Software · head to head
Vectorworks vs Lumion
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.; Lumion enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures
- They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Lumion covers Real-time rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Lumion actually diverge.
| Attribute | Vectorworks | Lumion |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS | Windows |
| Founded | 1985 | 1998 |
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 Lumion
- Real-time rendering
- Content library
- Effects
- Video animation
- VR export
- LiveSync
- Revit
- SketchUp
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Vectorworks
- Building designnot Lumion
- Landscape designnot Lumion
- Stage designnot Lumion
Lumion
- Architectural visualizationnot Vectorworks
- Client presentationsnot 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.
Lumion
- Enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures
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
Lumion
$29/month- Standard$1499/month
- Core features
- Pro$2999/month
- Full features
- More content
Which should you pick?
Choose Vectorworks if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 2d/3d design.
Choose Lumion if
- You need real-time rendering.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want content library.
Questions people ask
- Is Vectorworks or Lumion better?
- Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Lumion at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Lumion?
- Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Lumion at $29/month.
- Does Vectorworks or Lumion run on more platforms?
- Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Lumion 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 Lumion is typically brought in for.
- What can Vectorworks do that Lumion cannot?
- Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Both handle Windows support.