LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D is ranked #37 of 140 in 3d modeling software on The Geeks Club, made by LightWave 3D (England, UK). It runs on macOS, Windows. There is no free plan. A free trial is offered. Paid plans start at £450/mo.

LightWave 3D plans and pricing

All plans

New LightWave 2025 Licence £795/mo Price excludes applicable sales tax or VAT Commercial LightWave 2025 license for first-time users, education-to-commercial lightwave3d.com · 21 Sept 2026

LightWave 2025 Upgrade - LightWave 2024 users £450/mo Price excludes applicable sales tax or VAT Upgrade for owners of a full LightWave 2024 license lightwave3d.com · 21 Sept 2026

LightWave 2025 Upgrade - LightWave 2023 or earlier users £550/mo Price excludes applicable sales tax or VAT Upgrade for owners of LightWave 2023 or earlier lightwave3d.com · 21 Sept 2026

LightWave 2025 Upgrade — LightWave 2024 users £450 once For owners of a full LightWave 2024 licence · excludes applicable sales tax or VAT lightwave3d.com · 29 Sept 2026

LightWave 2025 Upgrade — LightWave 2023 or earlier users £550 once For owners of LightWave 2023 or earlier · excludes applicable sales tax or VAT lightwave3d.com · 29 Sept 2026

LightWave 2025 licence £795 once New commercial licence for first-time users, education-to-commercial conversions, or an additional licence · excludes applicable sales tax or VAT lightwave3d.com · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on 3d modeling software

Free plan: No
Physics simulation: Yes

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LightWave 3D

Free plan: No
Purpose: LightWave 3D is software for creating 3D models, animations, and visual effects.
Modeling and animation: Modeler focuses on 3D object creation, while Layout is used to stage objects, animate them, and render output.
Rendering: LightWave 2025 includes RiPR, a GPU-assisted preview display mode, and Octane Render uses the 2024.1 API.
2025 features: LightWave 2025 adds a Toon Filter, switchable Python 2 and 3 environments, procedural geometry updates, and expanded presets.
Integrations: The Unreal Engine Bridge transfers objects, instances, textures, animations, camera moves, and lights in real time.
Supported systems: The maker identifies LightWave 2025.0.1 for Windows PC and macOS, including Intel and Apple Silicon licensing support.
Trial: The product page lists a LightWave 2024 30-day trial at £0.00.
Licensing: The 2025 licence is software-driven for Windows 64-bit and macOS, and a hardware dongle can be requested but is not required.
Octane license requirement: Except for demo versions, OctaneRender editions require authentication and internet access for initial launch.
Support: The maker directs presales, licensing, installation, and general software support inquiries to [email protected].
Intended users: The maker describes LightWave as intended for professionals in television production, film visual effects, video game development, print graphics, and visualization.
Company location: The company contact page lists England, UK.
Headquarters: England, UK
Price from: £450/mo

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Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best 3D Modeling Software in 2026#37 of 140
Best Animation Software in 2026#42 of 98
Best 3D Animation Software in 2026#12 of 28
Best 3D Character Animation Software in 2026#15 of 26
Best Game 3D Modeling Software in 2026#17 of 26

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Sources

lightwave3d.com/information-pages/lightwave-3d-store/;· checked 21 Sept 2026
lightwave3d.com/products/lightwave/· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/using-lightwave.html· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/2025.html· checked 29 Sept 2026
lightwave3d.com/products/lightwave/unreal-engine-53-bri· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/whats-new-in-lightwave-2025-0-1.ht· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/licensing.html· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/internet-access-and-standalone-edi· checked 29 Sept 2026
docs.lightwave3d.com/2025/for-more-information-and-updates.h· checked 29 Sept 2026
lightwave3d.com/information-pages/contact-us/· checked 29 Sept 2026
lightwave3d.com/information-pages/lightwave-3d-store/· checked 21 Sept 2026