SolidWorks is one of the most popular CAD software programs used by engineers and designers to create 3D models. However, the full commercial version of SolidWorks does not come cheap, with licenses costing thousands of dollars per year.
This leads many people to ask – is there a way to get SolidWorks for free or at a big discount? The good news is that there are options for students, educators, and hobbyists to access SolidWorks for free or at a huge discount through student licenses, limited trial versions, and educational licenses.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to get SolidWorks for free or very affordable through:
- SolidWorks Student Licenses
- SolidWorks Trial Versions
- SolidWorks Educational Licenses
Is SolidWorks Free? SolidWorks for Students
One of the best ways to get access to SolidWorks for free is through the SolidWorks Student License program. SolidWorks offers free licenses of SolidWorks Standard or SolidWorks Professional software to students enrolled in an engineering, design, or technology program at a degree-granting educational institution.
The Student License provides students with a renewable 1-year license that gives them access to the full SolidWorks software to complete school assignments and projects. The Student License can be renewed each year that you are enrolled as an active full-time student.
Here are some key details on eligibility and how to get SolidWorks for free as a student:
- You must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited university, college, or technical school.
- You must be enrolled in an engineering, design, architecture, or technology program – such as mechanical engineering, industrial design, or computer-aided design.
- You will need to prove your student status by providing information such as your school ID number, enrollment verification letter, class schedule, tuition receipt, or enrollment certificate.
- The license is for educational purposes only and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
- The Student License provides you with a renewable one-year license as long as you remain an active full-time student.
To get started, you simply need to submit an application through the SolidWorks for Students portal. You’ll need to create an account and provide information about your enrollment status and program. SolidWorks will then review your application – which typically takes 1-2 weeks.
If approved, you can download SolidWorks for free and access it using your Student License serial number. Make sure your school participates in the SolidWorks for Students program before applying.
The Student License provides the full SolidWorks software with no limitations, so you can use advanced simulation, rendering, design, and machining tools. This is a great way to learn SolidWorks and enhance your CAD skills at no cost while in school.
Trying SolidWorks with a Free Trial Version
If you aren’t a student, another way to access SolidWorks for free is to take advantage of a trial version. SolidWorks does not offer an indefinite free full version, but they do provide short-term free trials so users can test and evaluate the software.
Here are some things to know about getting SolidWorks for free with a trial version:
- SolidWorks offers both 7-day trials and 30-day trials depending on the software version.
- The trials are fully functional and include all features of SolidWorks Standard or SolidWorks Professional.
- You can download the trials directly from the SolidWorks website without any purchase.
- Trials are intended for first-time users who have not used SolidWorks previously.
- Trial licenses cannot be renewed or extended after they expire.
- Commercial use is prohibited with the trial license.
The SolidWorks trial is an excellent way to learn, experiment, and become familiar with SolidWorks before purchasing. In 7-30 days, you can test drive modeling, assembly, and drawing creation. You can ensure SolidWorks is the right fit for your needs before making any purchase.
Pay attention to these limitations when using a SolidWorks free trial:
- No technical support is provided with trial versions.
- You cannot open or import any files created with the trial software after the license expires.
- The software will stop working after the 7 or 30 day trial period.
Check the SolidWorks website to find the latest trial versions available for download. Make sure to act quickly to take full advantage of the short trial period.
Getting SolidWorks for Students Through Educational Licenses
Students aren’t the only ones who can get access to SolidWorks for free or at a huge discount. Many educational institutions offer inexpensive or free licenses of SolidWorks to educators and researchers through special education license programs.
Here are some things students and educators should know about accessing SolidWorks through school educational licenses:
- SolidWorks provides discounted pricing for schools and universities that want to purchase SolidWorks to use for educational purposes.
- Educational licenses allow installation on school lab computers and devices provided to students and faculty.
- Students may be able to use school computers with SolidWorks educational licenses installed to complete assignments and projects for free.
- Educators and researchers can often obtain a copy of SolidWorks for installation on their work computer due to the lower education pricing.
- Educational pricing often includes access to SolidWorks Simulation, Electrical, Composer, and other add-ons.
- Educational licenses include technical support and updates just like standard commercial licenses.
Educational pricing makes SolidWorks much more affordable for schools and provides broader access to students. This can be a great way for students to start learning SolidWorks for free under faculty supervision.
Students should check with their engineering or tech departments to find out if SolidWorks educational licenses are available. Educators should contact their purchasing department or a SolidWorks reseller to ask about educational pricing.
For primary and secondary schools, SolidWorks offers even greater discounts through their SolidWorks Education Edition program. This provides SolidWorks and curriculum resources for STEM education from grades 6-12.
Tips for Learning SolidWorks for Free
Here are some key tips to help you maximize a free or discounted SolidWorks license as a student or educator:
- Take advantage of SolidWorks training resources – The SolidWorks for Students website provides free access to over 200 hours of SolidWorks video tutorials to help you learn. You can also find extensive documentation and guides on the SolidWorks website.
- Find a mentor or community – Connect with other students, educators, or manufacturing professionals using SolidWorks to get help, feedback, and advice on improving your CAD skills. Attend local SolidWorks user group meetings.
- Work through real projects – Applying your SolidWorks skills to actual projects is one of the best ways to learn. Find class projects, industry contests, or volunteer design work to practice real-world applications.
- Build a portfolio – As you create models and drawings, save them to build up a portfolio highlighting your SolidWorks skills and capabilities that you can show employers or schools.
- Practice, practice, practice – The more you use SolidWorks and repeat important techniques, the more proficient you’ll get. Set aside time each week to challenge yourself with new tools and features.
- Compete in contests – Test and prove your CAD skills by competing in design competitions sponsored by SolidWorks or industry companies. These provide great experience plus scholarship opportunities.
The combination of free or low-cost student, trial, and educational versions of SolidWorks provides an affordable path for students and educators to access this leading CAD software. Make the most of these opportunities to build your CAD skills and improve your design and engineering abilities using SolidWorks.
