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New Free Fusion 360 Subscription Types
To provide the best experience for all of the Fusion 360 communities, two new subscription types are being introduced: Fusion 360 for personal use and Fusion 360 for startups.
These new subscription types replace the existing hobbyist/startup subscription types but remain free for personal use and for qualifying startups.
Effective today, Fusion 360 is available through the following four subscription types to address the needs of our multiple Fusion 360 communities:
- Fusion 360 – for professional, commercial purposes
- Fusion 360 for personal use – for non-commercial use (some exceptions apply)
- Fusion 360 for startups – for startups developing new products (qualifications are required)
- Fusion 360 for education – for educational institutions or student use only
What does this mean for me?
Please, take a look below for information regarding your current subscription type and aligned offerings:
Fusion 360 commercial subscribers: No action is needed! There are no changes to your commercial subscription. You’ll continue to have access to everything Fusion 360 has to offer, for as long as you continue to renew.
Fusion 360 for education: No action is needed! You will not see any change in your product access or features. Click here to learn more about Autodesk Terms of Use.
Fusion 360 hobbyist/startup subscribers: Action is required by the end of your term! Effective today, the prior hobbyist/startup subscription type is no longer available for renewal or new subscriptions. By the end of your existing term, you’ll need to choose from the subscription types below:
- Fusion 360 for personal use (new) – For non-commercial use only. You’ll have access to everything you need for personal projects including all the design, engineering, documentation, and manufacturing capabilities included in a current Fusion 360 commercial subscription. Access to collaboration, data management capabilities, and commercial software translators (NX, Catia, Solidworks, Creo, and Inventor) is not included. Also, support is provided through our community forums for this subscription type. If you’d like to continue with Fusion 360 for personal use, please follow these instructions to convert to the new offering.
- Fusion 360 for startups (new) – We remain committed to offering you free, fully- functional, commercial-based software with this new subscription type. Additionally, we want to ensure you are able to stay compliant in the future. A registration and approval process is now required to verify that you meet the criteria outlined here. If approved, you’ll get the same access as the regular commercial subscription offering. Apply today.
For instructions on how to register for any of these subscription types, click here. If you need more information regarding what capabilities and features are included with each subscription type, please see here.
Want all that Fusion 360 has to offer? Don’t wait, subscribe today.
Get all the features and services that Fusion 360 has to offer including:
- Phone and email technical support
- Powerful collaboration and data management for your entire team
- All standard and commercial translators (NX, Catia, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, PTC Creo, etc.)
- ANYCAD (non-destructive, native CAD translation and referencing)
Subscribe today.
Prefer to speak with someone? Contact a sales representative.
USA and Canada: +1 833 843 3437
JPN (Asia): +81 0800 080 4228
EMEA Hub: + 44 203 8722950
UK: +44 8081 699659
Germany: +49 8941 207104
France: +33 1 75 85 05 80
Spain: +34 9312 25042
Italy: +39 0 212 4120560
Comments
crueby1
Tried following the links for a personal use subscription, goes in circles. I have an existing hobbyist/startup subscription, already have Fusion 360 installed, and am trying to do as you say and switch to a Personal Use license. So far cannot figure out how to do that, all the options just go to the download link, or to the form to purchase the full version. How exactly do I convert my existing license to the Personal Use one??
Thanks!
gmelantoni
Are you still having the problem? In a post below there’s an explanation. If you have a current startup/hobbyist user type and your license has not expired yet, you don’t need to take action. If you do, you should be able to choose to become a Startup under the current conditions, or get a Personal one. Please let us know if you are still having issues.
wolfgangPBQGC
same as crueby1. You can do better Autodesk. Also a question regarding this paragraph: “Access to collaboration, data management capabilities, and commercial software translators (NX, Catia, Solidworks, Creo, and Inventor) is not included.” Does this mean we will not be able to import solidworks and inventor files into fusion anymore?
Patrick Rainsberry
That is correct, personal use will not allow for translation of commercial file types. You can still import standard neutral formats such as STEP, IGES, and STL.
wolfgangPBQGC
wow that is a bummer! many parts from free places are shared in those formats. this greatly limits the use of pre-made cad objects from sites like grabcad.com.
gmelantoni
Although it might not be the case for every model, there are a lot of models on grabcad.com that also include generic formats like STEP or IGES, which we fully support for a Personal license.
wolfgangPBQGC
Of course there are a lot of formats out there, even a bunch of Fusion360 files. But many of the high quality models I have come across have been in those two formats. Fusion360 is loosing a lot of flexibility for hobbyist makers. And I do not see a reasoning for that, I am sorry.
jerameiXU7U2
I’m having the exact issue he is describing more or less. I’ve tried re-installing. Clicking the button numerous times logging out logging in. No clue what I’m actually supposed to do to switch to personal. I’ve got a buddy that is also having the same problem.
iad2S22H
Is it allowed to use both a personal and a startup-license with the same subscription?
