{"id":465,"date":"2020-11-19T17:05:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T17:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildercentral.com\/?p=465"},"modified":"2023-01-09T10:11:22","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T10:11:22","slug":"onshape-vs-fusion360","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildercentral.com\/onshape-vs-fusion360\/","title":{"rendered":"Onshape vs Fusion360 | Head-to-Head Comparison (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Onshape or Fusion360, which is better? Read this article to make a wise decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. CAD on the Cloud In Brief<\/a>
  2. Short Verdict<\/a>
  3. Get up to 70% Off on Top Products!<\/a>
  4. Brief History of Fusion360<\/a>
  5. Brief History of Onshape<\/a>
  6. In-Depth Considerations<\/a>
  7. Comparing Marketing Strategies<\/a>
  8. Final Thoughts<\/a>
  9. FAQ<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n

    Many of the programs I compare are often too different from one another to judge fairly. However, in this instance, Onshape and Fusion360 are direct parallel competitors. I will do my best to compare and judge the head-to-head features of these two programs, but some of what I say will be subjective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other perspectives of mine will likely fall short as I am not a professional user of these two programs. Onshape and Fusion360 have both been developed to answer many of the practical frustrations that 3D CAD product developers have faced over the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is one thing for me to compare these two programs, but it would be quite another for a team of CAD professionals to compare the actual real-world use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Related Links<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Inventor Vs Fusion 360 | Head-to-head Comparison (2023)<\/a><\/span>
    AutoCAD Vs Fusion 360 | Head-to-Head Battle (2023)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    CAD on the Cloud In Brief<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Onshape and Fusion360 are CAD<\/a> products known as \u201cCAD on the Cloud.\u201d These programs are specifically designed with product developers in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From complex machines, including cars or airplanes, to small printable products such as bottles with twist-on caps, Onshape and Fusion360 have all the tools programmed into the platform to take any such product from inception to manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The processes for developing products usually take team collaborations. The development of a product can involve multiple firms and several sub-contractors who develop different parts of the product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this real-world situation, different teams often have different operating systems, different types of software that they are used to, and different VERSIONS of LICENSES of the programs they are trying to use together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the real world, these challenges often mean doing unusual things to get everyone on the same page. As the product gets updated, some team members may be out of the loop, which causes a lag-time of communication dissimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The goal of the \u201cCAD on the Cloud” solution is to make a platform that anyone can access which is constantly updated. There is an active, saved history of changes made to the product model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s say two people are working on the same model at the same time, if there are conflicting differences by the time the model is synced, the platform shows the differences and when those differences were made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the team develops a certain aspect of the product model but later decides that they like most of their changes, but want to backtrack on a few things to an earlier version, then those changes can be easily reverted while the new changes are kept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both Onshape and Fusion360 fulfill these needs. They are direct competitors to try to fulfill these needs using the same strategy of “CAD on the Cloud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

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    Short Verdict<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Onshape and Fusion360 are both \u201cCAD on the Cloud\u201d applications, specifically designed for product developers. However, Fusion 360\u2019s in-app capabilities exceed that of Onshape. Also, Fusion 360 is more affordable and allows free access for small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Knowing what I know about Onshape\u2019s creator (who is also the creator of SolidWorks), Onshape is clearly one of those \u201cfree-for-a-while\u201d software that gains popularity because it is free. But it is then sold by the creator to another company for a lot of profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m not against this. It is a good marketing strategy. It appears that Onshape\u2019s creator decided to develop a direct competitor to Fusion 360. However, after comparing Fusion 360 and Onshape side by side with each criterion in mind, I am casting my vote for Fusion 360. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are more features available through the standard platform of Fusion 360 than in Onshape (at least not at this time), such as wiring, simulation, electronics programming, etc. Also, the price of Fusion 360 is WAY better than Onshape (at the time this article was written).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Get up to 70% Off on Top Products!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Autodesk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    See the latest Autodesk deals, discounts, promotions, and bundled packages. Save up to 70% on top products!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    at autodesk.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Deals & Packages \u00bb<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Fusion<\/strong> 360<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD\/CAM\/CAE software for product design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Check Price<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    at autodesk.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get Discount \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Inventor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Inventor offers industry-standard product design and engineering tools for 3D mechanical design, visualization, simulation, and documentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Check Price<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    at autodesk.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get Discount \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Brief History of Fusion360<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Fusion 360 was developed in 2013 by AutoDesk as another product. It is quite similar in many ways to Inventor, but is offered as a Cloud solution. Fusion 360 was released and developed due to the CAD community\u2019s growing call for a Cloud-Based CAD software. Fusion 360 was officially released in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Brief History of Onshape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Onshape was developed by some of the same creators who originally developed Solidworks. The software was recently sold to PTC for $470 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Onshape was founded in 2012 as the company that developed Onshape. It is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), with offices in Singapore and Pune, India. In August 2015, Onshape was first released. With Onshape and Fusion 360 being developed so close to one another in date, it is hard to say who copied who… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Related Links<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    SolidWorks vs Fusion 360 | The Ultimate Comparison (2023)<\/a><\/span>
