Best Engineering Software in the UK
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Compare the Top Engineering Software in the UK as of September 2026
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What is Engineering Software in the UK?
Engineering software is software used by engineers to design, analyze and manufacture various products. It includes a wide range of applications such as CAD/CAE software, analysis tools, optimization tools, and programming tools. Engineering software can be used for a variety of tasks such as designing mechanical parts, analyzing structural stability, simulating system performance, and optimizing product designs. These applications enable engineers to optimize their designs for cost reduction and increased efficiency. Compare and read user reviews of the best Engineering software in the UK currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
MicroStation
Bentley Systems
MicroStation is the trusted CAD software purpose-built for the design, modeling, and management of global infrastructure projects. Known for its extreme scalability, MicroStation empowers engineering professionals to deliver precise 2D and 3D deliverables for projects of any size or complexity. A key differentiator is its industry-leading interoperability; users can integrate a massive variety of data types, including DWG, IFC, and SHP, without the need for risky data conversions or translations. By providing a single environment for various project elements, it ensures secure and effective deliverables across the entire project lifecycle. Whether you are an engineer, architect, or GIS professional, MicroStation provides the flexibility and power needed to turn a vision into a sustainable reality while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity.Starting Price: $1,208 per year -
2
ActCAD Software
Jytra Technology Solutions
ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,AutomotiveStarting Price: $249.00/one-time/user -
3
Altium Develop
Altium
Altium Develop helps engineering teams collaborate across the entire electronics development lifecycle. Built on Altium Designer and Altium 365, the platform combines PCB design, requirements management, BOM management, version control, and engineering collaboration in a shared cloud workspace. Teams can connect design decisions, project history, component data, supply chain insights, and manufacturing information to improve traceability and decision-making. Altium Develop enables engineers to design, review, manage, and release products more efficiently while maintaining visibility across cross-functional development processes.Starting Price: $1990/year -
4
SkyCiv Structural 3D
SkyCiv Engineering
SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based Structural Analysis software that allows users to model, analyze and design complex 3D structures. It is completely online; requiring no installation to use. SkyCiv Structural 3D offers the very best in online structural analysis. It includes the following: - Powerful Analysis: Linear, P-Delta, Cables, Buckling, Plates, Frequency, RS - Integrated Design checks for steel, wood, connections, foundations, wind (AISC, NSD, AISI, EN, AS, CSA, BS plus more...)Starting Price: $79/month/user -
5
OrCAD X
Cadence Design Systems
OrCAD® X is a unified PCB design software platform that offers significant improvements in ease of use, performance, automation, data management, and collaboration. Our cloud-enabled product suite contains applications for schematic, simulation, and PCB layout. OrCAD X Capture is one of the most widely used schematic design solutions for the creation and documentation of electrical circuits. PSpice® is our virtual SPICE simulation environment integrated within Capture that allows you to prototype your designs using the industry-leading, native analog, mixed-signal, and advanced analysis engines to deliver a complete circuit simulation and verification solution. Our two PCB layout environments, OrCAD X PCB Editor and OrCAD X Presto, allow designers to easily collaborate between ECAD/MCAD teams and build better PCBs faster. OrCAD X Presto is a new user-friendly option offering a simpler interface for quick-turn PCB design.Starting Price: $107 USD/month -
6
BricsCAD
Bricsys
BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. The BricsCAD® family of products brings a cost-effective, multi-platform CAD solution to Windows, macOS, and Linux. BricsCAD is available as a permanent/perpetual license, for networked or stand-alone computers. You can also add All-In Maintenance for ease of keeping up-to-date. • BricsCAD® is available on a rental (a.k.a. “Subscription”) plan if you wish. • Familiarity for other CAD users and full LISP support can help reduce a new BricsCAD® users’ learning curve to a day or less. • Advanced multi-threading takes advantage of today’s high-performance processor chips • Innovative machine learning tools increase drawing accuracy while saving time • The small install footprint and high performance of BricsCAD® point to our constant focus on quality and modern software design.Starting Price: $330/user/year -
