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3D & CAD · head to head

Vectorworks vs CATIA

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

3D & CAD

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CATIA logo

CATIA

3D & CAD

World's leading solution for product 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.; CATIA pricing page discloses no figures and instead asks buyers to "Speak with a CATIA expert" or "Contact us" through a how-to-buy form, making pricing available only by quote
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, CATIA covers Surface modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and CATIA actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and CATIA differ
AttributeVectorworksCATIA
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows, Linux (some)
Founded19851981

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 Vectorworks

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

Only in CATIA

  • Surface modeling
  • Class A surfacing
  • Systems engineering
  • Simulation
  • Composites design
  • Electrical design
  • Knowledge-based engineering
  • ENOVIA PLM

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot CATIA
  • Landscape designnot CATIA
  • Stage designnot CATIA

CATIA

  • Complex surface designnot Vectorworks
  • Aerospace engineeringnot Vectorworks
  • Systems designnot 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.

CATIA

  • Pricing page discloses no figures and instead asks buyers to "Speak with a CATIA expert" or "Contact us" through a how-to-buy form, making pricing available only by quote

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

CATIA

$29/month
  • Design$6600/month
    • Core design capabilities
  • Engineering$11000/month
    • Design + simulation
  • Experience$16500/month
    • Full suite with collaboration

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 CATIA if

  • You need surface modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux (some).
  • You also want class a surfacing.
CATIA review

Questions people ask

Is Vectorworks or CATIA better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and CATIA at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or CATIA?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and CATIA at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or CATIA run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. CATIA runs on Windows, Linux (some).
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 CATIA is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that CATIA cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. CATIA covers Surface modeling, Class A surfacing, Systems engineering, Simulation. Both handle Windows support.
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