CAM software systems are essential for manufacturing and programming. Ensure you choose the right one for your project.
So you may be wondering “What is CAM and why should I want one?”
CAM (which is short for Computer Aided Manufacturing) is a tool that uses numerical control to pinpoint, create, and punctuate specific online instructions. This article contains the best CAM Software in 2022.
Top 10 Best CAM Software
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gibbs Cam | Free trial | Virtually all types of projects |
| 2. Autodesk’s HSM | $60/month | Small and midsize companies |
| 3. Autodesk’s Powermill | Custom price | Large variety of job fields |
| 4. Autodesk’s Fusion 360 | $60/month | Automotive and electronic manufacturing |
| 5. Vectric’s Aspire | $1,995 excluding tax | Automotive and modeling jobs |
| 6. Siemens NX CAM | Custom price | Factory and automotive work |
| 7. Siemens Solid Edge | $75 – $329/month | Small, midsize, and large projects |
| 8. Alibre CAM | $149.25 – $1450.25 | Machine design, scientific instruments, and scale models |
| 9. SolidCAM | Custom price | Modern machining and animated programming work |
| 10. CAM Tool | Custom price | Milling, modelling, and machining |
1. Gibbs Cam – Beneficial to virtually all types of projects, including manufacturing and programming jobs.
Pricing:
- There is a free trial available.
- Gibbs Cam does not publicly advertise their prices, if you have questions pertaining to your company or project’s specific rate, please contact a Gibbs Cam vendor.
Gibbs Cam provides several features, including a solution for any CNC machine, easily usable programming, customizable interface, industry-leading machine simulation for complex machines, multi-tasking machines, high-speed programs, the ability of milling and turning, workflow and visualization technology. Customers love their custom pricing.
| Pro | Con |
| The simulation features work exceptionally well. | There are some features that are very hard to find. |
| Gibbs Cam offers a free trial to all of their customers. | There is not a lot of documentation. The few that there are are poorly done. |
| The software is very user-friendly and simple to navigate. | The software can be extremely slow occasionally. |
| The interface is very intuitive. | |
| There are several different types of features and tools in Gibbs Cam. | |
| The visualizations and graphics are great. |
>>MORE: Best Building Maintenance Software (Free & Paid Tools)
2. Autodesk’s HSM – Best for small and midsize companies or projects. This is great for automotive or construction industries.
Pricing:
- There is a free trial available.
- $935.00 per every 3 year.
- $347 per year.
- $60 per month.
Autodesk HSM has thousands of customers globally. They offer both features and education platforms. Some of their features are integrated CAD and CAM, 2.5 and 3 axis milling, 3+2 and simultaneous 5-axis, machine simulation, turning and mill-turn, AnyCAD connectivity, and more. Many customers love their free trial and 3-year payment method.
| Pro | Con |
| The simulation feature is unique, helpful and authentic. | The software is very hard to manage if you are new to CAM systems. |
| They offer a free trial and multiple different payment methods. | The program does not work on Macbooks. |
| Autodesk HSM has 3d model translation. | The mouse control is not as good as competitors. |
| The interface is very easy to use and navigate. | |
| There are several available modules for several different types of design. | |
| Autodesk HSM offers lifecycle management. | |
| There is 2d documentation offered for data. |
>>MORE: MRP Software | Production Time Tracking Software | Product Data Management Software | Product Management Software
3. Autodesk’s Powermill – Best for a large variety of job fields or project types, including modeling equipment and blueprinting.
Pricing: Autodesk’s Powermill provides fully custom prices for their customers. If you have any inquiries about your company or project’s specific rate, please contact an Autodesk Powermill sales associate.
