Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Autodesk Fusion 360 VS Maple

Compare Autodesk Fusion 360 VS Maple and see what are their differences

Autodesk Fusion 360 logo Autodesk Fusion 360

Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

Maple logo Maple

Considered the leading mathematical software, Maple intertwines the world’s most advanced math engine with a user-friendly interface.
  • Autodesk Fusion 360 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • Maple Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-16

Autodesk Fusion 360 features and specs

  • Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE
    Fusion 360 offers a unified platform for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE), streamlining the workflow for engineers and designers.
  • Cloud-Based Collaboration
    Being a cloud-based tool, it allows for seamless collaboration and version control, enabling teams to work together from different locations and devices.
  • Parametric Modeling
    Fusion 360 supports parametric modeling, allowing users to create models based on parameters and relationships, which makes design modifications more efficient.
  • Cost-Effective
    With a competitive pricing structure, including a free tier for startups and enthusiasts, Fusion 360 is accessible to smaller businesses and individual designers.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Fusion 360 has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easier for newcomers to get started and for experienced users to enhance their productivity.
  • Rich Libraries and Templates
    It offers extensive libraries and predefined templates that can significantly speed up the design process and provide useful starting points for various projects.

Possible disadvantages of Autodesk Fusion 360

  • Internet Dependency
    Being predominantly cloud-based, Fusion 360 requires a stable internet connection for full functionality, which can be a limitation in regions with poor connectivity.
  • Performance Issues
    There can be performance lags and delays, especially with larger, more complex models, which may impact workflow and productivity.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    While it does offer some offline capabilities, most advanced features require an internet connection, which can be a disadvantage during travel or in remote locations.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, Fusion 360 has a steep learning curve due to its extensive features and tools, requiring significant time investment to master.
  • Subscription-Based Pricing
    While the pricing is competitive, the subscription-based model may not be ideal for all users, particularly those who prefer a one-time purchase option.
  • Occasional Software Bugs
    Like any software, Fusion 360 is not immune to bugs and glitches, which can sometimes disrupt work and require troubleshooting or technical support.

Maple features and specs

  • Powerful Symbolic Computation
    Maple excels at symbolic mathematics, providing robust tools for algebra, calculus, and more through its comprehensive symbolic computation engine.
  • Extensive Mathematical Library
    The software includes a vast library of built-in mathematical functions and toolkits, making it versatile for various complex mathematical problems.
  • Interactive Visualizations
    Maple offers a range of interactive plotting and visualization tools, aiding in better understanding and presentations of the mathematical data.
  • Programmatically Accessible
    Users can write scripts and create custom functions using Maple's powerful programming language, enabling automation and extended functionality.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Maple integrates with other software such as MATLAB, further extending its utility in various domains and collaborative projects.

Possible disadvantages of Maple

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and programming capabilities, new users might find it challenging to learn and navigate effectively.
  • High Cost
    Maple is a commercially licensed software, which can be expensive, especially for individual users and small businesses.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex calculations and visualizations in Maple can be demanding on system resources, potentially requiring high-end hardware configurations.
  • Limited Numerical Computation Performance
    While exceptional at symbolic computation, Maple's numerical computation performance may lag behind specialized numerical software like MATLAB.
  • User Interface Complexity
    The interface, while powerful, can be quite complex and may require significant time to master and utilize efficiently.

Autodesk Fusion 360 videos

Fusion 360 Tutorial for Absolute Beginners (2020)

Maple videos

Tim Reviews the MAPLE AIRSOFT SUPPLY M4 AEG!

More videos:

  • Review - Whisky Review/Tasting: Crown Royal Maple
  • Review - Pearl Masters Maple Gum Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Autodesk Fusion 360 and Maple)
3D
91 91%
9% 9
Technical Computing
49 49%
51% 51
Architecture
100 100%
0% 0
Numerical Computation
53 53%
47% 47

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Autodesk Fusion 360 and Maple

Autodesk Fusion 360 Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
A product of Autodesk, Fusion 360 comes to us as an integrated, cloud-based platform for design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing. Released in September 2013, it proves its versatility with compatibility across Windows, macOS, web browsers, Android, and iOS. It’s not only a multilingual tool but also an amalgamation of CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design capabilities.
Source: aircada.com
15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
Out of the list, Fusion 360 from Autodesk stands out as the most recommended. When you look at its features, both platforms are not too dissimilar. But, Fusion 360 works faster as it is cloud-powered, and it is relatively more comfortable to use.
Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs
Created by software giant AutoDesk, Fusion 360 is a cloud-based program. It integrates Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) softwares, which makes it a unified platform. Regarding the CAD software, Fusion 360 is a parametric modeling system that allows some more powerful tools, being one of the greatest...
Source: solidface.com

Maple Reviews

10 Best MATLAB Alternatives [For Beginners and Professionals]
Next that comes in our list is Maple from Maplesoft. It’s an essential mathematical tool for education, engineering, and research.
6 MATLAB Alternatives You Could Use
Having a powerful Math engine, Maple is a pretty feature heavy MATLAB alternative. It lets you enter problems in traditional mathematical notation, and allows creation of custom interfaces. Maple includes a dynamically typed, imperative-style programming language, identical to Pascal. And of course, it can interface with other languages (e.g. C, Java) as well. It has over...
Source: beebom.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Autodesk Fusion 360 and Maple, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

Inventor - Inventor is a 3D CAD software that lets you quickly create 3D models with embedded intelligence, intuitive workflows, and optimized performance.

GNU Octave - GNU Octave is a programming language for scientific computing.