7
Designcenter Solid Edge
Siemens
Designcenter Solid Edge is a Siemens product development portfolio that provides tools for mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, data management, and collaboration. It combines the speed of direct modeling with the control of parametric design through synchronous technology. The software helps teams create 2D drawings, 3D models, electrical systems, simulations, manufacturing outputs, 3D printing workflows, and technical documentation. Designcenter Solid Edge is designed to be affordable, easy to learn, and scalable for different product development needs. It supports faster design changes, reuse of supplier CAD parts, realistic 3D modeling, and collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams. With its complete portfolio of connected tools, Designcenter Solid Edge helps companies bring better products to market more efficiently.Starting Price: $75/month/user -
8
nanoCAD
Nanosoft
nanoCAD is a modern computer-aided design (CAD) platform that provides designers with powerful capabilities in 2D drafting and 3D modeling. nanoCAD can be used on its own as a cost-effective DWG-editor, or customized with essential modules: Construction, Mechanica, Raster, Topoplan and 3D Solid Modeling. 2D drawings and 3D solid models with 2D and 3D parametric constraints, and dynamic UCS for effortless sketching on 3D faces. Documentation drawings link to 3D models. Fully DWG compatible.Starting Price: $180.00/year/user -
9
ideCAD One AEC
ideYAPI
ideCAD One AEC is an Integrated multidisciplinary BIM Software for Architecture, Structural Engineering, and Detailing with Building Information Modeling (BIM). The Integrated Package provides Structural Engineers, Architects, and detailers with Integrated BIM, AEC, and CAD tools that support projects from early-stage design to construction. Create high-quality, high-performing Architectural and structural design with integrated design tools. Optimize projects with integrated Structural analysis, Steel design, Concrete design, Connection design, visualization, and simulation tools. Improve predictability in the field with integrated tools that maximize constructability and project coordination. Accelerate design processes and improve quality with integrated workflows for integrated design, modeling, multidiscipline coordination, and construction documentation.Starting Price: $3,800 per year -
10
ESPRIT
Hexagon AB
With powerful programming, accurate simulation, and machine-optimized G-code, ESPRIT delivers a large-scale impact driving CNC machines more efficiently and fully utilizing machine capabilities. With ESPRIT, programming is simplified and machine utilization goes up, while both setup and cycle times drop. Backed by world-class technical support, ESPRIT is the right choice for any industrial application, from job shop work to large-scale heavy equipment manufacturing. Do you edit your G-code? How much time does it take? Does your machine keep alarming out during the test run? Have you ever crashed your machines with CAM-generated G-code? If these problems sound familiar to you, we've got four reasons why ESPRIT® can make your life as a CNC programmer much easier. ESPRIT is always in motion. Browse product announcements, company updates, and more. Our extensive partnerships with top industry names ensure you get the most from your machine. -
11
Alibre Design
Alibre
Alibre Design is a 3D modeling, analysis, manufacturing documentation, rendering, and publishing platform. It is used in every industry to take products from idea to revision to production. It can help your business to design everything from consumer products to wind turbines. An efficient and customizable user interface that lets you work like you want with helpful hints. A fast and precise sketching environment that captures design intent and makes changes easy. Robust and fully parametric 3D modeling tools and easy workflows speed up part creation. A dedicated sheet metal environment with tools just for sheet good design and easy flat pattern creation. A dedicated sheet metal environment with tools just for sheet good design and easy flat pattern creation. An automatically generated bill of materials that supports design data, physical properties, and dimensions. -
12
CATIA
Dassault Systèmes
CATIA is the world's leading solution for product design and experience. It is used by leading organizations in multiple industries to develop the products we see and use in our everyday lives. CATIA delivers the unique ability not only to model any product, but to do so in the context of its real-life behavior: design in the age of experience. Systems architects, engineers, designers, construction professionals and all contributors can define, imagine and shape the connected world. A Social design environment built on a single source of truth and accessed through powerful 3D dashboards that drive business intelligence, real-time concurrent design and collaboration across all stakeholders including mobile workers. An Instinctive 3DEXPERIENCE for both experienced and occasional users with world-class 3D modeling and simulation capabilities that optimize the effectiveness of every user. An Inclusive product development platform that is easily integrated with existing processes & tools. -
