Rhinoceros AlternativesTop 3D Modelers & CAD Software like Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros is described as 'Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware' and is a 3D Modeler in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Rhinoceros for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and BSD apps. The best Rhinoceros alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Rhinoceros are FreeCAD, SketchUp, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max.

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Rhinoceros alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be CAD Software or 3D Painting Apps.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Rhinoceros.
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Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your...

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Rhinoceros alternatives page was last updated Jan 27, 2025
  1. Blender icon
     1674 likes

    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
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak

    Top Blender 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 iconRhinoceros Icon

    Blender VS Rhinoceros

    Is Blender a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Rhinoceros
     
       
    Guest

    Can't stop laughing. As NURBS was the main concern ("don't use for real life" posted anypoop) and is now fully integrated, what else but snobbery could keep easy-payers wasting money on a proprietary software?

    Top positive commentNov 4, 2021
    0
    Iaian7

    I really like Blender, but it's not a Computer Aided Design application. While it's slowly supporting more procedural workflows, in no way is it a direct replacement for Rhino3D or any other CAD program.

    Top negative commentJan 27, 2025
    1
    Troy McConaghy

    Blender does support NURBS now, but that's not the default.

    CommentSep 7, 2021
    -1
    Show more comments
    3 of 9 comments
    Rhinoceros Icon
    Blender icon
    • Most users think Blender is a great Rhinoceros alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Rhinoceros.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Rhinoceros.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceRhinoceros is Paid and Proprietary
  2. FreeCAD icon
     440 likes

    A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeler ideal for mechanical engineering, supporting Python scripting, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, with modular architecture allowing extensive adaptability and use with scientific computing libraries.

    109 FreeCAD alternatives
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak

    Top FreeCAD Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  Interior Design
    4.  FEM
    5.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    6.  Parametric
    7.  3d Drawing
    8.  DWG support
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Procedural Modeling
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Dark Mode
    FreeCAD iconRhinoceros Icon

    FreeCAD VS Rhinoceros

    Is FreeCAD a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to Rhinoceros
     
    Iaian7

    FreeCAD interface is less intuitive than some of the alternatives, but it mostly works. Overlapping fillet operations, however, can break down where other CAD software operates just fine. FreeCAD should be ok for simpler projects.

    Positive commentJan 27, 2025
    1
    Rhinoceros Icon
    FreeCAD icon
    • Almost everyone thinks FreeCAD is a great Rhinoceros alternative.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceRhinoceros is Paid and Proprietary
  3. SketchUp icon
     551 likes

    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.

    164 SketchUp alternatives
    Main UI

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    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 iconRhinoceros Icon

    SketchUp VS Rhinoceros

    Is SketchUp a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to Rhinoceros
     
    Guest

    Both are used for say interior/exterior design and both have v-ray render plugin (separate buy)

    Positive commentSep 24, 2018
    1
    Rhinoceros Icon
    SketchUp icon
    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Rhinoceros.

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietaryRhinoceros is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Autodesk Maya icon
     147 likes

    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    63 Autodesk Maya alternatives
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Autodesk Maya Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Cross-Platform
    Autodesk Maya iconRhinoceros Icon

    Autodesk Maya VS Rhinoceros

    Is Autodesk Maya a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    • Autodesk Maya is the most popular commercial alternative to Rhinoceros.

    • Autodesk Maya is Paid and ProprietaryRhinoceros is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. Autodesk 3ds Max icon
     147 likes

    Professional-grade software designed for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation, equipped with comprehensive tools for creating detailed worlds. Widely used across film, TV, games, and design projects, it includes the powerful Arnold renderer, offering artistic control over scenes and characters.

    84 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives
    Autodesk 3ds Max screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Autodesk 3ds Max Features

    1.  Splines
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Parametric Modeling
    4.  Bones
    Autodesk 3ds Max iconRhinoceros Icon

    Autodesk 3ds Max VS Rhinoceros

    Is Autodesk 3ds Max a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  6. SOLIDWORKS icon
     83 likes

    Leading 3D CAD software for design, analysis, and product data management, developed by Dassault Systèmes. Enhances productivity, fosters collaboration, and accelerates time to market. Features include parametric modeling, photorealistic rendering, and strong PLM process support.

