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3D & CAD · head to head

Vectorworks vs Modo

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

3D & CAD

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Modo logo

Modo

3D & CAD

Creative 3D modeling and rendering

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.; Modo foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Modo covers Polygon modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Modo actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and Modo differ
AttributeVectorworksModo
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19851996

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
  • GIS integration
  • Entertainment design
  • Landscape tools
  • Lumion
  • Twinmotion

Only in Modo

  • Polygon modeling
  • Subdivision surfaces
  • Sculpting
  • UV tools
  • Procedural modeling
  • Animation
  • MeshFusion
  • Unity

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • License management
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Modo
  • Landscape designnot Modo
  • Stage designnot Modo

Modo

  • Polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assetsnot Vectorworks
  • Look development and rendering of product and character modelsnot 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.

Modo

  • Foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated
  • Support continues only until each customer's current contract term expires
  • Foundry does not guarantee that Modo will keep working on future operating system updates because no patches will be issued, and recommends customers migrate to alternative 3D workflows
  • Perpetual licences keep working but receive no further updates, bug fixes or support
  • The Modo forums closed in December 2024 and downloads, docs and the support knowledgebase were committed only until November 2025

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

Modo

$29/month
  • Indie$599/month
    • Full Modo
    • Revenue limit $100K
  • Modo$1898/month
    • Full commercial license

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 Modo if

  • You need polygon modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want subdivision surfaces.
Modo review

Questions people ask

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