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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

Capture vs WYSIWYG

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Capture #6 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 From €395 ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Capture
WYSIWYG #7 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 10-day trial ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit WYSIWYG

Capture leads on 0 checks, WYSIWYG on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Capture and WYSIWYG score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for lighting design software; Capture sits at #6 and WYSIWYG at #7 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

Capture is the better fit for production teams needing plots and live visualization. WYSIWYG is the better fit for production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz.

  • Capture fits best

    Production teams needing plots and live visualization

  • WYSIWYG fits best

    Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz

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Side by side

Feature Capture 7.9/10 Visit ↗ WYSIWYG 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.9
Ranking #6 in Lighting Design Software #7 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Production teams needing plots and live visualization Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows
Support Email, Docs, Community Email, Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Capture 3/3 · WYSIWYG 3/3
3D visualization ✓ ✓
Plot & paperwork ✓ ✓
Live previsualization ✓ ✓
Specs
Console protocols Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2, MA-Net3, sACN, NewTek NDI, Martin P3, PosiStageNet, Blacktrax RTTrP, Kinesys K2, OSC Art-Net, sACN, proprietary connectivity drivers (including GrandMA viz-key), RTTrPM, PSN
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows 11 64-bit; Windows 11 ARM-64 in Parallels on Apple Mac with Cloud License
Fixture library size Not published 8000 fixtures
Our review
Pros
  • Creates 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots with change-updating reports
  • Visualizes lighting, media and motion, with image and video rendering
  • Connects to consoles and show systems through a broad range of protocols
  • 2D/3D CAD, lighting plots, reports and fixture patching in one workflow
  • Fixture database provides access to 8,000+ fixtures
  • Perform tiers add real-time visualization and console connectivity
Cons
  • No free plan; entry starts at €395 as a one-time license
  • Solo is limited to 1 universe, 1 local video, 1 streaming video and 1 laser feed
  • Desktop-only, with Windows and macOS as the supported platforms
  • Windows-only desktop software
  • Live visualization and console features depend on the tier
  • Core costs $49/month billed annually or $99 month to month
Our verdict

Capture is a desktop application for lighting designers working across stage design, documentation and previsualization. It brings 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots together with fixture and accessory placement, 3D model exchange, and…

Read the review →

For lighting designers and production teams working across concerts, theatre, film, television and corporate events, WYSIWYG brings entertainment-focused CAD, lighting documentation and previsualization into a Windows desktop application.…

Read the review →
  1. CaptureLighting Design Software 7.9From €395
  2. WYSIWYGLighting Design Software 7.910-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Capture — where it wins

    • Creates 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots with change-updating reports
    • Visualizes lighting, media and motion, with image and video rendering
    • Connects to consoles and show systems through a broad range of protocols

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; entry starts at €395 as a one-time license
    • Solo is limited to 1 universe, 1 local video, 1 streaming video and 1 laser feed
    • Desktop-only, with Windows and macOS as the supported platforms

  • WYSIWYG — where it wins

    • 2D/3D CAD, lighting plots, reports and fixture patching in one workflow
    • Fixture database provides access to 8,000+ fixtures
    • Perform tiers add real-time visualization and console connectivity

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only desktop software
    • Live visualization and console features depend on the tier
    • Core costs $49/month billed annually or $99 month to month

More comparisons

All lighting design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update