13
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD. -
14
SOLIDWORKS
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS is the industry-standard 3D CAD and product development solution, trusted by millions of designers and engineers worldwide. For over 30 years, SOLIDWORKS has empowered innovators to transform ideas into real, manufacturable products through intuitive modeling, simulation, and collaboration tools. The 2026 release introduces groundbreaking capabilities including AI-powered drawing automation, fastener recognition, and the AURA AI virtual companion. Integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it enables seamless cloud collaboration and data-driven decision-making. From startups to global manufacturers, users rely on SOLIDWORKS to accelerate design cycles, improve accuracy, and reduce time to market. It’s the complete ecosystem for taking any product from concept to production. -
15
Onshape
PTC
Onshape is a cloud-native CAD and PDM system designed to help product development teams design, collaborate, and manage data from any device. It runs in a browser or mobile app, eliminating the need for installations, upgrades, or local hardware requirements. The platform includes professional CAD tools, built-in product data management, real-time collaboration, branching and merging, version control, and a complete audit trail. Onshape helps teams avoid common desktop CAD issues such as crashes, corrupted files, file syncing problems, and outdated software versions. It supports distributed engineering teams by allowing users to work securely from different locations without emailing files or managing duplicate copies. With frequent updates, education options, startup programs, and integrations such as the Onshape Altium Connector, Onshape gives designers and manufacturers a modern way to build products faster.Starting Price: $125.00/month/user -
16
Surfer
Golden Software
You work hard gathering your data. Don’t settle for subpar visualization. Utilize Surfer’s extensive modeling tools to display your data the way it deserves while maintaining accuracy and precision. Clearly communicate information related to geology, hydrology, environmental, construction and more with Surfer. Discover the depths of your data with Surfer’s numerous analysis tools, made specifically with engineers, geologists and researchers in mind. Adjust interpolation and gridding parameters, assess the spatial continuity of data with variograms, define faults and breaklines, or perform grid calculations such as volumes, transformations, smoothing, or filtering. Surfer quickly transforms your data into knowledge.Starting Price: $599/year -
17
DC-E DigitalClone for Engineering
Sentient Science Corporation
DigitalClone® for Engineering is the world's only gearbox reliability prediction solution integrating multiple scales of analysis in a single software package. In addition to modeling and analysis capabilities at the gearbox and gear/bearing levels, DC-E is the only solution available that models fatigue life based on detailed, physics-based models of the material microstructure (US Patent 10474772B2). DC-E enables construction of a gearbox digital twin with high value across all stages of the lifecycle of the physical asset - from design and manufacturing optimization to component supplier selection to failure root cause analysis to condition-based maintenance and to prognostics. This computational environment drives down the time and cost to bring new designs to the market and to sustain them over time.Starting Price: Upon request -
18
MatDeck
LabDeck
MatDeck is a universal, technical software for Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Coding, Databases and many other uses. Our software offers a complete Python IDE; thousands of mathematical functions; a drag and drop GUI Designer and various visualization tools, all embedded within a cutting-edge, live document for an inexpensive and professional computing environment.Starting Price: Free -
19
AHED (Advanced Heat Exchanger Design)
HRS Heat Exchangers
HRS-AHED is a new software solution for the calculation of shell and tube heat exchangers featuring fluids and mixing assistant, sensible heat / condensation calculations, single pass and multi pass units, with or w/o baffles and many more features: fluid database, customizable geometries, project sharing, batch calculation, vibration analysis, reporting, and much more. To ensure the best calculation results, the we have conducted a thorough search through scientific literature to make sure the best and most recent methods for calculation in heat transfer engineering are used in our software. Many heat exchanger projects have been designed successfully with AHED, making it an industrially proven software solution.Starting Price: €50/3months/user -
20
eZWalker Review
DMS Co., Ltd.