What is the meaning of “story” in the condition “willing to share your story with the Fusion 360 community”?
Patrick Rainsberry
You would not need to use both. If you apply and receive a startup license there would be no need for a personal license.
With regards to the the “story” the intent is that if you develop a new innovative and successful product using Fusion 360 we would like to be able to tell that story in terms of marketing or a customer success story. Of course we wouldn’t approach all users with this option, but if there is an interesting story to tell about how Fusion 360 helped to launch your product or business we would want to be able to share it with the broader community.
johnathandavidmckinney
Similar to other commenters, I can’t seem to find any sort of way to renew my subscription to the updated version. I even downloaded the Fusion 360 client again, only for it to tell me it was already installed. Perhaps I’ll just wait until it’s time to renew my license? I’d rather be on the right subscription now, though.
Patrick Rainsberry
Hello,
Thank you for the feedback. We are adjusting some of the text on the website right now as I realize it is a little bit unclear. I’ll also post a more detailed instructions list here shortly.
In short, once you sign in on the bottom this page:
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360-for-hobbyists
You see a link that says “Get Started”. When you click that link it will automatically assign your account the new personal use subscription.
It then starts a download. If you already have Fusion 360 installed you can ignore the download, no-need to reinstall.
Note, there may be up to a 30 min delay before the new subscription is visible in your existing Fusion 360 installation.
I apologize for the confusion and really appreciate the feedback.
Roland12345
“Access to collaboration, data management capabilities, and commercial software translators (NX, Catia, Solidworks, Creo, and Inventor) is not included.”
What “data management capabilities” are not included? Will I still be able to manage my files via a web browser and, as a single user, use Wiki pages for notes to myself?
Patrick Rainsberry
Yes you will still be able to manage your own files. The difference will be you can not invite others into your project to edit your data. That is the main difference. I will post a link to a more detailed description shortly.
micke.hesselgren
Hello, i use 360 for personal projects “maker stuff” such as models i 3d print and so on. just freetime stuff for fun. one project im working on when i have time is printing a life size replica of the “Johnny 5 robot” the guy that made the 3d files for that models made them in Solidworks. so all the files i have are in SLDPRT. if i understand this correctly i will no longer be able to open these files in Fusion 360 as a Hobbyist?
Patrick Rainsberry
Yes that is correct. You can have the author export step files of the design and you could then import them into Fusion 360.
Roland12345
Very good, thanks. I renewed mine shortly before the new free types were announced. Fusion seems to be functional, and it says “(Startup License)” at the top. Can I keep using it as-is until it expires again in a little less than a year, and then renew for personal use? I do not need any of the collaboration features.
Roland12345
Sorry Patrick, I was confused by the location of the Options button. My reply a minute ago ended up in the wrong place.
Patrick Rainsberry
No worries. Yes you can continue to use your existing license until it expires.
__JP
I want to thank the team at Fusion so much for keeping this free for hobbyists.
The reality for me is that if Fusion 360 wasn’t free, then I couldn’t afford to do projects.
As a payback I like to get involved in the Fusion online community and help others learn the ropes.
Thanks Fusion!
cegan09
Killing the collaboration for hobbyists is a big slap in the face. My local makerspace picked fusion as our default CAD package because of the integrated collaboration and CAM. The way we teach members to use the CNC mill was built around the idea that we can share projects with experienced members to review CAM data before running parts. It helped immensely not having to export files and send them back and forth. All the changes lately seem to be confirming the fears we’ve had for years that fusion would not remain free and complete as promised at it’s launch. Each announcement brings more and more restrictions.
Patrick Rainsberry
You will still be able to review other user’s designs as ready only. You just will not be able to edit them.
blinsc
In one post you say you won’t be able to invite people to edit your data and in this one you say you can review the design as read-only. It hardly matters anymore, but just for clarification sake, you will still be able to invite people, correct?
kfmut
“Slap in the face” is a perfect description for all of this.
kisecotob
What about freelancers? I am a tiny business focusing on innovative solutions. It doesn’t seem balanced that I, who earn less than 20k a year, and live paycheck to paycheck have to pay, but startups who operate from wealthy people’s money don’t.
clementboutillon
Hey
No link with the subscription, but from your last updade, today I don’t have access to my sketch toolbar when I create one, or edit one. Am I alone in this situation?
