Design, Video & Audio·Standings

Compare 3D Design Software

3D design software lets you create and refine digital objects; the right fit depends on how you model and which platforms and file formats you need.

Compare the board’s signal score out of 10, then check the API, open-source and free-tier marks. The comparison also covers price, modeling, rendering, animation, collaboration and import/export formats.

• 26 platforms
• 1 with a public API on this page
• 17 with a free tier
• Checked 28 Sept 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   O

   OpenSCADopenscad.org

   Free, open-source desktop 3D software with animation tools and no sculpting tools.

   7.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
3. 2
   B

   Blenderblender.org

   Free 3D creation tool for Linux, Mac, and Windows, with source code anyone can use and change.

   7.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
4. 3
   R3

   Rhino 3Drhino3d.com

   Paid 3D design tool with access for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, API, and self-hosted setups.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
5. 4
   S

   SelfCADselfcad.com

   Freemium 3D modeling for web and desktop, with sculpting and animation tools.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $140/yr
   →
6. 5
   S

   SolveSpacesolvespace.com

   SolveSpace is a free GPLv3 parametric 2D/3D CAD tool.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
7. 6
   Z

   ZBrushmaxon.net

   3D sculpting software for Windows, macOS, and iOS; free plan and trial available.

   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $33.25/mo (lower tiers unpriced)
   →
8. 7
   S

   SOLIDWORKSsolidworks.com

   3D design software for macOS, Windows, and browsers; free plan, paid from $2,820/user/yr.

   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $48/yr
   →
9. 8
   H

   Houdinisidefx.com
   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $95/yr
   →
10. 9
    O

    Onshapeonshape.com

    Browser-based parametric modeling with Android and iOS access and a free plan.

    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $1,500/yr
    →
11. 10
    W3

    Wings 3Dwings3d.com

    Free 3D design software with sculpting tools for Linux, macOS, and Windows desktops.

    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
12. 11
    S

    Shapr3Dshapr3d.com

    3D modeling tool for Mac and Windows with a free plan; it does not include sculpting.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $299/yr
    →
13. 12
    SE

    Solid Edgesolidedge.siemens.com

    CAD software for Windows, web, Android, and iOS, with a free plan and trial.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
14. 13
    3

    3DCoat3dcoat.com

    Desktop 3D software for sculpting, parametric modeling, and rendering on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier · €379 one-time
    →
15. 14
    M

    MakeHumanmakehumancommunity.org

    Create adjustable human models on Linux, Mac, or Windows, with a renderer included.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
16. 15
    F

    FreeCADfreecad.org

    Free desktop tool for adjustable-parameter models and animation, available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
17. 16
    NS

    Nomad Sculptnomadsculpt.com

    Sculpt in 3D on Android, iPhone or iPad, Mac, or Windows, with a free trial.

    6.3 APIOpenFree $19.99 one-time
    →
18. 17
    P

    Plasticityplasticity.xyz

    Plasticity is a desktop direct-modeling CAD application aimed at artists and designers who need solid and surface modeling.

    6.2 APIOpenFree $175 one-time
    →
19. 18
    T

    Tinkercadtinkercad.com

    Free 3D design software available through browsers and iOS.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
20. 19
    MD

    Marvelous Designermarvelousdesigner.com

    Create digital garments from editable 2D patterns, sewing, avatar setup, and cloth simulation.

    6.0 APIOpenFree From $8.25/mo
    →
21. 20
    CI

    Clara.ioclara.io

    Browser-based 3D modeling and rendering service with free models and 3D print export.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $10/mo
    →
22. 21
    C4

    Cinema 4Dmaxon.net

    Desktop 3D creation tool available for Linux, Mac, and Windows; try it free for 14 days.

    5.9 APIOpenFree —
    →
23. 22
    AS

    Adobe Substance 3D Modeleradobe.com

    Windows desktop and extension software for sculpting, parametric modeling, and built-in rendering.

    5.8 APIOpenFree From $59.99/mo (lower tiers unpriced)
    →
24. 23
    C3

    CLO 3Dclo3d.com

    Design clothes in 3D and view how garments look on Mac or Windows.

    5.8 APIOpenFree From $225/yr (lower tiers unpriced)
    →
25. 24
    SN

    Siemens NXplm.sw.siemens.com

    Hybrid modeling software for web and Windows, with cloud collaboration and assembly tools.

    5.7 APIOpenFree —
    →
26. 25
    C

    CATIA3ds.com

    Parametric design software with assemblies, surface and sheet-metal tools, plus cloud collaboration.

    5.6 APIOpenFree From $6,537/yr
    →

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How to choose

Which modeling tools do you need?

Choose based on the kind of modeling you need. Compare modeling mode and parametric modeling, a way to define a design through adjustable measurements and rules.

Check whether native rendering and animation tools are part of the comparison if you need to create finished images or moving scenes.

Which platforms does the software need to run on?

Start with the operating systems and devices you use. The board lists support for Windows, macOS, Linux, web and iOS; an API is also listed as a platform option.

Confirm platform support for the specific product before choosing, especially if you need to work across devices.

Which file formats do you need to import or export?

Check the import and export formats against the files you already use. Support for the formats you need can determine whether a tool fits into your existing workflow.

Do you need to work with other people?

If you need shared work, compare the collaboration workspace details. The board includes collaboration as a comparison point, but the available setup can differ by product.

How can you compare free and paid options?

Check the free-plan mark and the paid-from price, where shown. A free trial is different from a free plan, so confirm which option a product offers before committing.

Questions

What should I look for in 3D design software?

Compare modeling mode, parametric modeling, platforms, file formats, rendering, animation and collaboration against the work you need to do.

Which 3D design software works on Mac, Windows, or Linux?

Use the supported-platform details to check Windows, macOS and Linux compatibility for the product you are considering.

Does 3D design software have a free plan?

The board marks free plans separately from paid-from prices and free trials. Check the product’s listing to see which applies.

What does the API mark mean on a 3D design tool?

It indicates whether the maker lists a public API, a way for other software to connect with the tool.

How do I know if a 3D design tool supports my files?

Check its import and export formats against the file types you need to open or share.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure