Best SolidWorks Courses in 2026: Top 10 Ranked (Free & Paid)
SolidWorks is the workhorse of modern product design. From consumer gadgets to aerospace components, it is the 3D CAD package mechanical engineers and product designers are expected to know, and a Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) credential on a resume still opens doors. The catch is that SolidWorks is deep, and learning it well from scratch is much faster with a structured course than by clicking around the interface hoping it sticks.
We reviewed the SolidWorks training available across every major platform, from the official Dassault Systèmes courses to the best independent instructors, and narrowed it to the ten that actually take you from a blank sketch to confident, certification-ready modeling. Each pick below lists who it suits, what it costs, and what you will be able to build by the end. Several are free, including official resources from the company that makes SolidWorks.
This article contains affiliate links. If you enroll through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend courses we would point an aspiring designer toward.
Why Learning SolidWorks Still Pays Off in 2026
Even with the rise of generative design and AI-assisted modeling, SolidWorks remains one of the most in-demand skills in mechanical engineering, product design, and manufacturing. Job listings for design engineers, drafters, and R&D roles still name it explicitly, and contract and freelance work for SolidWorks modelers is steady because almost every physical product passes through CAD before it is made.
What has changed is how the skill is delivered. SolidWorks now spans the classic desktop application and a growing set of cloud tools on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, so the most employable learners understand both. The courses below reflect that, blending traditional part-and-assembly modeling with the newer browser-based xDesign workflow, so you graduate ready for the way modern teams actually work rather than a version of the software that is starting to age.
The financial case is simple too. A structured course plus a CSWA certification costs a fraction of a single college credit, yet it maps directly to roles that pay well and exist in nearly every manufacturing economy. Few skills offer that combination of low cost to learn and durable, transferable demand.
How to Pick the Right SolidWorks Course
Two things separate a good SolidWorks course from a forgettable one: hands-on modeling and a clear path toward certification. You learn CAD by building parts and assemblies, not by watching someone else build them, so prioritize courses with downloadable exercise files and real projects. And if you want the credential that employers recognize, make sure your course explicitly prepares you for the CSWA exam.
The list below leads with the official Dassault Systèmes courses on Coursera, which are as authoritative as training gets, then covers the best independent instructors and the strongest free resources. Beginners should start with a foundations course and a free trial license before paying for anything; once you are comfortable sketching and extruding, the certification-focused courses are where the real career value sits.
One more thing to weigh is your hardware and your goal. The traditional desktop application is powerful but demanding on your computer, while the cloud-based xDesign tools run in a browser on almost anything, which can be decisive for students and makers. And if you are learning to land a job rather than for a hobby, favor courses that include downloadable practice files and explicit CSWA exam preparation, since those are the two features that most reliably translate study time into employable, demonstrable skill.
Quick Picks: The Best SolidWorks Courses at a Glance
| # | Course | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD for Education (Dassault) | Best Overall |
| 2 | Design & Assemble Mechanical Systems (EDUCBA) | Best for Projects |
| 3 | SOLIDWORKS xDesign for Education (Dassault) | Best for Cloud CAD |
| 4 | SOLIDWORKS Academy: Beginner to CSWA (Udemy) | Best for Certification |
| 5 | Master SolidWorks: Beginner to Advanced (Udemy) | Best Value |
| 6 | SOLIDWORKS Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning) | Best Quick Start |
| 7 | Dassault SOLIDWORKS Courses (edX) | Best Free Official |
| 8 | MySolidWorks Tutorials | Best Free Practice |
| 9 | 3DEXPERIENCE for Makers | Best Free Software Access |
| 10 | SolidWorks YouTube Channels | Best Free Video |
1. SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD for Education (Dassault Systèmes) {Coursera}
Platform: Coursera | Level: Beginner | Duration: ~2 months | Certificate: Yes | Cost: Coursera Plus subscription
This is the gold standard for learning SolidWorks online, because it comes from Dassault Systèmes, the company that actually makes the software. The five-course specialization teaches the fundamentals of 3D design through hands-on CAD challenges, from creating and modifying sketches to material features, patterns, and assembling parts with mates, and it explicitly prepares you for the CSWA exam.
Because it is project-centered, you build real parts throughout rather than just watching demos, and the Coursera certificate carries the weight of the official vendor behind it. For most learners who want one authoritative path from beginner to certification-ready, this is the course to take.
- Best for: Beginners who want the official, certification-focused path to SolidWorks mastery.
