Autodesk Fusion vs QCAD: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Autodesk Fusion and QCAD are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. Autodesk Fusion is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version; QCAD is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version. On output, QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF) files while Autodesk Fusion does not, which matters if you need to share plans with a contractor.
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick Autodesk Fusion if…
Free, with limitsHobbyist 3D parametric modeling
Pick QCAD if…
Free, with limitsFree 2D drafting with optional pro upgrade
Side by side
Autodesk Fusion
Free, with limitsFree for hobbyists with limited functionality, restricted to personal non-commercial projects; commercial use requires a paid subscription.
QCAD
Free, with limitsThe open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
Read the full reviews
Autodesk Fusion
Free for hobbyists with limited functionality, restricted to personal non-commercial projects; commercial use requires a paid subscription.
QCAD
The open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
Autodesk Fusion vs QCAD: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Autodesk Fusion and QCAD?
On output, QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF) files while Autodesk Fusion does not, which matters if you need to share plans with a contractor.
Is Autodesk Fusion or QCAD free?
Autodesk Fusion is free, with limits and QCAD is free, with limits. Autodesk Fusion: Free for hobbyists with limited functionality, restricted to personal non-commercial projects; commercial use requires a paid subscription. QCAD: The open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
Can you export CAD files from Autodesk Fusion or QCAD?
Autodesk Fusion exports —; QCAD exports DXF, DWG, PDF. Only QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF).