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3D & CAD · head to head

Redshift vs Vectorworks

Redshift logo

Redshift

3D & CAD

World's first fully GPU-accelerated biased renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

3D & CAD

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Redshift redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page; 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: Redshift covers GPU rendering, Vectorworks covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redshift and Vectorworks actually diverge.

Attributes where Redshift and Vectorworks differ
AttributeRedshiftVectorworks
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, MacOS
Founded20141985

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Redshift

  • GPU rendering
  • Out-of-core rendering
  • Proxy system
  • AOVs
  • Motion blur
  • Production shading
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max

Only in Vectorworks

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

Both cover

  • Cinema 4D
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Redshift

  • Production renderingnot Vectorworks
  • Motion graphicsnot Vectorworks

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Redshift
  • Landscape designnot Redshift
  • Stage designnot Redshift

Where each one falls short

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

Redshift

  • Redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page

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

Redshift

$29/month
  • Redshift$45/month
    • Full GPU rendering
  • Maxon One$149.91/month
    • Redshift + C4D + ZBrush

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 Redshift if

  • You need gpu rendering.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want out-of-core rendering.
Redshift 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 Redshift or Vectorworks better?
Neither clearly leads. Redshift 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, Redshift or Vectorworks?
Redshift starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month.
Does Redshift or Vectorworks run on more platforms?
Redshift runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS.
What is Redshift best used for?
Redshift is most often used for production rendering, motion graphics. Of those, production rendering and motion graphics are not what Vectorworks is typically brought in for.
What can Redshift do that Vectorworks cannot?
Redshift covers GPU rendering, Out-of-core rendering, Proxy system, AOVs. Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Both handle Cinema 4D, Windows support, MacOS support.
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