SolidWorks Pricing Canada

This article was written by Steven Poirier, CEO of Kotona Vision, on August 26, 2026. All sources are from the Dassault Systèmes website. Prices are calculated and reviewed whenever SOLIDWORKS pricing changes.

In this guide, we break down the price of SolidWorks in Canada, the different license models available, and what Canadian businesses, particularly those in Quebec, can realistically expect to pay in 2026.

SOLIDWORKS is one of the few professional 3D CAD applications that still offers multiple pricing models, which can quickly create confusion when trying to understand the true cost.

A) Perpetual License (Purchase)

The traditional SolidWorks model is based on purchasing a perpetual license, a one-time payment for lifetime use of the software.

This model includes two main components:

• PLC (Primary License Charge): the initial cost of the license
• ALC (Annual License Charge): the annual maintenance fee

Maintenance is mandatory the first year, then optional afterwards. It includes:

• Software updates
• Technical support
• Access to new versions

B) Subscription

The SolidWorks subscription price is based on recurring payments, allowing businesses to use the software without a large upfront investment.

Available options are:

• Quarterly subscription (3 months)
• Annual subscription (12 months)
• Long-term subscription models

All subscriptions include:

• Software access
• Updates
• Technical support

To concretely compare SolidWorks pricing in Canada between purchase and subscription, check out our complete analysis in the dedicated article (Purchase vs Subscription).

The price of SolidWorks in Canada in 2026 is no longer directly tied to the USD/CAD exchange rate, unlike previous years when fluctuations in the American dollar had a significant impact on pricing.

The prices below correspond to the public (list) prices for SolidWorks licenses in Canada. All amounts are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD), before applicable taxes. In Quebec, GST and QST must therefore be added.

In reality, the price you pay may vary based on several factors:

• Current promotions
• Partner programs (such as the startup program)
• Commercial negotiation with your reseller
• Taxes applicable in your province

It is also important to note that companies with older SolidWorks licenses (e.g., 2015 to 2023 without active maintenance) may qualify for specific pricing conditions.

To simplify:

• SolidWorks Standard Price ~$3,792 / yr starting from
• SolidWorks Professional Price ~$4,668 / yr starting from
• SolidWorks Premium Price ~$6,360 / yr starting from

Choosing between Standard, Professional, and Premium also depends on the features your team actually uses. For example, our guide to patterns in SOLIDWORKS explains a family of tools that can speed up the repetition of features, components, and geometry in your designs.

On a purchase basis, the upfront cost can reach $11,000+ CAD, with mandatory annual maintenance if you want to stay current.

Most companies focus solely on the listed price… but in reality:

1. Very few clients pay the list price
2. The gaps can be significant depending on your situation
3. The choice between subscription and purchase has a major impact on total cost

The real challenge isn't just the price, but choosing the license model that best fits your operational needs.

Yes, and this is information that very few companies know about.

It is possible to get SolidWorks for free in Canada through the Dassault Systèmes startup program, designed for Canadian early-stage companies, including those based in Quebec.

The SolidWorks Startup Program

This program gives eligible startups access to:

• SolidWorks free for the first year
• 70% discount the second year
• 50% discount the third year

Concretely, this can represent several thousand dollars in savings on your licenses.

Why do so few people benefit from it?

Because:

• Few resellers actually talk about it
• The eligibility conditions are not always clearly explained
• Many companies mistakenly believe they are not eligible

Is your company eligible?

Generally, you may qualify if:

1. You are a startup (less than 5 years old)
2. You are developing a product (hardware, industrial, etc.)
3. You are not yet using SolidWorks

Access the Program

To understand the true price of SolidWorks in Canada, it's not enough to look at the annual cost.
It's essential to compare the different license models over a longer period.

Here is a simplified example based on SolidWorks Standard in Canada. The calculations are in Canadian dollars and exclude federal and provincial taxes.

Option 1, Perpetual License + Maintenance (SolidWorks Standard)

License + 5 years of maintenance
→ $16,519 CAD

Annual subscription over 5 years
→ $18,960 CAD

Over a 5-year period, the perpetual license becomes slightly more cost-effective than the subscription.

But keep in mind: price should not be the only criterion. The choice between subscription and purchase also depends on:

• Desired flexibility
• Access to updates
• Ability to evolve your tools
• Your long-term needs

For a more detailed analysis, see our full comparison (purchase vs subscription).

Option 2, 3DEXPERIENCE SolidWorks Standard

Annual subscription over 5 years
→ $18,960 CAD

Long-term plan (PSC + ASC)

Upfront payment + 5 years of service
→ $17,925 CAD

Over 5 years, the long-term model becomes more cost-effective than the standard annual subscription.

This model is generally designed for companies that:

• Plan to use SolidWorks for several years
• Want to optimize their long-term costs
• Want to avoid future price increases

Even if some models are slightly more advantageous on paper:

The real decision is not only about price.

It hinges on:

1. Flexibility
2. Ease of management
3. Scalability
4. Your company's strategy

Need a precise price for your situation?

Kotona Vision supports companies in Quebec and across Canada to:

• Choose the right SolidWorks license model
• Optimize their costs
• Deploy the solution efficiently

Request your personalized estimate.