Model Scaler vs Onshape 3D CAD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Model Scaler
This tool instantly converts measurements between U.S. Customary and Metric units for any modeling scale. It's designed to be fast, easy, and efficient for all types of scale modelers.
- Instant scale conversion
- U.S. Customary to Metric
- Metric to U.S. Customary
- Supports any modeling scale
- Fast and efficient
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Instant scale conversion tool for any modeling scale. Fast, easy and efficient scale model conversion. Quickly convert U.S. Customary and Metric measurements into any scale. Perfect for all scale modelers, railroad modelers and tabletop gamers.
Onshape 3D CAD
This professional CAD platform enables real-time collaboration on product design from any device. It offers parametric modeling tools, secure cloud storage, and version control, streamlining the design process for teams and individuals. Supports students and educators with free access for non-commercial projects.
- Parametric modeling tools
- Real-time team collaboration
- Cloud-based data management
- Cross-device access
- Version control and history
- Commenting and feedback tools
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Onshape is a full mechanical CAD platform designed for professional users and extended teams. Create, edit, collaborate, and comment in real time with others from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection (free sign-up required). With Onshape’s secure cloud workspace teams can work together from anywhere on any device without the hassles of file management, IT overhead, and license key distribution, helping engineers focus more on doing their best work. Parametric CAD: • Design parts together in Part Studios with a full suite of parametric modeling tools • Create mechanical Assemblies to capture complex motion Ease of Access: • Create, edit, and view from any computer or mobile device (internet connection required) • Begin a project from one device and seamlessly continue from another Collaboration: • Instantly share your CAD data with your teams and partners. Monitor, change, and revoke permissions at any time • Work together with other users and view changes in real-time as they are made • Use Follow mode to see exactly what your teammate sees and add suggestions using Onshape’s built-in commenting tools Data Management: • Maintain a single source of truth for your data, no more sending around or checking in and out of files • Never worry about losing your work, all of your changes are saved automatically • Explore multiple design ideas in parallel and create professional release and approval processes for your designs Onshape for iOS also features Apple Pencil support for more intuitive sketching, navigation, and precise selection. Onshape proudly supports students and educators free of charge and is available free for non-commercial projects in an open-source public work space. Since Onshape is updated every few weeks with dozens of new features and user-requested enhancements, keep an eye out for update notifications from the Apple App Store.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Onshape 3D CAD at 3.5 against Model Scaler's 2.9. Onshape 3D CAD also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (414 vs 12). Model Scaler's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Onshape 3D CAD holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onshape 3D CAD has 414 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Model Scaler's written reviews are positive against 47% of Onshape 3D CAD's.
Model Scaler ships an update every 6 months, Onshape 3D CAD every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.
| Parameter | Model Scaler | Onshape 3D CAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.9 (12 ratings) | 3.5 (414 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | 47.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 414 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Woodland Scenics | PTC Inc. |
Customer experience
Model Scaler
Onshape 3D CAD
Bugs and requests
Model Scaler
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Onshape 3D CAD
Reported bugs
5 issues- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Dimensions not visible/editable
- Rotation/view controls unreliable
- Unable to create account
- Incompatible with older devices
Requested features
5 requests- Add keyboard shortcuts
- Improve dimensioning tools
- Allow private file storage
- Optimize for iPad/Apple Pencil
- Provide better documentation/tutorials
In-app purchases
Model Scaler
No in-app purchases
Onshape 3D CAD
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Model Scaler free?
Is Onshape 3D CAD free?
Which has better reviews, Model Scaler or Onshape 3D CAD?
Do Model Scaler or Onshape 3D CAD have ads?
Which is updated more often, Model Scaler or Onshape 3D CAD?
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