The Best Free Autodesk 3ds Max AlternativesTop 3D Modelers and other similar apps like Autodesk 3ds Max

The best free alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max is Blender, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max are SketchUp, Bforartists, Spline and Vue.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be 3D Painting Apps or 3D Animators.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Autodesk 3ds Max.
Autodesk 3ds Max iconAutodesk 3ds Max
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Professional-grade 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software, used for creating detailed worlds across film, TV, games, and design projects.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives page was last updated Nov 28, 2024
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Alternatives
  1. Blender icon

    Blender

     1678 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    143 Blender alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Real time rendering
    4.  Compositor
    5.  Community-based
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Texturing
    8.  Animation Rigging
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  3D Renderer
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Grease Pencil

    Blender VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Jun 27, 2017
    9

    It is really powerfull. It is only a 100 MB file (3ds Max is 1+ GB file). It really really requires low resources from a modest PC. Its is free!

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jan 30, 2017
    0

    Blender is free but is hard to use

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Dec 10, 2020
    0

    Lower learning curve and high usability.

    Show more comments
    3 of 9 comments
    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Blender icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Blender is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  2. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     552 likes
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    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    165 SketchUp alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based

    SketchUp VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     

    • Some users think SketchUp is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative, some don't.

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Bforartists icon

    Bforartists

     33 likes
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    Bforartists is a complete 3D suite to create 3D content. It offers you the full 3D art pipeline to create game graphics, prerendered movies and stills.

    75 Bforartists alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Splash

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Rendering
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Motion Capture
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Parametric Modeling
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Support for Layers

    Bforartists VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
    Comments about Bforartists as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    hamadaspider
    Positive •Jun 3, 2018
    1

    i learn blender with this software , many thanx for devolp

    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Bforartists icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bforartists is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

    • Bforartists is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Bforartists is LightweightAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  5. Spline icon

    Spline

     21 likes
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    Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. Control the outcome of your 3d design work.

    19 Spline alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Spline screenshot 1

    Spline Features

    1.  No Coding Required
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  3D design
    5.  Web-Based

    Spline VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     

    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  6. Vue icon

    Vue

     29 likes
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    Create vast expanses of terrains, add trees, select the best point of view and render hyper-realistic images of your landscapes in moody atmospheres... in a few mouse clicks.

    62 Vue alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    vue final
    Discontinued

    No longer under active development, but you can still download it and use it for free.

    Vue Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Keyframe Animation
    5.  Procedurally generated

    Vue VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
  7. TouchDesigner icon

    TouchDesigner

     9 likes
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    TouchDesigner is a complete authoring tool for building interactive 3D art, visualizations, prototypes and UIs. Derivative makes and supports TouchDesigner and offers their services to do custom production using TouchDesigner.

    34 TouchDesigner alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Sample project screen

    TouchDesigner Features

    1.  Node Based
    2.  Interactive Visualization

    TouchDesigner VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
  9. Vectary icon

    Vectary

     12 likes
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    Vectary is the most accessible 3D and Augmented Reality design platform. Create an account for free online. No app download needed. Build immersive experiences for the real world. Publish 3D and Augmented Reality content to any website.

    38 Vectary alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Figma
    • madewitharkit
    • WebGL
    • Sketch
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Create 3D UI in Vectary

    Vectary Features

    1.  Augmented Reality
    2.  Real time collaboration
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Rendering
    5.  3D Renderer
    6.  Figma plugin
    7.  HD-Rendering
    8.  3d sketching
    9.  Sketch

    Vectary VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
  10. Womp icon

    Womp

     9 likes
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    Womp is a free and beginner friendly browser based 3D design software, allowing anyone to easily create professional and 3D printing ready creations live from virtually any device and without any technical knowledge.

    10 Womp alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Womp - Discover Page with 3D assets

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  3D Renderer
    2.  Browser-based
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Portable
    5.  No Coding Required
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  Augmented Reality
    9.  Real time collaboration
    10.  Keyframe Animation
    11.  3D Sculpting
    12.  Node Based

    Womp VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
  11. Rumba icon

    Rumba

     Like
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    Because 3d animators are crucial in today’s animation and VFX productions, they deserve a productive and modern software dedicated to their art.

    12 Rumba alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Rumba screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Onion skinning
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Live Preview
    6.  Animation Rigging

    Rumba VS Autodesk 3ds Max

     
9 of 34 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives