Onshape
Cloud-native CAD with built-in PDM, real-time collaboration, and browser delivery.
Onshape is PTC's cloud-native CAD and PDM platform, delivered as a pure SaaS service that runs in a browser and on mobile devices — no installation, and every design change is stored with full revision history. Founded in 2012 by the original SOLIDWORKS founders and acquired by PTC in 2019, it supports simultaneous multi-user editing, built-in release management, configurations, bill-of-materials, and custom features via FeatureScript. It is used mainly by startups and small to mid-sized product companies, and connects to PTC's wider portfolio through the Onshape–Windchill Connection and Arena PLM integration.
Key capabilities
- —Fully cloud-native CAD with simultaneous real-time collaboration
- —Built-in PDM, release management, and BOM with no installation
- —Configurations and Variable Studios for product variants
- —FeatureScript for custom features and design automation
- —Onshape AI Advisor and AI-assisted design tools
- —Windchill and Arena PLM integration
- Type
- CAD System
- Vendor
- PTC
- Headquarters
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Founded
- 2012
- Ownership
- Business unit of PTC (NASDAQ: PTC); acquired in 2019 for ≈ US$470 million
- Deployment
- SaaS
- Category
- 3D CAD
- Typical company size
- Startups and small to mid-sized manufacturers
- Installed seats / users
- More than 3.5 million users (2025, per Onshape leadership)
- Implementation effort
- Low
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