The additive manufacturing technique selective laser melting (SLM) is compared to forging and casting regarding differences in microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718, a commonly and widely used nickel-based superalloy. Semi-finished parts were produced by different manufacturing techniques and tensile test samples were prepared. Tensile tests were performed at room and elevated temperatures (450°C and 650°C). Microstructural investigations were done by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show the capability of the SLM-process to produce parts with mechanical properties better than forged and cast material at room temperature and equal properties to forged material at elevated temperatures with a high proportion of intragranular δ-phase in the SLM-processed material.