Autodesk Fusion vs SOLIDWORKS

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Autodesk Fusion

Cloud-connected CAD, CAM and electronics design for product development, with a free personal tier.

Free plan + paid

Visit Autodesk Fusion Autodesk Fusion profile

SOLIDWORKS

Dassault Systèmes' widely used parametric 3D CAD for mechanical and product design.

Paid

Visit SOLIDWORKS SOLIDWORKS profile

The short answer

Autodesk Fusion suits makers, 3D-printing hobbyists and small product teams who want CAD, CAM, simulation and PCB design in one cloud-connected tool, with a free personal-use licence. SOLIDWORKS suits mechanical engineers and firms that want the CAD program most widely taught and used in industry. The biggest difference is approach: Fusion is an all-in-one, cloud-first product, while SOLIDWORKS is a mature Windows desktop app with add-ons.

Autodesk Fusion or SOLIDWORKS: our take

Fusion, formerly Fusion 360, combines parametric and direct modeling, freeform T-splines, assemblies, simulation, generative design, CAM toolpaths for CNC machining, PCB design and data management in a single product. Files live in Autodesk's cloud, which makes sharing and version history easy but ties many tasks to an Autodesk account and connection. SOLIDWORKS, from Dassault Systèmes, focuses on mature parametric part and assembly modeling, sheet metal, weldments, surfacing and drawings, with simulation, electrical, CAM and data management available as add-ons. It now connects to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform and offers browser apps, but the classic desktop version runs only on Windows.

Cost and licensing differ sharply. Fusion has a free personal-use licence for non-commercial projects, limited to people earning under $1,000 USD a year from their work, with some features restricted; paid plans are per-user subscriptions, and startups and education can get free access. SOLIDWORKS is expensive, usually bought through resellers, and comes as perpetual desktop licences with annual maintenance or as tiered subscriptions, with a cheaper maker version and student editions. Its licensing options are often described as complicated.

Fusion runs on Windows and macOS with a browser client, which makes it the easier choice for Mac users. SOLIDWORKS has the larger professional user base: more trained engineers, more tutorials and more supplier models, which matters when hiring or exchanging files with manufacturers.

Choose Fusion if you are a hobbyist, a maker with a CNC machine or 3D printer, or a small team that wants CAD, CAM and electronics without assembling separate tools. Choose SOLIDWORKS if you work in mechanical engineering, need to match what employers and suppliers use, and are fine on Windows. Students heading into engineering jobs often benefit from learning SOLIDWORKS.

Choose Autodesk Fusion if…

Makers and small product teams who want CAD, CAM and PCB tools in one package
You want a free option (SOLIDWORKS is paid only)
You need macOS, which SOLIDWORKS doesn't list
CAD, CAM, simulation and electronics in one tool
Free personal-use licence for hobbyists

Choose SOLIDWORKS if…

Mechanical engineers and product designers who need the most common CAD in industry
Huge user base, training resources and supplier models
Mature part, assembly, sheet metal and drawing tools

What is Autodesk Fusion?

Autodesk Fusion, formerly Fusion 360, combines parametric and direct 3D CAD, freeform T-spline modeling, assemblies, simulation, generative design, CAM toolpaths for CNC machining, PCB design and data management in one product. Files are stored in Autodesk's cloud, which makes sharing and version history straightforward but means you depend on an Autodesk account and connection for many tasks. It is hugely popular with makers, 3D-printing hobbyists and small manufacturers because of its free personal-use licence, while engineering firms use paid subscriptions and extensions for advanced machining, simulation and manufacturing. The personal-use version is limited to non-commercial projects and small earnings, and some features are restricted. Paid plans are per-user subscriptions, with startups and education eligible for free access. The desktop app runs on Windows and macOS, with a browser client and mobile viewers.

What is SOLIDWORKS?

SOLIDWORKS is probably the most widely taught and used mechanical CAD program, found in engineering firms, universities and makerspaces worldwide. It offers parametric part and assembly modeling, sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, drawings, and add-ons for simulation, electrical design, CAM and product data management. Dassault Systèmes now connects it to its cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform for sharing, storage and collaboration, and offers browser-based design apps alongside the classic desktop version. Its large user base means plenty of trained engineers, tutorials and supplier models, but licences are expensive and are usually bought through resellers, and the desktop app runs only on Windows. Pricing comes in desktop perpetual licences with annual maintenance or subscriptions in several tiers, plus a cheaper version for makers and student editions.

Side by side

Attribute	Autodesk Fusion	SOLIDWORKS
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Web	Windows, Web
Best for	Makers and small product teams who want CAD, CAM and PCB tools in one package	Mechanical engineers and product designers who need the most common CAD in industry
Status	Active	Active