A Lumion alternative with no graphics card and no install
Lumion is fast at rendering large scenes, but it needs Windows, a strong graphics card and 105 GB of disk space. RendScene makes the image with AI in the browser, from a screenshot, photo or 3D model.
- Nothing to install: runs in the browser, on any computer
- No graphics card, no setting up lights and materials: the AI does it
- 5 free renders to try, no credit card
Image made in RendScene from a screenshot of the model.
What Lumion is
Lumion is a real-time architectural renderer installed on your computer. You import the model, set up materials, lighting and surroundings and take the image. It runs on Windows only, takes 105 GB of disk and needs a dedicated graphics card.
RendScene vs Lumion
Lumion details taken from its official website. See what each one asks of you before the image is ready.
| RendScene | Lumion | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI rendering in the browser | Real-time renderer with ray tracing |
| Installation | None: opens in the browser | Install the program (105 GB of disk) and the LiveSync plugin |
| Computer | Any, even a basic laptop; it doesn’t use your graphics card | Minimum GTX 1060 / RX 580 with 6 GB and 16 GB RAM; RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT with 10 GB and 32 GB RAM recommended |
| Operating system | Windows, Mac, Linux and phone (in the browser) | Windows 10 (2004) or 11 only; Mac is not officially supported |
| How you get the image | Send a screenshot, photo, floor plan or 3D model and pick a style; the AI handles light and materials | You build the scene: materials, lights, surroundings and camera |
| Time to the first image | A few minutes, no scene setup | Instant once the scene is ready; setting up the scene takes the most time |
| Edits and video | Describe or point at what to change and the AI redoes it; short videos from the render that you can join in sequence | High: materials, surroundings, animations and 360 panoramas |
| Price | 5 free renders; plans from US$ 29/month (100 credits, about US$ 0.29 per render) | Yearly license costs more than RendScene’s starter plan, plus a PC with a graphics card; free trial |
Lumion details checked on the official website (lumion.com) on 24 Oct 2026. This information may change.
What changes in your day-to-day
With Lumion
Install the program (105 GB) and plugin, have a Windows PC with a strong GPU (at least GTX 1060 6 GB and 16 GB RAM, RTX 3060 and 32 GB recommended), learn to set up materials, lighting and surroundings, and prepare the scene for every project.
With RendScene
Send a screenshot and get realistic images in a few minutes, ready for the client. Nothing to install, no graphics card to buy, no lighting and material setup to learn, on any computer and even on your phone. And it starts free, no credit card.
Try it without giving anything up
If you already have Lumion, use RendScene for everyday images: studies, style options for the client and when you are away from the render PC. Send a screenshot of the same model and compare.
Everything you can do with an image
Click any tile to see how it works.
Ten ways to start. One render you can present.
From CAD to final image in three clicks.
- 1Upload your project
A JPG or PNG exported from any CAD or 3D modeling software.
- 2Hit render
The AI keeps what you modelled and adds photorealistic materials and lighting. Where the model defines nothing, it proposes.
- 3Download in high resolution
Images ready for client presentations, your portfolio or print.
Simple pricing, built for studios.
Subscribe monthly or yearly. Credits every month, animation available on every paid plan and saved history.
For freelance architects and one-off projects.
For active studios with a steady flow of projects.
For firms with a team and high volume.
Subscriptions, monthly and yearly, renew automatically. You can cancel anytime from your account, with no minimum term and without contacting anyone: renewal stops at the end of the period you already paid for. The separate 7-day right of withdrawal, with a refund, still applies.
* Prices in US dollars. On international purchases, your bank may add taxes and currency conversion fees — the final amount on your statement can be slightly higher.
Credit packs, no subscription needed
One-time purchase, no renewal. Credits last 12 months, images come out unmarked, and everything is unlocked: 4K, Upscale and history.
Pack-only account: 1 GB of storage and images kept for 1 year. Nothing is deleted without an email warning first.
Plan credits do not roll over: they reset when the cycle turns. How credits work
Questions about RendScene and Lumion
Compare with other software
Lumion is a trademark of its respective owner. RendScene is not affiliated with or endorsed by it. Comparison based on public information from the official website, on the date shown. Lumion is a trademark of Act-3D B.V.