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Autodesk Inventor vs SolidWorks: catalog facts
Autodesk Inventor	SolidWorks
Best for: Mechanical engineers and product designers doing professional 3D CAD work	Best for: Industry-standard parametric CAD software for 3D design and product development
Paid Sold as a subscription from Autodesk or an Autodesk partner.	Paid Commercial license; no free tier.
Windows	Windows
Parametric modelling for mechanical parts and assemblies Includes simulation and documentation tools All 3 strengths for Autodesk Inventor Parametric modelling for mechanical parts and assemblies Includes simulation and documentation tools Actively maintained with yearly releases	Industry-standard status means broad training resources, plugins, and file compatibility Deep feature set for parametric modeling, assemblies, and simulation add-ons
Subscription only, no free tier Closed-source commercial software	Windows-only desktop application with a steep learning curve Commercial licensing makes it costly for individuals or small studios
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Autodesk Inventor autodesk.com/products/inventor/overview Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for SolidWorks solidworks.com Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.