    98 SOLIDWORKS alternatives
    SOLIDWORKS screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    SOLIDWORKS Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Easy Measurements
    3.  Drawing 2D
    4.  3D design
    SOLIDWORKS iconRhinoceros Icon

    SOLIDWORKS VS Rhinoceros

    Is SOLIDWORKS a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  7. Autodesk Fusion icon
     42 likes

    A comprehensive CAD, CAM, and CAE solution that supports collaborative editing and cloud computation. It offers free-form modeling, data import, and toolpath generation. Free licenses are available for students, hobbyists, and startups, with seamless transition to commercial entitlements.

    38 Autodesk Fusion alternatives
    Freeform modeling & sculpting

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Autodesk Fusion Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Procedural Modeling
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Keyframe Animation
    6.  3D Sculpting
    7.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    8.  3D design
    9.  CAE
    10.  Surface Modelling
    Autodesk Fusion iconRhinoceros Icon

    Autodesk Fusion VS Rhinoceros

    Is Autodesk Fusion a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  8. Bforartists icon
     33 likes

    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
    Splash

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    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 iconRhinoceros Icon

    Bforartists VS Rhinoceros

    Is Bforartists a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  9. Cinema 4D icon
     82 likes

    CINEMA 4D is a commercial, cross-platform, high-end 3-D graphics application, produced by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Noted for its flexible interface and ease of use, it is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modelling, animating, lighting, texturing...

    49 Cinema 4D alternatives
    Cinema 4D screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Cinema 4D Features

    1.  Rendering
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Procedural Modeling
    Cinema 4D iconRhinoceros Icon

    Cinema 4D VS Rhinoceros

    Is Cinema 4D a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  10. MoI - Moment of Inspiration icon
     15 likes

    MoI’s sleek intuitive UI blends a fluid easy workflow with powerful tools, making it the perfect choice for someone who has been frustrated with the complexity of existing CAD tools.

    18 MoI - Moment of Inspiration alternatives
    MoI - Moment of Inspiration screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    MoI - Moment of Inspiration iconRhinoceros Icon

    MoI - Moment of Inspiration VS Rhinoceros

    Is this a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    Comments about MoI - Moment of Inspiration as an Alternative to Rhinoceros
     
    Guest

    MoI uses the same 3dm file as rhino and NURBS design. The UI is easier to navigate so you do not have to spend ages looking for the right command, moreover it can be easily customized. You can add shortcuts and run scripts if you need additional features and use the forum to get any help you might need. I used rhino since version 2.0 but prefer Moi because is more design focused. It does not have an internal render engine, but there are plenty available nowadays.

    Positive commentJan 7, 2021
    0
    Rhinoceros Icon
    MoI - Moment of Inspiration icon
    • Almost everyone thinks MoI - Moment of Inspiration is a great Rhinoceros alternative.

    • MoI - Moment of Inspiration is Paid and ProprietaryRhinoceros is also Paid and Proprietary
    • MoI - Moment of Inspiration is LightweightRhinoceros is not according to our users
  11. Plasticity icon
     4 likes

    Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow.

    19 Plasticity alternatives
    Plasticity screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Portable
    Plasticity iconRhinoceros Icon

    Plasticity VS Rhinoceros

    Is Plasticity a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
  12. Shapr3D icon
     28 likes

    From design to manufacturing. Teams collaborate with more impact. Instinctive design meets multidevice capability and full interoperability for the ultimate 3D design workflow.

    49 Shapr3D alternatives
    Sketch to model. Mastered in hours.

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Augmented Reality
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Mechanical Design
    6.  Apple Pencil support
    7. Android icon  Android Sync
    8.  Sketching
    Shapr3D iconRhinoceros Icon

    Shapr3D VS Rhinoceros

    Is Shapr3D a good alternative to Rhinoceros?
     
    • Shapr3D is the most popular iPad alternative to Rhinoceros.

    • Shapr3D is Freemium and ProprietaryRhinoceros is Paid and Proprietary
    • Shapr3D is LightweightRhinoceros is not according to our users
12 of 62 Rhinoceros alternatives