GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued) vs. Vectorworks Spotlight

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)
Score 5.7 out of 10
N/A
GrabCAD Workbench was a CAD collaboration solution that helps designers to manage files and engage partners in the design process. Since August 2022 it has been discontinued.N/A
Vectorworks Spotlight
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
Vectorworks Spotlight is a solution used to design, document, previsualize, and produce shows and events. With an extensive suite of drawing, modeling, database, documentation, and collaboration tools, Spotlight helps users go from concept to fully created model within a single workflow. Evolved to meet the needs of entertainment industry professionals, Vectorworks Spotlight 2025 opens a new world of visual understanding and communication, delivering features implemented to address the most-used…
$153
per month per user
Pricing
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Annual Subscription
$127.50
per month per user
Monthly Subscription
$153
per month per user
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details$153/M: Monthly, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions $128/M: $1530 billed annually | Saves $306 over monthly billing, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Best Alternatives
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Likelihood to Recommend
7.4
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
GrabCAD Workbench (discontinued)Vectorworks Spotlight
Likelihood to Recommend
Discontinued Products
GrabCad Workbench is well suited for group projects, where all my team members can view the designs at the same time, and by integrating it with CAD software like SolidWorks, all my team members can see the live changes in the projects based on the recommendations received. I can also do conversations with my team, which are project-specific, thus reducing time in email and video conferences. For assemblies, I can generate a Bill of materials with a single click. However, there are some drawbacks like every member needs to have an account in order to sync files with everyone, and the platform requires good internet connectivity otherwise file uploading will be time-consuming.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Pros
Discontinued Products
  • GrabCAD is the source of truth for the files being used
  • GrabCAD is free
  • Easy to use and get started
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Cons
Discontinued Products
  • The software is not intuitive.
  • You must have an account to share files.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Discontinued Products
Never needed.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Discontinued Products
It’s the bottom of the barrel.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Discontinued Products
  • GrabCad Workbench is the best in terms of integration with other CAD software like SolidWorks where live changes can be made to a product.
  • GrabCad Workbench has a common parts library, which allows us to use repetitive parts without redesigning them again and again. Hence saving a lot of time.
  • I can do all the conversations in the file itself, reducing time in email and other modes.
  • It automatically generates BOM for my assembly files.
  • It tracks versions, all the files are updated automatically for all members once a new version is created.
  • It would be good if it can be updated to read drawing and sketch files.
  • The team needs to improve the stability of the platform.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
ScreenShots

Vectorworks Spotlight Screenshots

Screenshot of Vectorworks Spotlight 2025Screenshot of a real-time previsualization, available directly inside Vectorworks to bring live control of lighting fixtures and the ability to test run a show without leaving the model. Users can explore countless lighting and scenic possibilities and then experiment, edit, and adjust to based on any previsualization.Screenshot of GDTF Mapping, which gives users accurate fixture information to avoid errors. Map GDTF files to fixtures with direct access to GDTF-Share to download and import the files in one action from within Vectorworks. Automatically update all GDTF profiles with one command and store assigned GDTFs within their lighting devices