TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Autodesk Fusion

    Score7.5 out of 10
    N/AAutodesk Fusion is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.

    $70

    per month

    DraftSight

    Score8.3 out of 10
    N/ADraftSight is a 2D and 3D CAD solution for architects, engineers and construction service providers, as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists. DraftSight lets users create, edit, view, and markup any kind of 2D and 3D DWG file with greater ease, speed, and efficiency. Its familiar user interface helps to facilitate a quick transition from other CAD applications. DraftSight Offerings: DraftSight Professional: the advanced 2D CAD drafting…

    $249

    per year

    Pricing
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Editions & Modules
    Fusion 360 - Paid Monthly
    $70
    per month per user
    Fusion 360 - Paid Annually
    $545
    per year per user
    Fusion 360 - 3 Years
    $1635
    3 years per user
    DraftSight Professional
    $249
    per year
    DraftSight Premium (3D)
    $549
    per year
    DraftSight Enterprise
    Contact sales team
    DraftSight Enterprise Plus
    Contact sales team
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsDraftSight Professional, and Premium are available to purchase online directly. DraftSight Enterprise and Enterprise Plus are available to purchase through local resellers.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Considered Both Products
    Autodesk
    Chose Autodesk Fusion
    Both [Autodesk] Fusion 360 and SOLIDWORKS are far beyond any open source project or 2-D oriented software. Compared to SOLIDWORKS, [Autodesk] Fusion 360 comes packaged with more functionality without needing to purchase additional add-ons for each function.
    Incentivized
    Dassault Systemes
    Chose DraftSight
    Much better value.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    DraftSight seems to be an equivalent software package. If you can use AutoCAD well with the command line features and drawing manipulation you will find it very easy to come up to speed in using the software. The integration of paper and model space is still dicey, but being …
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    I believe that it is priced fairly.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    DraftSight (Standard) is very similar to AutoCAD LT in form and function. The cost to purchase DraftSight was a clear winner against AutoCAD, especially for the same features. The transition from AutoCAD to DraftSight was seamless and helped make the choice clear.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    We have access to both of the above. I dabbled with them but they are a lot more sluggish and I haven't put in the effort to learn to use them since DraftSight has been my go to software for 2D designs.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    DraftSight is much easier to use.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    Draftsight is a Solid 2D editor. It does 2D easier than programs made for 3D.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    • It has fewer features, but basic features are the same.
    • Controls and user interface is similar
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    We used to have AutoCAD and there was nothing wrong with this until they moved to a subscription service and yes our keys would still work but we found that 3D CAD packages were using later DWG and DXF formats meaning we couldn't open the files. Hence, we moved to DraftSight, …
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    Over the years, I've worked with a few other CAD programs like AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and LibreCAD. I find DraftSight works equally as well and in some cases better than these other programs.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    I've used AutoCAD and it's better. I selected DraftSight because it was free.
    Incentivized
    Chose DraftSight
    Draftsight is Free, no involvement with management to get or install. Easy to install at home or on student computers. It doesn't take a serious hardware platform to work. It runs on Macs.
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    89%
    Would buy again
    8 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    77 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    8 Answers
    99%
    Delivers good value for the price
    75 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    89%
    Happy with the feature set
    8 Answers
    95%
    Happy with the feature set
    76 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    86%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    6 Answers
    94%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    64 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    8 Answers
    95%
    Implementation went as expected
    73 Answers
    Features
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Autodesk Fusion and DraftSight
    Feature
    Autodesk Fusion
    7.7
    2 Ratings
    3% above category average
    DraftSight
    6.8
    8 Ratings
    9% below category average
    3D Modeling9.82 Ratings7.92 Ratings
    2D Drafting7.62 Ratings8.48 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization9.12 Ratings5.54 Ratings
    Parametric Design5.22 Ratings6.32 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing9.62 Ratings7.17 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats9.82 Ratings8.17 Ratings
    Assembly Design5.02 Ratings7.84 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis4.62 Ratings4.52 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation8.02 Ratings6.78 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions7.82 Ratings5.66 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.5 out of 10
    PTC Creo
    Score7.5 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.2
    (17 ratings)
    9.2
    (417 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (23 ratings)
    Usability
    7.4
    (3 ratings)
    8.4
    (24 ratings)
    Availability
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.2
    (7 ratings)
    Performance
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.2
    (6 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.9
    (2 ratings)
    4.8
    (15 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (16 ratings)
    Configurability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.3
    (6 ratings)
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.3
    (1 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.2
    (4 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.4
    (7 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (4 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.0
    (5 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Autodesk FusionDraftSight
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Autodesk
    This software has been so easy to use from day one! I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Being an SME, it is offered on an annual basis free of charge. My network of engineers are amazed I am able to accomplish what I have using this software when the companies they come from are paying thousands for licensing. I also would like to note that Autodesk offer an incredible specialization to really round out your skills via Coursera.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    2D design work
    3D design work
    Large area (500m²+) analysis and assessment
    From product design, including production drawings to lay out of large (10m x 1m footprint) layouts DraftSight is a cost effective solution providing all appropriate interfaces for BIM.
    The level of detail during rendering (while it can be slow) is good for visualization and for use in installation and training materials
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Autodesk
    • The first PRO of Fusion 360 that always comes to mind is how versatile it is. Fusion 360 is the first CAD/CAM software that also includes other key features that CAD programs of this size don't have.
