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Construction · head to head

Dalux vs Vectorworks Architect

Dalux logo

Dalux

Construction

BIM viewing, snagging and field quality control for construction and facilities teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vectorworks Architect logo

Vectorworks Architect

Construction

Advanced BIM and design software for architects

From
$199/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Dalux has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dalux no pricing is published for any paid module, so comparing Dalux against Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud on cost requires entering a sales process and waiting for a quote you cannot benchmark.; Vectorworks Architect dWG file import and export can be problematic, affecting workflow efficiency and interoperability
  • They diverge on capability: Dalux covers Mobile BIM viewer, Vectorworks Architect covers BIM modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dalux and Vectorworks Architect actually diverge.

Attributes where Dalux and Vectorworks Architect differ
AttributeDaluxVectorworks Architect
Starting priceFree$199/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WindowsWindows, macOS
FoundedUnknown1985

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

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 Dalux

  • Mobile BIM viewer
  • Field snagging
  • Dalux Box
  • InfraField
  • Dalux FM
  • Handover
  • Checklists and forms
  • Free viewer tier

Only in Vectorworks Architect

  • BIM modeling
  • 2D documentation
  • 3D visualization
  • Energy analysis
  • Project sharing
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • Rhino

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Dalux

  • A Nordic main contractor wants every subcontractor raising and closing snags in one system without paying a seat fee for each trade, so the free Field Basic tier carries the supply chain.not Vectorworks Architect
  • An engineering consultancy needs site staff to interrogate a federated model on a phone in a basement with no signal, where a browser-based viewer would be useless.not Vectorworks Architect
  • A public asset owner wants the as-built model and asset register to survive handover into an FM system rather than arriving as a pallet of ring binders.not Vectorworks Architect
  • A rail or highways contractor needs quality records located by chainage along a route rather than by level and grid on a building floor plan, which is what InfraField exists for.not Vectorworks Architect

Vectorworks Architect

  • Architectural designnot Dalux
  • BIM documentationnot Dalux
  • 3D visualizationnot Dalux
  • Construction documentationnot Dalux

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Dalux

  • No pricing is published for any paid module, so comparing Dalux against Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud on cost requires entering a sales process and waiting for a quote you cannot benchmark.
  • There is no cost management, estimating, budgeting or payment application functionality, so commercial teams keep a separate system and someone reconciles the two by hand.
  • The integration catalogue is thin next to the American incumbents, and ERP or finance connections generally mean custom work through the API rather than a listed connector.
  • Support, documentation and product terminology are strongest in Danish and Northern European construction conventions, and teams working to AIA or other North American contract norms will find the workflows do not map cleanly.
  • The free tier is deliberately limited: Field Basic has no checklists, no document control and no reporting, so the free users your subcontractors get are consumers of information rather than participants in a controlled process, and upgrading them is a paid conversation.

Vectorworks Architect

  • DWG file import and export can be problematic, affecting workflow efficiency and interoperability
  • Occasional bugs during updates and version transitions causing compatibility issues
  • Rendering quality on macOS is limited compared to other platforms
  • Class structures are complex and organization is not intuitive

Pricing, plan by plan

Dalux

Free
  • BIM Viewer and Field Basic$undefined/year
    • Federated model viewing on desktop and mobile
    • Basic snagging against drawings and BIM
    • Unlimited invited project members at no cost
  • Dalux Field, Box, InfraField, Handover, FM$undefined/year
    • Full quality, safety and document control workflows
    • Handover and tender modules
    • Facilities management on the as-built model

Vectorworks Architect

$199/month
  • Standard$199/month
    • 2D/3D design
    • BIM tools
    • Documentation
  • Perpetual License$3045/once
    • All features
    • One-time purchase
    • Optional service select

Which should you pick?

Choose Dalux if

  • You need mobile bim viewer.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows.
  • You also want field snagging.
Dalux review

Choose Vectorworks Architect if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want 2d documentation.
Vectorworks Architect review

Questions people ask

Is Dalux or Vectorworks Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. Dalux starts at Free and Vectorworks Architect at $199/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dalux or Vectorworks Architect?
Dalux has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Dalux and $199/month for Vectorworks Architect.
Does Dalux or Vectorworks Architect run on more platforms?
Dalux runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows. Vectorworks Architect runs on Windows, macOS.
Can I use Dalux for free?
Yes. Dalux has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Vectorworks Architect starts at $199/month.
What is Dalux best used for?
Dalux is most often used for a nordic main contractor wants every subcontractor raising and closing snags in one system without paying a seat fee for each trade, so the free field basic tier carries the supply chain., an engineering consultancy needs site staff to interrogate a federated model on a phone in a basement with no signal, where a browser-based viewer would be useless., a public asset owner wants the as-built model and asset register to survive handover into an fm system rather than arriving as a pallet of ring binders., a rail or highways contractor needs quality records located by chainage along a route rather than by level and grid on a building floor plan, which is what infrafield exists for.. Of those, a nordic main contractor wants every subcontractor raising and closing snags in one system without paying a seat fee for each trade, so the free field basic tier carries the supply chain. and an engineering consultancy needs site staff to interrogate a federated model on a phone in a basement with no signal, where a browser-based viewer would be useless. are not what Vectorworks Architect is typically brought in for.
What can Dalux do that Vectorworks Architect cannot?
Dalux covers Mobile BIM viewer, Field snagging, Dalux Box, InfraField. Vectorworks Architect covers BIM modeling, 2D documentation, 3D visualization, Energy analysis.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dalux: Is Dalux really free?

BIM Viewer and Field Basic are genuinely free with unlimited invited users. Dalux Box, the full Field product, InfraField, Handover, Tender and FM are paid and quoted privately.

Vectorworks Architect: What is Vectorworks Architect?

Vectorworks Architect is a BIM and CAD software that combines 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and building information modeling into a single platform designed for architects to manage projects from concept through construction documentation.

Source
Dalux: Does Dalux work offline on site?

Yes. Models, drawings and snags sync to the device and the mobile apps are built to work in basements and lift shafts, syncing when signal returns.

Vectorworks Architect: Does Vectorworks integrate with Revit?

Yes, Vectorworks supports Revit interoperability. Since 2017, it can import RVT and RFA files, and as of 2020, it can export to RVT format. In 2025, updates include saving predefined import settings and scheduled automated exports.

Source
Dalux: Can Dalux replace Procore?

Not on the commercial side. It covers field quality, safety, documents and handover, but has no cost control, budgets or payment applications.

Vectorworks Architect: What file formats does Vectorworks support?

Vectorworks supports IFC, DWG, SketchUp's native formats, and RVT/RFA files. IFC is recommended for the most robust interoperability in building information modeling workflows.

Source
Dalux: Is it available outside Europe?

It is sold globally and the apps are multilingual, but the customer base, partner network and support hours are centred on Northern Europe.

Vectorworks Architect: Can I run Vectorworks on subscription?

Yes, Vectorworks offers subscription-based licensing where you pay only for the duration needed. Licenses can be installed on two machines but can only be actively used on one device at a time.

Source
Vectorworks Architect: Does Vectorworks provide collaboration features?

Yes, Vectorworks supports collaboration with team members using Shared Cloud Folders, and designers can reuse design elements across projects, enabling 20-30% productivity gains.

Source
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