Manufacturers leverage Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software to oversee the entire life cycle of a product, from design to disposal. A PLM solution collects various data points tied to other enterprise software applications and makes them accessible to users across manufacturing departments. These data are essential for manufacturers to optimize their production process, comply with regulations, promote employee collaboration, generate documentation, reduce quality issues, etc.
There are many PLM software solutions available, but they don’t always have the same capabilities and differ in their approach to product visibility. To help simplify the purchase decision process and provide competitive benchmarking, this blog post compares 5 renowned PLM software options from ABI Research’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Large Discrete Manufacturers competitive ranking.
Key Takeaways
- Siemens has taken the top ranking for PLM software, swapping spots with second-place PTC since the last assessment.
- Dassault Systèmes ranked third once again, with a strong PLM solution in ENOVIA.
- Autodesk and Aras traded spots, with the former ranking fourth in the 2025 assessment. Aras rounds out the top five PLM vendors.
- The inclusion of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key differentiator as it streamlines production and design processes.
- Support for Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is also a deciding factor for many large discrete manufacturers.
- The top implementing vendors of PLM solutions offer flexible deployment options (on-premises and SaaS) and allow customers to purchase the solution in multiple ways.
Table of Contents
Table 1: Comparing the Top Five PLM Software Vendors
| Company Name | Score (out of 100) | Standout Features | Strengths | Best For (Who Would Be Interested?) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens | 83.1 | Teamcenter and Teamcenter X, Mendix low-code platform, Gen AI-powered Copilot, CPQ and CLM tools, token-based licensing, Xcelerator Marketplace connectivity | Broad enterprise integration, advanced MBSE and digital twin, compliance with AI search, flexible licensing, largest PLM market share, strongest innovation and implementation | Large discrete manufacturers needing full-featured scalable PLM with AI copilots, flexible deployment, and deep ecosystem connectivity |
| PTC | 78.5 | Windchill and Arena PLM, Vuforia VR integration, digital thread support, Windchill AI Assistant, real-time collaboration | Strong customer base across major industries, robust collaboration, post-sales support, broad manufacturing software connections, dual PLM deployment models | Manufacturers prioritizing real-time collaboration, digital thread visibility, and mixed SaaS/on-prem deployment options |
| Dassault Systèmes | 75.2 | ENOVIA on 3DEXPERIENCE, MBSE capabilities, Augmented Experience 3D onboarding, REST and SOAP APIs, Gen AI assistants | Unified digital twin architecture, strong implementation for all discrete sectors, modular role-based deployment, flexible licensing options | Enterprises using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or seeking virtual twin-enabled PLM with strong scalability and multi-app integration |
| Aras | 70.9 | Aras Innovator, Innovator Edge for low-code API, fast deployment, OOTB configurability, MBSE and digital thread support | Strong mainstream PLM option, fast time to value, modular customization, integration with core manufacturing software, intuitive low-code tools | Manufacturers seeking quick-to-deploy, flexible PLM platforms with strong digital thread foundations and extensibility |
| Autodesk | 68.9 | Fusion Manage, Flex Tokens for purchasing, modular scaling, multi-digital twin deployment, simple user interface | Strong scalability, flexible pricing, user-friendly experience, cloud-native by design, notable in automotive and electronics sectors | Cloud-first manufacturers requiring flexible pricing, easy-to-use PLM interfaces, and modular functionality without the need for on-prem deployment |
What Is PLM Software?
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is a centralized data repository for manufactured products. It contains crucial information about changes from the design to the shipping process. The data-richness of a PLM solution is crucial, enabling manufacturers to design, develop, and ship their products more efficiently and sustainably.
In today’s complex global supply chain, having a central repository of product information is not just beneficial, it's crucial. In this regard, PLM software helps enterprises manage parts orders, documentation, regulation compliance, engineering changes, and more.
