Softwr

Manufacturing · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Stoll

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoll logo

Stoll

Fashion

Knit design and knitting machine solutions

From
$300/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; Stoll no pricing available; the flat knitting machine business has been discontinued
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Stoll covers Knit design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Stoll differ
AttributeFusion 360Stoll
Starting priceFree$300/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSWindows
CategoryManufacturingFashion
Founded19821880

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 Stoll

  • Knit design
  • Pattern creation
  • Machine programming
  • Stitch simulation
  • Production planning
  • Stoll machines
  • CAD systems
  • User authentication

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Fusion 360

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

Stoll

  • Flat knitting machine manufacturing (legacy/discontinued)not Fusion 360
  • Knitting machine spare parts and servicenot 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

Stoll

  • No pricing available; the flat knitting machine business has been discontinued
  • Production site in Reutlingen closed as of October 31, 2025
  • Only spare parts and legacy service support remain available

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

Stoll

$300/month
  • Basic$300/month
    • Basic design
  • Advanced$600/month
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full solution

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 Stoll if

  • You need knit design.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want pattern creation.
Stoll review

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Stoll better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Stoll at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Stoll?
Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and $300/month for Stoll.
Does Fusion 360 or Stoll run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Stoll runs on Windows.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stoll starts at $300/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 Stoll is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Stoll cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Stoll covers Knit design, Pattern creation, Machine programming, Stitch simulation. 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
Stoll: Is STOLL still selling knitting machines?

No, STOLL's flat knitting machine business has been discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed on October 31, 2025. Only spare parts availability and legacy service support remain.

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
Stoll: Where can I get spare parts for STOLL machines?

STOLL spare parts remain available through their support channels. The company has consolidated service operations under KARL MAYER ownership. Customers should contact STOLL's helpline or webshop for parts availability.

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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