SOLIDWORKS Education Software
SOLIDWORKS Design is the 3D CAD trusted by more than 80% of the world's top engineering schools to give students hands-on, industry-standard design skills. It comes in two editions for the classroom: the desktop SOLIDWORKS for Education and the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE for Education.
Both teach the same core CAD. The right one for your program depends on your devices, how you teach, and how much you want to manage. This page walks you through the choice in a few minutes.
SWYFT Solutions helps schools and universities pick the edition that fits their lab, their students, and their budget, then gets it running from day one.
Why does SOLIDWORKS offer several options?
SOLIDWORKS for Education and 3DEXPERIENCE for Education are built on the same design tools students will use in industry. Both prepare students for the same academic certifications, and both let students keep working at home, not just in the lab.
The difference is where the software lives and how your students reach it. One is installed on your lab machines. The other runs in the cloud from any device, anywhere. Everything below helps you decide which fits your program.
SOLIDWORKS for Education vs 3DEXPERIENCE for Education
SOLIDWORKS for Education (Desktop)
SOLIDWORKS for Education is installed locally on Windows machines. It gives students the full professional desktop experience, the exact environment they will meet in engineering and manufacturing roles. It includes a broad curriculum and courseware, and Student Access lets students continue their work from home. It is the natural fit for an established, in-person lab.
Pros & Cons of SOLIDWORKS for Education
Pros
Full professional desktop toolset, identical to industry
Runs reliably once installed, with no dependence on connectivity
Drops into an existing Windows lab with no change to how you teach
Student Access covers home use
Cons
Windows only, no Mac, Chromebook, or tablet
Installs and version updates are managed per machine
Collaboration and project tracking are not built in
3DEXPERIENCE for Education (Cloud)
3DEXPERIENCE for Education is the cloud platform. Students log in through a browser with a named-user account, so their work follows them to any device, including Mac, from campus or home. It layers real-time collaboration and centralized project management on top of the same SOLIDWORKS design tools, and it updates automatically. It is built for hybrid, remote, and mixed-device programs.
Pros & Cons of 3DEXPERIENCE for Education
Pros
Runs in a browser on any device, including Mac, from anywhere
Real-time collaboration and centralized project management built in
Automatic updates, no version mismatches, lower IT overhead
One login follows each student across campus and home
Cons
Requires a reliable internet connection
New platform interface for instructors used to the desktop
Subscription model, so access ends when the term ends
Which Is Right for Your Program?
A few quick questions settle it:
What devices are in your classroom? All Windows in a managed lab points to SOLIDWORKS for Education. A mix of Macs, Chromebooks, or student laptops points to 3DEXPERIENCE for Education.
Where does learning happen? Mostly in person favors the desktop edition. Remote or hybrid favors the cloud.
Do you need to track student work? If you want assignments, versions, and progress managed in one place, that is 3DEXPERIENCE for Education.
What is your IT capacity? To cut installs, updates, and version mismatches, the cloud platform runs and updates itself.
How Much Does SOLIDWORKS Education Cost?
Education licensing scales to the size of your program and starts from a base set of seats you can grow as you add students. Because the right mix depends on your class size, your devices, and whether you want desktop, cloud, or both, pricing is quoted to your program rather than sold off the shelf. Contact our team for a quote built around your school, and ask about academic terms.