Thanks alot
Patrick Rainsberry
That is strange, can you post this issue in the support forums and someone will take a look.
macnewbie
Can you please explain how the original early adopter subscription fits in or changes in this context?
Patrick Rainsberry
These changes do affect commercial subscriptions in any way.
wesleyEYK7Y
For me, along with any other freelancer already using Fusion, this is a 100% win. We are locked into legacy pricing 😉
hellenicopter
Hello,
The offer is not available for users in Switzerland?
Thank you
Patrick Rainsberry
Can you DM me your email and I’ll have someone reach out to help you.
medicsykes@aol.com
so I had to prompt to update on my screen. my question is why? I believe I paid close to $500 for my license.
so am I ok or am I not understanding.
Patrick Rainsberry
That shouldn’t have happened. You shouldn’t have been notified if you had a commercial license. Is it possible you have two different accounts with two different email addresses? If you want to DM me your email address or addresses I can look into your account to see what is going on.
medicsykes@aol.com
how do I DM you?
Patrick Rainsberry
GO to the forums and find my user name. Then you can send a direct message.
lawrence.sorina
Couldn’t figure this out either, tried to install, said was existing, my hobby version was to expire in about 10 days. Logged out then in again then out again then it must have been 30 min or later and I looked again and it was just registered as Personal. Way to go Fusion 360, even in a limited format for me is awesome. I really got dissappointed to see I had to pay so much for the limited amount of times I use this program by yea really good to offer this to us limited users for free to use around the home for small hobby projects.
flagezooke@gmail.com
“All standard and commercial translators (NX, Catia, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, PTC Creo, etc.)”
Does this mean we won’t be able to export to STL or OBJ formats unless we create a Startup Company? What about 2D exports like PDF?
The lack of clarity on this point is causing a lot of undo stress. I am just trying to design projects for myself and share what I make via YouTube (<20 subs = no revenue) and Thingiverse. A one man hobby project shouldn't require me to apply as a startup.
Patrick Rainsberry
The file types are only limited in import. The sentence you referencing above is about the commercial version. If you look at the description of personal use above you can see that standard formats are still included for import.
collin.sayler
I have been trying to renew my startup license but haven’t gotten any kind or response and I am still getting the notice when I open fusion 360 to update my subscription. I’m not sure if I am doing it correctly; Its a little confusing. Wondering if someone can contact me via email to let me know what I need to do? I’m just a little worried I’m going to get cut off. I have some projects coming soon that could be a big deal in getting my business going. My apologies if I missed something already posted.
Patrick Rainsberry
If you applied on the website:
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360/startups
Someone will review your application and get back to you shortly.
tony.richmond.ii
Can you help me out with definitions? Specifically what constitutes a hobby business? I consider myself a hobbyist, because I make things that I want to make. They are mostly for me, but sometimes I sell them. I’m not cranking out 1000 bucks a year, but that really isn’t very much either. At what point does garage hobby become a hobby business? And how much of that hobby counts if some of it includes fusion and some of it doesn’t?
I know the distinction doesn’t apply to me right now, but I’d like to know what it will take to end up on the other side of this very grey line.
Thanks.
Patrick Rainsberry
The intent is that if your hobby generates some small amount of revenue under $1,000 then you are good to use the personal license.
spammehere@arcaderestoration.com
And how do you plan on Enforcing this? What happens if I sell $1,001.00 worth of items?
If there was a $150 subscription, and it was limited like the Hobbyist/Startup , I would pay that. $500, is too much for what I get out of it. When it was on sale at Amazon for $25, I had zero issue paying that.
kkrzysztonek
Dear Autodesk,
could you please answer to above questions – is there a clear rules?
Michelle Stone
Fusion 360 for personal use is intended for non-commercial use but, we know many of you using Fusion 360 for personal use do generate some income so there is a revenue exception which is currently $1000 USD. Your income may fluctuate but each year, when you are prompted to renew, you will have to accept the terms and conditions so you can decide which subscription makes the most sense for you.
As you begin to generate more revenue using Fusion 360, you have two subscription options.
