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 WYSIWYG

  • 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
WYSIWYG #7 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 10-day trial ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit WYSIWYG

DIALux leads on 1 check, WYSIWYG 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 featuresWYSIWYG · 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 #7.

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

DIALux is the better fit for lighting designers working to standards across project types. WYSIWYG is the better fit for production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz.

  • DIALux fits best

    Lighting designers working to standards across project types

  • WYSIWYG fits best

    Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz

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 ↗ WYSIWYG 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Lighting Design Software #7 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Lighting designers working to standards across project types Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Free trial length 30 days 10 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DIALux 0/3 · WYSIWYG 3/3
3D visualization Not published ✓ (best)
Plot & paperwork Not published ✓ (best)
Live previsualization Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Console protocols Not published Art-Net, sACN, proprietary connectivity drivers (including GrandMA viz-key), RTTrPM, PSN
Platforms Not published 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. DIALuxLighting Design Software 8.8Free plan · paid from €19.99/mo · 30-day trial
  2. WYSIWYGLighting Design Software 7.910-day trial

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

  • 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
  • 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 →
  • WYSIWYG7.9/10 · 10-day trial

    Windows CAD and paperwork with 3D visualization and console features by tier.

    Visit WYSIWYGFull 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