To keep track of all up-to-date product information, PLM software integrates with other enterprise software applications, such as Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Quality Management System (QMS) tools.
According to ABI Research analysis, manufacturers are projected to spend more than US$8 billion on PLM solutions in 2025. By 2034, that number will increase to US$25.5 billion, with large manufacturers remaining the biggest customers.
1. Siemens
Siemens’ Teamcenter platform placed first in our 2025 competitive ranking, being one of the most forward-looking PLM software solutions available today. Its Teamcenter solution had the highest score in both innovation and implementation criteria.
Siemens' strengths include:
- Broad integration with enterprise systems and low-code extensibility via Mendix
- Strong native Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital twin capabilities
- Market-leading compliance support with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered search
- Built-in Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools, reducing reliance on third parties
- Flexible deployment, licensing, and unique token-based purchasing model
With Teamcenter and Teamcenter X, Siemens provides the strongest offering for manufacturers looking for a complex PLM solution that can be configured, scaled, and deployed across all discrete industries.
While scoring in the top percentile for all criteria, the standout feature that separates Siemens from the competition is an advanced Gen AI-powered Copilot, an area in which vendors are still waiting to roll out solutions for general availability.
Additionally, Siemens holds the largest market share by revenue for PLM solutions and has a user base within the tens of thousands, resulting in the highest scores for the commercial success criteria. Another noteworthy strong suite of Teamcenter is the connectivity to the widest array of external manufacturing software through the Xcelerator Marketplace.
2. PTC
Although PTC's top ranking was sidestepped by Siemens in 2025, the Boston-based company's Windchill and Windchill+ is a strong contender for the overall best PLM solution for large discrete manufacturers.
PTC has a strong customer base of large manufacturers such as Raytheon, the U.S. Navy, Volkswagen, Cummins, ABB, Johnson & Johnson, and Nextracker. PTC offers two PLM solutions: Windchill (on-premises and SaaS) and Arena (SaaS). Companies in the industrial, A&D, automotive, electronics & high tech, and medical devices spaces are key users of PTC PLM software.
PTC's strengths are:
- Virtual Reality (VR) connection with Vuforia
- Top-of-the-line post-sales support
- Support for all discrete industries through Windchill and Arena
- A strong digital thread connection with numerous connections to manufacturing software
- Best-in-class support for real-time collaboration across disparate teams
How can PTC rank higher?
For improvement, PTC needs to continue along the path of Gen AI additions, specifically Windchill AI Assistant as Large Language Models (LLMs) are currently available within other solutions (e.g., Teamcenter and ENOVIA).
Gen AI is one of the most valuable features for large discrete manufacturers when deciding to choose a PLM solution, making it a priority for PTC's product development team.
Finally, the use of tokenization for purchasing would move the needle for PTC as the PLM market is witnessing an uptake in use rates for fungible tokens given the enhanced flexibility they provide.
Placing third once again in ABI Research’s PLM vendor assessment is French software company Dassault Systèmes. It has offered a PLM software solution called ENOVIA since 1999.
Dassault's innovation strengths lie within the connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which enables manufacturers to craft a digital thread with ENOVIA seamlessly. Additionally, the native MBSE capabilities within the platform is a distinguishing feature that mainstream ranked vendors do not currently provide.
For implementation, Dassault Systèmes provides ENOVIA to all discrete industries and is tied for first with Siemens. Dassault Systèmes also scored third highest in scalability, with the utilization of modular role-based architecture that can be ported across multiple manufacturing sites for quick deployment in new locations.
Key features of Dassault Systèmes’ PLM software include:
- Connectivity is enabled across in-house software systems like MES, CAD, etc
- REST and SOAP APIs facilitate bi-directional data exchange between applications
- A unified digital twin allows manufacturers to accelerate New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Native Gen AI support provies role-specific applications and virtual assistants
- Users can purchase via subscription or perpetual license, providing payment flexibility
How can Dassault Systèmes rank higher?
