Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) review
Autodesk Fusion includes electronics design alongside its mechanical CAD, and it is where Autodesk has pointed EAGLE users. Its strength is designing board and enclosure together; its free licence is limited and it doesn't run on Linux.
Verdict
Pick it if you design the box as well as the board; otherwise KiCad does more for less.
- Made by
- Autodesk
- Cost
- Paid subscription, with a free licence for non-commercial personal use that limits schematic sheets, signal layers and board area. Prices and current limits are on Autodesk's pages. Check: Fusion for personal use
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS
- Website
- autodesk.com/products/fusion-360
Who it suits
People who also design the enclosure: electronics and mechanical CAD in one tool. Also the path Autodesk offers former EAGLE users.
Who should look elsewhere
Linux users, and anyone who wants unlimited boards for free.
Strengths
- PCB, enclosure and 3D in one product, so mechanical fit is checked as you design.
- Cloud projects with version history and sharing built in.
- Where Autodesk points EAGLE users now that EAGLE is retired.
Limits
- The free licence is for non-commercial personal use and caps schematic sheets, layers and board area.
- No Linux version.
- Closed source and subscription-priced; Autodesk stopped selling and supporting EAGLE on June 7, 2026.
How Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) scores
Each criterion is scored 0–2 against the rules on How we rank.
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cost and licensing | 1 | Free for non-commercial personal use, with limits, beside a paid subscription; closed source. Check: Fusion for personal use |
| Learning curve | 1 | Good official tutorials, but a large application that covers mechanical CAD too. Check: Fusion overview |
| Library and component support | 1 | Bundled component libraries; live stock and price not confirmed inside the editor. Check: Fusion overview |
| Board size and layer limits | 1 | The personal-use licence caps schematic sheets, signal layers and board area; a paid subscription lifts them. Check: Fusion for personal use |
| Output files | 1 | Gerber, drill, BOM, pick-and-place and 3D export; IPC-2581 or ODB++ not confirmed for every licence. Check: Fusion overview |
| Platform support | 1 | Windows and macOS; no Linux version. Check: Fusion system requirements |
| Collaboration | 2 | Cloud projects with version history, sharing and comments are built in. Check: Fusion overview |
| Total | 8/14 | |
Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) compared with KiCad
KiCad is the open-source baseline every tool here is measured against. Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) scores 8/14 against KiCad's 11/14.
- Cost and licensing: Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) behind (1 vs 2). Free for non-commercial personal use, with limits, beside a paid subscription; closed source.
- Board size and layer limits: Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) behind (1 vs 2). The personal-use licence caps schematic sheets, signal layers and board area; a paid subscription lifts them.
- Output files: Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) behind (1 vs 2). Gerber, drill, BOM, pick-and-place and 3D export; IPC-2581 or ODB++ not confirmed for every licence.
- Platform support: Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) behind (1 vs 2). Windows and macOS; no Linux version.
- Collaboration: Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) ahead (2 vs 1). Cloud projects with version history, sharing and comments are built in.
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