Packaging Planning Software That Uses Part Geometry: 2026 Comparison

Short answer: Four tools plan container packing from imported part files: PackAssistant, Pakera, Pack Studio and Optipacker. PackAssistant documents packing by the 3D part shape. Pakera converts part files to a mesh for planning. Pack Studio adds automated dunnage design and landed cost. Optipacker packs by part dimensions and carries the result into inserts, design release, packaging investment and purchase orders. TOPS Pro, MaxLoad Pro and Cape Pack plan cases, pallets and vehicles from dimensions. ArtiosCAD designs the box or fitment itself.

We build Optipacker, so read this comparison with that in mind. Every statement about another product comes from the vendor's public pages, checked on 12 October 2026. The sources are at the end. Check the vendor pages for current details.

Three kinds of tools

• Part-based container planners start from the part file. They calculate how many parts fit in a container, and in which positions.
• Box-based load planners start from case dimensions or predefined shapes. They plan case sizes, pallet patterns and vehicle loads.
• Structural packaging design software designs the box, carton or fitment around an imported product model.

Comparison table

PackAssistant

PackAssistant from Fraunhofer SCAI calculates dense packings of identical parts in standard containers from 3D CAD data. It uses the actual part geometry, not only the length, width and height. The 2026 version adds pallet and truck loading and cost calculation. It runs on 64-bit Windows with a central database and does not connect to external servers. scapos AG sells floating licences, and a free time-limited demo is available. Consider it when you pack many identical, complex parts and the densest layout is the main decision.

Pakera

Pakera is a browser tool from a team near Munich. It converts STEP, STL or OBJ files to a simplified mesh on your device before upload. It fills containers, selects containers and plans pallet stacks. It builds an editable bill of materials with packaging and transport cost per part, and it reports transport emissions under ISO 14083. On 12 October 2026 it had a free tier and paid tiers of €29.60 and €60.80 for each user per month, billed annually. Consider it when you want a self-service web tool with published prices.

Pack Studio

Inkbit launched Pack Studio in October 2025. It plans box, pallet and truckload layouts from CAD imports. Its Automated Dunnage Designer creates foam inserts, partitions and molded trays and exports them to CAD. It also calculates landed cost and ROI, and it sizes returnable fleets. Pricing is by quote. Consider it when you need automated dunnage design and landed cost in one tool.

Optipacker

Optipacker is a web platform from 3D Obiecto in the Czech Republic. It imports STL files and calculates arranged packing in containers, with each part placed as its bounding box. Packing by the real part shape is in testing and is not yet available to all customers. From the arrangement, Optipacker derives standard blisters and dividers. Its engineers review insert designs and release them with technical drawings. The same project holds the packaging investment, payback and cash flow, the bill of materials, demand plans and purchase orders. A REST API returns container recommendations for e-commerce. Consider it when the packing result must carry through insert release, the investment case and purchasing.

Box-based load planners

TOPS Pro, MaxLoad Pro and Esko Cape Pack work with case dimensions and predefined shapes such as cartons, bottles and bags. TOPS Pro sizes cases, plans pallet patterns and estimates compression strength. MaxLoad Pro plans truck, container, railcar and air cargo loads. Cape Pack sizes cases, plans pallets and truck loads and reports CO2 data. Their product pages do not document STL or STEP import. Use them when you know the case dimensions, or for products in standard shapes.

Structural packaging design

Esko ArtiosCAD designs corrugated and folding carton structures, internal fitments and displays in 2D and 3D. It imports STEP, IGES, SolidWorks and other CAD formats, so you can design the structure around the product. Its product page does not describe a calculation of how many parts fit in a container. Esko sells it as a subscription in four editions.

How to choose

1. If your parts are identical and complex, and the densest layout matters most, test PackAssistant or Pakera.
2. If you need dunnage designed automatically with landed cost, test Pack Studio.
3. If the packing decision must carry through insert release, the returnable packaging investment and purchase orders, test Optipacker.
4. If your products are cartons, bottles or bags, use a box-based planner such as TOPS Pro, MaxLoad Pro or Cape Pack.
5. If you design the box or fitment structure, use ArtiosCAD.

Test each candidate with three of your own parts: a blocky part, an L-shaped or hollow part and a slim part. The gain from packing by shape depends on the part. In our measurements, it was between 0 % and 50 %. For a closer look at one pair, read Optipacker vs PackAssistant.

Sources

• PackAssistant product page
• PackAssistant site (scapos)
• Fraunhofer press release: PackAssistant plans truck loading and calculates costs
• Pakera and Pakera pricing
• Pack Studio and Inkbit launch announcement
• TOPS Pro and MaxLoad Pro
• Esko ArtiosCAD and Esko Cape Pack
• Optipacker product overview