The Best ZBrush AlternativesTop 3D Modelers and other similar apps like ZBrush

ZBrush is described as 'The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution' and is a popular 3D Modeler in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to ZBrush for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad and iPhone apps. The best ZBrush alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like ZBrush are 3D-Coat, Cinema 4D, Autodesk Mudbox and Bforartists.

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ZBrush alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be 3D Painting Apps or Game Development Tools. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of ZBrush.

ZBrush

3D Modeler
Paid • Proprietary

The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution.

More about ZBrush

ZBrush alternatives page was last updated Oct 1, 2024

Blender
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.
152 Blender alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- 3D Modeler
- VFX Software
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
- Steam
- Flatpak
+6
Top Blender Features
1. 3D Sculpting
2. 3D Animation
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
Show all NaN Blender features ▾
Blender VS ZBrush
Is Blender a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about Blender as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
it's free , more simple and has many other uses but it may not be as powerful as ZBrush in terms of performance or sculpting
Positive comment •May 14, 2017
14
sdanat
One of the most incredible open-source projects of all time.
Positive comment •Oct 1, 2024
0
Guest
has been doing things Zbrush 2021 just implemented; also open source with community add-ons
Positive comment •Aug 18, 2020
0
Guest
Blender is superior in every regard. Plus it's everything even money can't buy. Additionally with Blender you can do everything you can make in ZBrush plus Ultra! And above all, it's free and open source
Positive comment •Feb 20, 2019
-20
- Most users think Blender is a great ZBrush alternative.
- Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to ZBrush.
- Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to ZBrush.
- Blender is Free and Open SourceZBrush is Paid and Proprietary

3D-Coat
3D-Coat is the one application that has all the tools you need to take your 3D idea from a block of digital clay all the way to a production ready, fully textured organic or hard surface model.
72 3D-Coat alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
- 3D Modeler
- 3D Painting App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
+1
3D-Coat Features
1. 3D Sculpting
2. Support for scripting
3. Texturing
4. Voxel-editor
5. UV Unfolding
6. Procedural Texturing
Show all NaN 3D-Coat features ▾
3D-Coat VS ZBrush
Is 3D-Coat a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about 3D-Coat as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
3-D coat is like zbrush+substance painter (though you might consider getting SP too). Unlike zbrush it runs on Linux which is great for #indiedev! And yes, there are some graphics tablets that have Linux drivers written for them.
Positive comment •Feb 4, 2017
1
Guest
3D Coat, along with Mudbox are the best alternatives because they are dedicated sculpting software much so than all the others which are basically 3D design software with a sculpting feature.
Positive comment •Apr 19, 2020
0
- Most users think 3D-Coat is a great ZBrush alternative.
- 3D-Coat is the most popular commercial alternative to ZBrush.
- 3D-Coat is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary

Cinema 4D
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...
51 Cinema 4D alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- 3D Modeler
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
Cinema 4D Features
Rendering
Keyframe Animation
Support for scripting
Procedural Modeling
Show all NaN Cinema 4D features ▾
Cinema 4D VS ZBrush
Is Cinema 4D a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about Cinema 4D as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
Cinema 4D is not a digital sculpting program.
Negative comment •Jul 14, 2015
0
- Some users think Cinema 4D is a great ZBrush alternative, some don't.
- Cinema 4D is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary

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Adobe Dimension
Adobe Dimension (formerly Project Felix and then Adobe Dimension CC) is the 3D design tool made for graphic designers. With extensive integration with Adobe Stock, you can easily composite 2D and 3D assets to build product shots,...

https://www.adobe.com
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Autodesk Mudbox
Autodesk Mudbox digital sculpting and texture painting software offers 3D modeling professionals the ability to quickly and easily create highly detailed organic and inorganic 3D assets.
55 Autodesk Mudbox alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
- 3D Modeler
- 3D Painting App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Autodesk Mudbox Features
3D Sculpting
Drawing Tablet Support
Texturing
Show all NaN Autodesk Mudbox features ▾
Autodesk Mudbox VS ZBrush
Is Autodesk Mudbox a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about Autodesk Mudbox as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
Of all the programs i´ve tried, this one has the most similar way of sculpting to Zbrush. So it´s also perfect if you are looking for the closest thing to sculpture with real mud, clay.. It´s a bit inferior to zbrush in sculpting options but painting is way better because it is not mesh dependant, you don´t need a million polygon to paint smallest details.
Positive comment •Nov 5, 2019
0
- Almost everyone thinks Autodesk Mudbox is a great ZBrush alternative.
- Autodesk Mudbox is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary

