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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

Vectorworks Spotlight vs WYSIWYG

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

Vectorworks Spotlight 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

  • Highest scoreVectorworks Spotlight · 9.2/10

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 #7.

Vectorworks Spotlight is the better fit for lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow. WYSIWYG is the better fit for production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz.

  • Vectorworks Spotlight fits best

    Lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow

  • 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 Vectorworks Spotlight 9.2/10 Visit ↗ WYSIWYG 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #1 in Lighting Design Software #7 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Lighting designers needing an end-to-end CAD workflow Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Vectorworks Spotlight 3/3 · WYSIWYG 3/3
3D visualization ✓ ✓
Plot & paperwork ✓ ✓
Live previsualization ✓ ✓
Specs
Console protocols MA-Net3, Art-Net, sACN, PosiStageNet, NDI, GDTF, MVR 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. Vectorworks SpotlightLighting Design Software 9.2Paid
  2. WYSIWYGLighting Design Software 7.910-day trial

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

  • 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