Autodesk’s Powermill has thousands of loyal customers all over the globe. They all love their unique features and abilities such as the ability to create complex 3d geometry for multi-axis, high-speed CNC machining, and access to advanced manufacturing capabilities. Some of their clientele are Quest, Granta, Naval Group, and more.
| Pro | Con |
| Versatile for several different types of manufacturing animations. | The programming notoriously overheats and shuts down laptops. |
| There are several features and tools available with Autodesk’s Powermill. | CAD and CAM software are two separate downloads for the same application. |
| The prices are fully custom and dependant on the project you are working on. | They update their software a lot, which is a hassle because you can not work while it is updating. |
| The platform is very easy to learn and navigate. | If you are a beginner to CAM software, Autodesk’s Powermill would not be a good fit for you. |
| Autodesk’s Powermill has the ability to machine complex and unique shapes. | |
| They have amazing customer service. If you have any question at all, they will answer it quickly and efficiently. | |
| You have the ability to animate and program 3 and 5 axis machines. | |
| You have a lot of space to see your creation. It is not squished as some competitors are. |
>>MORE: Best Vendor Risk Management Software (Top VRM Tools)
4. Autodesk’s Fusion 360 – All projects can benefit from using Fusion 360. Especially for automotive and electronic manufacturing.
Pricing:
- There is a free trial available.
- Monthly Plan: $60.00 per month.
- Yearly Plan: $495.00 per year.
- Autodesk’s Fusion 360 also offers custom prices to best suit your needs. If you have inquiries on what your company or project’s rate would be, please contact an Autodesk Fusion 360 vendor.
Autodesk’s Fusion 360 services thousands of companies and customers all over the world. They love their variety of features, including creating sketches with dimensions, geometrical direct modeling, complex surface modeling, history-based parametric modeling, mesh modeling, freeform modeling, rendering, PCB design integration, sheet metals, and assemblies.
| Pro | Con |
| The program is free for noncommercial use. | It is a very simplistic program. Competitors are more in-depth. |
| Both CAM and CNC programming is available. | The program is not as easy to use and navigate as competitors are. |
| Extremely precise modeling tools and features. | |
| Autodesk’s Fusion 360 offers parametric design. |
>>MORE: Workflow Management Software | Small Business Resource Management Software | Free Live Streaming Software | E-Commerce Platforms for Manufacturers
5. Vectric’s Aspire – Best for several different projects, including automotive and modeling jobs.
Pricing:
- Vectric’s Aspire offers a free trial.
- $1,995.00, excluding tax.
Vectric’s Aspire has thousands of clientele all over the globe. They love their versatile features, including a comprehensive set of 3d modeling tools, an extensive set of model editing tools, an interactive model sculpting mode, over $5,000 worth of clip art, over 90 hours of tutorials, simple 3d assembly, dynamic editing, wrapped rotary machining, and more.
| Pro | Con |
| Vectric’s Aspire offers a free trial for no time limit. | They are considerably more expensive than competitors. |
| They offer several hours worth of tutorials and lessons. | Competitors offer more in-depth tools and features. |
| You have the ability of dynamic editing. | |
| Vectric’s Aspire offers an “instant preview updates” feature. | |
| They offer a variety of features, including machine parts on two sides, wrapped rotary machining, drawing and layout, 3d modeling, and more. |
>>MORE: Best Affiliate Management Software (Most Reliable Tools)
6. Siemens NX CAM – Beneficial to essentially all types of projects and companies. Including factory and automotive work.
Pricing:
- There is a free trial available.
- Siemens NX CAM offers fully custom prices depending on factors of your project or business. If you have inquiries on your potential rate, please contact a Siemens NX CAM vendor.
Siemens NX CAM offers a free trial, custom pricing, and several features and tools to their thousands of customers. Some of the provided features are complex parts machining, the ability to mold, die, and electrode machining, postprocessing and machining simulation, prismatic parts machining, and more abilities.
| Pro | Con |
| The software is extremely easy to use and navigate. | They do not update the functionality of the features often. |
| You can control essentially every aspect of your design. | The tools and features are both not unique and outdated. |
| It is easy to see your design’s timeframes and keep up with the expected finish date. | The program can occasionally be a bit slow. |
| Siemens NX CAM offers a free trial to potential customers. | |
| The prices are fully custom to best fit your needs. | |
| Great for all natures of mechanical design. |
>>MORE: Best Marketing Attribution Software (Top Reliable Tools)
7. Siemens Solid Edge – Best for small, midsize, and large projects; especially in automotive and machine animation, engineers, educators, and hobbyists.
Pricing:
- Siemens Solid Edge offers a free trial.
- Solid Edge Design and Drafting: $75.00 per month.
- Solid Edge Foundation: $185.00 per month.
- Solid Edge Classic: $230.00 per month.
