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3D & CAD · head to head

Lumion vs FreeCAD

Lumion logo

Lumion

3D & CAD

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FreeCAD logo

FreeCAD

3D & CAD

Open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FreeCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; FreeCAD no vendor support or professional services available; community-driven support only
  • They diverge on capability: Lumion covers Real-time rendering, FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumion and FreeCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumion and FreeCAD differ
AttributeLumionFreeCAD
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWindows, macOS, Linux
Founded19982002

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & CAD).

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 Lumion

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

Only in FreeCAD

  • Parametric modeling
  • Part design
  • Assembly
  • Drafting
  • FEM simulation
  • Path/CAM
  • Architecture
  • BIM

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Lumion

  • Architectural visualizationnot FreeCAD
  • Client presentationsnot FreeCAD

FreeCAD

  • Mechanical engineering designnot Lumion
  • Architectural modellingnot Lumion
  • Product design and prototypingnot Lumion
  • CAM/CNC path generationnot Lumion

Where each one falls short

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

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

FreeCAD

  • No vendor support or professional services available; community-driven support only
  • Requires users to self-host and maintain the software; no cloud version available

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumion

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

FreeCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreeCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Lumion if

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

Choose FreeCAD if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want part design.
FreeCAD review

Questions people ask

Is Lumion or FreeCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumion starts at $29/month and FreeCAD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumion or FreeCAD?
FreeCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Lumion and Free for FreeCAD.
Does Lumion or FreeCAD run on more platforms?
Lumion runs on Windows. FreeCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use FreeCAD for free?
Yes. FreeCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lumion starts at $29/month.
What is Lumion best used for?
Lumion is most often used for architectural visualization, client presentations. Of those, architectural visualization and client presentations are not what FreeCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Lumion do that FreeCAD cannot?
Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Part design, Assembly, Drafting. Both handle Windows support.
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