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Software · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Lumion

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumion logo

Lumion

Software

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/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; Lumion enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Lumion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Lumion differ
AttributeFusion 360Lumion
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSWindows
Founded19821998

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

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 Lumion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Content library
  • Effects
  • Video animation
  • VR export
  • LiveSync
  • Revit
  • SketchUp

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Fusion 360

  • Product designnot Lumion
  • Prototypingnot Lumion
  • Manufacturingnot Lumion
  • 3D printingnot Lumion
  • Simulationnot Lumion

Lumion

  • Architectural visualizationnot Fusion 360
  • Client presentationsnot 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

Lumion

  • Enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures

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

Lumion

$29/month
  • Standard$1499/month
    • Core features
  • Pro$2999/month
    • Full features
    • More content

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 Lumion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want content library.
Lumion review

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Lumion better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Lumion at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Lumion?
Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and $29/month for Lumion.
Does Fusion 360 or Lumion run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Lumion runs on Windows.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lumion starts at $29/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 Lumion is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Lumion cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Both handle 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.

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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