Autodesk Fusion (formerly called ‘Fusion 360’) is the first 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool of its kind. It’s built for the modern designer, maker, or engineer, and best of all it works on PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
Hearing how advanced Autodesk Fusion is may have you thinking that it’s way out of your budget. But, did you know that most can qualify to get Autodesk Fusion for free?
Do you qualify for Free Autodesk Fusion?
As of January 2024, Autodesk Fusion is available through the following four licenses:
- Autodesk Fusion for Personal Use – free for non-commercial use (some exceptions apply, see below)
- Autodesk Fusion for Startups – affordable for startups developing new products (qualifications are required, see below)
- Autodesk Fusion for Education – free for educational institutions or student use only
- Autodesk Fusion (Commercial) – for professional and commercial purposes (no license limitations)
The Startup license requirements changed in 2024. As more folks apply for the startup license, Autodesk is interested in ‘real’ startups – not hobbyists looking to get a free license.
The biggest change, however, is that the Startup license is no longer renewable after the 3-year term. After three years, Autodesk expects you to upgrade to a paid commercial license if you’re still in business (or they assume you’ve shut down or moved to another program).
The Future of Free Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’)
A lot of hobbyist users have expressed fear of Autodesk eventually pulling the plug on them – forcing them to pay a monthly subscription (or even worse, to pay the same fee as commercial users). Rest assured, I’ve had many conversations with the folks at Autodesk, and they’ve reiterated many times they have no plans to do so.
It’s in Autodesk’s best interest to see Startups (small businesses) exceed – they want to groom them into lifelong customers. At the same time, they’re not here to squeeze out the Hobbyists. The hobbyist community is a key value proposition for what makes Autodesk Fusion so great. Many of the feature enhancements were the result of hobbyists’ feedback on the official Autodesk Fusion forums.
Here’s what one of the Autodesk Fusion community managers had to say about the new subscription change, “We’ve changed the terms in an effort to prevent businesses from improperly using the free licenses that have previously been on the honor system.“
It comes as no surprise that there were a lot of businesses abusing the system. You could previously (before 2019) download, install, and get Autodesk Fusion up and running in just a few minutes – without any accountability as to what license you selected.
Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) for Personal Use
Autodesk Fusion’s Personal Use license is intended for hobbyists and makers, for non-commercial use only.
You can enjoy free access to commercial limitations, with some restrictions. Fortunately, these restrictions are mostly commercial features and don’t impact the typical hobby projectProjects the body silhouette, edges, work geometries and sketch curves into the active sketch plane. Use the selection filter to project a specific type of geometry or the body silhouette..
You’ll have access to everything you need to complete those personal projects. Including all the design, engineering, documentation (2D drawings), and manufacturing capabilities included in a current Autodesk Fusion Commercial subscription. Some features are not included, as outlined below.
Personal Use Qualifications
- Individuals with non-commercial personal design projects.
- Individuals doing home-based non-commercial manufacturing and fabrication.
- Using for personal projects outside of their primary employment.
- Engaged in a hobby making less than $1,000 a year.
- Learning for personal use, outside of a company environment or commercial training.
What’s NOT Included in Personal Use
- Limited 2D documentation and drawings
- Access to collaboration – you won’t be able to invite people to work on projects or the same file. Instead, you’ll have to exportExport files to your computer. Opens the Export dialog box and allows you to choose a name, file type, and location to save the file to. your file, where the other user will then have to import the file into their data panelOpening The Data Panel gives you access to your Project Files and Folders. Click the Show Data Panel button in the upper left of the Fusion window. The Panel will expand on the left side and display the project folders. You can also add members to projects and Import data from other sources..
- Single-user data management – some of the data management capabilities will be limited. However, you will still have access to the regular data panel and Fusion Team hub, where you can organize your files.
- Limited import/export file types – the ability to import NX, Catia, Solidworks, Creo, and Inventor files are not supported.
- Limited CAM functionality – rapids and some functionality may be limited or inaccessible.
- Generative design – generative design is only available to commercial subscribers due to its resource-intensive cloud need.
- Advanced simulation – you can run some basic simulations locally; however, the advanced simulations that require cloud credits are only available to commercial users.
- Limited electronics and PCB designs
Where to Get Support – Personal Use
- Community forum – Support for this license type is provided only through the Autodesk Fusion community forums.
- Product Design Online – Of course, you can also learn a lot right here, on the PDO YouTube channel, or by joining the PDO Academy.
Registering for the Personal Use License
- Go to the official Autodesk Fusion for Personal Use home page.
- Sign in with your existing Autodesk account or create a new one.
- Fill out your Personal Information.
- Download the Autodesk Fusion software.
View the step-by-step video instructions on how to download and install Autodesk Fusion for personal use.
