Loading page
Fictiv alternative: when a rep network fits better
Fictiv is a digital manufacturing platform: instant quotes for machined, molded, cast and printed parts, made by a vetted and managed global partner network. It is the right call for fast CNC and molded parts with program support. SSG MFG is a rep firm: one RFQ to several principals, negotiated and managed, strongest on stamping, deep draw, powdered metal, springs, forging and other tooled lines.
Fictiv · instant-quote platform
- Youto
- Fictivto
- Partner shops
SSG MFG · rep firm
- Youto
- SSG repto
- Principals
What is Fictiv?
A digital manufacturing platform: instant quoting in front of a vetted, managed global network of manufacturing partners, with its own program and quality teams. Every line here is from Fictiv's own site; the numbers link to the page.
- Model
- A vetted and managed global network of manufacturers, rather than its own factories.1
- Quoting
- Instant part quoting for prototypes and expedited orders, with pricing for up to five quantity tiers in one quote. RFQs for complex parts and production programs.13
- Speed
- CNC parts in as fast as 2 days; T1 molded samples in as fast as 10 days, as stated on its home page.1
- Processes listed
- CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, die casting, 3D printing, compression molding, urethane casting, plus assembly and welding.1
- Operations
- US, Mexico, China and India.1
- File formats listed
- STEP, IGES and STL; mesh formats for 3D printing.4
- Certifications listed
- Fictiv holds ISO 9001:2015 and works with partners holding AS9100, ISO 13485 and IATF 16949. FAI, CMM and PPAP are options.2
Checked
When is Fictiv the right call?
Plainly: for these jobs, use Fictiv or a service like it.
- 01
CNC and molded parts on a tight clock
CNC parts in as fast as 2 days and T1 molded samples in as fast as 10 days, priced online, is the core of Fictiv's offer.
- 02
You want a platform with a program team
Fictiv lists manufacturing, quality and program engineers behind the platform, so larger programs get people as well as software.
- 03
You are comparing quantity tiers early
Five quantity tiers in one quote shows the price curve before you commit to a volume.
- 04
Die cast and molded parts from one account
Die casting, molding, machining and printing are all listed, with duty-paid delivery options.
When does SSG fit better?
Tooled production, steady volume, and a program someone has to run.
1. The part is stamped, drawn, pressed, coiled or forged
Metal stamping, deep draw, powdered metal, springs and fourslide, forging, rubber extrusion, screw machining and soft goods are core SSG lines, and none is listed on Fictiv's site.
2. You want several plants competing on your RFQ
SSG sends one RFQ to several principals and puts the quotes side by side, so you see the spread and choose the plant.
3. You want a direct relationship with the plant
With SSG you know the principal, can audit it, and keep dealing with the same plant, with the rep alongside.
4. You are building your own tools and agents
SSG's estimator is open over a REST API and an MCP server, so your own software and AI agents can price parts.
Deep draw, a core SSG line. How it works
How does an order move through Fictiv vs SSG?
The difference is who sits in the middle. Fictiv prices the part and picks the shop. At SSG, a rep puts one RFQ in front of several principals and negotiates for you.
- Who prices it
- Platform software, on upload
- Who picks the maker
- The platform, after you order
- Who you talk to
- The platform
workprices
Fictiv, step by step
- 1
Upload
Upload a 3D model, a 2D drawing or both.
- 2
Instant quote or RFQ
Instant quotes for prototypes and expedited parts; complex parts and production programs go through an RFQ.
- 3
Partner selected
Fictiv's sourcing picks the supplier in its network for the part.
- 4
Tracked to delivery
Production status and inspection photos on the platform, with duty-paid delivery options.
From Fictiv's site3
SSG, step by step
- 1
Estimate in the builder
Upload or configure the part and get an instant budgetary estimate with DFM feedback. The same estimator answers over the API and MCP server.
- 2
Send one RFQ
Drawing, quantities, material, finish and the certifications the program needs. One submission.
- 3
Several principals quote
The RFQ goes to vetted principals qualified for the process. Your rep lays the quotes side by side.
- 4
Negotiate and award
Your rep negotiates price, tooling terms and schedule. You pick the plant and know who it is.
- 5
Managed to production
Tooling kickoff, first article or PPAP, releases, changes and corrective action run through your rep.
Which processes does Fictiv list, and which does SSG?
"Not listed" means we did not find it on Fictiv's public pages on September 29, 2026. It does not mean they can't help; ask them.
Core SSG lines not listed on Fictiv's site: stamping, deep draw, powdered metal, springs & wire forms, forging, screw machining, soft goods.
| Process | Fictiv | SSG MFG |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | YesListed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Sheet metal | YesListed1 | PartlyNetwork line, onboarding principals |
| Injection molding | YesListed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Die casting | YesListed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| 3D printing | YesListed1 | PartlyNetwork line, onboarding principals |
| Urethane casting | YesListed1 | PartlyNetwork line, onboarding principals |
| Rubber | PartlyCompression molding listed; rubber extrusion not listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Stamping | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Deep draw | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Powdered metal | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Springs & wire forms | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Forging | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Screw machining | Not listedNot listed separately from CNC1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
| Soft goods | Not listedNot listed1 | YesCore line, 25+ years |
Listed In part Not listed
How does buying from Fictiv differ from SSG?
