Frequently Asked Questions
Autodesk as a whole is not completely free. It primarily offers paid, subscription-based software for professionals. However, it does provide free trials (typically 15–30 days) for most products. Additionally, eligible students and educators can access Autodesk software free for one year, renewable annually. Hobbyists can also get Fusion for personal use free for three years, with restrictions on annual revenue (under $1,000).
Autodesk as a whole is not completely free. It primarily offers paid, subscription-based software for professionals. However, it does provide free trials (typically 15–30 days) for most products. Additionally, eligible students and educators can access Autodesk software free for one year, renewable annually. Hobbyists can also get Fusion for personal use free for three years, with restrictions on annual revenue (under $1,000).
No. Autodesk is the company that develops and sells a broad portfolio of software (over 90 products) across industries like architecture, engineering, manufacturing, film, and gaming. AutoCAD is one specific flagship software among many—focused on 2D and 3D drafting. People often conflate the two, but AutoCAD is just one product within Autodesk's ecosystem.
None of Autodesk’s core professional tools (including AutoCAD) are permanently free on PC. You can run free trials on Windows or macOS, and students/educators get free access. For hobbyists, Fusion for personal use is available free for PC—but with specific usage limits.
You sign up on the Autodesk website (or via your education account), download the Autodesk Desktop App or respective product installer through your Autodesk Account. Then you run the installer (typically for Windows or macOS), follow the step-by-step prompts, and launch the app. System requirements vary by product.
Yes, you can run AutoCAD if your PC meets the minimum system requirements. AutoCAD (latest is 2026, released March 25, 2025) runs on 64‑bit Windows 10/11 and macOS, needing at least 8 GB RAM (recommended 32 GB), a DirectX‑compatible GPU, and sufficient CPU (2.5 GHz or higher).
Yes. Autodesk offers free trials (15 days for AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD, 30 days for Revit and others) that give full access to features. You can also view interactive product tours and feature demos on their website, complete with tutorial videos and trial download instructions.