How to Renew Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) Personal Use license for free
Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) for Startups
The Autodesk Fusion Startup license type is intended for registered businesses with a valid company website and email. The Autodesk Fusion Startup license is just $150 per user and allows up to 10 users per startup.
There is an application process and you must be accepted by Autodesk.
Startup Qualifications
- Registered companies (e.g., LLC)
- Professional email domain and a valid company website
- Venture, angel-backed, or bootstrapped status
- No previous subscription to Autodesk Fusion
- Focus on designing or manufacturing physical products
- Exclusions: Service providers, resellers, contract manufacturers, consultants, makerspaces, non-profits, and design agencies are not eligible
*See the full terms and conditions of the Autodesk Fusion Startup license.
What’s NOT Included in Startups
The new Startup license type includes everything in the Commercial license except phone and email support and the Extensions, which are paid add-ons.
Where to Get Support – Startups
- Community forum – Support for this subscription type is provided through the Fusion 360 community forums.
- Product Design Online – Of course, you can also learn a lot right here, on the PDO YouTube channel, or by joining the PDO Academy.
Registering for the Startup License
- Go to the Fusion 360 for Startups home page and selectThe selection mode controls how objects are select when you drag in the canvas. the “Apply” button.
- Fill out the form and click “Apply.”
- When your application is received, you’ll receive an email with your application status and instructions on how to proceed.
Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) for Commercial Use
Put simply, the Commercial subscription is for anyone who does not qualify for the other license types. If you are a business that does not qualify for the Startup license, a hobbyist making over $1,000 with your use of Autodesk Fusion, or you simply need access to commercial CAD software at an affordable rate – the Commercial license is for you!
Autodesk Fusion subscriptions are available monthly, yearly, or for 3-year terms. You can upgrade and downgrade at any time (but may have to contact Autodesk support).
Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) Commercial Subscription Terms
Autodesk Fusion is offered in the following three license terms. Check the latest sale prices here.
- Monthly subscription
- 1-year subscription
- 3-year subscription
Commercial Qualifications
- Anyone can purchase a Commercial license.
What’s NOT Included – Commercial Subscription
- Tokens to run advanced simulations, renderings, and Generative Design may need to be purchased separately.
- Extensions are also separate purchases.
Where to Get Support – Commercial Users
- Autodesk Support Specialists – available to Commercial subscribers via phone, chat (limited), or email.
- Remote desktop assistance – get hands-on troubleshooting while an expert virtually controls your desktop
- Product Design Online – Of course, you can also learn a lot right here, on the PDO YouTube channel, or by joining the PDO Academy.
Registering for the Commercial License
- Visit the Autodesk Fusion homepage.
- Choose your subscription term (outlined above) and select “Add to cart”.
- Sign in to your Autodesk Account.
- Enter your payment details and click “submit order”.
- The commercial license is tied to your Autodesk Account. When you start Autodesk Fusion, sign in using your same Autodesk Account email and password. Autodesk Fusion automatically detects your license type when you sign in.
Autodesk Fusion (‘Fusion 360’) for Education
Autodesk Fusion’s Education license is designed for students and educators at accredited institutions. It comes in two different versions – a single license for an individual student or a class/lab installation for educational institutions.
The education license term lasts 1 year and can be renewed each year, as long as you remain eligible.
Qualifications
- Must be a Student or Educator with a valid “.edu” email (automated process) or get approval from the Autodesk Education support team.
- Must be using Autodesk Fusion solely for educational purposes, which includes non-commercial projects
What’s NOT Included
- Tokens to run advanced simulations, renderings, and generative designs may not be available to Education license holders.
- Design and Manufacture extensions may not be included.
Where to Get Support
- Autodesk Education Support – Contact the official education team for license-specific support
- Community forum – Support for this subscription type is provided through the Autodesk Fusion community forums.
- Product Design Online – Of course, you can also learn a lot right here, on the PDO YouTube channel, or by joining the PDO Academy.
How to Download and Install
- Visit the Autodesk Fusion education page.
- Sign in to your Autodesk Account, or create an Autodesk Account.
Tip: If you don’t know whether you have an education license, go to your Autodesk Account to see if it’s listed under Products & Services. - Select Get Access and run the Fusion installer.
- When you start Autodesk Fusion, sign in using your Autodesk Account email and password. Fusion automatically detects your license type when you sign in.
Note: It may take a few hours to process your license request. When it’s done, you’ll have a trial license. If your request isn’t processed within 24 hours, contact the education support team for assistance.
Activate Autodesk Fusion – Administrator for an Educational Institution:
- Create an educational Autodesk account if you don’t already have one, or log into the Autodesk Education Community if you already do.
- Review the installation instructions – Install Autodesk Fusion for Educational Institutions.
Switching from an Education to a Start-Up License
If the email address or name used in an Autodesk Account has been previously used with an education license then you will have to provide new account information. If you would like to maintain your current account information associated with the existing education account then you should contact the Autodesk Education Support Team.
