Software · head to head
Alibre Design vs Vectorworks
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; Vectorworks the Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.
- They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Vectorworks covers BIM modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and Vectorworks actually diverge.
| Attribute | Alibre Design | Vectorworks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, MacOS |
| Founded | 1997 | 1985 |
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Alibre Design
- Parametric modeling
- Assemblies
- Sheet metal
- 2D drawings
- BOM
- CAM software
- PDM
- License key
Only in Vectorworks
- BIM modeling
- 2D/3D design
- Documentation
- GIS integration
- Entertainment design
- Landscape tools
- Lumion
- Twinmotion
Both cover
- Rendering
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Alibre Design
- Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot Vectorworks
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot Vectorworks
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot Vectorworks
Vectorworks
- Building designnot Alibre Design
- Landscape designnot Alibre Design
- Stage designnot Alibre Design
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Alibre Design
- Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
- Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
- CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
- A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D
Vectorworks
- The Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.
Pricing, plan by plan
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
Vectorworks
$29/month- Architect$2495/month
- BIM
- Architecture tools
- Landmark$2495/month
- Landscape design
- GIS
- Design Suite$3295/month
- All modules combined
Which should you pick?
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want assemblies.
Choose Vectorworks if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 2d/3d design.
Questions people ask
- Is Alibre Design or Vectorworks better?
- Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or Vectorworks?
- Alibre Design starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month.
- Does Alibre Design or Vectorworks run on more platforms?
- Alibre Design runs on Windows. Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS.
- What is Alibre Design best used for?
- Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what Vectorworks is typically brought in for.
- What can Alibre Design do that Vectorworks cannot?
- Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, GIS integration. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.
Related pages
More on Alibre Design
More on Vectorworks
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