– If you are designing and manufacturing your own physical products, and meet the other qualifications here, you can apply for a startup subscription
– You can purchase a commercial subscription
emdubbious@gmail.com
This is down right disappointing, but karma has a funny way of levelling the playing field. Limiting the functions of a user based upon the subscription is going to and has turned away numerous users that appreciated a big company making an otherwise over priced piece of software unreachable, unusable and inefficient. Thankfully there are more companies out there, ladies and gentleman that are being affected by this poor business choice of AuotDesk’s, that offer very functional programs that accept a multitude of file types for a fraction of what Solidworks or Fusion are offered at. We can use our collective disappointment to our advantage and make other companies who want you to use there software just like AutoDesk did 10 years ago, and by using them we can bring an awareness to what AutoDesk is losing, if they care…
armbob
Dear, i’m an italian freelancer and i’m under 30.000€ year. I use only CAM in Fusion for 3 years. Now I have startup licence; i will can use Fusion with this type of licence?
Eventually i will can, i can buy the packet with “steep and shallow”?
Thank you, Roberto
rlogiacco
This is really disappointing! No more than a couple of months ago you invited all of us to switch to teams, now you are restricting teams to startups and commercial? Also, I would understand if you want to remove some of the most nich importers, but Solidworks? Really?
I hope as a hard contributor to opensource software and hardware I’m eligible for the startup license, but this is a very disappointing move from Autodesk: you have a gargantuan user base thankfully to the hobbyist license… You are pushing a lot of people away with this: please reconsider your decision.
glennJFNDF
I am currently on a startup license and my company meets the requirements. I am willing to fill out the forms and agree to the new terms but I really don’t see a way to do that. This post says “by the end of your term”. I don’t know how long my term is and I see no way to do anything before the end of my term. I don’t want to suddenly be locked out of a design I am working on. Do I need to apply again? Can I do that with the same email address?
Patrick Rainsberry
You should apply with the same email address. The application is here:
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360/startups
koayoung
oh wait false alarm, i wasn’t signed in, its still free YAY!!!!
Geoff_rCx
I’m trying to renew my existing Startup license, but the link provided above only makes sense for USA-based companies (which mine is not). Specifically the “corporation types” do not apply in my country. How long before Autodesk will sort this mess out ?
Patrick Rainsberry
This has been a bit of an issue, we had a bit of a delay in the localization of that form into other countries (which would have the other company types) in the short term we are just going to make it an open field to accommodate other countries until the country specific versions of the form are live. You should see the change in the next day or two.
kisecotob
I think it doesn’t really matter if I “lock in” the limited offer, altho EU law does not allow changing the terms in the future, I’m sure you will create a new subscription type in 2 years and end all others, so everyone who think they get a lifetime of $310 won’t have a chance to continue on that subscription anyway.
glennki
When trying to update my Fusion 360 subscription type from hobbyist to startup the “Corporation Type” field does not offer anything relevant to South Africa. The options are: “C Corporations”, “S Corporations”, “Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)”, “Nonprofit Organizations” and ” DBA”. Which type would be the best match for a very small Proprietary Limited – “(Pty) Ltd” – type company? If Autodesk can explain the relevance of this field to the application then it would help. I propose that “(Pty) Ltd” or “Other in non-US jurisdiction” be added to the list.
Thanks
btcwoodwerks
I have the start up license, and downloaded Fusion 360 just prior to the change in the accounts. I did as I was asked and filled out the application for a small startup business. I was told I did not meet requirements and was not approved. Not sure how I didn’t meet the requirements, I am the sole proprietor of my shop, it is a small wood working shop, and I was going to use fusion 360 for designing of projects for customers. Can you explain why I don’t qualify, I make less than 10,000 a year right now, I am a one man shop.
kisecotob
Please clarify the startup vs freelance differentiation! A startup, which is legally just a business, designs innovative things and sells them, a freelancer, also legally a business, and also designs innovative things and sells them. So if I understood correctly from now on business that call itself freelance, or a design studio have to subscribe no matter how much they earn? Please respond. Thank you!
jdjeff58
I love how all these tech companies use these clouds to fundamentally steal your data by baiting you to store it on a cloud. “On the cloud…ooooh aaaah”…sounds so relaxing, airy, free, and non threatening. Like luring the kid into the van with candy. You’ll get nowhere with my stupid projects. Unless I become a millionaire with Lars dovetail drawer, you got nothing on me. I hope the communist chinese don’t hog too much of the bed for you.
daumomail
I filled out the start-up license form on October 11 but haven’t been contacted by anybody from Autodesk yet.
The warning “Update your existing subscription now” still shows up whenever I start Fusion360.
What shall I do?
finium
I am sssoooo confused… I am a hobiest. I use Fusion 360 for personal use only. I tried the subscription 10 times – but either I get back to the same page or I “change” my subscription just to het the yellow ribbon asking to change my subscription.
