Alternatives to Vectorworks
Commercial CAD and BIM software for architecture, landscape design and entertainment lighting and stage design. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Vectorworks
Commercial CAD and BIM software for architecture, landscape design and entertainment lighting and stage design.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Vectorworks.
Archicad
Graphisoft's BIM software for architectural design, construction documentation and team collaboration.
Archicad is Graphisoft's paid BIM software with OpenBIM collaboration and architectural elements, listed for macOS, but without Vectorworks' landscape and entertainment products.
Autodesk Revit
Commercial BIM software for designing, documenting and coordinating architectural, structural and MEP building projects.
Autodesk Revit is paid Windows BIM covering architectural, structural and MEP design, with drawings updating from the model, and no landscape or stage focus.
BricsCAD
Native-DWG CAD software with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical variants.
BricsCAD is paid native-DWG CAD with 2D, 3D and BIM variants that also runs on Linux alongside Windows and macOS.
AutoCAD
Autodesk's 2D drafting and 3D CAD application, available on the desktop and in the browser.
AutoCAD is Autodesk's paid 2D and 3D CAD built on native DWG, available on web and desktop, without dedicated BIM or landscape tools.
TurboCAD
Commercial 2D and 3D CAD software for drafting and mechanical and architectural design on Windows and Mac.
TurboCAD is paid 2D and 3D CAD for Windows and Mac sold in several editions, covering drafting and architectural design without a large-vendor subscription.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
SketchUp Free
Browser-based 3D modeler that offers an easy start into 3D design.
Twinmotion
A real-time 3D visualization tool from Epic Games for architecture, products and design presentations.
Sweet Home 3D
Interior design software for drawing a floor plan, arranging furniture on it, and walking through the result in 3D.
Drawboard PDF
A pen-friendly PDF markup app with live-synced annotations across desktop, mobile and web.
