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Manufacturing · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Rhino 3D

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Fusion 360 requires paid subscription for professional use; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fusion 360 and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeFusion 360Rhino 3D
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSWindows, Mac, iOS
CategoryManufacturingCAD
Founded19821980

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Rendering
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray

Both cover

  • Version control
  • Team workflows
  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Fusion 360

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

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot Fusion 360
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not Fusion 360
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot Fusion 360
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot 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

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

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

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

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 Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Rhino 3D?
Fusion 360 starts at Free and Rhino 3D at Free.
Does Fusion 360 or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Rhino 3D cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. Both handle Version control, Team workflows, Windows support, Macos 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
Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

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
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

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
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

Source
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