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DraftSight vs Vectorworks

DraftSight logo

DraftSight

Software

Professional 2D CAD drafting

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

Software

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DraftSight there is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use; 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: DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, Vectorworks covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DraftSight and Vectorworks actually diverge.

Attributes where DraftSight and Vectorworks differ
AttributeDraftSightVectorworks
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, MacOS
Founded19811985

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), 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 DraftSight

  • DWG/DXF support
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • Batch printing
  • PDF import
  • Layer management
  • SolidWorks
  • CATIA

Only in Vectorworks

  • BIM modeling
  • 2D/3D design
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • GIS integration
  • Entertainment design
  • Landscape tools
  • Lumion

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

DraftSight

  • 2D drafting and annotation on DWG filesnot Vectorworks
  • Opening and editing DWG drawings without AutoCADnot Vectorworks
  • Architectural and engineering drawing productionnot Vectorworks
  • Working alongside SOLIDWORKS in a Dassault toolchainnot Vectorworks

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot DraftSight
  • Landscape designnot DraftSight
  • Stage designnot DraftSight

Where each one falls short

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

DraftSight

  • There is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
  • Split into Professional, Premium and Enterprise tiers, with prices not shown on the product page
  • Primarily a 2D CAD application, with 3D limited to DWG file handling rather than full modelling

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

DraftSight

$29/month
  • Standard$99/month
    • 2D drafting
  • Professional$199/month
    • 2D + 3D
  • Premium$499/month
    • Advanced 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 DraftSight if

  • You need dwg/dxf support.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want 2d drafting.
DraftSight review

Choose Vectorworks if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 2d/3d design.
Vectorworks review

Questions people ask

Is DraftSight or Vectorworks better?
Neither clearly leads. DraftSight 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, DraftSight or Vectorworks?
DraftSight starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month.
Does DraftSight or Vectorworks run on more platforms?
DraftSight runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS.
What is DraftSight best used for?
DraftSight is most often used for 2d drafting and annotation on dwg files, opening and editing dwg drawings without autocad, architectural and engineering drawing production, working alongside solidworks in a dassault toolchain. Of those, 2d drafting and annotation on dwg files and opening and editing dwg drawings without autocad are not what Vectorworks is typically brought in for.
What can DraftSight do that Vectorworks cannot?
DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Batch printing. Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.
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