    AutoCAD Vs SolidWorks | The Ultimate Comparison (2023)<\/span><\/a>
    <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    In-Depth Considerations<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As an apples-to-apples comparison, the criteria I will be judging these programs by is; Which program is better for Mechanical CAD product development?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Price<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    Product<\/strong><\/td>Regular Price<\/strong><\/td>Discounted Price<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Fusion 360<\/td>$495\/year<\/td>Check here<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    Onshape<\/td>$1,500\/year<\/td>No Discount<\/td><\/tr>
    Autodesk Deals & Packages<\/td>varies<\/td>Check here<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Fusion 360<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Price of Fusion 360<\/strong> varies depending upon a few factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FREE – For independent users who just want to learn the software and do not intend to use it for commercial purposes, Fusion 360 is free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I spoke directly with a representative who told me that you can even use Fusion 360 commercially as long as your business does $1,000 of sales related to their product per year. This came as a shock to me because I was under the impression that I would have to pay the subscription just to use the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MONTHLY – $60<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ANNUALLY – $495<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TRI-ANNUALLY – $1335<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Fusion<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I also specifically asked the AutoDesk rep why this software was so inexpensive, given the broad capability it clearly has. He said something along the lines of, \u201cWell, this is the price that Fusion costs now because AutoDesk is trying to get this product more established in the market. Most industries are still used to older programs such as Inventor and Solidworks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Onshape\u2019s<\/strong> price is about 4x more expensive than Fusion 360:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    EDUCATIONAL – FREE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    STARDARD ANNUAL – $1500<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PROFESSIONAL – $2100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Onshape<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s some limited functionality with the Standard versus the Professional versions of Onshape, so this further establishes the fact that Fusion 360 is the better bargain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keep in mind, this major price discrepancy is likely only temporary. We should see Fusion 360\u2019s price increase as the popularity of this software increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Learning Curve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Tie<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both programs require a lot of practice and training to master, but I am happy with how easy their tools are to learn. Both programs include an extensive library of training videos, but the two have taken a slightly different approach to which topics they cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fusion 360\u2019s online learning seems to be geared toward the basics of the program, whereas Onshape\u2019s learning library is geared toward more advanced features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I am inclined to give props to Onshape\u2019s strategy because I know how hard it is to find good advanced video lessons on Youtube. Conversely, there are always a hundred different \u201cbeginner\u2019s tutorials\u201d on YouTube for any program you might be trying to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Fusion360<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    3. User Interface<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Tie <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These two programs are both spot-on with one another in the simplicity of their UI. Both have contextual menus based on what you are probably trying to do with any given thing you\u2019re clicking on, whether it is a face, an edge, a centerline, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Cloud Service<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Fusion 360<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While I love the idea of Cloud-Based CAD for team-based project development, I still don\u2019t want to be trapped without the option of working without the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fusion 360<\/strong> has an offline download that exists on your local computer<\/a>. This enables you to continue to work, even if you lose internet. For me, this is a necessity because I often have issues with the internet or am in a location where I don\u2019t have access to the internet. Onshape<\/strong> has no offline mode at the time this article is being written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other than this differentiation, Fusion 360 and Onshape are par for the course when it comes to different Cloud features, including rendering services, CAM services, AI part design services, etc. To me, the offline mode is important enough to give this criterion to Fusion 360.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Modeling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Tie<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although there are some differences between how Onshape and Fusion 360 operate, they are both quite capable of producing anything you can invent. I can call this one a tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Help & Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Winner: Tie<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here is a good four-step process for finding help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n