eZWalker Review, a 3D model visualization and collaboration software for engineering and construction projects, has a embedded XRE rendering core with independent IPR, which can seamlessly analyze various 3D system data of plants (PIM), buildings (BIM), machinery and etc.. The extreme lightweight capabilities for engineering models and data can meet various industrial customization purposes such as project visualization collaboration among the EPC general contractors, 3D model review by the designer, construction simulation by the constructor, visualization operation and maintenance training by the owner, etc., and can meet the platform requirements for the visualization management of the full lifecycle of digital assets to help owners achieve the goals of smart manufacturing and industry 4.0. At the same time, it can realize the synchronization of cloud data with PIMCenter, the full lifecycle information management platform for plant assets, which is independently developed by DMS.Starting Price: $9999/perpetual License -
21
Cognitive Design
Cognitive Design Systems
Cognitive Design by CDS is a next-generation concurrent engineering platform for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers in Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive. Powered by a proprietary implicit-geometry engine, it combines generative design (topology optimization, generative enclosure), manufacturing-driven constraints, simulation-driven analysis, and AI-powered design exploration in one unified platform. Engineers can generate and compare high-performance concepts faster, DfM constraints early (Casting, Machining, Metal AM), and automate repeatable workflows across entire product families — reducing time-to-design and eliminating late rework. Serving industry leaders across Japan, Europe, and the US.Starting Price: 12000€ -
22
PlusSpec
RubySketch
PlusSpec is the most powerful, affordable and easy to learn 3D BIM/Virtual Design Construction & Estimating software for the Design & Construction Industry. From Design & Sales to Estimating & Procurement, PlusSpec offers one integrated solution created to help you become more efficient & profitable. PlusSpec has been made for people who are low on time, and we’ve included the support you need so you can quickly master the software. The only BIM software you can actually design with. Immerse your clients in 3D and sell your designs. Create professional 2D drawings. Manage client budgets. Develop stronger relationships with stakeholders. PlusSpec will allow you to do more than just quantify. Quote Fast. End Error and Oversight. Visualize Risk & Complexity. Transform the way you Communicate. Deliver more than just a Paper Quote. Whether you are Designing & Drafting, or Estimating & Building (or both), specifying products is a key part of the process.Starting Price: $990 per year -
23
Strata Design 3D CX
Strata
Design 3D CX gives you all the tools you need to complete professional 3D projects. Illustrators, product & package designers, display & interior designers – and other creative professionals – rely on Strata Design 3D CX to realize their vision. Easy to learn, hundreds of hours of video tutorials, and connections to Adobe® and other tools make getting up to speed – and integrating with your workflow – a breeze. Strata Design 3D eases the learning curve for 2D designers who are new to 3D. Quick start templates, libraries, predefined effects, backgrounds, environments and more allow designers to create complex scenes in minutes. With a user interface and tools that are familiar to today’s 2D designers, you invest your time learning 3D design concepts rather than a new design paradigm. For many, the thought of 3D modeling is a daunting task. Design 3D offers an extremely friendly modeling toolset and environment for manipulating your polygons, splines, and primitives into any 3D object.Starting Price: $595 one-time payment -
24
DC-AM DigitalClone for Additive Manufacturing
Sentient Science
Defining the state-of-the-art, DigitalClone for Additive Manufacturing (DC-AM) integrates a suite of metal additive manufacturing modeling and simulation capabilities for comprehensive design and analysis support with seamless interoperability. DC-AM implements a multiscale, multi-physics analysis approach linking the process - microstructure - fatigue relationship of additively manufactured parts to enable computational assessment of quality and performance. DC-AM promotes adoption of AM in safety-critical industries by providing unprecedented insight into the relationship between build conditions and the characteristics of the final part while enabling reduction in time and cost required to qualify parts and processes.Starting Price: Upon request -
25
Envision evCreator
Canvas GFX
