ReluxDesktop
ReluxDesktop: Free Windows software for lighting, daylight, sensor and emergency-planning workflows. Ranked #5 of 28 in Lighting Design Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free architectural lighting simulation and planning.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree architectural lighting simulation and planning
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- 3D visualizationYes
- Facts checked4 Oct 2026
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.
Our verdict on ReluxDesktop
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 published positioning covers beginners and professional lighting planners, while free personal, educational and commercial use makes it relevant to individuals, students and organisations evaluating lighting designs without a software subscription. It is a Windows product, with Windows 10/11 listed as supported platforms.
Its planning workflow spans 2D and 3D visualisation, real-time rendering and an interactive planning mode. Sensor planning includes 2D and 3D motion-detection coverage, and a PDF floor plan can be converted into editable 3D spatial data using AI. Emergency-lighting planning and automatic luminaire placement extend the scope beyond general illumination. These capabilities make the product suited to projects that need lighting calculations alongside visual review; teams seeking a browser-based workflow should look elsewhere, since ReluxDesktop is desktop software.
For documentation, calculations can be output as PDFs to record compliance with values and standards. Import and export of CAD and BIM formats, plus integrations with Autodesk Revit, Enscape and ReluxNet, connect it to design workflows. The software is free, and the listed plan is ReluxDesktop for personal, educational and commercial use. One ecosystem constraint affects product selection: luminaires from Relux members are available through ReluxNet, while displaying products from non-members requires a separate ReluxThirdParty licence. ReluxDesktop fits users who want free lighting simulation with planning and documentation in one Windows application; those who need non-member luminaires should account for that separate licence.
ReluxDesktop pricing
All 1 ReluxDesktop plans and prices →
ReluxDesktop fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| 3D visualization | Yes |
| Plot & paperwork | Yes |
| Live previsualization | Yes |
| Console protocols | Not verified |
| Platforms | Windows 10/11 |
| Fixture library size | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Tickets |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Autodesk Revit, Enscape, ReluxNet |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | relux.com |
| Facts checked | 4 Oct 2026 |
ReluxDesktop integrations
ReluxDesktop lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Autodesk Revit
- Enscape
- ReluxNet
Alternatives to ReluxDesktop
- Vectorworks SpotlightAn end-to-end CAD workflow for lighting design, from drafting to DMX previsualization.9.2
- DIALuxA Windows lighting design tool with a free core and paid BIM and export features.8.8
- Vectorworks VisionA console-connected 3D workspace for reviewing production lighting before load-in.8.7
See all ReluxDesktop alternatives →
ReluxDesktop vs the competition
- ReluxDesktop vs Vectorworks Spotlight
- ReluxDesktop vs DIALux
- ReluxDesktop vs Vectorworks Vision
- ReluxDesktop vs Augment3d
- ReluxDesktop vs Capture
- ReluxDesktop vs WYSIWYG
Compare ReluxDesktop with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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