Comparison

Onshape 3D CAD vs CNC Path

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Parametric modeling tools
  • Real-time team collaboration
  • Cloud-based data management
  • Cross-device access
  • Version control and history
  • Commenting and feedback tools
Read full description

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.

About

CNC Path

This app serves as a mobile workspace for managing, editing, and visualizing CNC programs. It offers features like a local library for programs, a mobile-friendly editor, and on-device OCR for importing from images. Users can also simulate toolpaths and look up CNC instructions.

Highlights
  • Local Program Library
  • Mobile-friendly editor
  • OCR program import
  • Toolpath simulation
  • CNC instruction lookup
  • Syntax checking
Features
Read full description

CNC Path is an iPhone and iPad workspace for CNC professionals and learners to manage, edit, OCR-import, and visualize supported CNC programs. Key features: - Create, organize, import, and export CNC programs in a local Program Library - View and edit CNC program text with a mobile-friendly editor - Import programs from camera or images with on-device OCR and review the result before saving - Look up CNC instructions and their current support boundaries - Run lightweight toolpath simulation for supported basic instructions - Use OCR, import/export, syntax checking, and advanced macro-program, fixed-cycle, and arithmetic-expression simulation The Program Library, editing, instruction reference, and ordinary supported simulation remain free. OCR, import/export, syntax checking, macro programs, fixed cycles, and arithmetic-expression simulation require an active trial or membership. The seven-day trial starts only when selected and does not renew or charge. Monthly and Pro Lifetime Unlock prices are shown by the App Store. CNC Path provides auxiliary toolpath visualization only. It does not guarantee collision detection, machining safety, or complete real-machine verification. Users must manually verify OCR results and CNC programs. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Onshape 3D CAD4 screens
CNC Path4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CNC Path at 5.0 against Onshape 3D CAD's 3.5. CNC Path also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Onshape 3D CAD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (412 vs 2). On price, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CNC Path sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Onshape 3D CAD asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CNC Path holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onshape 3D CAD has 412 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onshape 3D CAD ships an update every 3 weeks, CNC Path every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 10, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Onshape 3D CAD versus CNC Path: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnshape 3D CADCNC Path
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (412 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings412 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size77 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPTC Inc.宇 张

Customer experience

Onshape 3D CAD

All ratings412 ratings
Positive61.7%
Neutral5.8%
Negative32.5%
Written reviews424 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral6.4%
Negative46.2%

CNC Path

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and 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

CNC Path

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Onshape 3D CAD

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

CNC Path

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Membership$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • 专业版永久解锁$7.99

Questions

Is Onshape 3D CAD free?
Onshape 3D CAD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CNC Path free?
CNC Path is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Onshape 3D CAD or CNC Path?
CNC Path is rated higher. Onshape 3D CAD averages 3.5 out of 5 from 412 ratings, while CNC Path averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Onshape 3D CAD or CNC Path have ads?
Neither Onshape 3D CAD nor CNC Path shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onshape 3D CAD or CNC Path?
Onshape 3D CAD ships an update every 3 weeks, and CNC Path every 4 days. Most recently, Onshape 3D CAD was updated on October 10, 2026 and CNC Path on October 10, 2026.

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