    • Fusion 360 has a generous licensing structure that gives those just starting out a place to start with a professional level CAD program. As a result, this has helped build up a huge community and user base around Fusion 360.
    • Fusion 360 is updated on a monthly basis. This has proven to be a huge advantage over Solidworks (something else I use) which is only updated once a year. The nice thing about monthly updates, other than regular bug fixes, is that the team can adapt quickly and no one is taken by storm with a big overhaul of the UI or features at the beginning of the year.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • You can easily bring in a dwg format drawing into the programme and it will display the information just as well as AutoCAD.
    • The programme supports shortcut features or one-click buttons for the most commonly used operations.
    • Script files can be used which is a bonus.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Autodesk
    • Fusion 360 is a very simple program, so once you begin to draw more complex 3D models, the software gets sluggish and loses its fluidity.
    • It would be really nice if Fusion 360 could output a model as a SolidWorks file so I can begin to draw something out in Fusion 360 and then pick it up in SolidWorks when I need to do some more advanced functions.
    • Because Fusion 360 is a simpler program, there are a few functions such as 3D sketches that are not intuitive like all the rest of the functions are.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • The text search and replace is very crude and barely works. Needs a major revamping.
    • The layout tabs are very clunky and hard to use. Needs to be fixed.
    • DraftSight will fix a problem in one version, mess it up in another version, then fix it again later on. And so forth, and so forth, and so forth. Very poor software update control.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Autodesk
    It does everything I need for great value.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    It has given us, a small startup, the ability to compete effectively with far larger competitors by evening the playing field at a low cost.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Autodesk
    Because the tool is very useful and easy to access, it provides very basic and useful tools to start in the modeling part despite being basic processing aspects. It is also very easy to get a free, temporary, or student license, which makes it a very good CAD tool.
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    Easy if you know how to use CAD software. But is not very difficult to learn using DraftSight if this is your first CAD software. As soon as you get in to it the work flow will save you a lot of time and its simple interface is very nice.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Autodesk
    Sometimes I like using it on Saturday nights. Unfortunately, they usually do their updates at this time and it isn't available to use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    Other than a bug created by a VAR tech support that didn't get resolved until I installed the next version, DraftSight has worked fine.
    Read full review
    Performance
    Autodesk
    It can freeze sometimes while doing heavy tasks.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    In general it's very quick to load drawings...now it depends a lot on the file we're opening or working on.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Autodesk
    Support is conducted via internet Q&A boards; newcomers to 3D modeling may find that articulating their questions in the language of CAD software is the tricky part — once they find the right technical term for what they're trying to accomplish, answers come quickly. Autodesk also provides a large library of educational tutorial videos that make the initial process of learning Fusion 360's interface much easier.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    Technical support seems to be overseas with broken English and difficulty to read English. I asked for a trial license to try the fix but it was declined. Ask pratiksha.dahotre and gayatri.keskar for details. In summary, they released a broken version, I helped to fix by providing feedback and error logs. They claimed it is fixed but I can't test it.
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    Autodesk
    No answers on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    Based on some knowledge of AutoCad, using Draftsight took a short time before I felt comfortable using it.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Autodesk
    No. It is basic and straightforward.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    Take time to get used to where commands are and how the interface can be customized to suit your needs and work style. The keyboard commands are very helpful and can make work more efficient if time is taken to learn them.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Autodesk
    Autodesk Inventor excels at daily core engineering tasks. When integrated with Vault management systems and part libraries, Autodesk Inventor is tough to beat when you need a mechanical design solution. When Inventor and Vault are setup properly it allows for a very efficient design workflow. I think it would be difficult to achieve the same amount of workflow efficiency with Autodesk Fusion 360, that said, Autodesk Fusion 360 offers a very good toolset at a much lower cost. I can maintain a yearly subscription of Autodesk Fusion 360 and get about 85% of the functionality that is available via the Inventor design suite for the cost of about 2 months of an Inventor subscription. I then also get access to manufacturing plugins with Autodesk Fusion 360 but lose a lot in the drawing environment. Inventor beats Autodesk Fusion 360 hands down when it comes to documentation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    While SketchUp is free, DraftSights cost is minimal and its abilities are much greater. It is so much easier to layout and modifies a system design. Since DraftSight is compatible with all versions of CAD, it makes it easy to collaborate with customers on their specific system design. We spend less time and see greater sales on our projects.
    Read full review
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    Autodesk
    No answers on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    It's a typical contract for cad software. It was inexpensive at the time I started. But now the more useful features are on the more premium (priced) version.
    Read full review
    Scalability
    Autodesk
    It offers so much already, and the reason being is that it showed promise early on.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    As a startup, we really appreciate scalable software or tools, and because we use it for diverse types of projects, flexibility is key.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Professional Services
    Autodesk
    No answers on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    Quite responsive when I have an issue, and with little to no delay in responding. They are professional and know the software so have been able to solve all of the issues that I have had with both using the software and also with making revisions as required. Non-technical issues like invoices have also been resolved quickly.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Autodesk
    • It gives me totally positive impacts. Its zero cost eliminates the need to search for other software to use.
    • Fusion 360's Autodesk cloud solution enables me to use 3d files generated via other Autodesk design software that are widely used by my customers.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • Draftsight has been very cost effective, it was free a few years ago then £79 a year, which it still is if you have the standard version. Now the minium level is Profession edition at £159+ VAT per year. Which is still very good value for money, just more that what we currently pay with the standard licences we have.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    DraftSight Screenshots

    Screenshot of Plate InsertScreenshot of Image TraceScreenshot of 2D and 3D DWG filesScreenshot of HomeByMe Integration