Brandwave

How popular isSolidWorks?

In September 2026, people searched for SolidWorks by name about 555,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 4% of all global CAD and 3D design software searches, placing SolidWorks fifth out of 11 brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CAD and 3D design software, SolidWorks appeared in four of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the 11.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

SolidWorks is the fifth most searched of 11 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.

  1. TinkercadShare of searches 54.1%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  2. AutoCADShare of searches 10.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
  3. SketchUpShare of searches 10.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  4. OnshapeShare of searches 8.8%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. SolidWorksShare of searches 4%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd

+6 more

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Top CAD and 3D design software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SolidWorks was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. SolidWorks is the third most recommended of the 11.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Fusion 3601st
  2. Onshape2nd
  3. SolidWorks3rd
  4. Blender4th
  5. FreeCAD5th
  6. SketchUp6th
  7. Tinkercad7th
  8. Rhino8th
  9. AutoCAD9th
  10. Shapr3D10th
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Onshape4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SolidWorks4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Blender4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Tinkercad3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • AutoCAD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SketchUp3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • FreeCAD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Shapr3D3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Rhino2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about CAD and 3D design software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Which CAD and 3D design software compete with SolidWorks?

SolidWorks against CAD and 3D design software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Tinkercad, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Onshape, SolidWorks, FreeCAD, Fusion 360, Revit. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTinkercadAutoCADSketchUpOnshapeSolidWorksFreeCADFusion 360RevitBlenderShapr3DRhino
Oct 202557.4%9.4%11.5%7.7%3.5%2.8%3.5%2.3%1%0.46%0.46%
Nov 202553.3%10.7%13%7.1%3.9%3.2%3.9%2.6%1.2%0.64%0.43%
Dec 202552.4%10.4%12.8%7%3.9%3.9%4.7%2.1%1.4%0.78%0.52%
Jan 202648.9%9.8%14.6%8%4.4%3.6%5.4%2.4%1.6%0.72%0.59%
Feb 202654.6%8.9%13.4%7.3%4%3.3%4%2.2%1.2%0.66%0.44%
Mar 202652.4%10.5%12.8%8.5%3.9%3.2%3.9%2.6%1.2%0.63%0.52%
Apr 202655%9%13.5%7.4%3.3%3.3%4%2.2%1.2%0.67%0.44%
May 202655.8%9.1%13.6%7.5%3.4%2.7%3.4%2.2%1.2%0.67%0.45%
Jun 202653.9%10.7%13.2%5.9%4%3.2%4%2.7%1.2%0.65%0.53%
Jul 202646.9%11.5%14%6.3%5.2%4.2%5.2%3.4%1.9%0.85%0.69%
Aug 202650.1%12.2%12.2%6.7%4.5%3.7%4.5%3%1.7%0.74%0.61%
Sep 202654.1%10.9%10.9%8.8%4%3.3%3.3%2.7%1.2%0.54%0.44%

  1. 1.Tinkercad

    54.1%

    Held 1st. 7.5M estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +4 points.

  2. 2.AutoCAD

    10.9%

    Held 2nd. 1.5M estimated branded searches, +23% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.

  3. 3.SketchUp

    10.9%

    Held 3rd. 1.5M estimated branded searches, +23% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.

  4. 4.Onshape

    8.8%

    Held 4th. 1.2M estimated branded searches, +81.3% vs prior month. Share +2.1 points.

  5. 5.SolidWorks

    4%

    Moved from 6th to 5th. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  6. 6.FreeCAD

    3.3%

    Moved from 7th to 6th. 450K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.

  7. 7.Fusion 360

    3.3%

    Moved from 5th to 7th. 450K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.3 points.

  8. 8.Revit

    2.7%

    Held 8th. 368K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.

  9. 9.Blender

    1.2%

    Held 9th. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  10. 10.Shapr3D

    0.54%

    Held 10th. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  11. 11.Rhino

    0.44%

    Held 11th. 60.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

Compare popularity between SolidWorks and its closest rivals

Every comparison with SolidWorks

23 comparisons

How has branded search demand for SolidWorks changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for SolidWorks worldwide held steady, from 557K to 555K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide increased from 3.5% to 4%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide peaked at 5.2% in July 2026 and was lowest at 3.3% in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks rose from 6th to 5th among CAD and 3D design software worldwide.

How did search popularity change for CAD and 3D design software worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Tinkercad gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 50.1% to 54.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Onshape gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 6.7% to 8.8%.

  3. In September 2026, AutoCAD lost share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 12.2% to 10.9%.

  4. In September 2026, SketchUp lost share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 12.2% to 10.9%.

  5. In September 2026, Fusion 360 lost share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 4.5% to 3.3%.

  6. In September 2026, SolidWorks lost share of searches among CAD and 3D design software worldwide, from 4.5% to 4%.

How are SolidWorks’ branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SolidWorks’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • solidworks
  • solidworks simulation

Do you work for SolidWorks? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does SolidWorks compete?

SolidWorks is ranked in four competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
CAD and 3D design software5th of 114%Shown above
CAD software4th of 104.5%Show ranking
Simulation software1st of 953.8%Show ranking
Finite element analysis software8th of 81.3%Show ranking
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