Powerful but not collaborative.
Updated May 19, 2025

Powerful but not collaborative.

Andrew Defever | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Autodesk Inventor

I teach students mechanical design using Inventor as it is a common tool used in the manufacturing and engineering industry.

Pros

  • Robust tools.
  • Intuitive User Interface.
  • Ability to share projects across platforms and file types.

Cons

  • Requires large download to use.
  • Files not collaborative.
  • Limited to just design side (no CAM functions).
  • Free for education/educators.
  • Must be run on PC (not chromebook compatible).
  • Integrates with all other Autodesk programs.
It is quite user-friendly as long as you have the computing power to download and use it. However, this makes it quite inconvenient if you are trying to access files on different devices, as Inventor has to be loaded on all of those devices. While the program itself works just fine, it would be much better for my application if it, or a version, were web-based and allowed users to access and modify projects from anywhere.
Fusion works very similarly to Inventor as it is from the same company. SOLIDWORKS is also fairly similar, with only small features/functions and user interface differences. Onshape functions similarly to Inventor, but is web-based, so it requires no download to use. It is accessible on pretty much any device with an internet connection. While it is less potent than Inventor, the accessibility tradeoff is enough for many people to switch.

Do you think Autodesk Inventor delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Autodesk Inventor's feature set?

Yes

Did Autodesk Inventor live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Autodesk Inventor go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Autodesk Inventor again?

No

It is well suited for someone designing large projects that may require lots of computing power and working on a project on their own. It is very robust, and with a powerful enough machine, a person can design very elaborate and detailed projects. Where it falls short, however, is if a project needs to be worked on collaboratively and contributors need to all make updates and changes to the project in real time.

Autodesk Inventor Feature Ratings

Computer-Aided Design Software
7.7
3D Modeling
8
2D Drafting
8
Rendering and Visualization
8
Parametric Design
8
Collaboration and Sharing
4
Compatibility with other software and formats
8
Assembly Design
8
Simulation and Analysis
9
Documentation and Annotation
8
Customization and Extensions
8

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