Softwr

Manufacturing · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Global Shop Solutions

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Global Shop Solutions logo

Global Shop Solutions

ERP

Cloud and on-premise ERP for small manufacturers

From
$500/month
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: Fusion 360 requires paid subscription for professional use; Global Shop Solutions no price or price range is published; the pricing page collects business details and returns a quote instead
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Global Shop Solutions covers Financial management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fusion 360 and Global Shop Solutions actually diverge.

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Global Shop Solutions differ
AttributeFusion 360Global Shop Solutions
Starting priceFree$500/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSCloud, On-premise, Web
CategoryManufacturingERP
Founded19821985

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

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 Fusion 360

  • 3D CAD modeling
  • Simulation
  • CAM programming
  • PCB design
  • Cloud collaboration
  • Autodesk ecosystem
  • Manufacturing partners
  • PLM systems

Only in Global Shop Solutions

  • Financial management
  • Manufacturing
  • Inventory management
  • Order management
  • Reporting
  • REST APIs
  • EDI
  • QuickBooks

Both cover

  • Access controls
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fusion 360

  • Product designnot Global Shop Solutions
  • Prototypingnot Global Shop Solutions
  • Manufacturingnot Global Shop Solutions
  • 3D printingnot Global Shop Solutions
  • Simulationnot Global Shop Solutions

Global Shop Solutions

  • ERP for discrete manufacturers running job shops and make to order productionnot Fusion 360
  • Shop floor data collection and schedulingnot Fusion 360
  • Running manufacturing ERP on premise, in the cloud or as SaaSnot Fusion 360

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fusion 360

  • Requires paid subscription for professional use
  • Cloud-based, requires internet connection
  • Free tier limited to students and educators

Global Shop Solutions

  • No price or price range is published; the pricing page collects business details and returns a quote instead
  • Licensing is by concurrent user, meaning the number of employees in the system at once, rather than by named seat
  • Cost is split into an upfront charge plus an ongoing quarterly charge rather than a single subscription
  • Graphical shop floor interfaces carry their own upfront and ongoing quarterly cost on top of the base licence
  • No minimum user count, implementation fee or contract term is published

Pricing, plan by plan

Fusion 360

Free
  • Personal UseFree
    • Non-commercial use
    • Basic CAD tools
    • Cloud storage
  • Commercial$70/month
    • Full CAD/CAM/CAE
    • Simulation
    • Rendering

Global Shop Solutions

$500/month
  • Starter$500/month
    • Basic ERP
    • Inventory management
    • Financial module
  • Premium$1500/month
    • Advanced modules
    • Manufacturing
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Fusion 360 if

  • You need 3d cad modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want simulation.
Fusion 360 review

Choose Global Shop Solutions if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
  • You also want manufacturing.
Global Shop Solutions review

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Global Shop Solutions better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Global Shop Solutions at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Global Shop Solutions?
Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and $500/month for Global Shop Solutions.
Does Fusion 360 or Global Shop Solutions run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Global Shop Solutions runs on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Global Shop Solutions starts at $500/month.
What is Fusion 360 best used for?
Fusion 360 is most often used for product design, prototyping, manufacturing, 3d printing. Of those, product design and prototyping are not what Global Shop Solutions is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Global Shop Solutions cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Global Shop Solutions covers Financial management, Manufacturing, Inventory management, Order management. Both handle Access controls, Web 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.

Source
Global Shop Solutions: How much does Global Shop Solutions cost?

Global Shop Solutions does not publish pricing online. The company uses a concurrent user model with upfront and ongoing quarterly costs. Exact pricing varies by business requirements and must be obtained through a custom quote.

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
Global Shop Solutions: What is Global Shop Solutions pricing model?

Global Shop Solutions uses a concurrent user model based on the number of employees in the system at once. Pricing includes upfront costs and ongoing quarterly payments. Software updates and support are included in the ongoing cost.

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
Global Shop Solutions: Does Global Shop Solutions offer deployment flexibility?

Yes, Global Shop Solutions supports on-premise, cloud, or SaaS deployments with custom pricing for each option.

Source
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