Softwr

3D & CAD · head to head

Vectorworks vs Alibre Design

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

3D & CAD

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Alibre Design logo

Alibre Design

3D & CAD

Affordable professional CAD

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Alibre Design actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and Alibre Design differ
AttributeVectorworksAlibre Design
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows
Founded19851997

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), 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 Vectorworks

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

Only in Alibre Design

  • Parametric modeling
  • Assemblies
  • Sheet metal
  • 2D drawings
  • BOM
  • CAM software
  • PDM
  • License key

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Alibre Design
  • Landscape designnot Alibre Design
  • Stage designnot Alibre Design

Alibre Design

  • Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot Vectorworks
  • Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot Vectorworks
  • Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot Vectorworks

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Alibre Design

  • Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
  • Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
  • Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
  • CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
  • A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D

Pricing, plan by plan

Vectorworks

$29/month
  • Architect$2495/month
    • BIM
    • Architecture tools
  • Landmark$2495/month
    • Landscape design
    • GIS
  • Design Suite$3295/month
    • All modules combined

Alibre Design

$29/month
  • Atom3D$199/month
    • Basic modeling
  • Design$999/month
    • Professional CAD
  • Expert$1999/month
    • Full features

Which should you pick?

Choose Vectorworks if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 2d/3d design.
Vectorworks review

Choose Alibre Design if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assemblies.
Alibre Design review

Questions people ask

Is Vectorworks or Alibre Design better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Alibre Design at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Alibre Design?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Alibre Design at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or Alibre Design run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Alibre Design runs on Windows.
What is Vectorworks best used for?
Vectorworks is most often used for building design, landscape design, stage design. Of those, building design and landscape design are not what Alibre Design is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that Alibre Design cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, GIS integration. Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Vectorworks

More on Alibre Design

Keep looking

Other head to heads