ZBrush AlternativesOnly apps categorised as 3D Painting Apps

The best 3D Painting alternative to ZBrush is 3D-Coat. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Clavicula or Artist3D. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to ZBrush and 18 are 3D Painting Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting 3D Painting App alternatives to ZBrush are Autodesk Mudbox, MARI, 123D Sculpt and Paint 3D.

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ZBrush alternatives are mainly 3D Painting Apps, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Open Source, Android, Linux and iPad. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to ZBrush.
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Alternatives list

  1. 3D-Coat icon

    3D-Coat

     45 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    3D-Coat screenshot 1
     
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    18
    Comments about 3D-Coat as an Alternative to ZBrush
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ZBrush Icon
    3D-Coat icon

    • 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
  2. Autodesk Mudbox icon

    Autodesk Mudbox

     21 likes
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    Autodesk Mudbox offers tools for creating detailed organic and inorganic 3D assets. It features an efficient layer workflow that allows blending, masking, and more, and has a familiar interface for sculpting and texture painting. Ideal for professional 3D modeling tasks.

    50 Autodesk Mudbox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk Mudbox screenshot 1
     
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    12
    Comments about Autodesk Mudbox as an Alternative to ZBrush
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ZBrush Icon
    Autodesk Mudbox icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Autodesk Mudbox is a great ZBrush alternative.

    • Autodesk Mudbox is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Clavicula icon

    Clavicula

     12 likes
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    Clavicula is a free 3D modeling software aimed at artists and users of all levels. It allows you to quickly give shape to your artistic, design, or engineering ideas, to create highly complex objects using a relatively simple toolkit.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Main window
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Mudbox icon
    Autodesk Mudbox

    Autodesk Mudbox offers tools for creating detailed organic and inorganic 3D assets. It features an efficient layer workflow that allows blending, masking, and more, and has a familiar interface for sculpting and texture painting....

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  6. MARI icon

    MARI

     15 likes
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    MARI is a creative texture-painting tool that can handle extreme projects. MARI was developed at Weta Digital to handle the massively complex, highly detailed look development work demanded of the texture department by projects such as District 9, The Lovely Bones, and Avatar.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Quicker start-up and export
     
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    1
    Comments about MARI as an Alternative to ZBrush
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    MARI doesn't have sculpting features at all. It's specifically a 3D painting application, as Substance Painter is.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ZBrush Icon
    MARI icon

    • This alternative is disputed. MARI is a legitimate ZBrush alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • MARI is Paid and ProprietaryZBrush is also Paid and Proprietary
  7. Artist3D icon

    Artist3D

     4 likes
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    Artist3D is an extraordinarily easy-to-use 3D polygon modeling tool. It works completely without forms, pull-down menus, pop-up menus and text input. Only one modeling window covers each operation function. Less than 30 operation elements control the active interaction options.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    Introduction to Artist3D, modeling and painting
     
  8. 123D Sculpt icon

    123D Sculpt

     5 likes
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    Free for a limited time!

    With Autodesk® 123D™ Sculpt you can sculpt and paint interesting and realistic 3D shapes.

    It’s easy to get started. Choose a shape from the library of creatures, humans, vehicles, and more. Then push, pull and paint to make the sculpture your own.

    38 123D Sculpt alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPad
    123D Sculpt screenshot 1
    123D Sculpt screenshot 2
    123D Sculpt screenshot 3
     
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  10. Paint 3D icon

    Paint 3D

     28 likes
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    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.

    17 Paint 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Paint 3D screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Paint 3D as an Alternative to ZBrush
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It's not the same kind of program.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Zbrush is 3d modeling. Paint 3D is mainly 2d with limited brushes

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ZBrush Icon
    Paint 3D icon

    • 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
  11. Sculptura icon

    Sculptura

     2 likes
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    With an advanced clay engine and artist-tested tools, Sculptura is the most intuitive and powerful 3D sculpting app ever designed for your iPad. Sculpt engaging characters, ghastly monsters, or even intriguing abstract art anywhere you are.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Sculptura screenshot 1
     
  12. Blacksmith3D icon

    Blacksmith3D

     4 likes
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    Paint in 3d across texture seams with ease. Choose from clone & projection tools, paint from a photo resource, make seamless tiles, sculpt existing models with chisels or hammers or make new morphs,.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Blacksmith3D screenshot 1
     
  13. Curvy 3D icon

    Curvy 3D

     6 likes
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    3D modelling software for artists. An easy to pick up, fast, non-technical modelling tool, ideal for first time 3D modellers. Draw in 3D, Sculpt and Paint.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Steam
    Curvy 3D screenshot 1
     
  14. Putty3D icon

    Putty3D

     3 likes
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    SCULPT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

    Putty is the best 3D sketchbook for artists and enthusiasts on the go. Whether you’re on holiday, on the train or just relaxing on the couch, Putty 3D is your perfect companion.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Putty3D screenshot 1
     
  15. Sunny 3D icon

    Sunny 3D

     4 likes
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    With ultimate simple user interface, you can create 3D model by using freehand sketch and directly apply painting to your 3D model without learning difficult texture mapping.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Sunny 3D screenshot 1
     
12 of 18 ZBrush alternatives