How to Get Fusion 360 for Free – All 4 Licenses Explained

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 Fusion 360 is may have you thinking that it’s way out of your budget. But, did you know that most qualify to get Fusion 360 free?

Do you qualify for Free Fusion 360?

As of October 7, 2019, Autodesk has updated the existing subscription types, while introducing two new types. Fusion 360 is now available through the following four subscription types: 

• Fusion 360 for Personal Use – for non-commercial use (some exceptions apply, see below)
• Fusion 360 for Startups –  for startups developing new products (qualifications are required, see below)
• Fusion 360 for Education – for educational institutions or student use only
• Fusion 360 (Commercial) – for professional, commercial purposes

The key takeaway here is that the Startup license used to include “Hobbyists” as well. Hobbyists are now suggested to use the “Personal Use” license if they do not meet the outlined criteria for the Startup license (see below).

If you’re on the current Startup/Hobbyists license then you don’t have to do anything quite yet. You’re allowed to wait until the end of your current license term (1 year from when you installed or last renewed it).

The Future of Free Fusion 360

A lot of Hobbyists users are 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 that they will never do this.

It’s in Autodesk’s best interest to see Startups (small business) exceed – they want to groom them into lifelong customers. At the same time, they’re not here to squeeze out the Hobbyists. In fact, the Hobbyist community is a key value proposition for what makes Fusion 360 so great. Many of the feature enhancements were the result of Hobbyist feedback. On top of that, the Fusion 360 forum is widely driven by Hobbyists’ support.

Here’s what one of the Fusion 360 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 with no surprise that there were a lot of businesses abusing the system. You could previously download, install, and get Fusion 360 up and running in just a few minutes – without any accountability as to what license you selected.

Fusion 360 for Personal Use

This new personal license is intended for Hobbyists users, for non-commercial use only.

You’ll continue to 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 Fusion 360 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 Hobby Businesses making less than $1,000 a year.
• Learning for personal use, outside of a company environment or commercial training.
• Creating YouTube videos, blogs or other web-based content.

What’s NOT Included in Personal Use

• Access to collaboration – you won’t be able to invite people to work on projects or the same file. Instead, you’ll have to share the public link or 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. More your file, where the other user will then have to import the file into their own 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. More.
• Data management – some of the data management capabilities will be limited. However, you will still have access to the regular data panel and F360 hub, where you can organize your files.
• Software translators – the ability to import NX, Catia, Solidworks, Creo, and Inventor files are not supported.
• 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.

Where to Get Support – Personal Use

• 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 or via my YouTube channel.

Registering for the Personal Use License

1. Go to the Fusion 360 for Personal Use home page.
2. SelectThe selection mode controls how objects are select when you drag in the canvas. More the orange “Getting Started” button.
3. Select “Sign In” at the bottom of the page.
4. Sign in to your Autodesk Account. If you don’t have an Autodesk Account, select the “Create Now” button.
5. Once signed in, click the “Get Started” link.
   Note: If you were already using the Startup/Hobbyists license the link will automatically assign your account to the new personal use subscription.
6. The download of Fusion 360 should then automatically start. If you already have Fusion 360 installed then you can cancel/delete the download – there is no need to reinstall it!
   Note: There may be up to a 30-minute delay before the new subscription is visible in your existing installation.

View the step-by-step video instructions on how to download and install Fusion 360 for personal use.

Fusion 360 for Startups

The new Startup subscription type is intended for startups with 10 employees or less. This subscription type is free; however, there is now an approval process. 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.

Startup Qualifications

• Venture-backed, angel-backed, or bootstrap startups.
• Businesses or “Startups” with 10 or fewer employees.
• Businesses (including parent entities) generating less than $100,000 (USD) in total annual revenue.
• Willingness to share your story with the Autodesk Fusion 360 community. As in, they may create a blog post or marketing video to share with the world why Fusion 360 is vital in your day-to-day process.
• Note: If you’re a consultant doing work for others (including prototypes, evaluations, or proofs of concepts) then you are NOT eligible for the Startup license.

What’s NOT Included in Startups

The new Startup subscription type includes everything in the Commercial subscription except phone and email support.

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 or via my YouTube channel.

Registering for the Startup License

1. Go to the Fusion 360 for Startups home page and select the “Apply Now” button.
2. Fill out the form and click “Apply.”
3. When your application is received, you’ll receive an email with your application status and instructions on how to proceed.

Fusion 360 for Commercial

Put simply, the Commercial subscription is for anyone who does not qualify for the other license types. If you are a business or startup that is making greater than $100,000 annually then you will be required to purchase a subscription.

Subscriptions are available monthly, yearly, or by 3-year terms.

Fusion 360 Commercial Subscription Terms

Fusion 360 User – Full Commercial license

• Monthly subscription – $60
• 1 Year subscription – $495 (only $41.25/month)
• 3 Year subscription – $1,335 (only $37.08/month)

Fusion 360 Team Participant – For collaborators only. View, share, review, and markup design projects on any device.

• Monthly subscription – $15
• 1 Year subscription – $125 (only $10.42/month)
• 3 Year subscription – $340 (only $9.44/month)

Commercial Qualifications

• Anyone can purchase a Commercial license.

What’s NOT Included – Commercial Subscription

• Cloud credits to run advanced simulations, renders, and generative design may need to be purchased separately

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

Registering for the Commercial License

1. Visit the Fusion 360 homepage.
2. Select the “Subscribe” button.
3. Choose your subscription term (outlined above) and select “Add to cart”.
4. Sign in to your Autodesk Account.
5. Enter your payment details and click “submit order”.
6. The commercial license is tied to your Autodesk Account. When you start Fusion 360, sign in using your Autodesk Account email and password. Fusion 360 automatically detects your license type when you sign in.

Fusion 360 for Education Use

Fusion 360 Education licenses come in two different versions. The first version is a single-seat, giving access to an individual. Educational institutions will want to use the group lab installation, giving them licenses for multiple seats.

The education license term lasts 3 years. It can then be renewed for 1-year terms.

Note: If you plan on using a free license to activate Fusion 360 then you cannot download it directly from the Mac App Store. If you’ve already downloaded Fusion 360 from the Mac App Store then uninstall everything and reinstall from the Autodesk website.

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 Fusion 360 solely for education purposes, which includes non-commercial projects

What’s NOT Included

• Cloud credits to run advanced simulations, renders, and generative design may need to be purchased separately

Where to Get Support

• 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 or via my YouTube channel.

How to Download and Install

1. Visit the Fusion 360 education page.
2. 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 Autodesk Account to see if it’s listed under Products & Services.
3. Select Get Access and run the Fusion installer.
4. When you start Fusion 360, sign in using your Autodesk Account email and password. Fusion 360 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 Fusion 360 – Administrator for an Educational Institution:

1. Create an educational Autodesk account if you don’t already have one, or log into the Autodesk Education Community if you do: http://www.autodesk.com/education/ .
2. Review the installation instructions – Install Fusion 360 for Educational Institutions.

Switching from an Education to 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?

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