Autodesk Fusion vs 3ds Max

SketchUp

Blender

SolidWorks Premium

Inventor

FreeCAD

Cinema 4D

Compare Autodesk Fusion and 3ds Max based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

SolidWorks Premium is the leading 3D design solution in the industry. It seamlessly integrates powerful design tools-including industry-leading part, assembly, and drawing capabilities with built-in simulation, rendering, animation, product data management, and cost estimation. 

SolidWorks will help you get work done faster and easier than before, using innovative phases of product creation to achieve a more productive 3D design experience.

Inventor is a Windows-based 3D CAD software that assists in 3D modelling through mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. Professionals can create custom design configurations and automate repetitive tasks.

FreeCAD is an on-premise open-source paramedic 3D modeler, which helps businesses design objects of all sizes. Programmers can sketch constrained 2D shapes and utilize them as a base to create other objects. It supports several file formats such as IGES, SVG, DXF, DE, IFC, STL, STEP, OBJ, and more.


Autodesk Fusion is a 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool that combines industrial and mechanical design, simulation, collaboration, and machining to connect the entire product development process in an integrated, concept-to-production toolset

2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Modeling

Access Controls/Permissions

Annotations

Bills of Material

CAD Tools

Change Management

Collaboration Tools

Compliance Management

Component Library

Configurable Workflow

Content Library

Customizable Fields

Data Import/Export

Design Management

Document Generation

Document Management

Document Storage

Drafting

Drag & Drop

Electrical

File Management

Floor Plans & Maps

For 3D Printing

For Architects

For Manufacturers

Landscape Design

Manufacturing Design Data

Mechanical

Mobile Access

Offline Access

Parts Management

Product Data Management

Production Management

Project Management

Project Templates

Project Workflow

Quality Control

Real-Time Updates

Rendering

Reporting/Analytics

Reusable Designs

Rules-Based Workflow

Scheduling

Secure Data Storage

Sketching and Annotation Tools

Third-Party Integrations

Workflow Management

Autodesk Fusion

Android

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

UX Designer and Researcher

I loved that it worked on my mac. I wound up winning two national awards while in school with designs I created on Fusion 360.

Industrial engineer

Fusion 360 had been really easy to learn and easy to use. The ability to have updated geometry transfer to existing geometries is super helpful.

Director of Operations

Customer service is fantastic and very prompt. They do a very good job of making sure that you are integrating to exactly your needs.

Industrial and Manufacturing engineer

It consists of many features and is not a heavy software comparing it to other cad softwares. It has always worked wonderful for me with easy usage of tools and is quite is easy to learn and explore.

Software Developer

And everything is saved to the cloud so it's super easy to keep track of your files and switch between devices.

Owner

Clearly the best 3D design software for engineering-type applications. Insanely powerful parametric modeling.

Industrial Engineer 

Its a great software for rapid prototyping and product development. Being a cloud based software is the most extreme advantage.

Mechanical engineer

Considering that the program can be used for free for non commercial purposes with few limitations, it is a very practical and powerful solutions for amateurs on a budget.

Draftsman

The tools/commands are well labeled and represented. The work space is clean and nice.

student

It is best suitable for mechanical industry. Online tutorials can be found so using this is not that difficult.

Graduate Research Assistant

There is also an active community that is great at answering questions, and a lot of YouTube tutorials put out by Autodesk and others that fully explore Fusion 360's functionality.

Engineer

I like how you don't need a specific or high end graphics card to access the functionality. I also enjoy the fact that you can do work in any location and switch locations very easily.

Some specific issues with parametric modeling were noticed by me. I also noticed some problems with fillets around curves.

Research Assistant

Continous updates and patches are released frequently. Some times this becomes annoying.

Operator

The user interface at first can be a bit confusing, and there's a lot of unlabeled buttons that take time getting used to.

Technology innovation fellow

Overall what i enjoyed the most was version control feature and the electronic design feature integrated into the software.

It run on cloud so you have to have an internet connection for using this. Learning can be difficult for the beginners.

Reliability Supervisor

The price point is perfect for company users so that nobody will complain about expensive software.

Autodesk Fusion screenshot: Fusion 360 track design references

Autodesk Fusion screenshot: Fusion 360 designing

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Public Administrations

Small Business

Blender is an on-premise game development platform, which helps small to large businesses in technology, motion pictures, graphic designing, online media, computer games, and other sectors manage 3D printing, develop animations, create visual effects, and more. The software provides various functionality including python scripting, sculpting tools, data export, sound synchronization, and custom colors.

Cinema 4D is a 3D software package developed by Maxon Computer GmbH which is designed to enable beginners and professionals to create 3D textures, computer graphics and animations, at high resolutions. It should simplify graphics workflow.

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

3ds Max is a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software, which helps users manage design visualization and development of games and other 3D content. The modeling and texturing functionality enables designers to create and animate geometry, modify textures, and apply material finishes to models.

3D Games

3D Objects

Animation

Animations & Transitions

Building Information Model

Media Import

Multiple Projects

No-Code

Physics Simulation

Video Content

3ds Max

Graphic Designer

I love the quality of the materials that you can get with V-ray, the details on things like wood or concrete are incredible.

It can be used by anyone but it's particularly useful to professionals who need all the features. It has been around over 20-years so it's robust and mature.

The best thing about 3ds Max is that its user interface is not cluttered like other similar tools. It has a huge user community and a plenty tutorials out there.

Executive Technical sourcer

Its is useful to 3D Modelling, it is easy to sketch 3D. Its has a perfect Building show up in Civil field, we used to Scenario in that.

Developer

This software allows me to proceed quicker and better than with others, allowing me to finish my project in the stablished time I have. The workflow is smooth and results great.

Graphic Design

All tool & 3d rendering is nice and perfect for work in the project.

Real Estate Agent

Other critics resent the cumbersome interface and attribute feature overload in hindering novices, particularly where rapid turnaround is required for high-pressure client presentations.

From animations for small websites to feature film, Max can handle it and many of the top tier movies you know and love were made with it. It's power can't be overestimated.

With 3ds Max you can easily create complex 3d models and maps. Best suited for architectural and game rendering that requires premium graphics.

Director

It was worth the significant upfront investment when ownership and upgrade options were available.

Online Manager

The Object mapping is a little confusing it took a while for me to figure out how to map a skin to an object with texture.

The only drawback is the cost, so after my paid subscription expires, I'll be returning to Blender.

light designer

The 3ds Max interface is intimidating and takes a little longer to learn to use.

Graduate Architect

It's sometimes really difficult to track an error. You can be puzzled for days if you don't know what you did wrong.

Game Director

The software is also well-supported by a vast online community of users, providing helpful tutorials and resources.

Architect 

Quality is unmatched.3rd party software integration is available.

Architect and 3D modeler

It confused me at the beginning, but then I started to understand it once I used it more.

Autodesk Fusion vs 3ds Max Comparison (2026)

Autodesk Fusion

3ds Max

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives