Optipacker vs PackAssistant: Which Packaging Planner Fits Your Process?
Updated
Vojtech Dousa
PackAssistant nests identical parts by their 3D shape on a Windows desktop. Optipacker plans in the browser and connects packing to inserts, investment and purchasing.
Short answer: PackAssistant is a Windows desktop tool from Fraunhofer SCAI. It nests identical parts in containers by their 3D shape and plans pallets, trucks and costs. Optipacker is a web platform. It plans container packing from part dimensions and carries the result into inserts, design release, packaging investment and purchase orders.
We build Optipacker. Every statement about PackAssistant comes from its public product pages and Fraunhofer press releases, checked on 12 October 2026.
Side by side
| PackAssistant | Optipacker | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Fraunhofer SCAI, sold by scapos AG | 3D Obiecto s.r.o., Czech Republic |
| Deployment | 64-bit Windows desktop with a central database. No connection to external servers. | Web browser. Accounts are set up for each company. |
| Part files | JT, STEP, IGES, VRML, STL | STL, manual dimensions, AI estimate from photos. STEP or STL for design review. |
| Packing basis | Actual 3D part geometry, identical parts | Part bounding box. Packing by part shape is in testing. |
| Pallets and trucks | Pallet and truck loading since the 2026 version | Pallet loads with height, weight and load-zone limits. No truck loading. |
| Inserts | Trays and inserts for fixed intermediate layers, compartments | Standard blisters and dividers from the arrangement. Engineer review, drawing and release. |
| Cost | Cost per part, container, pallet, truckload and trip | Packaging pool investment, operating and replacement costs |
| Investment and payback | Not documented | Amortization, payback and multi-year cash flow |
| Purchasing | Not documented | Bill of materials, demand plans, purchase orders, receipt tracking |
| Integration | Automation add-on (Excel add-in or API) with its own licence | REST API for container recommendations |
| Licence | Floating licence. No public prices. Free time-limited demo. | Price on request. Quick Plan and a packing example without an account. |
Where PackAssistant is stronger
- It nests parts by their real 3D shape. For L-shaped, hollow or angled parts, this can fit more parts than bounding-box packing. Fraunhofer states that users improved packing density by up to 25 %.
- It plans truck loading and logistics cost for each trip.
- It reads more CAD formats, including JT and STEP.
- It runs only on your own systems, which some IT policies require.
Where Optipacker is stronger
- It runs in the browser. Engineering, logistics and purchasing work in one shared project.
- It derives blisters and dividers from the arrangement. Its engineers review the insert design and release it with a technical drawing.
- It models the returnable packaging investment: pool size, operating and replacement costs, amortization, payback and cash flow.
- It creates demand plans and purchase orders from the packaging bill of materials.
- It has a REST API for e-commerce container recommendations.
Which one to choose
Choose PackAssistant if the densest layout of identical, complex parts is the main decision and your team works on Windows desktops. Choose Optipacker if the packing result must carry through insert release, the investment case and purchasing.
Packing by part shape in Optipacker
We are testing packing by the real part shape. In our measurements at 5 mm gaps, it fitted about 31 % more of an open bracket model and 0 to 3 % more of two slim parts. It is not yet available to all customers. Read the measurements and method, or contact us to test it with your parts.
Sources
- PackAssistant product page
- PackAssistant site (scapos)
- Fraunhofer press release: PackAssistant plans truck loading and calculates costs
- Fraunhofer press release, September 2025: pairing function and automation add-on
- Fraunhofer SCAI: PackAssistant packing density statement
- Comparison of packaging planning software that uses part geometry
Ready to optimize your packaging?
Try Optipacker today and see the difference.