2. Design & Assemble Mechanical Systems in SolidWorks (EDUCBA) {Coursera}
Platform: Coursera | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Duration: ~2 months | Certificate: Yes | Cost: Coursera Plus subscription
Where the Dassault course teaches fundamentals, this EDUCBA specialization is all about applying them to realistic engineering projects. It is built around four industry-style case studies, including a multi-utility tool, an internal combustion engine, a kids’ bicycle, and an oil tank system, so you practice the kind of multi-part assembly work real jobs demand.
The project focus makes it an ideal second step once you know the basics, or a strong choice for self-directed learners who want a portfolio of finished assemblies to show employers. It bridges the gap between knowing the tools and using them like a working designer.
- Best for: Learners who want project-based practice with realistic mechanical assemblies.
3. SOLIDWORKS xDesign for Education (Dassault Systèmes) {Coursera}
Platform: Coursera | Level: Beginner | Duration: ~1-2 months | Certificate: Yes | Cost: Coursera Plus subscription
SolidWorks is increasingly a cloud product, and xDesign is its browser-based, collaborative CAD tool. This Dassault specialization teaches modern, cloud-native modeling that runs on any machine, which is a genuine advantage for students, makers, or anyone whose laptop cannot handle the heavy desktop install.
Learning xDesign future-proofs your skills as the industry shifts toward connected, web-based workflows on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It is a smart complement to the desktop courses above, and a good standalone choice if collaboration and accessibility matter more to you than legacy desktop features.
- Best for: Learners who want modern, browser-based CAD that runs on any computer.
4. SOLIDWORKS Academy: Complete Beginner to CSWA Certified {Udemy}
Platform: Udemy | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Duration: ~27 hours | Certificate: Yes | Cost: One-time purchase (often on sale)
This is one of the most thorough independent SolidWorks courses on Udemy, with more than 120 lectures and roughly 27 hours of video covering everything important for modeling, all aimed squarely at getting you CSWA certified. It is structured, patient, and packed with practice exercises, which is exactly what a self-taught learner needs.
At Udemy’s usual sale price it delivers an enormous amount of training for the money, with lifetime access for review. If you want a single, comprehensive purchase that walks you all the way to a certification attempt, this is the standout pick on the platform.
- Best for: Self-taught learners who want a deep, certification-focused course at a low price.
5. Master SolidWorks: Beginner to Advanced {Udemy}
Platform: Udemy | Level: All levels | Duration: ~15 hours | Certificate: Yes | Cost: One-time purchase (often on sale)
This popular Udemy course offers a thorough, practical progression that begins with sketching and feature-based part modeling and advances to more sophisticated techniques like complex assemblies and drawings. The instructor’s clear, no-nonsense teaching style makes it a favorite for learners who found other courses too slow or too theoretical.
It is an excellent value alternative or companion to the CSWA-focused course above, especially if you want broad coverage of real-world modeling techniques rather than a narrow exam focus. Lifetime access means it doubles as a reference you return to as your projects get harder.
- Best for: Learners who want broad, practical modeling skills from beginner to advanced.
6. SOLIDWORKS Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning)
Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Level: Beginner | Duration: ~6 hours | Certificate: Yes | Cost: Free with LinkedIn Learning trial
LinkedIn Learning’s essential training is a clean, professionally produced introduction to the SolidWorks interface, sketching, part modeling, and assemblies. It is frequently cited as one of the best starting points for beginners thanks to its clear pacing and well-structured exercise files.
The full course is available free during a LinkedIn Learning trial, and your certificate posts straight to your profile. It is a survey rather than a certification course, but as a polished, low-risk first look at SolidWorks, it is hard to fault.
- Best for: Beginners who want a polished, free first look at the SolidWorks interface.
7. Dassault SOLIDWORKS Courses (edX)
Platform: edX | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Duration: Varies | Certificate: Paid option | Cost: Free to audit
Dassault Systèmes also publishes official SOLIDWORKS courses on edX that teach the essentials and prepare you for industry-recognized certification exams. As with the Coursera specializations, the value here is authority: this is training written by the people who build the software, so the workflows you learn are the correct ones.
You can audit the material for free and only pay if you want a verified certificate, which makes edX an excellent no-cost option for disciplined self-learners. If you prefer the edX platform or want a second official perspective alongside the Coursera courses, start here.
- Best for: Self-learners who want free, official Dassault training with an optional certificate.
8. MySolidWorks Tutorials
Platform: MySolidWorks (official) | Level: All levels | Duration: Self-paced | Certificate: No | Cost: Free tier
The official MySolidWorks portal offers a large library of free tutorials, getting-started guides, and reference materials straight from the vendor. It is the most reliable place to find correct, up-to-date instructions for a specific feature when you get stuck, and the free tier covers a great deal of foundational content.
