Softwr

Software · head to head

Modo vs Lumion

Modo logo

Modo

Software

Creative 3D modeling and rendering

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumion logo

Lumion

Software

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Modo foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated; Lumion enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures
  • They diverge on capability: Modo covers Polygon modeling, Lumion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Modo and Lumion actually diverge.

Attributes where Modo and Lumion differ
AttributeModoLumion
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows
Founded19961998

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 Modo

  • Polygon modeling
  • Subdivision surfaces
  • Sculpting
  • UV tools
  • Procedural modeling
  • Rendering
  • Animation
  • MeshFusion

Only in Lumion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Content library
  • Effects
  • Video animation
  • VR export
  • LiveSync
  • Revit
  • SketchUp

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Modo

  • Polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assetsnot Lumion
  • Look development and rendering of product and character modelsnot Lumion

Lumion

  • Architectural visualizationnot Modo
  • Client presentationsnot Modo

Where each one falls short

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

Modo

  • Foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated
  • Support continues only until each customer's current contract term expires
  • Foundry does not guarantee that Modo will keep working on future operating system updates because no patches will be issued, and recommends customers migrate to alternative 3D workflows
  • Perpetual licences keep working but receive no further updates, bug fixes or support
  • The Modo forums closed in December 2024 and downloads, docs and the support knowledgebase were committed only until November 2025

Lumion

  • Enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures

Pricing, plan by plan

Modo

$29/month
  • Indie$599/month
    • Full Modo
    • Revenue limit $100K
  • Modo$1898/month
    • Full commercial license

Lumion

$29/month
  • Standard$1499/month
    • Core features
  • Pro$2999/month
    • Full features
    • More content

Which should you pick?

Choose Modo if

  • You need polygon modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want subdivision surfaces.
Modo review

Choose Lumion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want content library.
Lumion review

Questions people ask

Is Modo or Lumion better?
Neither clearly leads. Modo starts at $29/month and Lumion at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Modo or Lumion?
Modo starts at $29/month and Lumion at $29/month.
Does Modo or Lumion run on more platforms?
Modo runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Lumion runs on Windows.
What is Modo best used for?
Modo is most often used for polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets, look development and rendering of product and character models. Of those, polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets and look development and rendering of product and character models are not what Lumion is typically brought in for.
What can Modo do that Lumion cannot?
Modo covers Polygon modeling, Subdivision surfaces, Sculpting, UV tools. Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Both handle Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Modo

More on Lumion

Keep looking

Other head to heads