Onshape vs SolidWorks:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Onshape had more branded searches than SolidWorks among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand. Onshape had about 5,400 branded searches, while SolidWorks had 880. Onshape made up 10.3% of all CAD and 3D design software searches we track, and SolidWorks accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CAD and 3D design software, SolidWorks appeared in all five answers and Onshape in four. SolidWorks was mentioned before Onshape in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Onshape, about 6 searches for every 1 for SolidWorks
Who does AI mention more?
SolidWorks, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
SolidWorks, named ahead of Onshape in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Onshape vs SolidWorks and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top CAD and 3D design software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SolidWorks appeared in all five answers. Onshape was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. SolidWorks was listed before Onshape in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Fusion 3601st
SketchUp2nd
SolidWorks3rd
AutoCAD4th
Revit5th
FreeCAD6th
Blender7th
Onshape8th
Tinkercad9th
Cadpro10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
SketchUp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SolidWorks5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Onshape4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
AutoCAD4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Blender4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Revit3 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
Cadpro3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tinkercad1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CAD and 3D design software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CAD or 3D design tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CAD and 3D design tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CAD or 3D design tool in New Zealand for design work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cad software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d design software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Onshape or SolidWorks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Onshape and SolidWorks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten CAD and 3D design software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Onshape, SolidWorks. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tinkercad | SketchUp | Onshape | Fusion 360 | AutoCAD | Revit | FreeCAD | SolidWorks | Blender | Cadpro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 54.5% | 21.5% | 7.2% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.64% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.2% | 19.5% | 8.5% | 8.1% | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.4% | 0.74% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.6% | 21.8% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% | 6.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.2% | 19.1% | 11.9% | 6.4% | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.58% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.5% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.4% | 23.9% | 10.5% | 6.2% | 4.3% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 0.62% |
| May 2026 | 45.2% | 27% | 11% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.43% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.1% | 25.2% | 10.2% | 3.9% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.8% | 26.8% | 13.3% | 6.5% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 0.52% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.3% | 27.2% | 11% | 4.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.29% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.2% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Oct 2026 | 42.5% | 24.9% | 10.3% | 6.2% | 5.7% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
How has branded search for Onshape and SolidWorks changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Onshape was ahead of SolidWorks in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Onshape’s share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 7.2% to 10.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 880.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand CAD and 3D design software in October 2026?
2 changes

Estimated monthly branded searches for Onshape in New Zealand rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 4.4K to 5.4K in October 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for SolidWorks in New Zealand fell 12% over 12 measured months, from 1K to 880 in October 2026.
How are Onshape’s and SolidWorks’ branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Onshape’s and SolidWorks’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Onshape
1 branded search term
- onshape
SolidWorks
1 branded search term
- solidworks
Other head-to-heads among CAD and 3D design software

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.