CNCCookbook published 2018 CAD survey results. Check them here. I found a few interesting data points: (1) Significant growth of Autodesk Fusion360 and Solidworks; (2) A relatively flat position of others.
Check the following picture of 15 CAD products representing 82% of the market. The picture is also including a comparison of 2017 and 2018 results.
CNCCookbook represents a very specific, but an interesting niche of the market. So far, ~400 people answered on their survey. Here is the key summary passage:
The two market leaders, Fusion 360 and SolidWorks continue to grow like crazy, although Fusion 360 has taken over the lead position from SolidWorks for the first time. It’s interesting to look at Autodesk’s combined share for Fusion 360, Inventor, and AutoCAD, because the latter two lost considerable share. The combined share in 2017 was 35.4% and in 2018 it is 36.9%. In other words, while Autodesk grew over all, most of the Fusion360 growth looks like folks moving off AutoCAD or Inventor and onto Fusion 360. Solidworks, OTOH, while no longer in the lead, grew by much more overall. Most of the other players were flat to down. The two leaders are slowly absorbing the market.
Because of a specific type of customers, some CAD systems aren’t represented (eg. CATIA). Also a dominance of Autodesk Fusion360 can be influenced by a rich set of Fusion360 features in manufacturing.
What is my conclusion? The dominance of Solidworks is not a surprise. This software is a de-facto standard for mechanical engineers. It is very interesting to see growing numbers about Autodesk Fusion360. Because this is a good place to watch disruption. CNCCookbook is representing only a specific niche of the market. But it is a place where disruption can be seen in a much better way in my view. What we can learn that you can change dominant positions by aggressive pricing and much broader feature set. Both the characteristics of Autodesk Fusion360. Just my thoughts…
Best, Oleg
Disclaimer: I’m co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM developing cloud-based bill of materials and inventory management tool for manufacturing companies, hardware startups and supply chain. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.