Price, who makes the part, who quotes, and the paperwork. Their column is sourced; ours is how SSG works.
FictivSSG MFG
- Price on uploaded CAD
- FictivYesInstant quotes, up to five quantity tiers13
- SSGPartlyBudgetary estimate in seconds in the builder. Firm price comes from principals after drawing review.
- Who makes the part
- FictivA partner in Fictiv's managed network, selected by Fictiv13
- SSGA principal SSG represents, chosen with you. You see who makes the part before you order.
- Program support
- FictivYesProgram, quality and manufacturing engineers listed1
- SSGYesYour rep manages the program with the principal through production.
- Certifications
- FictivISO 9001:2015; partners with AS9100, ISO 13485, IATF 169492
- SSGSSG holds no manufacturing certifications. RFQs go only to principals holding what the program requires.
- FAI and PPAP
- FictivYesOptional, at extra cost2
- SSGYesPick FAI or PPAP in the builder; the principal submits it.
- File formats
- FictivSTEP, IGES, STL and mesh formats4
- SSGBuilder: STEP, IGES, STL, OBJ, 3MF. RFQ form: STEP, IGES, STL, DXF, PDF drawings, ZIP.
The honest trade: an instant firm price is faster than any RFQ. For tooled parts, the firm number still depends on a toolmaker reading your drawing, which is why SSG's instant number is labelled budgetary. How to write an RFQ
Which fits my job: Fictiv or SSG?
Pick the part, the quantity and what matters most. Fictiv stands in for its model, scored on the processes it lists. The number underneath is the SSG builder's budgetary estimate for a typical part.
Quantity per order
What matters most
Someone to run the program.
SSG builder · budgetary estimate
Typical housing in a380 at 5,000 pcs, tooling $21,823, lead time 8–12 weeks. Budgetary, not a quote.
Best fit for die casting, 1,000 to 25,000 parts, someone to run the program: Manufacturers' rep firm.
Manufacturers' rep firmSSG MFG
Best fit- Die casting is a core SSG line, represented for 25+ years.
- Several principals quoting the same RFQ shows the real price spread.
- Your rep runs tooling, first article, PPAP, changes and corrective action.
Instant-quote platformFictivFictiv's model
Good fit- Fictiv lists die casting on its own site.
- At thousands of parts, one platform price is not competed by several makers.
- Program support varies by platform.
Direct to a shop
Possible- Any process works if you can find, qualify and audit the shop yourself.
- Good if you have a sourcing team to qualify shops.
- You manage the shop yourself.
Digital factory
Poor fit- The digital factory compared here offers die casting only through partners.
- Quick-turn tools are built for speed; production tools are built for volume.
- Built for self-serve ordering.
A ranking aid. Coverage uses what each company lists on its own site; weights reflect how each model typically prices and runs work. Price your own part
Questions about Fictiv and SSG
Is SSG MFG a Fictiv competitor?
For some parts. Both take custom parts from CAD to delivery and both put people on the program. Fictiv is a platform whose managed network makes the part. SSG is a manufacturers' rep firm: one RFQ to several principals it represents, with the quotes side by side and a rep negotiating for you.
Does SSG work with offshore plants like Fictiv's network?
Yes. Offshore sourcing is a core SSG line, alongside domestic principals. An RFQ can go to domestic and offshore principals at once, and the builder compares landed cost as a budgetary estimate.
Which is better for a zinc die cast housing?
Either can fit. Both list die casting. SSG's edge is several die casters quoting the same RFQ at production volume and a rep negotiating tooling terms. For fast samples with instant pricing, Fictiv's platform is quicker to a first number.
Does SSG give instant quotes?
Instant budgetary estimates, yes, in the builder and over the API and MCP server. Firm prices come from principals after they review the drawing.
Who pays the rep at SSG?
The principal pays the rep a commission on orders that ship. The buyer pays the principal's quoted price and nothing to the rep.
Also compared: Xometry, Protolabs, and all four buying models.
Where do these facts come from?
Fictiv's own public pages. No prices or partner counts, because those change.
- 1Fictiv home pagefictiv.com/
- 2Fictiv qualityfictiv.com/quality
- 3How Fictiv worksfictiv.com/how-it-works
- 4Fictiv supported file formatsfictiv.com/help/uploading-and-organizing-parts/what-file-formats-does-fictiv-support
Checked September 29, 2026. Company names are used to identify them; SSG MFG is not affiliated with any of them. Their sites are the authority on what they offer today.
Put one RFQ in front of several plants.
Estimate the part in the builder for a budgetary number and DFM, then send the RFQ. Your rep takes it from there.