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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

Vectorworks Vision vs WYSIWYG

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Vectorworks Vision #3 in Lighting Design Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Vectorworks
WYSIWYG #7 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 10-day trial ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit WYSIWYG

Vectorworks Vision leads on 0 checks, WYSIWYG 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 Vision · 8.7/10
  • Most featuresWYSIWYG · 3 of 3

Vectorworks Vision scores higher on our rubric for lighting design software: 8.7 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

WYSIWYG offers plot & paperwork; Vectorworks Vision doesn't publish it.

Vectorworks Vision is the better fit for previsualizing production lighting before load-in. WYSIWYG is the better fit for production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz.

  • Vectorworks Vision fits best

    Previsualizing production lighting before load-in

  • 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 Vision 8.7/10 Visit ↗ WYSIWYG 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 7.9
Ranking #3 in Lighting Design Software #7 in Lighting Design Software
Best for Previsualizing production lighting before load-in Production designers wanting CAD, paperwork and previz
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows
Support Email, Phone Email, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Vectorworks Vision 2/3 · WYSIWYG 3/3
3D visualization ✓ ✓
Plot & paperwork Not published ✓ (best)
Live previsualization ✓ ✓
Specs
Console protocols DMX; MA-Net2; MA-Net3; Multi-Input (specific protocol availability depends on platform) Art-Net, sACN, proprietary connectivity drivers (including GrandMA viz-key), RTTrPM, PSN
Platforms macOS 11, 12, 13; Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11 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
  • Previsualizes lights, video, and effects in a venue context
  • Works with lighting consoles to review cues and looks
  • Edits fixture parameters and saves rendered scenes as video
  • 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
  • Focuses on visualization and cueing rather than plot paperwork
  • Not sold as a standalone product
  • Vision Plus has four universes, unlike the Unlimited subscription
  • 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 Vision is desktop previsualization software for entertainment design and production professionals. It simulates conventional and moving lights, video, and other effects in an event venue context, helping teams review cues and…

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 VisionLighting Design Software 8.7Paid
  2. WYSIWYGLighting Design Software 7.910-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Vectorworks Vision — where it wins

    • Previsualizes lights, video, and effects in a venue context
    • Works with lighting consoles to review cues and looks
    • Edits fixture parameters and saves rendered scenes as video

    Where it doesn't

    • Focuses on visualization and cueing rather than plot paperwork
    • Not sold as a standalone product
    • Vision Plus has four universes, unlike the Unlimited subscription

  • 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