Onshape 3D CAD vs CNC Path
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
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.
- Local Program Library
- Mobile-friendly editor
- OCR program import
- Toolpath simulation
- CNC instruction lookup
- Syntax checking
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Onshape 3D CAD ships an update every 3 weeks, CNC Path every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 10, 2026.
| Parameter | Onshape 3D CAD | CNC Path |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (412 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 412 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 77 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PTC Inc. | 宇 张 |
Customer experience
Onshape 3D CAD
CNC Path
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
Onshape 3D CAD
No in-app purchases
CNC Path
- Monthly Membership$0.991 Month
- 专业版永久解锁$7.99









