Best Autodesk 3ds Max Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 apps from 3D modeling software ranked against Autodesk 3ds Max on the same published basis.
- 1Autodesk 3ds Max vs Houdini
- 2Autodesk 3ds Max vs Blender
- 3Autodesk 3ds Max vs SketchUp
- 4Autodesk 3ds Max vs Onshape
- 5Autodesk 3ds Max vs Rhino 3D
- 6Autodesk 3ds Max vs Shapr3D
- 7Autodesk 3ds Max vs ZBrush
- 8Autodesk 3ds Max vs Bforartists
- 9Autodesk 3ds Max vs FreeCAD
- 10Autodesk 3ds Max vs MakeHuman
- 11Autodesk 3ds Max vs Daz 3D
- 12Autodesk 3ds Max vs Meshy
- 13Autodesk 3ds Max vs Creo
- 14Autodesk 3ds Max vs MeshLab
- 15Autodesk 3ds Max vs Spline
- 16Autodesk 3ds Max vs Blockbench
- 17Autodesk 3ds Max vs Gravity Sketch
- 18Autodesk 3ds Max vs 3DCoat
- 19Autodesk 3ds Max vs form·Z
- 20Autodesk 3ds Max vs SelfCAD
Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives compared
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houdini | 9.4 | Free plan | $7.92/mo | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2 | Blender | 9.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 3 | SketchUp | 9.3 | Free plan | $0.90/mo | iOS, Web, Windows |
| 4 | Onshape | 9.0 | Free plan | $125/mo | Android, iOS, Web |
| 5 | Rhino 3D | 8.9 | Free plan | $95/mo | Windows, Mac |
| 6 | Shapr3D | 8.8 | Free plan | $24.92/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 7 | ZBrush | 8.7 | Free plan | Free | Windows, Mac |
| 8 | Bforartists | 8.7 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 9 | FreeCAD | 8.5 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 10 | MakeHuman | 8.5 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 11 | Daz 3D | 8.5 | Free plan | — | Mac, Web, Windows |
| 12 | Meshy | 8.5 | Free plan | $20/mo | Android, API, iOS, Web |
| 13 | Creo | 8.4 | No | — | Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| 14 | MeshLab | 8.4 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 15 | Spline | 8.3 | Free plan | $15/mo | Android, Web |
| 16 | Blockbench | 8.3 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 17 | Gravity Sketch | 8.2 | Free plan | £15.99/mo | Web, Windows, Mac |
| 18 | 3DCoat | 8.1 | No | €379/mo | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 19 | form·Z | 8.1 | Free plan | $18.25/mo | Windows, Mac |
| 20 | SelfCAD | 8.1 | Free plan | $11.67/mo | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux |
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Questions about Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives
What is the best alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
Houdini, number 1 in 3D modeling software with a score of 9.4 out of 10. The others here: Blender, SketchUp, Onshape and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
Houdini is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 17 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Is there an open-source alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
Yes: Blender.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on.