Autodesk Fusion vs SolidWorks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Autodesk Fusion
Integrated CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design in one workspace
SolidWorks
Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Autodesk Fusion | SolidWorks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $680/year Fusion plan | Free plan |
Category | 3D Design CAD & Simulation | 3D Design CAD & Simulation |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 1,517 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Autodesk Fusion or SolidWorks?
Choose Autodesk Fusion if
- You need 3d design features specifically.
Choose SolidWorks if
- You want a free tier before you commit
In-Depth Analysis
Autodesk Fusion
Integrated CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design in one workspace
Autodesk Fusion's base tier at $680/year is a fair price for integrated CAD/CAM/PCB, offering strong value for individual users or small teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Single platform covers design, simulation, and manufacturing
- Pro: Real-time cloud collaboration across a team
- Pro: Scales from single makers to large manufacturing teams
Weaknesses
- Con: No permanent free tier for commercial use, only a trial
- Con: Higher specialized tiers are priced significantly above the base plan
Key features
SolidWorks
Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry-standard with a large user base and community support.
- Pro: Powerful and comprehensive feature set for diverse design tasks.
- Pro: Relatively intuitive user interface for a professional CAD package.
- Pro: Strong integration with other SolidWorks products and third-party add-ons.
- Pro: Excellent for creating detailed manufacturing drawings.
Weaknesses
- Con: High cost of perpetual licenses and annual maintenance.
- Con: Can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware.
- Con: Steep learning curve for beginners without prior CAD experience.
Key features
Plans and prices: Autodesk Fusion vs SolidWorks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Fusion |
| autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview read Oct 6, 2026 |
| SolidWorks | No plan prices on file | solidworks.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Autodesk Fusion pricing and SolidWorks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Autodesk Fusion
- Worth considering for 3d design
SolidWorks
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only SolidWorks has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews); Autodesk Fusion has none we can show.
- Autodesk Fusion starts at $680/year; SolidWorks has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only SolidWorks has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks compare in 2026?
On the data below, SolidWorks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only SolidWorks has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 1,517 reviews); Autodesk Fusion has none we can show. Autodesk Fusion starts at $680/year; SolidWorks has no public paid plan price on file. Only SolidWorks has a free plan.
What are Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks used for?
Autodesk Fusion: Integrated CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design in one workspace. SolidWorks: Industry-leading 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
What does Autodesk Fusion cost vs SolidWorks?
Autodesk Fusion's cheapest paid plan is Fusion at $680/year. SolidWorks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks?
Autodesk Fusion's main strength: single platform covers design, simulation, and manufacturing. SolidWorks's main strength: industry-standard with a large user base and community support.
Spotted an outdated price or a wrong fact? Suggest a correction: we check it against the vendor's own page. Work for one of these vendors? Claim your listing to update it yourself.