Software · head to head
Inventor vs Fusion 360
The short version
- Only Fusion 360 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Inventor autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product; Fusion 360 requires paid subscription for professional use
- They diverge on capability: Inventor covers Parametric modeling, Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Inventor and Fusion 360 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Inventor | Fusion 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows | Web, Windows, macOS |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1982).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Inventor
- Parametric modeling
- Assembly design
- Sheet metal
- Rendering
- Technical documentation
- Frame generator
- AutoCAD
- Vault
Only in Fusion 360
- 3D CAD modeling
- CAM programming
- PCB design
- Cloud collaboration
- Autodesk ecosystem
- Manufacturing partners
- PLM systems
- ERP systems
Both cover
- Simulation
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Inventor
- Mechanical designnot Fusion 360
- Product developmentnot Fusion 360
- Manufacturing documentationnot Fusion 360
Fusion 360
- Product designnot Inventor
- Prototypingnot Inventor
- Manufacturingnot Inventor
- 3D printingnot Inventor
- Simulationnot Inventor
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Inventor
- Autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product
Fusion 360
- Requires paid subscription for professional use
- Cloud-based, requires internet connection
- Free tier limited to students and educators
Pricing, plan by plan
Inventor
$29/month- Inventor$2085/month
- Full mechanical design
- Simulation
- Documentation
- Product Design & Manufacturing Collection$2475/month
- Inventor + AutoCAD + more
Fusion 360
Free- Personal UseFree
- Non-commercial use
- Basic CAD tools
- Cloud storage
- Commercial$70/month
- Full CAD/CAM/CAE
- Simulation
- Rendering
Which should you pick?
Choose Inventor if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want assembly design.
Choose Fusion 360 if
- You need 3d cad modeling.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Windows, macOS.
- You also want cam programming.
Questions people ask
- Is Inventor or Fusion 360 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Inventor starts at $29/month and Fusion 360 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Inventor or Fusion 360?
- Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Inventor and Free for Fusion 360.
- Does Inventor or Fusion 360 run on more platforms?
- Inventor runs on Windows. Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS.
- Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
- Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Inventor starts at $29/month.
- What is Inventor best used for?
- Inventor is most often used for mechanical design, product development, manufacturing documentation. Of those, mechanical design and product development are not what Fusion 360 is typically brought in for.
- What can Inventor do that Fusion 360 cannot?
- Inventor covers Parametric modeling, Assembly design, Sheet metal, Rendering. Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, CAM programming, PCB design, Cloud collaboration. Both handle Simulation, Windows support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Fusion 360: Is Fusion 360 free?
Fusion 360 is free for students, educators, and academic institutions with full features. It offers a 30-day free trial for all users, and a limited personal-use license for hobbyists and makers.
SourceFusion 360: How much does Fusion 360 cost for professionals?
Fusion 360 professional subscriptions start at $85/month, $680/year, or $2,040 for a 3-year commitment. Startups that qualify can get a discount starting at $150.
SourceFusion 360: Does Fusion 360 support 3D modeling, CAD, and CAM?
Yes. Fusion 360 is a cloud-based platform that integrates 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE (simulation), and PCB design in one software.
SourceRelated pages
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