send a confirmation of order and we take care of the processing, including generation of serial keys, assigning any training or consultancy credits, delivery of hardware and invoicing to you.
SOLIDWORKS is provided as a digital download, within 72 hours of order but generally much quicker than this!
The technical team will deliver you serial key and ensure you have all the knowledge in order to install the software.
Remember, your license will have technical support included, so any issues, please get in touch.

5. Getting Started - Make the most of SOLIDWORKS

Our dedicated Onboarding team will deliver all of your licensing information directly.
You may purchase a QuickStart service, which reduces setup time and ensures configurations and settings are optimised.
Commencing training as soon as possible will allow you to make quick progress back at the office.
Save our contact details!! Make note of how to get in touch with the technical support team. You have unlimited access to this service which is included with your license. And it is the most effective way to get the answers you need.

Buy SOLIDWORKS from a Value Added Reseller

SOFTWARE OPTIONS

Compare SOLIDWORKS Versions

There are three versions of SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD - Standard, Professional and Premium. Each version builds upon the capabilities of the one below, meaning that all versions have the powerful mechanical design functionalities you need.

SOLIDWORKS
Standard

Starting at $2820/year

From concept to manufacturing, SOLIDWORKS Standard equips you with intuitive tools for creating parametric parts, assembling components, and generating detailed 2D drawings.

Includes:

3D Part and Assembly Design
2D Drawing Tools
Sheet Metal & Weldments
Mold Design
CAM Programming and Simulation*
SOLIDWORKS Cloud Services**

Buy Now

Get a quote

SOLIDWORKS
Professional

Starting at $3456/year

Enhance your efficiency in completing design tasks and optimize the management of the resulting design data. Enhance your product showcases with stunning high-quality renders of your designs.

SOLIDWORKS Standard, plus

Photorealistic Rendering (SOLIDWORKS Visualize*)
Data Management (PDM Standard)
Library of 1000s of common fasteners (Toolbox)
Design Checker & File Utilities
Reverse Engineering (ScanTo3D)

Buy Now

Get a quote

SOLIDWORKS
Premium

Starting at $4716/year

Consider SOLIDWORKS Premium if you need 3D CAD with simulation capabilities. It offers integrated linear static simulation solving alongside powerful automated routing tools.

SOLIDWORKS Professional, plus

FEA (SOLIDWORKS Simulation)
Motion Analysis
CATIA V5 Translator
Electrical Wire and Cable Routing
Pipe and Tube Routing
Surface Flatten Commands

Buy Now

Get a quote

*included when on an active Subscription Support contract.

**not included in SOLIDWORKS Standard Rental, only included with a Perpetual license.

SOLIDWORKS Visualize

SOLIDWORKS Visualize software help organizations leverage 3D CAD data to create photo-realistic rendering images and animation content in minutes

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SOLIDWORKS Simulation

With powerful and intuitive SOLIDWORKS Simulation solutions, product engineers can virtually test new ideas, efficiently evaluate performance and improve quality.

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SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation gives product engineers access to powerful CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis capabilities that help enable them to speed up product innovation.

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SOLIDWORKS PDM

SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) software manages and synchronizes your design data across your entire enterprise with a single solution

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SOLIDWORKS Electrical

SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic 2D and 3D software simplifies electrical design with specific tools for electrical engineering and intuitive interfaces for faster design.

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SOLIDWORKS Manage

SOLIDWORKS Manage combines the ease of use and familiar Windows® Explorer interface of SOLIDWORKS PDM with advanced capabilities that allow teams to manage project timelines and resources, complex business processes, and advanced item management.

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SOLIDWORKS CAM

SOLIDWORKS CAM is a fully integrated, Knowledge Based technology that allows you to integrate design and manufacturing processes under one system to evaluate designs earlier in the process to avoid unexpected costs and delays in finishing products on time.

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DraftSight

DraftSight is a professional-grade 2D design and drafting solution that lets you create, edit, view and markup any kind of 2D drawing.

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DriveWorks

With the DriveWorks SOLIDWORKS automation add-in you can automate your part, assembly and drawing creation. Plus create Product Configurators & Guided Selling tools for your sales force.

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DELMIAWorks

A reliable ERP & MES Modular process system for Planning, Scheduling, Executing & Measuring.

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Looking for more than CAD?

