Vectorworks Nomad vs Blackout Next
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Vectorworks Nomad
Access and manage your design documents from anywhere with your mobile device. Share files, make design decisions on the go, and synchronize changes automatically to your cloud library. View, mark up, and share your latest designs with colleagues and clients.
- Access Vectorworks documents on mobile
- Synchronize files to private cloud
- View and navigate 3D models
- Augmented reality model viewing
- Mark up PDF files
- Share files with clients and collaborators
- Integrate with third-party cloud storage
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The Vectorworks® Nomad app allows you to access your Vectorworks documents wherever you are—whenever you need them—with your mobile device. It gives you more freedom not only to share files, but also to make design decisions from any location. Changes you make to Vectorworks files are automatically synchronized to your private cloud library, allowing you to browse and share your latest designs from any web-enabled device. Vectorworks Cloud Services saves time by freeing up local computing power. Use cloud technology to automate and decouple resource-heavy workflows, shifting calculations needed to generate sections, elevations, renderings, and BIM data to the cloud. Whether you're in a meeting, on the job site, or on vacation, the Vectorworks Nomad app allows you to view, mark up, share, and synchronize your Vectorworks files across your devices and with your colleagues—all from the convenience of your mobile device. • View and navigate 3D models of Vectorworks files in the cloud library • View 3D models of Vectorworks files in a real-world setting, using augmented reality (AR) technology (requires an AR-compatible device) • View rendered panoramic images or animation movies of Vectorworks files • Extend your cloud library through integration with third-party cloud storage providers • Share files with clients or collaborators • Mark up PDF files with Text, Freehand, Oval, Rectangle, and Line tools and save the marked up files to the cloud library The Vectorworks Nomad app is a part of Vectorworks Cloud Services, and is available to anyone who registers for a free account, as well as all Vectorworks Service Select members. Guest access is available for viewing shared files without creating an account. Vectorworks Service Select members have access to additional features, such as: • Increased storage capacity • Manual or scheduled Sheet layer to PDF cloud processing • Cloud processing options in Vectorworks • Ability to measure objects in the PDF drawings generated on the cloud • And more ... Operating Prerequisites • Vectorworks files uploaded to your Vectorworks Cloud Services storage library, or to an integrated third-party cloud storage provider
Blackout Next
This professional lighting console app offers an intuitive interface for controlling DMX, Art-Net, and sACN lighting systems. It features a vast cloud fixture database, custom fixture creation, and a robust multi-cuelist platform for organizing lighting looks.
- Cloud Fixture Database
- Custom Fixture Creation
- Intuitive Fixture Controls
- Multi-Cuelist Platform
- Dynamic Effects Engine
- MIDI Support
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Blackout is a revolutionary professional Art-Net/sACN DMX Lighting Console app for the iPad. Redefine your lighting with our incredibly intuitive interface and powerful effects engine. Features: - Cloud Fixture Database: Access over 44,000 fixture profiles licensed from Carallon, the leader in fixture profile services. - Create Custom Fixtures: Utilize our Fixture Creation Wizard to design your own profiles, perfectly matching your specific lighting needs. - Fixture Patching Made Simple: Effortlessly categorize and label LED fixtures with a streamlined Patch interface, ideal for batch management. - Intuitive Fixture Controls: Adjust parameters with ease in Fixture Controls and experience our NEW multi-dimensional color picker. - Robust Multi-Cuelist Platform: Organize and save lighting looks within Sequences, complete with customizable fade times, delays, and links. - Presets for Quick Access: Save and recall fixture parameters instantly, streamlining batch changes across multiple fixtures through our Favorites. - Dynamic Effects Engine: Explore limitless creative possibilities with our advanced Effects Engine, featuring intensity chases, color loops, and more. - Macro Functionality: Simplify complex lighting tasks into single-button actions for maximum efficiency. - Enhanced Data Visibility: Experience our reworked UI with new view states for displaying data in various formats, aiding quicker analysis and decision-making. - Advanced MIDI Support (Input & Output): Gain tactile control over your lighting with MIDI compatibility, suitable for both wired and wireless controllers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Blackout Next at 100% against Vectorworks Nomad's 27%. Blackout Next also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). Vectorworks Nomad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Blackout Next sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Vectorworks Nomad asks for nothing beyond the download.
Blackout Next holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Vectorworks Nomad's written reviews are positive against 100% of Blackout Next's.
Vectorworks Nomad ships an update every 6 weeks, Blackout Next fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and June 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Vectorworks Nomad | Blackout Next |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (23 ratings) | 5.0 (21 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 26.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | 21 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 299 MB | 398 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vectorworks, Inc. | Blackout Lighting Console LLC |
Customer experience
Vectorworks Nomad
Blackout Next
In-app purchases
Vectorworks Nomad
No in-app purchases
Blackout Next
- Basic Plan$799.99





