Shapr3D vs Alibre Design

AutoCAD

SketchUp

SolidWorks Premium

Onshape

Inventor

FreeCAD

Compare Shapr3D and Alibre Design based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Onshape is a cloud-based 3D CAD solution for agile design & engineering teams, with tools for version control, collaboration, analytics, reporting, and more

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

Shapr3D creates intuitive CAD tools that help design and manufacturing teams work efficiently. With a multi-platform setup and accessible tools, teams can collaborate seamlessly and boost productivity.

2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Modeling

Activity Dashboard

Annotations

CAD Tools

Collaboration Tools

Data Capture and Transfer

Data Import/Export

Data Synchronization

Data Visualization

Design Management

Design Templates

Document Generation

Document Management

Drafting

Drag & Drop

File Management

For 3D Printing

For Manufacturers

Manufacturing Design Data

Modeling & Simulation

Multiple Format Support

Multiple Projects

Projections

Real-Time Updates

Rendering

Reporting/Analytics

Secure Data Storage

Sketching and Annotation Tools

Version Control

Shapr3D

Windows

iPad

Manager

It has the best integration with its counterparts such as Fusion 360, Rhino and various competitive solutions.

Sr Technical Designer

Very easy to use and to learn. Tech support is very responsive and the tutorials are great.

The software gives us the opportunity to think in 3D and show immediately what we think would be the perfect mechanism or solution for a given implementation.

Electronic Engeneer

It has a YouTube channel in which they publish useful examples to better understand how some parts can be drawn.

Project Manager - Constructor

Lack of material textures (carbon, alu, steel). Lack of assembly tools for more complex designs done on the go.

Professor / Designer

Shapr3D has the power of industrial strength cad but providing this to a very designer friendly interface and workflow.

Owner / Field Engineer 

The ability to start creating 3D drawing without having previous experience, at price point that's affordable to almost anybody from a beginners to a small startup business.

Retired

I restore classic cars and constantly have problems with acquiring plastic mouldings which are no longer in production. I thought that this would be the answer using this software with a 3D printer.

Freelancer

Or check assemblies for collisions. Also the price is a little bit steep as it’s not a parametric modeller, and will mostly be used by hobbyists.

Sharpr3D an easy and cost effective software for creating 3D modeling.

It is a discreet reminder that we are living in the 21st century. The cherry on top is that it comes with intuitive tutorials.

Sr. Process Development

With Shapr3D you can literally go from idea to completed design in just a few minutes for 3D modeling. If you are looking for an app for a semi-professional use case - look no further.

Shapr3D screenshot: Shapr3D visualization

Shapr3D screenshot: Shapr3D sketching

Shapr3D screenshot: Shapr3D AR view

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Small Business

SolidWorks Premium is the leading 3D design solution in the industry. It seamlessly integrates powerful design tools-including industry-leading part, assembly, and drawing capabilities with built-in simulation, rendering, animation, product data management, and cost estimation. 

SolidWorks will help you get work done faster and easier than before, using innovative phases of product creation to achieve a more productive 3D design experience.

Inventor is a Windows-based 3D CAD software that assists in 3D modelling through mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. Professionals can create custom design configurations and automate repetitive tasks.

FreeCAD is an on-premise open-source paramedic 3D modeler, which helps businesses design objects of all sizes. Programmers can sketch constrained 2D shapes and utilize them as a base to create other objects. It supports several file formats such as IGES, SVG, DXF, DE, IFC, STL, STEP, OBJ, and more.


Alibre Design is a computer-aided design (CAD) solution designed to help businesses streamline 3D modeling, scripting, rendering, surfacing, 2D documentation, and publication operations. The application allows mechanical engineers to create manufacturing drawings and 3D designs for product development.

3D Imaging

Animation

Bill of Materials Management

Bills of Material

Component Library

Configuration Management

Content Library

Customizable Fields

Customizable Templates

Design Analysis

Mechanical

Product Data Management

Reference Management

Third-Party Integrations

Alibre Design

Senior Instructor

The price point is good. The features are very good, assemblies are seamless and fluid.

Mechatronics Instructor

Even though I teach SolidWorks to students, I pitch this software to them when they graduate because it is affordable, effective, the support is top notch with same day(sometimes hour) response.

Owner

Alibre's customer service has also been consistently very good, every question receives careful attention and an immediate helpful response.

I bought Alibre in 2010 and found that it was easy to use and the cost was perfect for me at the time. I liked that at the time it came with many features.

Engineer

I really like the ability to not only create individual parts, but to have the assembly capabilities.

Construction Manager

It is a great product been using it for years. Very functional and powerful.

Engineering director

Lack of structural threads is a massive issues to be able to print on a printer directly. Lack of support for 5 axis cnc generation.

We build custom camera/laser inspection systems for manufacturers to do quality control. It has worked great for our needs so far.

President

Lack of ability to produce models of boat hulls and project a flat pattern for hell shapes.

Another awesome feature is the sheet metal parts that can be created with Alibre. Then there is also the paper space mode where I am able to create detailed drawings for ordering or customer requests.

Product Design Engineer

The user interface is very user-friendly and also easy on the eyes. Also moving from a 3D workspace to 2D drawing is pretty seamless.

The software is full-featured and easy to use. The purchase cost is very affordable for a small business or individual and the software maintenance is minimal.

Ease of use ability to export data for machining.

Unknown

Then an update arrived and ruined the experience. I wrote to rep was on my case almost immediately.

Product Engineer

A couple of times over the years, I've had to completely scrap a design are restart when the software would crash repeatedly.

Manufacturing Engineer

There is a metal simulation portion of the software that is very useful for bending and shaping metal components with decent realism.

Managing Partner

Also helpful during this process was Alibre's customer support team. They were easy to get hold of, and were able to work with us when we got stuck along the way.

In future  I would like to integrate with CAM software, as well as FEM software in future.

Shapr3D vs Alibre Design Comparison (2026)

Shapr3D

Alibre Design

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives