Blender vs Lightworks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Blender and Lightworks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Blender leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Blender
3D creation suite for modeling, animation, rendering, and more
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Lightworks requires payment)
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
| At a Glance | Blender | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | 3D Design Animation | Video Editing Audio Editing |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 319 reviews | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Blender or Lightworks?
Choose Blender if
- You want a fully free tool (Lightworks requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want full 3D suite
- You work in 3d design, not video editing
Choose Lightworks if
- You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
- You want scales with user skill level from beginner to professional
- You work in video editing, not 3d design
In-Depth Analysis
Blender
3D creation suite for modeling, animation, rendering, and more
Blender's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Full 3D suite
- Pro: Active community
Weaknesses
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
Key features
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Lightworks offers a generous free tier, making it accessible for beginners.
Strengths
- Pro: Offers a free version for beginners to get started.
- Pro: Scales with user skill level from beginner to professional.
- Pro: Provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools (video, audio, VFX, color).
- Pro: Supports high-quality footage and offers advanced features like HDR workflows.
- Pro: Streamlined sharing and export options, including direct social media integration.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced VFX features (supplied by NewBlue) are only available for Windows and Mac.
- Con: The full range of professional features requires a paid subscription.
Key features
Plans and prices: Blender vs Lightworks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Blender |
| blender.orgread Sep 29, 2026 |
| Lightworks |
| lwks.com/pricingread Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Blender pricing and Lightworks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Blender
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.9/5
Lightworks
- Choose if you want unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor
What the data shows
On the data below, Blender leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Blender has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 319 reviews for Blender, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Blender and Lightworks compare in 2026?
On the data below, Blender leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Blender has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 319 reviews for Blender, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks). Both have a free plan.
What are Blender and Lightworks used for?
Blender: 3D creation suite for modeling, animation, rendering, and more. Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
What does Blender cost vs Lightworks?
Blender is free. Lightworks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Blender and Lightworks?
Blender's main strength: completely free. Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started.