- Solid Edge Premium: $329.00 per month.
Customers globally are entranced with Siemens Solid Edge for several reasons. They benefit several job fields, including design and engineering, small and midsize companies, startups, students, educators, hobbyists, and makers. There are several different forms and parts of Solid Edge, and they also offer a free trial, which prospective clientele love.
| Pro | Con |
| This is a great program to use for 3d modeling. | The textures and animations are not realistic. |
| The software is easily integratable with several outlet sites. | Editing some of the features can be a bit of a hassle. |
| You can quickly assemble components in your creation. | There are no manual keyboard settings in this program. |
| There are several useful features and tools in Solid Edge. | |
| The customer support is excellent. If you have any questions or inquiries, they will answer them quickly and efficiently. | |
| There are several different forms and payment plans of Solid Edge. They also offer a free trial. | |
| It is extremely easy to build blueprints and plans in the system. |
>>MORE: Best SMS Marketing Software (Top Reliable Tools)
8. Alibre CAM – Best for a majority of projects, including machine design, scientific instruments, and scale models
Pricing:
- There is a free trial available.
- Alibre Atom 3d: $149.25, or custom payment depending on your needs.
- Alibre Workshop: $399.00, or custom payment depending on your needs.
- Alibre Design Professional: $749.25, or custom payment depending on your needs.
- Alibre Design Expert: $1,45.25, or custom payment depending on your needs.
Alibre CAM has thousands of customers all over the globe. They have benefits to several job and project fields, including education, 2d drawings, architecture, electronic or control systems, scientific instruments, plant design, transportation, historic preservation, machine design, mold, robotics, scale models, sheet metal, woodworking, and more.
| Pro | Con |
| The interface is extremely easy to learn how to use and navigate. | Building and rebuilding takes a very long time compared to other software systems. |
| Great for small and midsize companies or corporations. | It can be difficult for those new to CAM software systems. |
| The software is extremely easy to simulate the modification of materials like metal. | The system will occasionally have bugs and glitches. |
| There are lots of resources and tools available on this program. | The software is very slow at times. It takes a long time to load. |
| In Alibre, you can design both individual pieces and assembled constructs. | |
| Alibre has several separate downloadable features. | |
| The prices are very affordable and fair. Plus, there are several different options of payment. | |
| You can organize your data extremely easily. |
>>MORE: Best Accounting Software for Nonprofit
9. SolidCAM – Best for modern machining and animated programming work.
Pricing:
- There is a demo available.
- Solid CAM does not publicly release their prices. If you have inquiries regarding the potential rate of your project, please seek contact with a Solid CAM sales associate.
Solid CAM has promoted and created hundreds of products for consumers globally since their release in 1984. Some of these products are as follows: IMachining, CAM modules, CAD integration, the option of a demo trial, Solid CAM education and lesson systems, night school availability, and both recorded webinars, and upcoming (current) webinars.
| Pro | Con |
| The machining programming is authentic and high quality. | The platform occasionally crashes and shuts down. |
| The integration software is excellent and well done. | The software can be challenging to use to new employees. |
| The platform is extremely easy to use and navigate. | |
| The generating and automating features are great. |
>>MORE: Best Startup HR Software (Free & Paid)
10. CAM Tools – Best for milling, modelling, and machining.
Pricing:
- There is a 30 day free trial available.
- CAM Tools does not publically release their rates, if you have questions regarding your company(‘s) potential annual cost, please contact a CAM Tools vendor.
CAM Tools offers service to countless companies and projects all across the world. They offer features and tools such as assistive functions, 3+2 axis milling, 2.5D CAM and hole, 3d milling, simultaneous 5 axis milling, base and modeling, high precision CAM, CNC milling, and also the availability of a 30 day free trial to the program.
| Pro | Con |
| CAM Tools offers a 30 day free trial, which is more than enough time to get acclimated to the program. | The software is a bit more outdated than competitors. |
| They offer simultaneous 5 axis milling on their platform. | The software does not offer as many tools as competitors. |
| The platform provides extremely high precision CAM software. | |
| CAM Tools offers 3 + 2 axis milling to customers. | |
| They offer several different features and tools. |
>>MORE: Best Podcast Recording Software (Free & Paid)