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Software · head to head

Vectorworks vs Redshift

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

Software

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Redshift logo

Redshift

Software

World's first fully GPU-accelerated biased renderer

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.; Redshift redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Redshift covers GPU rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Redshift actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and Redshift differ
AttributeVectorworksRedshift
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19852014

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 Redshift

  • GPU rendering
  • Out-of-core rendering
  • Proxy system
  • AOVs
  • Motion blur
  • Production shading
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max

Both cover

  • Cinema 4D
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Redshift
  • Landscape designnot Redshift
  • Stage designnot Redshift

Redshift

  • Production renderingnot Vectorworks
  • Motion graphicsnot 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.

Redshift

  • Redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page

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

Redshift

$29/month
  • Redshift$45/month
    • Full GPU rendering
  • Maxon One$149.91/month
    • Redshift + C4D + ZBrush

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 Redshift if

  • You need gpu rendering.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want out-of-core rendering.
Redshift review

Questions people ask

Is Vectorworks or Redshift better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Redshift at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Redshift?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Redshift at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or Redshift run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Redshift 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 Redshift is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that Redshift cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Redshift covers GPU rendering, Out-of-core rendering, Proxy system, AOVs. Both handle Cinema 4D, Windows support, MacOS support.
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