Envision evCreator is a powerful graphics application* combining 2D drawing and image editing with 3D model handling for creating technical illustrations, product visualizations, animations, charts, text and more. The evCreator handles the preparation of every visual asset you need to add to your instructional content - as well as the creation of end-to-end documents. Envision evCreator gives technical creatives the autonomy to work with 2D graphics, images and 3D CAD models in a single, intuitive application. No more switching between different apps for different uses, and no more delays caused by reliance on engineering teams for 3D model screenshots. 2D drawing, 3D CAD, and vector graphics in a single, easy to use application: - Image editing - 3D CAD visualization - Flow charts and process diagrams - Animation with text to speech - Smart annotation & dimension tools - Charts, tables, symbols - Export to JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, and more -
26
h2x Engineering
h2x Engineering
h2x Engineering offers a user-friendly software solution to the traditional manual, tedious, and time-consuming design and calculation engineering tasks. Set up your project, add your required equipment, review the results, and export to PDF, AutoCAD, Revit, and more. -
27
IronCAD
IronCAD
IronCAD significantly reduces manufacturing barriers and increases engineering productivity with intuitive 3D and 2D solutions for rapid design and seamless collaboration enterprise-wide. Create design iterations, proposals, and production drawings in less time and simply design faster than any other CAD system available today. What makes us different? IronCAD lets you design intuitively in the way you interact in the world, in 3D. With this easier and faster design approach over traditional CAD software, it’s a fundamentally better way to design. IronCAD gives you the speed to invent the future, with time left to watch it unfold. Skip repetitive steps so you can get to market faster, ahead of your competitors, and with far more return on your investment. -
28
LITIO
LITIO
LITIO 2.0 is a sheet metal add-on for AutoCAD, GStarCAD, ZwCAD & BricsCAD [and cadmate] that calculates and draws the flat sheet development of ducts, rectangle-to-round transitions, cylinders, cones, pipe intersections, connections, Ys, elbows, etc. LitioLAB 1.0 is an advanced, complex-shape, mathematical drawing tool for AutoCAD, GStarCAD and ZwCAD, that helps you draw complex shapes (either 2D curves, 3D curves or 3D surfaces), that are not available as standard commands within AutoCAD or GStarCAD or ZwCAD. Give your AutoCAD/GStarCAD/ZwCAD advanced drafting capabilities? Import XLS coordinate point data and draw them as CAD entities? Easily draw complex math shapes? LITIO 2.0 sheet metal for AutoCAD, GStarCAD, ZwCAD & BricsCAD [and cadmate]. Do you need to manufacture sheet metal parts and patterns? -
29
Electric P8
EPLAN Software and Services
EPLAN Electric P8 is a consistent, integrated and fast engineering system for you to plan and design the electrical engineering for machines and plant systems. The software supports 2D computer aided engineering and a wide variety of engineering methods: from manual creation to standardized and template-based approaches. The project data, once entered into the schematic, becomes the foundation for the automated completion of machine and plant system documentation. In short, EPLAN Electric P8 electrical design software offers you much more than “just” drawing schematics and circuit diagrams. EPLAN Electric P8 automatically generates detailed evaluations for you as an integral component of the project documentation – either on an ongoing basis or combined after project completion, as required. Downstream process steps then get all the necessary information from engineering: from integrated planning to manufacturing, commissioning, maintenance and repair. -
30
KeyCreator
Kubotek USA
KeyCreator is the legendary manufacturing-oriented workhorse 3D/2D CAD software that has seen it all and remains the go-to problem-solving tool for leading suppliers and designers. Discover the most compatible, efficient, and agile drafting solution available. Direct read of native drawings from the most comprehensive list of any drafting software; CATIA V5 & V4, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, DWG/DXF & CADKEY. Full control to revise drawing views, revision blocks, and add dimensions without the original CAD software. Automated drawing views and custom borders created as layouts in the main file. Comprehensive options to adjust view contents and look. Quickly add section, detail, and shaded isometric views. Easy-to-learn, professional-grade detailing. All style settings in dialogs. No complex set of variables and settings to remember. Import solids from any major CAD program and rotate, slice, and measure.
