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CAD · head to head

Inventor vs Fusion 360

Inventor logo

Inventor

CAD

Professional-grade 3D mechanical design

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

Cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Fusion 360 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Inventor pricing shown as template variables on the page, suggesting dynamic or region-specific pricing; Fusion 360 requires paid subscription for professional use
  • They diverge on capability: Inventor covers Parametric modeling, Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Inventor and Fusion 360 actually diverge.

Attributes where Inventor and Fusion 360 differ
AttributeInventorFusion 360
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWeb, Windows, macOS
CategoryCADManufacturing

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), 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

  • Pricing shown as template variables on the page, suggesting dynamic or region-specific pricing
  • No clear pricing information readily available on the overview page

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.
Inventor review

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.
Fusion 360 review

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

Inventor: How much does Autodesk Inventor cost?

Autodesk Inventor pricing is not displayed on the overview page. Monthly and annual subscription options are available, including single-year and multi-year terms. Customers can access pricing through their Autodesk Account or contact sales.

Source
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.

Source
Inventor: Is there a free trial for Autodesk Inventor?

Yes, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial of Inventor. You can start your project and try the software for free during this period.

Source
Fusion 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.

Source
Fusion 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.

Source
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