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CAD · head to head

Lumion vs Unreal Engine

Lumion logo

Lumion

CAD

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Unreal Engine logo

Unreal Engine

Entertainment

The world's most open and advanced real-time 3D creation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Unreal Engine 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; Unreal Engine 5% royalty triggered on any project exceeding $1 million in gross revenue across all revenue sources
  • They diverge on capability: Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Unreal Engine covers Real-time ray tracing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumion and Unreal Engine actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumion and Unreal Engine differ
AttributeLumionUnreal Engine
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsPC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR
CategoryCADEntertainment
Founded19981991

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 Lumion

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

Only in Unreal Engine

  • Real-time ray tracing
  • Nanite geometry
  • Lumen global illumination
  • Blueprint visual scripting
  • C++ programming
  • World composition
  • Animation systems
  • Audio engine

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Lumion

  • Architectural visualization
  • Client presentationsnot Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine

  • AAA game developmentnot Lumion
  • Indie game creationnot Lumion
  • Architectural visualization
  • Film and TV productionnot Lumion
  • VR/AR experiencesnot Lumion

Both are used for architectural visualization, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

Unreal Engine

  • 5% royalty triggered on any project exceeding $1 million in gross revenue across all revenue sources
  • Smaller mobile game ecosystem compared to Unity, with fewer optimized mobile libraries and live-ops services

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumion

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

Unreal Engine

Free
  • Game DevelopmentFree
    • Nanite geometry
    • Lumen global illumination
    • Blueprint visual scripting
  • Non-Game Commercial$1850/year
    • No royalties
    • Enterprise features

Which should you pick?

Choose Lumion if

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

Choose Unreal Engine if

  • You need real-time ray tracing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR.
  • You also want nanite geometry.
Unreal Engine review

Questions people ask

Is Lumion or Unreal Engine better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumion starts at $29/month and Unreal Engine at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumion or Unreal Engine?
Unreal Engine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Lumion and Free for Unreal Engine.
Does Lumion or Unreal Engine run on more platforms?
Lumion runs on Windows. Unreal Engine runs on PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, VR, AR.
Can I use Unreal Engine for free?
Yes. Unreal Engine 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, client presentations is not what Unreal Engine is typically brought in for.
What can Lumion do that Unreal Engine cannot?
Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Unreal Engine covers Real-time ray tracing, Nanite geometry, Lumen global illumination, Blueprint visual scripting. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lumion: Where can I find Lumion pricing information?

Specific pricing details are not published on Lumion's public website. Interested customers need to visit the full Lumion website or contact the sales team directly for quotes.

Source
Unreal Engine: What is Unreal Engine's royalty structure?

Unreal Engine is free upfront with a 5% royalty on gross revenue worldwide after a project exceeds $1 million in lifetime gross revenue. This includes in-app purchases, advertising, and direct sales but excludes indirect revenue.

Source
Lumion: Does Lumion offer a free trial?

A free trial is available for Lumion, though the specific trial duration and included features are not detailed on the main website.

Source
Unreal Engine: What platforms can Unreal Engine target?

Unreal Engine supports PC, VR, AR, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. The royalty fee applies across all platforms.

Source
Lumion: What is Lumion's licensing model?

Lumion is a commercial software product for architects and 3D rendering professionals. Licensing details and purchase options require contacting the sales team directly.

Source
Unreal Engine: What are Unreal Engine's graphics capabilities?

Unreal Engine 5 features Nanite virtualized geometry and Lumen global illumination, enabling photorealistic AAA workflows. Nanite replaces traditional LOD systems with 128-triangle clusters and software rasterization for superior visual fidelity.

Source
Unreal Engine: Do non-game developers pay royalties?

No. Non-game commercial teams pay $1,850 per seat per year instead of royalties. This covers enterprise use cases outside traditional game development.

Source
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