# Onshape 3D CAD vs STL Simple Viewer

The clearest difference is rating: STL Simple Viewer at 4.3 against Onshape 3D CAD's 3.5. Onshape 3D CAD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. STL Simple Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Onshape 3D CAD asks for nothing beyond the download.

STL Simple Viewer holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 419 and 923 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of Onshape 3D CAD's written reviews are positive against 18% of STL Simple Viewer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Onshape 3D CAD ships an update every 3 weeks, STL Simple Viewer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Onshape 3D CAD | STL Simple Viewer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (419 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onshape-3d-cad/id923421284/reviews) | **[4.3 (923 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stl-simple-viewer/id1493598400/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 419 | **923** |
| Positive reviews | **47.3% of reviews** | 18.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 77 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PTC Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/501201404) | [Victor Bovio](https://appshunter.io/developer/327627515) |

## What reviewers say

### Onshape 3D CAD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onshape-3d-cad/id923421284)

A cloud-based 3D CAD platform for professional users to create, edit, and collaborate on designs in real-time from any device. It offers robust parametric modeling tools and seamless data management for teams.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaboration, Parametric modeling tools, Cloud-based data management, Cross-device accessibility, Integrated commenting, Version control

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful CAD features
- 🌐 Accessible from any device
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 💡 Great for on-site work
- 🌟 Exceptional for a free app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 👎 Unintuitive and clunky UI
- 🔒 Requires account sign-up
- 💰 Expensive paid plans
- 🔍 Difficult to find/use key features

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Dimensions not visible/editable
- Rotation/view controls unreliable
- Unable to create account
- Incompatible with older devices

**Requested features**

- Add keyboard shortcuts
- Improve dimensioning tools
- Allow private file storage
- Optimize for iPad/Apple Pencil
- Provide better documentation/tutorials


### STL Simple Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stl-simple-viewer/id1493598400)

Easily view and interact with 3D STL CAD models. Supports various file types and offers advanced rendering options for detailed analysis. Get model information and explore interiors with clipping planes.

**Highlights:** View ASCII and Binary STL files, Load STL from ZIP, Rotate, pan, and zoom, Orthogonal and Perspective modes, Model info (triangle count, bounding box), Rendering options (faces, edges, transparency), Clipping plane for interiors

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro version (1 week plan) | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro version (1 month plan) | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Export Pack | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and intuitive viewer
- 👍 Useful viewing options
- 💡 Supports multiple file formats

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🚨 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔍 Limited functionality for larger files

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening larger STL files
- Inability to open some file formats
- Ads continue to appear even after paying for ad removal

**Requested features**

- Add ability to save color/lighting settings
- Improve stability and reduce crashes
- Provide an ad-free paid version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Onshape 3D CAD free?

Onshape 3D CAD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is STL Simple Viewer free?

STL Simple Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Onshape 3D CAD or STL Simple Viewer?

STL Simple Viewer is rated higher. Onshape 3D CAD averages 3.5 out of 5 from 419 ratings, while STL Simple Viewer averages 4.3 from 923 ratings.

### Do Onshape 3D CAD or STL Simple Viewer have ads?

STL Simple Viewer shows ads; Onshape 3D CAD does not.

### Which is updated more often, Onshape 3D CAD or STL Simple Viewer?

Onshape 3D CAD ships an update every 3 weeks, and STL Simple Viewer every 5 months. Most recently, Onshape 3D CAD was updated on November 11, 2026 and STL Simple Viewer on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*