SOLIDWORKS' core product is CAD and is the building block for a vast portfolio of solutions. This guide focuses on how to buy SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, but we understand that businesses need are a lot more than this.

Some of the common shopping list items businesses ask for are:

BIM
FEA
CFD
Rendering
CAM
2D Design
VR & AR
Cloud Hosting
PLM
ERP
Manufacturing

Which license model should you choose?

Term vs Perpetual

When buying SOLIDWORKS, decide if you want to rent the software or purchase an indefinite expiry or perpetual license.

Choose Term if:

You only need SOLIDWORKS for a short project
You want minimal upfront cost
You need to scale licenses during peak periods
You want built‑in support without long‑term commitments

Choose Perpetual if:

You’ll use SOLIDWORKS for 3+ years
You want the lowest long‑term cost
You prefer owning your licenses indefinitely
You want flexibility with network floating licenses

It should be noted that you can mix and match license models, so perhaps perpetual licensing is best for your sustained business requirements but when there will be an increase in output needed, rental licensing can meet a short term demand.

SOLIDWORKS rental licenses are available as both Standalone and Network licensing.

Compare SOLIDWORKS License Models

Perpetual Rental

Perpetual

Full version of SOLIDWORKS.

One-off payment for a license which you can use indefinitely.

Lowest long term investment, cheaper than rental after three years.

Gives predictable business costs because of the one-off fee.

To keep the license up-to-date a low annual subscription contract is payable.

Subscription also gives full technical support for the software and other benefits.

The total cost of a perpetual license and subscription support is lower than renting over a longer period of time.

Rental

Full version of SOLIDWORKS.

Low cost entry for SOLIDWORKS, only pay for the length of the term.

Three month minimum rental periods for SOLIDWORKS.

You only have access to the software over the rental term.

Increase your license count easily when business demands are higher over short periods.

Access full subscription benefits during the rental period, including support and upgrades.

Rental licenses provide flexibility but are more expensive than perpetual after three years.

Types of SOLIDWORKS License

SOLIDWORKS licenses are available at a fraction of the price for non-commerical users. Learn about our different license types available and how to access these great offers.

Commercial

If your requirement is for your business then commercial licensing will be the license type which you will need. Join the 400,000+ organisations that use SOLIDWORKS as the tool of choice.

Get a Quote

Startups and Entrepreneurs

If you are starting a business or your company is less than 3 years old, then you may qualify for SOLIDWORKS licensing through the start-up scheme. Please get in touch for full details on the entry criteria, as well as for guidance on exactly how to apply.

Learn More & Apply

Education or Research

Schools, colleges, universities and research facilities can buy SOLIDWORKS licensing at a more accessible cost and according to the size of the institution. Speak with us about training and additional support materials available for your team.

Learn More

Student

Please ask your institution if they provide student access as part of the SOLIDWORKS license type purchased. If not, students can buy a significantly discounted license online. Proof of eligibility may be required.
Purchase Online

Makers and Hobbyists

For those wanting access to SOLIDWORKS CAD for non-profit and non-commercial gain, then a 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Makers subscription license is available online.

Purchase Online

SOLIDWORKS for Veterans

The SOLIDWORKS Veterans Program provides eligible U.S. and Canadian military members with a 12‑month license of SOLIDWORKS Design Premium (Student Edition) at a heavily discounted rate.

Learn More

A Complete Solution

Why Choose TriMech?

Partnering with TriMech also gives you access to additional offers and resources

Exclusive Webinars

Client Care Visits

Free Online Training Videos

SOLIDWORKS Training

Technical Support

Ask a TriMech Expert

Further FAQs

Other common questions you may have when buying SOLIDWORKS.

How long will it take to learn to use SOLIDWORKS?

Can I share a license with others in my organisation?

Will I lose my data when my rental ends?

I already have 3D CAD, why should I use SOLIDWORKS?

Many businesses who come to us already have experience with some form of CAD. Often, they have outgrown their current 3D CAD system and are looking for software that can provide robust, intuitive tools for the complete design and manufacturing process.

SOLIDWORKS is a trusted and proven solution for this. For further examples of why you should switch, see our page on our UK site for Switching CAD Systems.

Can I get a free trial of SOLIDWORKS?

Is SOLIDWORKS cloud based?

Can I use a virtual machine to run SOLIDWORKS?

What determines the price of SOLIDWORKS?