There is no structured beginner-to-advanced curriculum here, so it works best as a companion to one of the courses above rather than a standalone path. But as a free, authoritative reference you will return to constantly, it belongs in every SolidWorks learner’s bookmarks.
- Best for: Learners who want free, official reference tutorials for specific features.
9. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers
Platform: Dassault Systèmes | Level: All levels | Duration: Self-paced | Certificate: No | Cost: Low-cost maker license
The biggest barrier to learning SolidWorks is access to the software, and the 3DEXPERIENCE for Makers program solves it with an affordable, non-commercial license aimed at hobbyists and students. It bundles the desktop and cloud tools with learning content, so you can practice everything the courses teach on a legitimate, low-cost license.
It is not a course in itself, but pairing a maker license with any of the training above removes the single most common obstacle for self-learners. Set it up before you start so every lesson can be followed hands-on from day one.
- Best for: Hobbyists and students who need affordable, legitimate access to the software.
10. SolidWorks YouTube Channels
Platform: YouTube | Level: All levels | Duration: Self-paced | Certificate: No | Cost: Free
YouTube is a surprisingly strong free resource for SolidWorks, with channels offering everything from full beginner series to focused tutorials on a single tricky feature or modeling challenge. It is ideal for filling gaps, seeing alternative techniques, and following along with timed modeling exercises that build speed.
The trade-off is the lack of structure and certification, so use it to supplement a core course rather than replace one. For free, on-demand help with a specific problem, though, a quick search will almost always turn up a clear walkthrough.
- Best for: Learners who want free, on-demand help with specific tools and challenges.
How to Choose the Right SolidWorks Course
Start with the official Dassault Systèmes specialization on Coursera if you want one authoritative, certification-ready path; it is the safest choice for most learners. If your priority is a portfolio of real assemblies, add the EDUCBA project course. And if cloud and collaboration matter to you, the xDesign specialization points where the industry is heading.
On a budget, the independent Udemy courses deliver tremendous value and target the CSWA exam directly, while LinkedIn Learning, edX, MySolidWorks, and YouTube cover the essentials for free. Whatever you choose, set up a legitimate license through 3DEXPERIENCE for Makers first so you can model along with every lesson, because hands-on practice is the only thing that turns SolidWorks knowledge into skill.
A practical sequence works well for most people. Begin with a free option, the LinkedIn Learning Essential Training or an edX audit, to confirm you enjoy CAD and to learn the interface without spending anything. Then commit to the official Coursera 3D CAD specialization as your spine, using the EDUCBA project course and the Udemy options to reinforce assemblies and exam technique. Keep MySolidWorks and YouTube open for when you hit a specific wall. Following this order, a motivated beginner can move from never having opened the software to sitting the CSWA exam with confidence inside a single quarter, all for less than the price of a textbook.
Finally, aim for the CSWA certification once you are comfortable. Only a small fraction of SolidWorks users hold any certification, so earning one is a genuine differentiator on a resume. For related skills, see our guides to the best AutoCAD courses and best 3D printing courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SolidWorks hard to learn?
SolidWorks has a learning curve, but it is very approachable with the right course. The fundamentals of sketching, extruding, and assembling parts can be picked up in a few weeks of consistent practice. The depth comes later, with advanced surfacing, simulation, and complex assemblies, but a structured beginner course gets you productive quickly.
Can I learn SolidWorks for free?
Yes. LinkedIn Learning is free during its trial, edX offers free auditing of official Dassault courses, and MySolidWorks tutorials and YouTube channels are free. The main cost to consider is the software itself, which the affordable 3DEXPERIENCE for Makers license solves for hobbyists and students.
Is the CSWA certification worth it?
For anyone pursuing a career in mechanical design or engineering, yes. Only about ten percent of SolidWorks users hold any certification, so a CSWA on your resume signals verified competence and helps you stand out. Most of the paid courses here are built specifically to prepare you for the exam.
How long does it take to learn SolidWorks?
With consistent study, most learners reach a confident beginner level in four to six weeks and become CSWA-ready in two to three months. Following a structured specialization and modeling along with every lesson is the fastest route; passive watching without practice takes far longer and sticks less.
Which SolidWorks course is best for beginners?
The official SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD for Education specialization on Coursera is the best all-round starting point, with the free LinkedIn Learning Essential Training a strong no-cost alternative. Both assume no prior experience and build the fundamentals in a logical, hands-on order.
