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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

DIALux vs Capture

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score DIALux #2 in Lighting Design Software 8.8/10 Free plan · paid from €19.99/mo · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit DIALux
Capture #6 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 From €395 ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Capture

DIALux leads on 1 check, Capture on 3, and 0 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

  • Highest scoreDIALux · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly DIALux
  • Most featuresCapture · 3 of 3

DIALux scores higher on our rubric for lighting design software: 8.8 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

DIALux offers free plan; Capture doesn't. Capture offers 3d visualization; DIALux doesn't publish it. Capture offers plot & paperwork; DIALux doesn't publish it. Capture offers live previsualization; DIALux doesn't publish it.

DIALux is the better fit for lighting designers working to standards across project types. Capture is the better fit for production teams needing plots and live visualization.

  • DIALux fits best

    Lighting designers working to standards across project types

  • Capture fits best

    Production teams needing plots and live visualization

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature DIALux 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Capture 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Lighting Design Software #6 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Lighting designers working to standards across project types Production teams needing plots and live visualization
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs, Community
Integrations 1 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DIALux 0/3 · Capture 3/3
3D visualization Not published ✓ (best)
Plot & paperwork Not published ✓ (best)
Live previsualization Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Console protocols Not published Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2, MA-Net3, sACN, NewTek NDI, Martin P3, PosiStageNet, Blacktrax RTTrP, Kinesys K2, OSC
Platforms Not published Windows, macOS
Fixture library size Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Plans indoor, outdoor, road and emergency lighting with daylight analysis
  • Checks calculations against international norms and assesses energy use
  • Pro adds IFC workflows, office-format exports and custom report layouts
  • 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
Cons
  • Desktop software is available for Windows only
  • Free access to luminaires is limited to DIALux Member manufacturers
  • Pro is needed for IFC import and export and custom report layouts
  • 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
Our verdict

DIALux evo is desktop software for planning, calculating and visualizing lighting in rooms, buildings, streets and outdoor areas. It serves lighting designers, technicians, architects, students and others working on lighting projects, from…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. DIALuxLighting Design Software 8.8Free plan · paid from €19.99/mo · 30-day trial
  2. CaptureLighting Design Software 7.9From €395

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DIALux — where it wins

    • Plans indoor, outdoor, road and emergency lighting with daylight analysis
    • Checks calculations against international norms and assesses energy use
    • Pro adds IFC workflows, office-format exports and custom report layouts

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop software is available for Windows only
    • Free access to luminaires is limited to DIALux Member manufacturers
    • Pro is needed for IFC import and export and custom report layouts

  • 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
  • DIALux8.8/10 · Free plan · paid from €19.99/mo · 30-day trial

    A Windows lighting design tool with a free core and paid BIM and export features.

    Visit DIALuxFull verdict →
  • Capture7.9/10 · From €395

    A desktop lighting-design tool linking plots and paperwork with live visualization.

    Visit CaptureFull verdict →

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