To improve ranking in forthcoming assessments, Dassault Systèmes should look to revamp the configuration process by which ENOVIA is deployed. The most common deployment strategy for large discrete manufacturers utilizing ENOVIA is to work with ISVs and VARs, as configuring ENOVIA in-house is not an easy task.
Lastly, ENOVIA should look to expand the number of industry, country, and international regulations tracked within the solution, as this is an area in which it falls behind Siemens and PTC.
4. Aras
Aras moved up a spot in this year's PLM product assessment, ranking fourth overall. Aras Innovator is the leading PLM solution within the mainstream vendor category, with an innovation score of 76.5 and an implementation score of 65.0.
Aras scores above average for digital thread creation with strong MBSE architecture, connections to essential manufacturing software, and the use of low-code API management through Aras Innovator Edge.
Where Aras shines:
- Digital thread creation
- MBSE architecture
- Essential software integrations
- Low-code API management
Additionally, Aras' average deployment time is significantly lower than other PLM vendors as strong Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) functionality means that configurations and customizations are not as burdensome for end-using manufacturers.
How can Aras rank higher?
Holding Aras back from being an overall leader in PLM solutions is the reliance on external partnerships and software. With no native AR/VR or CPQ capabilities, manufacturers must look elsewhere for this functionality. Lastly, Innovator does not score highly on commercial success, with vendors such as Siemens, Dassault Systèmes, Autodesk, and SAP having larger market share than Aras.
5. Autodesk
San Francisco-based Autodesk rounds out the top five PLM vendors. Autodesk Fusion Manage is a solidified mainstream provider for PLM, scoring 69.1 on innovation and 68.7 on implementations. Its biggest customers come from large discrete industries such as automotive, electronics, and aerospace.
Placing above average in implementation, Fusion Manage’s niche comes from the flexibility in scaling the solution along with purchasing. Fusion Manage has a simplistic interface and deploys as a modular solution so that users can scale the solution up or down based on functionality required.
Furthermore, Autodesk offers purchasing of Fusion Manage and additional modules with Flex Tokens, making the solution stand out as the only provider besides Siemens to offer this service.
Standout benefits of Autodesk Fusion Manage are:
- Strong product scalability due to modular design
- Can be purchased by subscription or buying Flex Tokens
- Easy-to-use interface
- Ability for manufacturers to deploy multiple digital twins
How can Autodesk rank higher?
Hindering Autodesk from being an overall PLM market leader comes from three facets. Fusion Manage is only sold as SaaS and no on-premises deployment is available. This limits the Total Addressable Market (TAM) as large discrete manufacturers have the infrastructure and willingness to deploy on-premises.
A lack of native MBSE and Gen AI Copilots also hinders Autodesk’s final scoring, as MBSE and Gen AI are among the top issues for manufacturers when choosing a PLM solution. Lastly, Autodesk does not serve the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) market, which accounts for a sizable portion of global discrete manufacturing revenue.
A Further Look at the Top PLM Software Companies
Product lifecycle management software is rapidly evolving to accommodate manufacturers’ increasing requirements. A single source of truth is critical for enterprises to optimize product designs, tweak supply chain strategies, meet regulatory compliances, etc.
New technology integrations like Gen AI and mixed reality enhance PLM software capabilities by automating tasks and promoting immersive means of coordination for engineers and other manufacturing employees. At the same time, a growing number of SaaS-based solutions reduce costs and minimize deployment complexity. The increased adoption of PLM software is expected to result in an estimated US$25.7 billion market valuation by 2033, according to ABI Research’s most recent forecasts.
The vendors compared in this article are at the forefront of cutting-edge PLM software. The top vendors differentiate themselves through technology innovation and customer-friendly service models.
This post only scratches the surface of the in-depth evaluation our research analysts provided. Moreover, the full criteria we used to rank these companies has yet to be revealed. Download the competitive ranking today for a closer study.
