Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

DIALux vs ReluxDesktop

  • 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
ReluxDesktop #5 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ReluxDesktop

DIALux leads on 0 checks, ReluxDesktop on 3, and 1 is 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 planboth
  • Most featuresReluxDesktop · 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 #5.

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

DIALux is the better fit for lighting designers working to standards across project types. ReluxDesktop is the better fit for free architectural lighting simulation and planning.

  • DIALux fits best

    Lighting designers working to standards across project types

  • ReluxDesktop fits best

    Free architectural lighting simulation and planning

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 ↗ ReluxDesktop 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Lighting Design Software #5 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Lighting designers working to standards across project types Free architectural lighting simulation and planning
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Tickets
Integrations 1 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DIALux 0/3 · ReluxDesktop 3/3
3D visualization Not published ✓ (best)
Plot & paperwork Not published ✓ (best)
Live previsualization Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Console protocols Not published Not published
Platforms Not published Windows 10/11
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
  • Plans indoor, outdoor, daylight, sensor and emergency lighting.
  • Combines photorealistic 3D visualisation with real-time interactive planning.
  • Exports compliance calculations and supports CAD/BIM formats.
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
  • Runs on Windows 10/11 only.
  • Displaying non-Relux member luminaires requires a separate ReluxThirdParty licence.
  • Delivered as desktop software rather than a web-based planning tool.
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 →

ReluxDesktop is desktop software for simulating artificial light and daylight and planning lighting and sensors in indoor and outdoor spaces. It also supports emergency-lighting planning, including automatic luminaire placement. Its…

Read the review →
  1. DIALuxLighting Design Software 8.8Free plan · paid from €19.99/mo · 30-day trial
  2. ReluxDesktopLighting Design Software 7.9Free plan

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

  • ReluxDesktop — where it wins

    • Plans indoor, outdoor, daylight, sensor and emergency lighting.
    • Combines photorealistic 3D visualisation with real-time interactive planning.
    • Exports compliance calculations and supports CAD/BIM formats.

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows 10/11 only.
    • Displaying non-Relux member luminaires requires a separate ReluxThirdParty licence.
    • Delivered as desktop software rather than a web-based planning tool.
  • 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 →
  • ReluxDesktop7.9/10 · Free plan

    Free Windows software for lighting, daylight, sensor and emergency-planning workflows.

    Visit ReluxDesktopFull 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