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Video Production · head to head

HitFilm vs LightWave 3D

H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LightWave 3D logo

LightWave 3D

CAD

Complete 3D production suite

From
$999/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HitFilm has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.; LightWave 3D user interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • They diverge on capability: HitFilm covers Composite shots, LightWave 3D covers Modeler.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HitFilm and LightWave 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where HitFilm and LightWave 3D differ
AttributeHitFilmLightWave 3D
Starting priceFree$999/one-time
Pricing modelPer user per monthUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryVideo ProductionCAD
FoundedUnknown1990

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

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 HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

Only in LightWave 3D

  • Modeler
  • Layout
  • Animation
  • Rendering
  • VPR
  • FiberFX
  • Dynamics
  • Unity

What people use each for

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

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot LightWave 3D
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot LightWave 3D
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot LightWave 3D
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D

  • Animationnot HitFilm
  • VFXnot HitFilm
  • Product visualizationnot HitFilm

Where each one falls short

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

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

LightWave 3D

  • User interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • Smaller community than Blender or Maya, resulting in fewer learning resources
  • Less industry adoption in some sectors, potentially affecting job market relevance

Pricing, plan by plan

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

LightWave 3D

$999/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the LightWave 3D review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Choose LightWave 3D if

  • You need modeler.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want layout.
LightWave 3D review

Questions people ask

Is HitFilm or LightWave 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. HitFilm starts at Free and LightWave 3D at $999/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HitFilm or LightWave 3D?
HitFilm has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HitFilm and $999/one-time for LightWave 3D.
Does HitFilm or LightWave 3D run on more platforms?
HitFilm runs on Windows, macOS. LightWave 3D runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use HitFilm for free?
Yes. HitFilm has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LightWave 3D starts at $999/one-time.
What is HitFilm best used for?
HitFilm is most often used for cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor, producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription, learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects tool, adding tracked 3d elements to live footage in a one-person production. Of those, cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor and producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription are not what LightWave 3D is typically brought in for.
What can HitFilm do that LightWave 3D cannot?
HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying. LightWave 3D covers Modeler, Layout, Animation, Rendering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

LightWave 3D: What is the cost of LightWave 3D?

LightWave 3D 2026 license costs $1,096 USD. Upgrades from previous versions cost $620-$758 USD. There are no subscription fees, only one-time purchase costs.

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

LightWave 3D: Is there a free trial available?

Yes. LightWave 3D offers a 30-day free full-feature trial, allowing users to evaluate all capabilities before purchase.

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

LightWave 3D: What rendering engines does it include?

LightWave 2026 includes RiPR2, a next-generation viewport renderer with physically-based global illumination built on Nvidia OptiX and CUDA, plus traditional rendering options.

Source
LightWave 3D: What new features are in LightWave 2026?

LightWave 2026 adds Advanced Placement for physics-based object scattering, MotoRig for vehicle animation, THOR for lightning effects, Fracture tool, Snow Falling 3D, 3D Camera Tracker, and built-in asset browser.

Source
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