Software · head to head
Vectorworks vs DraftSight
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.; DraftSight there is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and DraftSight actually diverge.
| Attribute | Vectorworks | DraftSight |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 1985 | 1981 |
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
- Rendering
- GIS integration
- Entertainment design
- Landscape tools
- Lumion
Only in DraftSight
- DWG/DXF support
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- Batch printing
- PDF import
- Layer management
- SolidWorks
- CATIA
Both cover
- Windows support
- MacOS support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Vectorworks
- Building designnot DraftSight
- Landscape designnot DraftSight
- Stage designnot DraftSight
DraftSight
- 2D drafting and annotation on DWG filesnot Vectorworks
- Opening and editing DWG drawings without AutoCADnot Vectorworks
- Architectural and engineering drawing productionnot Vectorworks
- Working alongside SOLIDWORKS in a Dassault toolchainnot 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.
DraftSight
- There is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- Split into Professional, Premium and Enterprise tiers, with prices not shown on the product page
- Primarily a 2D CAD application, with 3D limited to DWG file handling rather than full modelling
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
DraftSight
$29/month- Standard$99/month
- 2D drafting
- Professional$199/month
- 2D + 3D
- Premium$499/month
- Advanced features
Which should you pick?
Choose Vectorworks if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 2d/3d design.
Choose DraftSight if
- You need dwg/dxf support.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is Vectorworks or DraftSight better?
- Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and DraftSight at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or DraftSight?
- Vectorworks starts at $29/month and DraftSight at $29/month.
- Does Vectorworks or DraftSight run on more platforms?
- Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. DraftSight runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- 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 DraftSight is typically brought in for.
- What can Vectorworks do that DraftSight cannot?
- Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Batch printing. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.