Both build parts and assemblies from constrained sketches and an editable feature history. The SOLIDWORKS blog calls SOLIDWORKS Design 2027 a parametric modeling solution, and Fusion records each feature in a timeline, with an optional direct modeling mode.
They differ most in platform and hobbyist licensing. Dassault Systèmes' Makers FAQ says SOLIDWORKS Connected, the desktop design app in its hobbyist plan, needs Windows 10 or 11 and cannot be installed on a Mac. Fusion runs on Windows 11 and macOS 14 or later and has a free personal-use license with limits.
SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Fusion side by side
| Feature | SOLIDWORKS | Autodesk Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Dassault Systèmes | Autodesk |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Commercial pricing | By quote (price not verified) | Paid subscription (price not verified) |
| Hobbyist option | 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers: US$48 a year or US$15 a month before tax; personal projects, with sales allowed up to US$2,000 a year | Fusion for personal use: free for home-based, non-commercial projects; 10 editable documents; 3-year term |
| Platforms | Windows; the Makers FAQ says SOLIDWORKS Connected needs Windows 10 or 11 and cannot be installed on a Mac, where browser-based xDesign and xShape work | Windows 11 23H2 or later, macOS 14 or later; Apple silicon required from the March 30, 2027 release |
| Published system requirements | Not verified | 8 GB RAM minimum on Windows (4 GB on Mac), 8.5 GB disk, internet connection |
| Latest release | SOLIDWORKS Design 2027, announced October 21, 2026 | Build v.2706.1.17, October 29, 2026 |
| Modeling approach | Parametric part, assembly and drawing design | Parametric timeline, with optional direct modeling |
| Native and exchange formats | Native SLDPRT, SLDASM and SLDDRW (Makers files are watermarked and open only with a Makers license); STEP and IGES for exchange | Personal use exports STEP, STL, OBJ, F3D, F3Z, IPT, FBX, SMT, SKP and sketch DXF; imports SOLIDWORKS 2026 files |
| Manufacturing tools in the hobbyist plan | Shop Floor Machining, per Dassault's Makers FAQ | FFF additive included; probing, 3+2 and multi-axis milling excluded |
| Recent additions | 2027: stamping on sheet metal bends, color point-cloud import, side-by-side installs of three versions, background STEP and IGES import | 2026: Bambu Lab A1 and CrealityOS post processors, 3MF Slice Extension export, wider Slice Analysis |
Checked November 2, 2026. SOLIDWORKS Design 2027 was announced on the SOLIDWORKS blog on October 21, 2026; Fusion's latest listed build was v.2706.1.17 (October 29, 2026). The solidworks.com website did not respond to automated requests, so SOLIDWORKS system requirements and commercial prices are not given; SOLIDWORKS for Makers details come from Dassault Systèmes' store FAQ. Autodesk's product and pricing pages also blocked automated access, so a paid Fusion price is not given.
Licensing and cost
Dassault Systèmes sells commercial SOLIDWORKS licenses by quote; its product page links to quote requests rather than listing prices. For hobbyists, its store FAQ lists 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers at US$48 a year or US$15 a month, excluding taxes. The plan is meant for personal, non-commercial projects, but the FAQ allows selling what you make up to US$2,000 a year under its terms. Subscriptions renew automatically, and data is deleted two weeks after a subscription ends.
Autodesk describes Fusion for personal use as free for qualifying home-based, non-commercial projects, on a 3-year term. Only 10 documents can be editable at once, and simulation, generative design, extensions and cloud rendering are excluded. Commercial work needs a paid subscription.
Platforms
According to Dassault's Makers FAQ, SOLIDWORKS Connected installs only on supported Windows 10 or 11 systems. On a Mac you can use the browser-based xDesign and xShape apps, but not the desktop design app.
Fusion supports Windows 11 version 23H2 and macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with 8 GB of RAM as the Windows minimum and minimum internet speeds. Autodesk has announced that Fusion will stop updating on Intel-based Macs and require Apple silicon from its March 30, 2027 release.
Modeling and release cadence
Dassault now ships SOLIDWORKS features through functional delivery updates during the year and bundles them into an annual release. Its blog lists SOLIDWORKS Design 2027 highlights, including stamped features on sheet metal bends, color point-cloud import, model variability tables, background import of large STEP and IGES files, and the option to install 2027 alongside the two previous versions.
Autodesk publishes Fusion builds through the year, with notes in its release log. In parametric mode every feature is recorded in a timeline you can edit and reorder, and direct modeling mode works without history.
Moving files and printing
Fusion's March 2026 release notes say Autodesk's translation framework added support for SOLIDWORKS 2026 files. Dassault's Makers FAQ says native files from that plan are watermarked and open only with a Makers license, while neutral formats such as STEP and IGES open anywhere, so STEP is the practical route between the two.
Fusion goes further toward the printer. Its personal-use license keeps FFF additive setups, and its 2026 release notes add post processors for Bambu Lab A1 and CrealityOS printers and 3MF Slice Extension export. SOLIDWORKS 3D printing tools could not be confirmed from Dassault's own pages for this comparison.
Which should you choose?
Choose SOLIDWORKS if…
- Your employer, school or clients exchange native SOLIDWORKS files.
- You work on Windows and want a low-cost hobbyist plan that allows limited sales.
- You want SOLIDWORKS Design 2027 features such as sheet metal stamping on bends.
Choose Autodesk Fusion if…
- You work on a Mac and want a desktop CAD app.
- You want CAM, electronics and additive print setup in the same program.
- Your projects are non-commercial and fit Fusion's free personal-use limits.
Common questions
Can I sell things I make with SOLIDWORKS for Makers?
Dassault's FAQ says the plan is for personal, non-commercial projects but allows selling what you make up to US$2,000 a year under its terms and conditions.
Does SOLIDWORKS run on a Mac?
Dassault's Makers FAQ says SOLIDWORKS Connected cannot be installed on a Mac; Mac users can work in the browser-based xDesign and xShape apps instead. Fusion has a native macOS version.
Can Fusion open SOLIDWORKS files?
Fusion's March 2026 release notes list support for SOLIDWORKS 2026 files. Files from the Makers plan are watermarked, so export those as STEP before opening them elsewhere.
Sources
- SOLIDWORKS product page Dassault Systèmes · Checked 2026-11-02
- Fusion 2026 release notes Autodesk Fusion Help · Checked 2026-11-02
- 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers FAQ Dassault Systèmes · Checked 2026-11-02
- Fusion for personal use: license changes and limits Autodesk Fusion Help · Checked 2026-11-02
- System requirements for Autodesk Fusion Autodesk Fusion Help · Checked 2026-11-02
- What's New in SOLIDWORKS 2027: Design SOLIDWORKS Blog (Dassault Systèmes) · Checked 2026-11-02
- Fusion parametric and direct modeling (design history) Autodesk Fusion Help · Checked 2026-11-02
- The Fusion interface (Data Panel, timeline, workspaces) Autodesk Fusion Help · Checked 2026-11-02
This comparison summarizes the cited documentation; it is not a lab test. Features and prices change between releases; check the developer’s site for the current version.