Questions or Concerns?
Comment them at the bottom of this post. Please note that your email is a required field to post a comment. This helps prevent spam, but your email will never be visible to the public or shared.
I will not pay $60 a month when I use the software so rarely and I do not make any money from using this product at all.
Hi, Christopher. Did you receive that in an email from Autodesk? If so, you can actually renew your Hobbyists/Startup License for another year of use for free. You should see a subscribe now button in the upper right-hand area of your toolbar. Follow these steps – https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-renew-your-hobbyist-enthusiast-license-for-Fusion-360.html
Let me know if you need any help!
Cheers, Kevin 🙂
Does the cam come with the free account? I installed fusion 360 start up but when I go to the menu bar cam is not listed. It has model , mesh and a few others but not cam. Does this not come with the start up account ?
Hi, Bobby.
CAM does come with both the Student and Startup (Hobbyists) licenses. The only real difference between licenses is that you only receive some of the Simulation tools and Generative Design with a paid Fusion 360 license, due to the amount of “Cloud Credits” they require to process each.
The CAM Workspace was recently renamed to be the “Manufacture Workspace”. You should see that near the bottom of your workspace dropdown list (upper lefthand corner). Any time you’re watching a tutorial that mentions the CAM Workspace simply select the Manufacture Worskapce and you should see all the same tools.
Please let me know if this helps!
Cheers, Kevin 🙂
What about schools (primary and secondary) that are on .K12 domains, as they have moved all but a few off of .edu (which is now post secondary schools, aka colleges)
Hi Charles,
That’s a great question. In short, the “.edu” check is an automated way to check education status. Schools without a .edu domain will need to contact the Autodesk Education support team to get their license, which is already required if it’s a group lab installation.
Cheers,
Kevin 🙂
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the clarification. A much better read than the Autodesk website trying to compare the difference. One little adjustment in your startup license heading. Says “Registering for the Personal Use License”
Thanks again.
Hi Tersh,
Good catch! – I’ve updated the startup heading.
Glad to hear this helped clear things up. I’d agree that their blog post left users more confused than before.
Cheers,
Kevin 🙂
Under fusion 360 for start ups it says
“If you’re running a startup or small business that’s making $100,000 (USD) in total annual revenue, then you will need to apply.”
Should read
If you’re running a startup or small business that’s making LESS THAN $100,000 (USD) in total annual revenue, then you will need to apply.
Hi Chris,
Good catch! Thanks for letting me know, I’ve updated it.
Cheers,
Kevin 🙂
So here’s a spanner in the works :
Let’s say I am a freelancer using Fusion to do 3D modeling for others, to create a small hobby income.
I make $2000 per year from modeling, so the Personal License is not an option.
If I read this correctly, I can also not use the Startup license.
So spending around $400 a year to generate $2k income is the only option.
The licnese conditions say that if you are doing work for others, then you can’t use the startup license.
Hi Dave,
That is correct. Technically, per the new license types, Freelancers (or Hobbyists who do some side jobs) that make over $1k are in a tough situation. It would be great if Autodesk would reconsider upping the amount for the personal use license to $10k, which aligns more with a part-time hobby income. That would mean the freelancer is spending 5% of their revenue on software instead of 50% (which isn’t realistic).
With that said, there are two options I would recommend.
1. You could use the Personal Use license for all your personal projects and day-to-day use. Then, with a separate Autodesk account, you could use the Commercial license on a per Month basis, any time you have a freelance project. The monthly rate is $60, which is a little more feasible if you’re just doing a freelance project here and there. You could pay the subscription for only the month(s) you’re going to have freelance projects.
2. If you do a lot of small freelance projects each month then solution #1 doesn’t quite work. This is where I would recommend contacting the Fusion 360 team about your specific scenario. From what I’ve seen, they are already doing a lot to work with users on a case-by-case basis. In one particular scenario, I saw them looking at the Startup license for a group of individuals who were doing “open source” work, as it was more aligned with non-profit work.
Let me know if you do end up talking with someone directly at Autodesk. I’d be curious to hear if they work with you to come up with a solution.
Cheers,
Kevin
Hello. I’m a bit confused about what the aim is with the part about prototyping as a cobsultant is not eligible for the startup license.
That would result in a company need to hire a person, for a day/week, to do the work instead of supporting a startup that has that for business but can’t afford a license yet.
Who or what practice is the target with that rule?
Sorry for a bit scrambled English. I’m tired and it’s my second language.
Hi Sebastian,
I can understand why you’re confused. Autodesk was not very clear on their reasoning and criteria for each new license type. In short, Autodesk is trying to make the Startup license solely for people who are trying to build businesses (or “startups”). They want to support businesses and have every intention of helping them succeed, with the idea that many would then become paying subscribers to the Commercial license.
