Category · 79 tools · 99 comparisons
3D modeling and animation software
Create, model, animate, and render 3D assets for design and production.
Our ranked shortlist: the best 3D modeling and animation software →
At a glance
- Tools tracked
- 79
- Entry plans
- $2–$899/mo
- Typical entry plan
- $27.50/mo
- Free plan
- 48 of 79
- Cheapest paid
- SOLIDWORKS, $2/mo
- Best value score
- Blender, 10/10
Every tool we cover
Price tracker →| Tool | Score | From | Top listed plan | Free plan | Trial | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 BlenderBlender | 8.5 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Substance 3D PainterSubstance 3D Painter | 8.0 | $20.82/mo* | $119.99/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewAlternatives |
 Unreal EngineUnreal Engine | 7.8 | $154.17/mo* | $154.17/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Autodesk FusionAutodesk Fusion | 7.8 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Autodesk InventorAutodesk Inventor | 7.6 | $320/mo* | $281.25/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 EnscapeEnscape | 7.5 | $47.90/mo* | $60.90/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 RhinoRhino | 7.5 | $95/mo | $25/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 HoudiniHoudini | 7.5 | $24.92/mo* | $292.08/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 RealityCaptureRealityCapture | 7.5 | $104.17/mo* | $154.17/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 VCarveVCarve | 7.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Agisoft MetashapeAgisoft Metashape | 7.5 | Custom* | — | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 SplineSpline | 7.4 | $12/mo | $60/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 TouchDesignerTouchDesigner | 7.4 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 LumionLumion | 7.4 | $96/mo | $125/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Gravity SketchGravity Sketch | 7.4 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 Fusion 360Fusion 360 | 7.3 | $56.67/mo* | $182.50/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 BricsCADBricsCAD | 7.3 | $28.75/mo* | $108.17/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Autodesk MayaAutodesk Maya | 7.2 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Autodesk Civil 3DAutodesk Civil 3D | 7.2 | $240/mo* | $240/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 KeyShotKeyShot | 7.2 | $7.92/mo | $133.25/mo | No | 14 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 V-RayV-Ray | 7.2 | $45/mo* | $100.90/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 CoohomCoohom | 7.2 | $25/mo* | $58/mo | Yes | 7 days | ReviewPricing |
 Marvelous DesignerMarvelous Designer | 7.2 | $8.25/mo* | $199/mo | No | 2 weeks | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 CLOCLO | 7.2 | $18.75/mo* | $37.50/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk 3ds Max | 7.1 | $27.50/mo* | $168/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 HomestylerHomestyler | 7.1 | $6.80/mo* | $19.60/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 D5 RenderD5 Render | 7.1 | $30/mo* | $59/mo | Yes | 14 days | ReviewPricing |
 nanoCADnanoCAD | 7.1 | $24.08/mo | $70.75/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 FreeCADFreeCAD | 7.0 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 NukeNuke | 7.0 | $38.50/mo* | $531.58/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 ZBrushZBrush | 7.0 | $5/mo* | $128.25/mo | Yes | 14 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Shapr3DShapr3D | 7.0 | $24.92/mo* | $24.92/mo | Yes | 14 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 OpenSCADOpenSCAD | 7.0 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Live2D CubismLive2D Cubism | 7.0 | Free* | — | Yes | 42 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Tripo AITripo AI | 7.0 | $20/mo | $90/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
| NXNX | 7.0 | $119/mo* | $559/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 WompWomp | 7.0 | $9.99/mo | $119.99/mo | Yes | — | Review |
