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Guide to SolidWorks Price and Purchasing
Are you planning to invest in SolidWorks and seeing clarity on SolidWorks price and the various options available?
This detailed guide aims to help you navigate through all the information you need to know about the cost of SolidWorks, its licensing models and the steps involved in making a satisfactory purchase. This resource will help you make an informed decision, whether you are an individual designer, freelancer or managing a team of engineers in an organization.
SolidWorks Price Overview
The price of SolidWorks varies depending on the type of license that you select and if you require any additional features and services to meet your goals. Here is an overview of the general pricing structures (please keep in mind that these prices may vary depending on your service provider and location):
1. Perpetual License
- Initial Cost: It generally starts at $4,195 for a one-time purchase.
- Annual Maintenance Fee: It approximates to about $995-$1000 and provides access to updates, new features and technical support.
2. Term (or Rental) License
- Cost: Starting price is about $845 per quarter, inclusive of maintenance and technical support.
- Flexibility: It is ideal for short-term projects like contract works or businesses that want to minimize their initial expenses.
The decision to purchase the required SolidWorks packages or rent them depends on your project needs and the allocated budget.
Factors Affecting the Costs of SolidWorks
There are several variables that can significantly influence the price of SolidWorks. These include:
License Type
The perpetual licenses often come with higher upfront costs but also lower long-term expenses. Term licenses, on the other hand, spread the costs over time.
Add-on and Tools
SolidWorks comes with an array of optional tools and bundles like SolidWorks Simulation, Electrical designs, pr Project Data Management (PDM). These add more functionality to your systems and incur some additional costs.
Team Size
Larger teams usually require network licenses or multiple seats, impacting the overall cost of SolidWorks investment.
Technical Support and Training
An annual maintenance fees or paid training sessions are worth consideration for smooth adoption and optimizing the ongoing productivity. These are helpful for large organizations with bigger teams and not all SolidWorks providers may offer this service.
Buying V/S Renting SolidWorks
It is essential to weigh the benefits and limitations of your options, thinking beyond just the Price of SolidWorks when deciding whether to buy or rent SolidWorks.
Perpetual License
- Benefits
- It is a one-time investment with lifetime ownership.
- Long-term cost savings if you are a professional and plan to use the software for several years.
- It is ideal for businesses that have consistent design needs.
- Limitations
- The SolidWorks price is high when paid upfront.
- Some annual maintenance fee is required for the updates and ongoing support.
Renting SolidWorks (Term License)
- Benefits
- This comes with a lower initial cost, making it budget friendly for startups or organizations with smaller design teams.
- It promises the flexibility to scale up or down depending on the project demands.
- Limitations
- The long-term costs can exceed the perpetual license fees, making it costlier over time.
- Ownership expires immediately when you discontinue the subscription.
Making this decision is not easy with multiple scenarios to consider. If you are uncertain about picking an option that suits your needs and budget, it is better to consult with an expert.
How to Buy SolidWorks
Buying SolidWorks is a straightforward process but there’s a lot of considerations before you make the decision. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find the answer to how to buy SolidWorks.
- Step 1- Understand your business requirements
The first and foremost step is to pause and assess your business needs, the features required for your design or engineering process, short and long-term scaling plans etc.
Decide if you have a need for additional tools like simulation, PDM or advanced rendering.
- Step 2- Evaluate your budget
Carefully analyze your budget plans and determine how much you can invest upfront or if a quarterly subscription suits your financial plan.
- Step 3- Select the license type
Based on your needs and budget to accommodate the SolidWorks price, choose between a perpetual license for long-term ownership or a term license for greater flexibility.
- Step 4- Request a Quote
Reach out to an authorized reseller to get a detailed breakdown of the costs and the features included.
- Step 5- Finalize the purchase
Once you are happy with the quote and the package features, complete your purchase. The chosen reseller will guide you through the installation and the setup process.
