Side by side

Autodesk Inventor vs TopSolid'Design

Both stand on 3d cad software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Autodesk Inventor

Free trial Windows

Inventor brings multiple modeling methods, design tools, and integrations to Windows-based mechanical work. It is paid software with a 30-day trial, and the displayed subscription prices do not show figures.

Visit Autodesk Inventor

TopSolid'Design

Free trial APISelf-hostedWindows

TopSolid'Design covers modeling, assemblies, simulation, documentation, and PDM in a Windows workflow. Confirm hardware, operating-system, database, and licensing requirements before deployment.

Visit TopSolid'Design

The facts

	Autodesk Inventor	TopSolid'Design
Free plan	A free trial	A free trial
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Windows	API, Self-hosted, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	3	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	autodesk.com	topsolid.com
On 3d cad software	#39 of 79	#35 of 79

Autodesk Inventor: what it does well

Combines parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based design.
Supports assembly, sheet-metal, and surface modeling.
Opens non-native CAD designs without translation.
Includes simulation and model-based definition tools.
Supports installation on up to three devices.

What to know first

Runs on Microsoft Windows only.
No permanent free plan is listed.
The trial lasts 30 days.
Only the named user may use one computer at a time.

TopSolid'Design: what it does well

Parametric, associative, solid, and surface modeling
Assembly tools support large and welded structures
Integrated PDM revision and access controls
Includes automation API
30-day full-version trial

What to know first

No cloud collaboration
Windows Home and ARM unsupported
Pricing requires contacting TopSolid
SQL Express supports at most 10 simultaneous PDM users

Alternatives to Autodesk Inventor Alternatives to TopSolid'Design The whole list