 Live Home 3DLive Home 3D | 7.0 | $2.08/mo* | $4.17/mo | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Foyr NeoFoyr Neo | 7.0 | $33/mo | $103/mo | No | 14 days | Review |
 SloydSloyd | 7.0 | $12.50/mo | $41.67/mo | Yes | — | Review |
 PolycamPolycam | 6.9 | $12.50/mo | $100/mo | Yes | 7 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 TwinmotionTwinmotion | 6.9 | $37.08/mo* | $154.17/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 progeCADprogeCAD | 6.9 | Custom* | — | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 SketchUpSketchUp | 6.8 | $2.50/mo | $71.58/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 OnshapeOnshape | 6.8 | $125/mo | $208.33/mo | Yes | 6 months | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 MeshyMeshy | 6.8 | ARS 15,000/mo | ARS 105,000/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS | 6.8 | $2/mo* | $393/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Cinema 4DCinema 4D | 6.8 | $69.92/mo* | $128.25/mo | No | 14 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 RoomSketcherRoomSketcher | 6.8 | $12/mo | $35/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 VectorworksVectorworks | 6.8 | $90/mo* | $165/mo | No | 7 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 DraftSightDraftSight | 6.8 | $24.92/mo* | $49.92/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 KIRI EngineKIRI Engine | 6.8 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 RotatoRotato | 6.8 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 PlasticityPlasticity | 6.7 | $175/mo | — | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 3DCoat3DCoat | 6.7 | Custom* | — | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 TerragenTerragen | 6.7 | $8/mo* | $8/mo | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 AutoCADAutoCAD | 6.5 | $175/mo* | $175/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ProKitchenProKitchen | 6.5 | $158/mo | $208/mo | No | — | ReviewPricing |
 CascadeurCascadeur | 6.5 | $150/mo | $620/mo | Yes | 14 days | ReviewPricing |
 Maxwell RenderMaxwell Render | 6.5 | Custom* | — | No | 30 days | Review |
 BrowzwearBrowzwear | 6.4 | $62.50/mo* | $329.17/mo | Yes | — | Review |
| iCloneiClone | 6.4 | $11.61/mo* | $34.94/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 CATIACATIA | 6.3 | $5/mo* | $2,415.50/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 RenderManRenderMan | 6.3 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
 VectaryVectary | 6.3 | $25/mo | $250/mo | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 TurboCADTurboCAD | 6.3 | $199.99/mo | — | No | 15 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 MatterportMatterport | 6.2 | $12/mo* | $585/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ArmorPaintArmorPaint | 6.2 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 SelfCADSelfCAD | 6.2 | $11.67/mo* | $11.67/mo | Yes | 10 days | Review |
 ZWCADZWCAD | 6.1 | $899/mo* | — | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 CoLabCoLab | 6.0 | Custom* | — | No | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 Solid EdgeSolid Edge | 6.0 | $99.74/mo* | $416.85/mo | Yes | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 SpeedTreeSpeedTree | 6.0 | $19/mo | $83.25/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 Move AIMove AI | 6.0 | $14/mo* | $392/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 CedreoCedreo | 5.9 | $39/mo* | $59/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricing |
 Promethean AIPromethean AI | 5.4 | Free* | — | Yes | — | Review |
 CreoCreo | 4.5 | $265.83/mo* | $2,450/mo | No | 30 days | ReviewPricing |
 Ready Player MeReady Player Me | 3.5 | Free* | — | Yes | — | ReviewAlternatives |
 MeshcapadeMeshcapade | 2.5 | Custom* | — | No | — | Review |
* Lower confidence: the vendor's pricing page couldn't be read directly or didn't list every price, so the figure was compiled from other public sources and may be incomplete. Check the vendor's page before you buy.
