Softwr

Software · head to head

Vectorworks vs Inventor

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

Software

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Inventor logo

Inventor

Software

Professional-grade 3D mechanical design

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.; Inventor autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Inventor covers Parametric modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Inventor actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and Inventor differ
AttributeVectorworksInventor
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows
Founded19851982

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Inventor

  • Parametric modeling
  • Assembly design
  • Sheet metal
  • Simulation
  • Technical documentation
  • Frame generator
  • AutoCAD
  • Vault

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • License management
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Inventor
  • Landscape designnot Inventor
  • Stage designnot Inventor

Inventor

  • Mechanical designnot Vectorworks
  • Product developmentnot Vectorworks
  • Manufacturing documentationnot 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.

Inventor

  • Autodesk publishes no licence price through UK G-Cloud: every listing found there is reseller delivered training at 750 to 1,500 pounds per day rather than software licensing, and neither AWS Marketplace nor GSA carries the product

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

Inventor

$29/month
  • Inventor$2085/month
    • Full mechanical design
    • Simulation
    • Documentation
  • Product Design & Manufacturing Collection$2475/month
    • Inventor + AutoCAD + more

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 Inventor if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assembly design.
Inventor review

Questions people ask

Is Vectorworks or Inventor better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Inventor at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Inventor?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Inventor at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or Inventor run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Inventor 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 Inventor is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that Inventor cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, GIS integration. Inventor covers Parametric modeling, Assembly design, Sheet metal, Simulation. Both handle Rendering, License management, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Vectorworks

More on Inventor

Keep looking

Other head to heads