Toolpath vs CloudNC (and where KinetiCAD fits)
The short answer: both make CAM programming faster from inside a CAM system. Toolpath is Fusion-only, priced per seat, and built around quoting plus automated milling toolpaths. CloudNC CAM Assist works in five CAM systems and is priced per month per site tier, with quoting as a separate app. If you have no CAM seat, or your jobs go lathe to mill, neither covers that today; that's where KinetiCAD fits.
I run KinetiCAD. Facts about Toolpath and CloudNC link to their own sites, checked November 4, 2026.
Comparison
| Toolpath | CloudNC CAM Assist | KinetiCAD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host CAM | Autodesk Fusion (product) | Fusion, Mastercam, Siemens NX, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM (FAQ) | None needed |
| Machines | 3-axis and 3+2 milling | 3-axis and 3+2 milling; no lathes or mill-turn yet | Your machines, lathe to mill |
| Setups and workholding | "Proposes how to hold and orient the part across setups" | Configured per machine, tools and workholding | Plans setups and routes operations across machines |
| Reads the 2D drawing | Not stated | In Quote Agent | Yes, for planning and programming |
| Quoting | Yes, cycle times from machining strategies, branded quotes | Separate Quote Agent app | Yes, from the planned operations; customer portal; books machine time |
| Verification | Collision-aware workholding; simulate in Fusion | Simulate in host CAM | Simulated against the CAD model; operator release |
| List price | Free (10 parts/mo); Core $40; Pro with automated CAM $125/seat/mo annual (pricing) | $995 / $1,333 / $1,499 per month (pricing) | On request during the pilot |
| Stage | Shipping | Shipping; "1,000+ factories" | Alpha, supervised pilot |
Pick Toolpath if
You program in Fusion, you want quoting and toolpaths in one subscription, and you want to start free.
Pick CloudNC if
Your programmers use Mastercam, NX, GibbsCAM or SolidCAM, you mostly mill prismatic parts, and you want the most widely deployed option.
Look at KinetiCAD if
Nobody in the shop has time to program, the person who quotes also programs, or your parts go from a lathe to a mill. KinetiCAD reads the model and the drawing and plans, programs and prices the job without a CAM seat. It is in pilot, so talk to us with a real part.
More: AI CAM software in 2026, compared · CloudNC alternative
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Toolpath and CloudNC?
Toolpath is a US company that combines AI quoting with automated 3-axis and 3+2 toolpaths inside Autodesk Fusion, priced per seat. CloudNC CAM Assist generates toolpaths inside five CAM systems (Fusion, Mastercam, Siemens NX, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM) and sells quoting as a separate Quote Agent app.
Which is cheaper, Toolpath or CloudNC?
On list prices checked November 4, 2026, Toolpath's Pro plan with automated CAM is $125 per seat per month billed annually, while CloudNC's Job Shop plans are $995 to $1,499 per month. Both need a host CAM: Fusion for Toolpath, one of five systems for CloudNC.
Do Toolpath or CloudNC program lathes?
CloudNC says CAM Assist does not support lathes or mill-turn yet. Toolpath describes 3-axis and 3+2 milling. KinetiCAD plans jobs across lathes and mills.