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Manufacturing · head to head

Fusion 360 vs Visibility

Fusion 360 logo

Fusion 360

Manufacturing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Visibility logo

Visibility

ERP

Supply chain and manufacturing execution software

From
$1000/month
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; Visibility no price, licensing model, minimum or contract term is published on the site; buyers are directed to a sales email and phone number
  • They diverge on capability: Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Visibility covers Supply chain visibility.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Fusion 360 and Visibility differ
AttributeFusion 360Visibility
Starting priceFree$1000/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSCloud, On-premise, Web
CategoryManufacturingERP
Founded19821989

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 Visibility

  • Supply chain visibility
  • Manufacturing execution
  • Production planning
  • Analytics
  • Reporting
  • REST APIs
  • EDI
  • Third-party systems

Both cover

  • ERP systems
  • Access controls
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Fusion 360

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

Visibility

  • ERP for engineer to order and make to order manufacturersnot Fusion 360
  • Job shop production planning and costingnot Fusion 360
  • Manufacturing operations in aerospace and defence, fabricated metals and medical devicesnot 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

Visibility

  • No price, licensing model, minimum or contract term is published on the site; buyers are directed to a sales email and phone number
  • The vendor states an implementation of 4 to 6 months, so the product is not usable immediately after purchase
  • The product targets make to order, engineer to order and job shop manufacturers rather than general business use

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

Visibility

$1000/month
  • Standard$1000/month
    • Supply chain visibility
    • MES
    • Basic analytics
  • Premium$2000/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom reports
    • Priority support

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 Visibility if

  • You need supply chain visibility.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
  • You also want manufacturing execution.

Questions people ask

Is Fusion 360 or Visibility better?
Neither clearly leads. Fusion 360 starts at Free and Visibility at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fusion 360 or Visibility?
Fusion 360 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fusion 360 and $1000/month for Visibility.
Does Fusion 360 or Visibility run on more platforms?
Fusion 360 runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Visibility runs on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
Can I use Fusion 360 for free?
Yes. Fusion 360 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Visibility starts at $1000/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 Visibility is typically brought in for.
What can Fusion 360 do that Visibility cannot?
Fusion 360 covers 3D CAD modeling, Simulation, CAM programming, PCB design. Visibility covers Supply chain visibility, Manufacturing execution, Production planning, Analytics. Both handle ERP systems, Access controls, Web 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
Visibility: Does Visibility publish pricing on their website?

No, Visibility does not disclose subscription costs or pricing tiers on their website. Interested parties must contact sales directly.

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
Visibility: How do I get a Visibility quote?

Visibility directs interested parties to contact sales at [email protected] or (978) 269-6500, or to request a demo through their website.

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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