Head-to-head
Autodesk FusionvsSOLIDWORKSAutodesk Fusion vs SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk FusionvsAutodesk InventorAutodesk Fusion vs Autodesk Inventor
AutoCADvsSOLIDWORKSAutoCAD vs SOLIDWORKS
BlendervsZBrushBlender vs ZBrush
FreeCADvsSOLIDWORKSFreeCAD vs SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk FusionvsOnshapeAutodesk Fusion vs Onshape
AutoCADvsAutodesk FusionAutoCAD vs Autodesk Fusion
OnshapevsSOLIDWORKSOnshape vs SOLIDWORKS
CATIAvsSOLIDWORKSCATIA vs SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk FusionvsFreeCADAutodesk Fusion vs FreeCAD
FreeCADvsOnshapeFreeCAD vs Onshape
FreeCADvsOpenSCADFreeCAD vs OpenSCAD
AutoCADvsAutodesk InventorAutoCAD vs Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk InventorvsSOLIDWORKSAutodesk Inventor vs SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk FusionvsBlenderAutodesk Fusion vs Blender
AutoCADvsSketchUpAutoCAD vs SketchUp
CreovsSOLIDWORKSCreo vs SOLIDWORKS
Tripo AIvsMeshyTripo AI vs Meshy
AutoCADvsAutodesk Civil 3DAutoCAD vs Autodesk Civil 3D
RhinovsSketchUpRhino vs SketchUp
Autodesk 3ds MaxvsBlenderAutodesk 3ds Max vs Blender
NXvsSOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKSNX vs SOLIDWORKS
BlendervsFreeCADBlender vs FreeCAD
BlendervsSketchUpBlender vs SketchUp
FreeCADvsAutoCADFreeCAD vs AutoCAD
BlendervsSOLIDWORKSBlender vs SOLIDWORKS
RhinovsBlenderRhino vs Blender
Autodesk FusionvsShapr3DAutodesk Fusion vs Shapr3D
Solid EdgevsSOLIDWORKSSolid Edge vs SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKSvsRhinoSOLIDWORKS vs Rhino
AutoCADvsBlenderAutoCAD vs Blender
BlendervsHoudiniBlender vs Houdini
BricsCADvsAutoCADBricsCAD vs AutoCAD
Autodesk MayavsBlenderAutodesk Maya vs Blender
Unreal EnginevsBlenderUnreal Engine vs Blender
3DCoatvsSubstance 3D Painter3DCoat vs Substance 3D Painter
CreovsOnshapeCreo vs Onshape
CATIAvsNXCATIA vs NX
EnscapevsLumionEnscape vs Lumion
DraftSightvsAutoCADDraftSight vs AutoCAD
SketchUpvsFreeCADSketchUp vs FreeCAD
VectorworksvsAutoCADVectorworks vs AutoCAD
NXvsSolid Edge
Solid EdgeNX vs Solid Edge
OnshapevsBlenderOnshape vs Blender
ArmorPaintvsSubstance 3D PainterArmorPaint vs Substance 3D Painter
AutoCADvsOnshapeAutoCAD vs Onshape
SketchUpvsVectorworksSketchUp vs Vectorworks
3DCoatvsZBrush3DCoat vs ZBrush
LumionvsKeyShotLumion vs KeyShot
OnshapevsShapr3DOnshape vs Shapr3D
CreovsNXCreo vs NX
EnscapevsV-RayEnscape vs V-Ray
SOLIDWORKSvsSketchUpSOLIDWORKS vs SketchUp
TwinmotionvsEnscapeTwinmotion vs Enscape
OnshapevsSketchUpOnshape vs SketchUp
Shapr3DvsSketchUpShapr3D vs SketchUp
AutoCADvsTurboCADAutoCAD vs TurboCAD
AutoCADvsZWCADAutoCAD vs ZWCAD
Autodesk FusionvsSolid EdgeAutodesk Fusion vs Solid Edge
BlendervsKeyShotBlender vs KeyShot
progeCADvsAutoCADprogeCAD vs AutoCAD
AutoCADvsCATIAAutoCAD vs CATIA
Autodesk FusionvsOpenSCADAutodesk Fusion vs OpenSCAD
Autodesk 3ds MaxvsAutodesk MayaAutodesk 3ds Max vs Autodesk Maya
nanoCADvsAutoCADnanoCAD vs AutoCAD
PolycamvsKIRI EnginePolycam vs KIRI Engine
PolycamvsMatterportPolycam vs Matterport
Shapr3DvsPlasticityShapr3D vs Plasticity
D5 RendervsEnscapeD5 Render vs Enscape
D5 RendervsLumionD5 Render vs Lumion
Autodesk InventorvsCreoAutodesk Inventor vs Creo
Autodesk InventorvsOnshapeAutodesk Inventor vs Onshape
RoomSketchervsSketchUpRoomSketcher vs SketchUp
