The Codebeamer (PTC) Alternative
The smarter alternative to Codebeamer (PTC) for medical device teams
Matrix Req is built by medical device engineers and delivers faster onboarding, richer AI tools, and end-to-end compliance - without Codebeamer (PTC)'s complexity or cost.
Matrix Req vs Codebeamer (PTC) - at a glance
Matrix Req
Codebeamer (PTC)
Built for Medical Device
Purpose-built for MedTech and Life Sciences
General ALM with medical device configurations available
ISO 13485 Certified
Yes, fully certified
Supports compliance but certification depends on customer configuration
AI-powered features
AI-native: requirements analysis, risk detection, test generation
Limited AI capabilities; primarily rule-based automation
Time to value
Weeks, not months
Typically 3-9 months of setup and configuration
Integrated compliance platform
Requirements, quality, risk, and testing in one platform
Broad ALM but requires significant customisation for MedTech workflows
EU / global support
European team with dedicated CSM
US-headquartered (PTC); EU support through partners and global centres
This comparison is based on publicly available information and internal analysis as of June 2026. Features and capabilities may change over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you can refer to the official website of Codebeamer (PTC).
Common frustrations with Codebeamer (PTC)
Teams switching from Codebeamer (PTC) consistently report the same pain points.
Steep learning curve and complex onboardingCodebeamer's interface has evolved over many years of feature additions, resulting in a UI that feels dense and unintuitive for new users. Teams typically require weeks of formal training before they can configure projects independently. For medical device companies already under resource pressure, this ramp-up time is a significant hidden cost that delays validation and go-live.
Excessive setup time before any value is deliveredOut of the box, Codebeamer requires substantial configuration to align with regulatory workflows such as ISO 13485 design controls or IEC 62304 software lifecycle processes. Most implementations involve consultants and take 3-9 months before teams are productive. This stands in stark contrast to modern SaaS tools that ship pre-built MedTech templates on day one.
High total cost of ownershipCodebeamer's pricing model - particularly under PTC ownership - includes per-seat licence fees, professional services, annual maintenance, and often third-party integration costs. When combined with the long implementation timeline, the total cost of ownership is significantly higher than it appears from headline licence pricing. Smaller and mid-size medical device companies frequently find the investment difficult to justify.
Limited and fragmented AI capabilitiesAs of 2025, Codebeamer offers only basic automation and workflow rules rather than true AI-assisted workflows. There is no native AI for requirements quality analysis, automatic risk identification, or intelligent test case generation. Teams that want AI-driven productivity gains must rely on external tools and manual integration, adding complexity and compliance risk.
Poor experience for non-engineering stakeholdersCodebeamer was originally designed for software development teams and carries that bias throughout its UX. Quality managers, regulatory affairs specialists, and clinical teams - who are central to medical device compliance - frequently find the tool inaccessible without IT involvement. This limits cross-functional adoption and pushes critical compliance documentation outside the system.
Support response times and EU time-zone gapsSince PTC acquired Intland Software, many customers have reported changes in support responsiveness. European medical device companies in particular have noted delays when issues arise outside US business hours. For regulated environments where a blocked workflow can halt an audit or submission, slow support is not a minor inconvenience - it is a compliance risk.
The challenge
Our solution
When writing, validating, and preparing technical documentation and audits.
During audits thanks to Matrix Req.
Customers brought their products to market sooner thanks to Matrix Req.
See exactly how the two platforms stack up on the criteria that matter most to regulated product teams.
Matrix Req
Codebeamer (PTC)
This comparison is based on publicly available information and internal analysis as of June 2026. Features and capabilities may change over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you can refer to the official website of Codebeamer (PTC).
- Industry Fit -
Target industries
Medical Device, Life Sciences
Automotive (ASPICE), Aerospace, Medical Device, Industrial IoT
MedTech-specific workflows
Built-in design controls
Available via configuration and templates; not out-of-the-box
Regulatory standards
ISO 13485, IEC 62304, MDR, FDA
IEC 62304, ISO 26262, ASPICE - MedTech requires additional setup
- Compliance -
ISO 13485 certified
Yes
Supports ISO 13485 workflows; platform itself not independently certified
FDA 21 CFR Part 11
Yes
Yes, supported
Audit trail
Full, immutable audit trail
Full audit trail available
- Usability -
Setup time
Days to weeks
Typically 3-9 months with professional services
Training required
Minimal - intuitive MedTech-first UI
Significant - steep learning curve; formal training usually required
- AI Capabilities -
AI-native
Yes
No - rule-based automation only
AI features
Requirements analysis, risk detection, test generation
No native AI features as of 2025
- Support -
EU support
Yes, European team
Available through partners; US-headquartered since PTC acquisition
Onboarding support
Dedicated CSM from day one
Professional services available at additional cost
Matrix Req
- Industry Fit -
Target industries
Medical Device, Life Sciences
MedTech-specific workflows
Built-in design controls
Regulatory standards
ISO 13485, IEC 62304, MDR, FDA
- Compliance -
ISO 13485 certified
Yes
FDA 21 CFR Part 11
Yes
Audit trail
Full, immutable audit trail
- Usability -
Setup time
Days to weeks
Training required
Minimal - intuitive MedTech-first UI
- AI Capabilities -
AI-native
Yes
AI features
Requirements analysis, risk detection, test generation
- Support -
EU support
Yes, European team
Onboarding support
Dedicated CSM from day one
Codebeamer (PTC)
- Industry Fit -
Target industries
Automotive (ASPICE), Aerospace, Medical Device, Industrial IoT
MedTech-specific workflows
Available via configuration and templates; not out-of-the-box
Regulatory standards
IEC 62304, ISO 26262, ASPICE - MedTech requires additional setup
- Compliance -
ISO 13485 certified
Supports ISO 13485 workflows; platform itself not independently certified
FDA 21 CFR Part 11
Yes, supported
Audit trail
Full audit trail available
- Usability -
Setup time
Typically 3-9 months with professional services
Training required
Significant - steep learning curve; formal training usually required
- AI Capabilities -
AI-native
No - rule-based automation only
AI features
No native AI features as of 2025
- Support -
EU support
Available through partners; US-headquartered since PTC acquisition
Onboarding support
Professional services available at additional cost
Switching is easy / Migrate from Codebeamer (PTC) in 4 simple steps
We handle the heavy lifting. Most teams are fully live in under 60 days.
Free migration assessment (30 min)
We analyse your Codebeamer (PTC) configuration and map it to Matrix Req.
Automated data export & mapping
Requirements, risks, tests, and traces migrated with full traceability preserved.
Configure, validate & sign off
Workflows, roles, and templates configured with IQ/OQ documentation ready.
Go live - and keep improving
Full onboarding with a dedicated Customer Success Manager from day one.
“
“I think we easily saved six months by working with Matrix One to create efficient digital workflows.”
CV
Carl Van Lierde
VP Product Development, Vipun Medical
Book your migration assessment
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