It might help if you give an idea of the sort of thing you want to make, using which machine – or a specific project to guide suggestions as the question is very broad: a bit like ‘what’s the best woodworking tool?’
I’m wondering if by ‘beginner’ you mean occasional user for simple projects? As there are routes for this such as laser-cut box makers and tonnes of parametric Thingiverse models (OpenSCAD based IIRC) that avoid the learning curve of full CAD + CAM software…
For laser cutting Inkscape is the go-to, and is fantastic
Call me cynical but I would describe Fusion 360 as ‘currently offering a free to use version for non-commercial use’ which is liable to change without warning
FreeCAD is evolving at pace, is hugely powerful, but demands an investment of time to get used to its sometimes quirky brilliance…but it will always be free