Shapr3DvsSOLIDWORKSShapr3D vs SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk FusionvsCreoAutodesk Fusion vs Creo
LumionvsV-RayLumion vs V-Ray
ZBrushvsSubstance 3D PainterZBrush vs Substance 3D Painter
AutoCADvsFusion 360AutoCAD vs Fusion 360
Fusion 360vsBlenderFusion 360 vs Blender
CedreovsLive Home 3DCedreo vs Live Home 3D
EnscapevsSketchUpEnscape vs SketchUp
EnscapevsRhinoEnscape vs Rhino
PolycamvsSketchUpPolycam vs SketchUp
LumionvsSketchUpLumion vs SketchUp
Autodesk MayavsZBrushAutodesk Maya vs ZBrush
D5 RendervsTwinmotionD5 Render vs Twinmotion
BlendervsCinema 4DBlender vs Cinema 4D
DraftSightvsSOLIDWORKSDraftSight vs SOLIDWORKS
KeyShotvsSOLIDWORKSKeyShot vs SOLIDWORKS
AutoCADvsCreoAutoCAD vs Creo
Live Home 3DvsSketchUpLive Home 3D vs SketchUp
SketchUpvsTurboCADSketchUp vs TurboCAD
Autodesk Civil 3DvsAutodesk FusionAutodesk Civil 3D vs Autodesk Fusion
DraftSightvsPolycamDraftSight vs Polycam
Autodesk 3ds MaxvsAutodesk FusionAutodesk 3ds Max vs Autodesk Fusion
CreovsFreeCADCreo vs FreeCAD
SketchUpvsTwinmotionSketchUp vs Twinmotion
MeshyvsWompMeshy vs Womp
FreeCADvsSolid EdgeFreeCAD vs Solid Edge
Highest scored
BlenderBlender
A strong free choice for broad 3D work, with add-on costs and learning time to consider.
8.5/10
Substance 3D PainterSubstance 3D Painter
A strong specialist texturing app; check the bundle and billing terms before switching.
8.0/10
Unreal EngineUnreal Engine
A strong real-time 3D toolkit; check your license category and comfort with its evolving workflows.
7.8/10
3D modeling and animation software: quick answers
How much does 3D modeling and animation software cost?
Paid plans for the 79 3D modeling and animation tools we track start between $2 and $899 a month, and the typical entry plan is about $27.50 a month. 48 of them have a free plan. VCarve, Agisoft Metashape, progeCAD, Rotato, 3DCoat, Maxwell Render, RenderMan, CoLab and Meshcapade don't publish a starting price. Prices are the vendors' own, checked Nov 7, 2026; most quote the per-month price when billed annually.
Which 3D modeling and animation tool is the cheapest?
SOLIDWORKS has the lowest paid entry plan at $2 a month, followed by Live Home 3D at $2.08. If you can live with limits, Blender, Substance 3D Painter, Unreal Engine and Autodesk Fusion have a free plan.
Which 3D modeling and animation tools have a free plan?
Blender, Substance 3D Painter, Unreal Engine, Autodesk Fusion, Autodesk Inventor, Houdini, RealityCapture, Spline, TouchDesigner, Lumion, Gravity Sketch, Fusion 360, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Civil 3D, Coohom, Autodesk 3ds Max, Homestyler, D5 Render, FreeCAD, Nuke, ZBrush, Shapr3D, OpenSCAD, Live2D Cubism, Tripo AI, Womp, Live Home 3D, Sloyd, Polycam, Twinmotion, SketchUp, Onshape, Meshy, RoomSketcher, KIRI Engine, AutoCAD, Cascadeur, Browzwear, iClone, Vectary, Matterport, ArmorPaint, SelfCAD, Solid Edge, Move AI, Cedreo, Promethean AI and Ready Player Me have a free plan. Agisoft Metashape, BricsCAD, KeyShot, Marvelous Designer and NX offer a free trial instead. Free plans are usually capped on usage, seats or features; each review lists the limits.
Which 3D modeling and animation tool scores highest in our reviews?
Blender scores highest at 8.5/10. A strong free choice for broad 3D work, with add-on costs and learning time to consider.