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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

Vectorworks Spotlight vs ReluxDesktop

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Vectorworks Spotlight #1 in Lighting Design Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Vectorworks
ReluxDesktop #5 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ReluxDesktop

Vectorworks Spotlight leads on 0 checks, ReluxDesktop on 1, and 3 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 scoreVectorworks Spotlight · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly ReluxDesktop

Vectorworks Spotlight scores higher on our rubric for lighting design software: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

ReluxDesktop offers free plan; Vectorworks Spotlight doesn't.

Vectorworks Spotlight is the better fit for lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow. ReluxDesktop is the better fit for free architectural lighting simulation and planning.

  • Vectorworks Spotlight fits best

    Lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow

  • ReluxDesktop fits best

    Free architectural lighting simulation and planning

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Side by side

Feature Vectorworks Spotlight 9.2/10 Visit ↗ ReluxDesktop 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #1 in Lighting Design Software #5 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow Free architectural lighting simulation and planning
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Tickets
Integrations 7 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Vectorworks Spotlight 3/3 · ReluxDesktop 3/3
3D visualization ✓ ✓
Plot & paperwork ✓ ✓
Live previsualization ✓ ✓
Specs
Console protocols MA-Net3, Art-Net, sACN, PosiStageNet, NDI, GDTF, MVR Not published
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows 10/11
Fixture library size Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines 2D drafting, 3D modeling, DMX patching, and production paperwork
  • Showcase supports real-time previsualization with live DMX control
  • Imports and exports GDTF and MVR, with Project Sharing for collaboration
  • 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
  • Paid subscriptions only; no free plan
  • The annual plan costs $1,530.00 billed annually
  • Its breadth may be more than needed for designers focused only on plots
  • 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

Vectorworks Spotlight brings lighting and scenic design into a desktop CAD workflow for entertainment professionals. It covers 2D drafting and 3D modeling, lighting layouts, instrument and truss libraries, DMX patching, and production…

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. Vectorworks SpotlightLighting Design Software 9.2Paid
  2. ReluxDesktopLighting Design Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Vectorworks Spotlight — where it wins

    • Combines 2D drafting, 3D modeling, DMX patching, and production paperwork
    • Showcase supports real-time previsualization with live DMX control
    • Imports and exports GDTF and MVR, with Project Sharing for collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid subscriptions only; no free plan
    • The annual plan costs $1,530.00 billed annually
    • Its breadth may be more than needed for designers focused only on plots

  • 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.

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