Key Takeaways:

Is SOLIDWORKS Free?

SOLIDWORKS is generally not free. It is a commercial CAD software that requires a paid license for professional and commercial use.

Free / Low-Cost Options:

SOLIDWORKS for Makers – Affordable version for personal, non-commercial projects.
SOLIDWORKS Student Edition – Available through eligible educational institutions or student programs.
SOLIDWORKS for Students – Educational licenses may be available at reduced prices.
Free Trial – SOLIDWORKS may offer trial access depending on the current program and region.

What About SOLIDWORKS for Education?

Students can often access SOLIDWORKS through their school, college, or university if the institution has an educational license.

Key Takeaway

Professional SOLIDWORKS → Paid
Student/Educational → Often discounted or institution-provided
Makers → Affordable personal-use option
Free Trial → Available when offered

Is SOLIDWORKS Free?

SOLIDWORKS is not generally free for commercial users. The professional desktop versions require a paid license. However, there are several free, trial, student, and low-cost options depending on how you plan to use it.

SOLIDWORKS Commercial Pricing Overview: Official Dassault Systèmes page detailing commercial licenses, subscription plans, and quote requests.

Free / Low-Cost Options

1. SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students — FREE

There is currently a free SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students offer for qualified students.

It provides core desktop 3D CAD capabilities including:

3D part modeling
Assemblies
2D drawings
Sheet metal
Weldments
Toolbox
Model-Based Definition

The free student license is valid for one year, and eligible students can renew/reapply if they remain qualified. The current offer is available worldwide as of July 1, 2026.

Important: The free version does not include products such as SOLIDWORKS Simulation, CAM, Visualize, or certification vouchers.

2. SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students

For students who need more advanced capabilities, SOLIDWORKS currently lists Design Premium for Students at $60 USD/year in the US, excluding taxes.

It adds capabilities such as:

SOLIDWORKS Simulation
Flow
Plastics
Rendering
2.5- and 3-axis CAM
Advanced design tools
Additional engineering applications
CSWA and CSWP certification attempts

This can be a strong option for students who want to learn professional-level mechanical design plus simulation and manufacturing.

3. SOLIDWORKS xDesign for Students

If you don’t want to install the traditional Windows desktop application, SOLIDWORKS offers xDesign for Students.

It is browser-based and supports:

Cloud 3D CAD
Cloud storage
Collaboration
Design guidance
AI-assisted design features

It works on:

Windows PCs
Macs
Tablets
Chromebooks

The current US price listed by SOLIDWORKS is $60/year, excluding local taxes.

4. SOLIDWORKS Free Trial

SOLIDWORKS also provides an online product trial that allows users to test the latest SOLIDWORKS release without installing the software. The trial provides access to SOLIDWORKS Design Premium and associated learning content.

This is useful if you want to try SOLIDWORKS before purchasing.

5. School/University Access

If your college or university already has a SOLIDWORKS Education Edition license, you may be able to get full SOLIDWORKS access at no additional cost to you.

SOLIDWORKS says qualifying students at institutions with an appropriate license can receive access to the full desktop SOLIDWORKS Design Premium offering for home use.

Ask Your College

Contact your:

CAD laboratory
Mechanical engineering department
IT department
Faculty/SOLIDWORKS administrator

and ask:

“Does our college provide SOLIDWORKS student/home-use access?”

This can be the best option if your institution already has the software.

What About SOLIDWORKS for Education?

SOLIDWORKS Education Edition is designed for schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.

It provides a much broader engineering software package than the basic free student version.

Depending on the educational license, the suite can include:

SOLIDWORKS Design Premium
SOLIDWORKS Simulation
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
SOLIDWORKS CAM
SOLIDWORKS Electrical
SOLIDWORKS Visualize
SOLIDWORKS Composer
PDM-related capabilities
Other engineering tools

Student Benefit ⭐

A student whose institution has the appropriate SOLIDWORKS Education license may be able to use full SOLIDWORKS Design Premium at home at no extra cost.

Free vs. Paid Student Options

Option	Cost	Main Purpose
Design Standard for Students	FREE	Core 3D CAD
Design Premium for Students	$60/year*	Advanced CAD + Simulation + CAM
xDesign for Students	$60/year*	Browser-based CAD
Education Edition access	Institution-dependent	Full educational suite
Online Trial	FREE trial	Test SOLIDWORKS
Commercial SOLIDWORKS	Paid	Professional engineering

Which Option Should You Choose?

If You Are a Student

First choice: Check whether your college provides SOLIDWORKS Education access.

If not, the FREE SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students is an excellent way to learn core CAD.

If You Need Simulation & CAM

Choose:

SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students

because it includes substantially more engineering functionality.

If You Use a Mac

Consider:

SOLIDWORKS xDesign for Students

because it runs in a browser and supports Macs.

If You Are a Professional

You generally need a commercial SOLIDWORKS license rather than a student or educational license. SOLIDWORKS offers commercial licenses through online purchasing and reseller partners.

Final Answer

Is SOLIDWORKS free?

➡️ For commercial/professional users: No.
➡️ For eligible students: Yes, SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students is currently free for one year.
➡️ For students wanting advanced tools: Design Premium for Students is currently $60/year in the US.
➡️ If your university has SOLIDWORKS Education Edition: you may be able to use the full desktop version at no additional cost.

For a student learning mechanical engineering, product design, or manufacturing, I would check university access first, then use the free Design Standard if your college doesn’t provide a license.