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Manufacturing · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Navisworks

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Navisworks logo

Navisworks

Construction

Project review software for construction professionals

From
$145/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; Navisworks sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Navisworks covers Clash detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Navisworks differ
AttributeFusion 360Navisworks
Starting priceFree$145/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSWindows
CategoryManufacturingConstruction

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 Fusion 360

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

Only in Navisworks

  • Clash detection
  • 4D scheduling
  • Model aggregation
  • Quantification
  • Visualization
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • BIM 360

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Access controls
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Fusion 360

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

Navisworks

  • Clash detectionnot Fusion 360
  • Construction sequencingnot Fusion 360
  • Project coordinationnot Fusion 360
  • Cost analysisnot 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

Navisworks

  • Sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)

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

Navisworks

$145/month
  • Navisworks Manage$145/month
    • Clash detection
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
  • Navisworks Simulate$100/month
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
    • Rendering

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 Navisworks if

  • You need clash detection.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 4d scheduling.
Navisworks review

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Navisworks better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Navisworks at $145/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Navisworks?
Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and $145/month for Navisworks.
Does Fusion 360 or Navisworks run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Navisworks runs on Windows.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Navisworks starts at $145/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 Navisworks is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Navisworks cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Navisworks covers Clash detection, 4D scheduling, Model aggregation, Quantification. Both handle Data encryption, Access controls, 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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