Software · head to head
Fusion 360 vs MachineMetrics
MachineMetrics
Software
Collect, monitor, analyze and drive action with machine data
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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; MachineMetrics pricing page names three tiers (Core Platform, Intelligent MES, Enterprise) but publishes no dollar figures, stating cost is volume-based per connected machine
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Fusion 360 and MachineMetrics actually diverge.
| Attribute | Fusion 360 | MachineMetrics |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS | Web |
| Founded | 1982 | Unknown |
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 MachineMetrics
Nothing recorded that Fusion 360 does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Fusion 360
- Product designnot MachineMetrics
- Prototypingnot MachineMetrics
- Manufacturingnot MachineMetrics
- 3D printingnot MachineMetrics
- Simulationnot MachineMetrics
MachineMetrics
No use cases recorded yet. See the MachineMetrics review.
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
MachineMetrics
- Pricing page names three tiers (Core Platform, Intelligent MES, Enterprise) but publishes no dollar figures, stating cost is volume-based per connected machine
- ERP integration and job scheduling are reserved for the Intelligent MES tier and above, not the Core Platform
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
MachineMetrics
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the MachineMetrics review.
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.
Choose MachineMetrics if
Nothing in the data separates MachineMetrics from Fusion 360 on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Fusion 360 or MachineMetrics better?
- Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and MachineMetrics at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or MachineMetrics?
- Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and On request for MachineMetrics.
- Does Fusion 360 or MachineMetrics run on more platforms?
- Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. MachineMetrics runs on Web.
- Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
- Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MachineMetrics starts at On request.
- 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 MachineMetrics is typically brought in for.
- What can Fusion 360 do that MachineMetrics cannot?
- Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design.
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.
Source