--- description: Review of Vectorworks Architect Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs on Software Advice New Zealand. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/software_advice/og_logo-55146305bbe7b450bea05c18e9be9c9a.png title: Vectorworks Architect | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice NZ --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Architectural CAD Software](/directory/4707/architectural-cad/software) > [Vectorworks Architect](/software/53205/vectorworks-architect) # Vectorworks Architect Canonical: https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/53205/vectorworks-architect Page: 1 / 3\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/53205/vectorworks-architect?page=2) > Vectorworks is a versatile, on-premise application that provides extensive 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM and rendering capabilities for your architectural and landscape design needs. Vectorworks is equipped with designer-focused tools and features, allowing your workflows to have great freedom, ease of use and flexibility. A key strength of Vectorworks is its ability to serve your entire creative process, from the initial concept stage through design development, construction drawings, and presentations. 2D drawings and graphics are of rich quality and renderings can range from sketch-styles to photorealistic – All within this one application. Using Vectorworks means it is very likely you will not need to purchase, learn or maintain any other software for your design needs. With deep BIM integration, Vectorworks enables many techniques and pathways for incorporating construction data into your design and reporting that data on demand. This results in a high level of accuracy and productivity for your firm. Built-in collaboration tools allow Vectorworks to be a suitable solution for both small and large teams, and for projects of all sizes. A wide range of import and export options permits Vectorworks users to collaborate with users of most other software as required. > > Verdict: Rated **4.3/5** by 53 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.3/5** | 53 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 4.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 3.9/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.4/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 70% | (7/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Vectorworks - **Location**: Columbia, US - **Founded**: 1985 ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: US$127.50 - **Pricing model**: Per User (Free Trial) - **Pricing Details**: We offer monthly plans starting at $153 per month and annual plans starting at $127.50 per month. - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise) - **Supported Languages**: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese ## Features - 2D Drawing - 3D Imaging - 3D Modeling - BIM Modeling - CAD Tools - Collaboration Tools - Data Import/Export - Design Modeling - Document Management - Drafting - Estimating - For AEC Industry - For Architects - Landscape Design - Panoramas - Presentation Tools - Rendering ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - Chat ## Category - [Architectural CAD Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4707/architectural-cad/software) ## Related Categories - [Architectural CAD Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4707/architectural-cad/software) - [3D Architecture Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4314/3d-architecture/software) - [3D CAD Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4384/3d-cad/software) - [Architecture Design Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4182/architecture/software) - [Subcontractor Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/3765/subcontractor-software/software) ## Alternatives 1. [AutoCAD](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/390127/autocad) — 4.7/5 (3205 reviews) 2. [Revit](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/422899/revit) — 4.6/5 (479 reviews) 3. [RIB SpecLink](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/409156/speclink) — 4.5/5 (117 reviews) 4. [Enscape](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/350169/enscape) — 4.4/5 (72 reviews) 5. [ARCHICAD](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/125467/archicad) — 4.4/5 (279 reviews) ## Reviews ### "Great but too convoluted" — 4.0/5 > **Krista** | *26 October 2025* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: Our firm chose Vectorworks because of the ability to do so many different things in one program. We love being able to draw in 2D, or 3D (with good rendering abilities), or create all our construction documents in one place. There are also virtual classes and updates all the time which is nice. > > **Cons**: Options are great, but there are actually too many ways to do things and too many menus per feature. As an analogy, it’s like using Studio Designer (1,000 different menus), when what we really want and need is a streamlined experience like Programa. The other frustrating thing is that the tools are too picky as to whether they will work on a shape. You have to pair the type of object (mesh, nurbs, polygon, etc) with the right tool or else it won’t work at all. I wish that all 3D tools would work on all 3D shapes, and all 2D tools would work on all 2D shapes. I also find the classes too convoluted and not very helpful. > > Even with its glitches and flaws, we’re glad we went with Vectorworks. It’s so nice not having to bounce from one program to another to another, on the same project. ----- ### "The hub of my architectural workflow" — 4.0/5 > **David** | *19 December 2023* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10 > > **Pros**: I love the flexibility and customisation options Vectorworks gives me. I can use it as a very simple drafting software for simple projects, or a fully-fledged BIM application for larger projects. With Vectorworks, I don't feel like I have to design in a way the software wants me to design. > > **Cons**: There is a fairly long learning curve to get the most out of the software, and occasionally you do have to do a bit of head-scratching to figure something out. However, I feel like that is inevitable for software that offers this degree of flexibility. > > Overall, I'm pleased with it. It fits well into my workflow. It's a little bit expensive, and I do find it a bit frustrating that Vectorworks offers seasonal discounts that I can never take advantage of because my annual subscription renewal never coincides with them\! ----- ### "Vectorworks to the rescue" — 5.0/5 > **Tyler** | *12 January 2019* | Events Services | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: The amount of detail this software has is game changing. to be able to truly go into 3d and view true dimensions is so great > > **Cons**: The price is steep but it’s one of the best apps you can use. Can be hard to use but with a little training it’s easy to use ----- ### "Best BIM software for a growing practice" — 4.0/5 > **David** | *18 November 2022* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: the vast array of features and it's integration with other 2D, BIM and 3D software. > > **Cons**: The service select feature which is marketed as a customer service platform comes at a separated cost, further you cannot get updates or pay for upgrades without it. > > We have generally had a superior experience using VectorWorks Architect, primarily on a OSX platform. ----- ### "Great software, but...." — 4.0/5 > **Simon** | *19 February 2020* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 3.0/10 > > **Pros**: Vectorworks is a great drafting program. it allows you to do anything you want, with great control over how the drawings look, and many ways to organize a complete drawing set. > > **Cons**: The software is expensive, and the annual updates add very little. Autocad as pretty much caught up in terms of object-based controls. and ability to make beautiful, robust, legible, intelligent 2D drawings. While the 3D is very intuitive, Rhino is more robust. And for BIM, it is hard to justify not using the industry standard software. So where is the edge for Vectorworks? > > We started using Vectorworks many years ago because it was truly superior to Autocad at producing legible drawings. But Autocad has caught up. And we prefer modeling in Rhino, even though it is a more cumbersome work flow. Meanwhile. for BIM, it makes more sense to use Revit simply because everyone else is using it. IF we were starting our office today, we would not be selecting Vectorworks, much as I like it as a drafting program. And the expensive annual upgrades are frustrating, given how little benefits are. ----- Page: 1 / 3\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/53205/vectorworks-architect?page=2) ## Links - [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/53205/vectorworks-architect) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | de | | | en | | | en-AU | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | | fr | | ----- ## Structured Data