Freelancers are somewhat squeezed out with the new license types. Autodesk no longer wants freelancers using the fully-featured Startup license because the license types have been abused by a great number of businesses just claiming to not be making money, especially since it was previously based on the honor system. That is why users (businesses/startups) now need to formally apply for the Startup license.
Freelancers (Consultants, etc) are expected to use the Personal use license if they’re making under $1000 – basically if its a small project or hobby. Otherwise, they’re expected to pay for a monthly or yearly Commercial license. With that said, if you feel like you fall in the middle of these license types, making more than a $1,000 but nowhere near $100,000, then I would suggest reaching out to Autodesk. They do work with people on a case-by-case basis to figure out what license type is best.
Cheers,
Kevin
That’s really good info. Thank you Kevin for looking out for the community! 😊
I’m always glad I can help!
After I finish up the website “revamp” I’ll be trying to create more weekly content on here that is helpful for Fusion 360 Hobbyists. I’m looking at creating more help/faq articles with common issues as well as some step-by-step written tutorials for those who are interested in that.
Cheers,
Kevin 🙂
Greetings,
I joined Skillshare to view your tutorials. When we apply for Student license what to we enter for Institution.
Hi Donald,
They recently changed up the license types and criteria. You will want to follow the steps to register under the free Personal Use license type. The Education license type used to allow anyone to type out their email. However, now you need to select a school or University from the list.
Anyone can sign up for the Personal Use license. Please follow the steps outlined above and let me know if you run into any roadblocks!
Cheers,
Kevin 🙂
Thanks! Will do!
Does AutoDesk Fusion 360 take a long time to setup?
It is 5% into setting up. 45 Minutes.
Hi Jim,
I’ve personally not seen it take more than 15 minutes.
What operating system are you on? Also, did you check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements?
System Requirements – https://productdesignonline.com/tips-and-tricks/system-requirements-for-autodesk-fusion-360/
Cheers,
Kevin
Hello Kevin,
You said in the Personal Use Qualifications:
“Engaged in Hobby Businesses making less than $1,000 a year.”
is that means that I can do some freelance jobs with payment less than $1,000 a year??
I didn’t find that statement in Autodesk Website.
Hi Aditya,
To clarify – the limit is $1,000 as the outcome of something you make/design in Fusion 360. For example, if you design an object and sell the 3D files or 3D print it, your sales can total no more than $1,000.
You can find information about the limit on the FAQs section at the bottom of the official Personal Use landing page: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal
Cheers,
Kevin
My son has autism, but is very interested in architecture. His personal drawings are fantastic, and I think he is ready to learn more. Your software seems ideal for a Sophomore in High School, but I am having grave difficulty in garnering a student license. His school is not listed.
Hi Jim,
You’ll want to contact Autodesk Education support. They can help out for any accounts that aren’t listed in the existing schools. Contact them here: https://www.autodesk.com/support/contact-support
Make sure to select the Educational Support option.
Cheers,
Kevin
trying to get a hobbiest licence but keep ending up back in america and only a free 30 day trial on offer
Hi Tim,
Can you clarify if you were able to complete the Personal Use sign up steps?
One thing to note – All Personal Use license holders will receive a 30-day free trial of the fully featured Fusion 360. This will automatically appear when you sign into your Personal Use license for the first time. After the 30 days are up, it will automatically downgrade to the free version.
I hope that helps!
Best Regards,
Kevin
Kevin, this information is incredibly helpful, thank you.
I have a bit of a predicament that you might be able to advise on…
I signed up to Fusion360 using my company email (very small business, just myself). When I originally signed up, I went educational as I was learning the software. All of my designs so far have been non-commercial in the sense that I’ve so far only been prototyping but have nothing yet to go to on the market.
I’ve got the expiry message come up and I’m not sure where to move forward from here. I have quite a few files saved on the cloud that I’d prefer not to lose. However, I cannot justify the full cost of Fusion360 as I’m still only using for prototypes.
If I was profiting off of my designs, I would go with the regular subscription no question. Though the demographic for the pricing seems way beyond the needs of myself.
What would be the best way to move forwards to be able to continue using Fusion360, without losing my files, and without paying top dollar? Or is this a thing that I need to just suck up and take the loss and pay full rates?
Hi George,
It sounds like you are the perfect candidate for the Personal Use license, as it allows up to $1,000 made with the use of Fusion. You can renew it each year and more than likely you will not be missing out on some of the more advanced features.
That said, since you were previously on an Education (EDU) license, you will have to reach out to Autodesk support to have them manually change your license to the Personal Use. Depending on the support personnel, they may simply remove your old credentials and have you enroll on the Personal Use page.
As long as you use the same email that is tied to your Autodesk account, you will have no problem keeping your existing files.
Regards,
Kevin