I will just ignore the ribbon until… I don’t know until when…
mikk.leini
I would like to say it’s a great to see you (Autodesk) provide free personal subscription for Fusion 360. Some years ago when i started using it with hobbyst/start-up license i was hesitant about the cloud approach. But now i actually see some benefits: i can get the model from other PC easily and see it from the phone. It’s not like some cloud data service where you add you personal documents or photos and be worried where they end up, it’s just 3D models there which many people most likely publish anyway somewhere (GrabCAD, Github, etc.). Fusion 360 is a great and handy CAD, keep on doing the good work!
BLACKBETON
Hi everyone
I’ve the same problem and that’s really starting me to get worried !
I’m using F360 with a startup license, I comply with all the new conditions, I’ve been in touch by mail with Patrick Rainsberry. he told one month ago that everything was being processed but I still have the orange banner on the main screen asking me to subscribe.
And the main screen also displays the number of days left before the end of the term.
Only 4 days left and still no news from the Autodesk support …
I work more than 10hours a day on fusion to develop my business, and I shut it down without out it !
I don’t know if you guys have the same problem
Thanks in advance
Max.
officePNFMG
Fusion is a great piece of SW and I really like but with your new subscription model you are confusing the whole F360 community. In my opinion 310.- per year is way to much for hobbyist. Why don’t you charge by featureset? For example 50.- for construction, 50.- for rendering, 50.- for animation and so on 250.- for the whole package.
I’m sure you could make much more money with this approach then with “Fusion 360 for personal use” (310.-) Plus you get better feedback what the hobby-community needs and what not.
hpfanner
I have a small home based business an try to extend my startup license. The past 3 weeks I several times filled in the form but nothing happens. No email, no phone call. What can I do? Thanks in advance,
eagleXUJ85
I applied to extend my startup license but have had no response. My term ends today. The whole experience, especially the unprofessional correspondence from your sales department leading up to this has been very disappointing.
fusion3609RBJF
As long as Fusion 360 does not correctly implement the touch gesture for Mac Trackpad and constantly ignoring to zoom, there will be no more subscription from my site.
This issue is reported years ago and it’s still a pain and a mess. Using Mac Trackpad with Fusion is a kick in the ass to every designer. So bad.
ronald.henery.38
good day. I am getting a pop up to renew my subscription but when I go to the link it takes me to the main menu i then go to the link and then nothing. i also downloaded the DFX converter but cannot find it. i am attempting to convert GRBL to DFX for my 3018 CNC but struggling. please assist.
Michelle Stone
I’ve created a technical support case to have someone review the issue with you. Case #16188927 for your reference.
raymond.candiotes@gmail.com
I have already done the update so why do I keep getting the reminder to update?
Qué licencia de Fusion 360 utilizar – Norbert Rovira Studio
[…] octubre de 2019 Autodesk modificó los tipos de licencia, puede ser que estés todavía con la Startup/Hobby que desapareció pero cuando toque la […]
tiieto
Hello… Yesterday i opened my Fusion360 on my Mac.. I have the “old” hobbyist license.. My current license expire in 08.2021… So i wonder why im now on a “30 Day test”… What happened here? Normally i can use my old license until it expires… This confused me..
helipilot.bn
I did this 4 months ago. Why do I get it again?
fprico
I currently have the startup license, I would like to know, after 1 year, will I have to request for approval again?. Will Fusion remain free as it is now for Startups after the year?
michaelb79JVA
I have applied for the startup license and haven’t gotten a response yet, last i got was an e-mail stating someone from autodesk will be in touch with me, nothing has happened otherwise. Can this please be investigated
jli1010
Yah, I’m confused, I can’t seem to figure out when the existing license expires either (besides the convert button is MIA in my account too, and the one in the UI goes to the professional subscription.
I’ve actually got a more serious question. I’m on the hobbiest/startup license because what I was doing had the potential to break the overall revenue limits, but definitely qualifies for IRS purposes as a hobby business and could just as well make $0 over the next 3 years (the target industry moves REALLY slowly).
So what happens in 3 years, do I then just apply for another startup, or suck it up and start paying for something I use like 20 hours a year? Can the startup files be converted to a personal account (that doesn’t appear to be true?).
lsmassoc
I have now tried 3 times to switch to a hobbyist subscription as there are 29 days left for me under the hobbyist/startup scheme. All I’m getting is the warning of how many days remain. I have followed the instructions each time.
My experience is the same as people who have been having the same problems for some considerable time. Now what please?
AroundHomeDIY
I just wanted to note that because of the drastic changes to hobbyist licenses, we will no longer be making video tutorials for Fusion 360 such as the fairly popular one we made here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJLVbv0uuOQ&
This is quite a shame as we were looking forward to creating additional ones for upcoming projects.