Types of SolidWorks Packages
As SolidWorks is a versatile CAD software solution designed to meet the wide categories of needs in various industries, professions and projects, it is important to have clarity on the types of Solidworks that would best suit your needs. There are several versions of SolidWorks, each packed with its own unique set of features that are tailored for specific use cases.
SolidWork Standard
Features:
- 3D Design capabilities for parts, assemblies and drawings
- eDrawings and Design Checker tools that are essential for productivity
- Basic simulation tools to cater simple design validations
This is ideal for small business, design or engineering students and professionals core 3D design functionalities without the SolidWorks price exceeding their budget.
SolidWorks Professional
Features:
- All standard features
- Some advanced productivity tools such as photorealistic Rendering, Photo view 360
- Comprehensive toolbox for reusable components
- SolidWorks PDM Standard with the file management
This is best suited for engineers, and mid-sized companies that require efficient design tools, seek collaboration and better rendering capabilities.
SolidWorks Premium
Features:
- Encompasses all features of SolidWorks Professional
- Advanced simulation capabilities that are essential for detailed structural and motion analysis
- Array of important tools for routing, pipe and wiring design
- Broad set of powerful tools to create complex geometry
This is perfect for large businesses, R&D departments, and industries requiring detailed designs and robust analysis tools, this version of SolidWorks is on the pricier side. Assess your project needs before making a purchase, as each version is tailored to specific use cases.
Types of SolidWorks Tools
Additional, to the types of SolidWorks software, there are also packages and bundles that include some add-on features and other specialized tools that extend the functionality of your systems. Some of the main SolidWorks Tools include:
SolidWork Standard
- Its main focus is on 3D designing, modeling and simplifying documentation.
- This is available in all Standard, Professional and Premium versions.
- It includes features like assemblies, part modelling and simulation tools.
Simulation Tools
- This is tailored especially for engineers performing structural, motion and thermal analysis.
- It helps validate designs, reduces errors and optimizes performance.
- It is available in all three types of SolidWorks.
Product Data Management (PDM) Tools
- It is designed for managing design data and facilitates team collaboration.
- It is to ensure version control, secure data sharing and efficient workflow.
- It also includes PDM Standard and PDM Professional based on the size of the team and complexity.
Electrical Tools
- It focuses on designing schematics and electrical systems.
- Includes SolidWorks Electrical Schematic and Electrical 3D that facilitate integration with the mechanical models and counterparts.
Visual Tools
- It is the cluster of some of the most efficient set of tools like Visualization Standard and Visualize Professional.
- It’s handy for creating lifelike rendering, animations and other visual content required for presentations.
How you select the right one among the various SolidWorks Packages depends on your design, analysis and data management requirements.
Where to Buy SolidWorks
There are many sellers who promise the best SolidWorks tools at a ‘very reasonable price’ but not all of them may be authorized. It is critical to purchase SolidWorks only from an authorized reseller to make sure that you receive genuine software and a proper support infrastructure. Authorized resellers provide:
Genuine Licenses:
It is important to avoid the risks associated with counterfeit software that exposes you to various threats.
Technical Support:
Easy access to expert assistance, from installation to troubleshooting and all other necessary software optimizations.
Training Resources:
Genuine resellers offer various training sessions that help your team use SolidWorks efficiently.
Promedia Systems is one of the most trusted resellers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with complete SolidWorks solutions.
Why Choose Promedia Systems?
When contemplating over where to buy SolidWorks, selecting the right seller could be the ‘make it or break it’ factor, making it just as important as selecting the right license. Promedia Systems stands out for several reasons:
- Authorized Reseller:
We offer the genuine SolidWorks Sofware with seamless access to all its official updates and support.
- Customized Solutions:
With tailored recommendations based on your industry domain, project scale and budget, we offer you the software that checks all your essential requirements.
- Comprehensive Services:
Promedia ensures a smooth experience for all our clients, from the installation to onboarding and ongoing support, you are in safe hands.
By opting for Promedia Systems, you are not just purchasing a software—you’re gaining a reliable partner for all your design and engineering needs.