Bforartists
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.
78 Bforartists alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- 3D Modeler
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- Haiku
- AmigaOS
- MorphOS
+7
Top Bforartists Features
1. 3D Sculpting
2. Dark Mode
3. Ad-free
4. Keyframe Animation
5. Motion Capture
6. Live Preview
7. Parametric Modeling
8. Lightweight
9. Works Offline
10. Color Picker
11. No registration required
12. Support for Layers
Show all NaN Bforartists features ▾
Bforartists VS ZBrush
Is Bforartists a good alternative to ZBrush?

Paint 3D
Paint 3D is Microsoft's totally rebuilt and enhanced version of Microsoft Paint built for Windows 10 and with extensive 3D support as well as other helpful, long-needed additions like pen support and easier cropping feature.
19 Paint 3D alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- 3D Painting App
- 3D Modeler
Platforms
- Windows
Paint 3D Features
Remove Image Background
HD-Rendering
Support for subtitles
Bundled with Windows
Show all NaN Paint 3D features ▾
+1
Discontinued
Microsoft to deprecate Paint 3D app, removal from store set for November 4, 2024
Paint 3D VS ZBrush
Is Paint 3D a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about Paint 3D as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
It's not the same kind of program.
Negative comment •Dec 4, 2023
0
Guest
Zbrush is 3d modeling. Paint 3D is mainly 2d with limited brushes
Negative comment •Mar 27, 2020
0
- This alternative is disputed. Paint 3D is a legitimate ZBrush alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
- Paint 3D is Free and ProprietaryZBrush is Paid and Proprietary

Nomad Sculpt
Nomad is a sculpting & painting mobile app, available on Android and iOS.
9 Nomad Sculpt alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Platforms
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
Nomad Sculpt Features
3D Sculpting
Show all NaN Nomad Sculpt features ▾
+7
Nomad Sculpt VS ZBrush
Is Nomad Sculpt a good alternative to ZBrush?
- Nomad Sculpt is the most popular Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to ZBrush.
- Nomad Sculpt is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary

SculptGL
SculptGL is a browser-based 3d-modeling application.
25 SculptGL alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- 3D Modeler
Platforms
- Online
SculptGL Features
PBR Shaders
Browser-based
Show all NaN SculptGL features ▾
+3
Discontinued
From GitHub: "DEVELOPMENT STOPPED I'm now working on Nomad Sculpt instead."
SculptGL VS ZBrush
Is SculptGL a good alternative to ZBrush?
- Almost everyone thinks SculptGL is a great ZBrush alternative.
- SculptGL is the most popular Web-based alternative to ZBrush.
- SculptGL is Free and Open SourceZBrush is Paid and Proprietary

Armory 3D
Armory is an open-source 3D game engine with full Blender integration, turning it into a complete game development tool. The result is a unified workflow from start to finish, making you work faster. No more jumping between different applications.
40 Armory 3D alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Game Development Tool
- 3D Modeler
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Blender
+4
Armory 3D Features
1. Blender Integration
2. Logic Nodes
3. Multiplatform Export
4. Real-time Global Illumination
5. Configurable
Show all NaN Armory 3D features ▾
Armory 3D VS ZBrush
Is Armory 3D a good alternative to ZBrush?
Comments about Armory 3D as an Alternative to ZBrush

Guest
Zbrush is for sculpting primarily on the other hand armory is a game engine.
Negative comment •Apr 29, 2020
9
tvgoing1
Armory is a game engine not a sculpting software like Zbrush
Negative comment •May 11, 2022
0
- Some users think Armory 3D is a great ZBrush alternative, some don't.
- Armory 3D is Free and Open SourceZBrush is Paid and Proprietary

Adobe Dimension
Adobe Dimension (formerly Project Felix and then Adobe Dimension CC) is the 3D design tool made for graphic designers. With extensive integration with Adobe Stock, you can easily composite 2D and 3D assets to build product shots, scene visualizations, and abstract art.
64 Adobe Dimension alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
- 3D Modeler
- Graphic Design Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Dimension Features
Grid layout
HD-Rendering
Show all NaN Adobe Dimension features ▾
Adobe Dimension VS ZBrush
Is Adobe Dimension a good alternative to ZBrush?