Blender vs Autodesk 3ds Max

Blender9.3Visit Autodesk 3ds Max8.8Visit

Higher score Blender #1 in 3D Modeling Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Blender

vs

Autodesk 3ds Max #5 in 3D Modeling Software 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Autodesk

• Blender fits best

  Broad, free professional 3D creation

• Autodesk 3ds Max fits best

  Windows architectural and entertainment modeling

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Side by side

Feature	Blender 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Autodesk 3ds Max 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in 3D Modeling Software	#5 in 3D Modeling Software
Best for	Broad, free professional 3D creation	Windows architectural and entertainment modeling
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	30-day trial
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Docs · 24/7
Built for	Solo, Small business	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Blender 3/4 · Autodesk 3ds Max 3/4
Sculpting tools	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Animation tools	✓	✓
Parametric modeling	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
3D print export	✓	✓
Specs
Platform access	Desktop	Desktop
Render engine	Built-in	Built-in
Our review
Pros	Covers modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and compositing Open-source desktop software with no paid tier Includes Python scripting and 3D-print export utilities	Polygon, spline, retopology, sculpting, and modifier workflows Integrated Arnold rendering with materials, lighting, and texture tools Animation, scripting, plugins, STL export, and major workflow integrations
Cons	Its broad scope may exceed the needs of single-purpose workflows Primarily a desktop application rather than a browser-based workspace The 3D Print Toolbox is provided as an extension or add-on	Runs only on Windows desktop No free plan is available Paid purchasing is required beyond the 30-day trial
Our verdict	Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite for artists, hobbyists, professionals, and studios. Its scope spans polygon, curve, and mesh modeling; digital sculpting and retopology; rigging and animation; simulation; rendering;… Read the review →	Autodesk 3ds Max is desktop software for creating 3D models, characters, environments, animations, and visualizations. It is aimed at game developers, animation and visual-effects artists, architects, and product designers. The feature set… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Blender — where it wins

  • Covers modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and compositing
  • Open-source desktop software with no paid tier
  • Includes Python scripting and 3D-print export utilities

  Where it doesn't

  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of single-purpose workflows
  • Primarily a desktop application rather than a browser-based workspace
  • The 3D Print Toolbox is provided as an extension or add-on

• Autodesk 3ds Max — where it wins

  • Polygon, spline, retopology, sculpting, and modifier workflows
  • Integrated Arnold rendering with materials, lighting, and texture tools
  • Animation, scripting, plugins, STL export, and major workflow integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs only on Windows desktop
  • No free plan is available
  • Paid purchasing is required beyond the 30-day trial

• Blender9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad free 3D suite covering modeling, animation, rendering, scripting, and print export.

  Visit BlenderFull verdict →
• Autodesk 3ds Max8.8/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad Windows toolkit for architectural, game, animation, and visualization work.

  Visit AutodeskFull verdict →