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Head-to-head · Voxel Editors

MagicaVoxel vs Voxel Builder

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score MagicaVoxel #3 in Voxel Editors 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit MagicaVoxel
Voxel Builder #7 in Voxel Editors 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Voxel Builder

MagicaVoxel leads on 1 check, Voxel Builder on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMagicaVoxel · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVoxel Builder · 2 of 4

MagicaVoxel scores higher on our rubric for voxel editors: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

MagicaVoxel offers animation tools; Voxel Builder doesn't.

MagicaVoxel is the better fit for free desktop voxel modeling, rendering, and animation. Voxel Builder is the better fit for open-source voxel modeling across desktop and mobile.

  • MagicaVoxel fits best

    Free desktop voxel modeling, rendering, and animation

  • Voxel Builder fits best

    Open-source voxel modeling across desktop and mobile

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Side by side

Feature MagicaVoxel 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Voxel Builder 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Voxel Editors #7 in Voxel Editors
Best for Free desktop voxel modeling, rendering, and animation Open-source voxel modeling across desktop and mobile
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS Web, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MagicaVoxel 1/4 · Voxel Builder 2/4
Animation tools ✓ (best) —
Game engine export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Texture painting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Scene editing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Max grid dimension Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Electron on Windows and Linux; Chrome and Firefox on desktop and mobile
Our review
Pros
  • Free to use for any project on Windows and macOS
  • Built-in GPU path tracing with lighting, camera, lens, and fog controls
  • Animation, shaders, patterns, world editing, and varied export options
  • Free and open source across web, desktop, and mobile platforms
  • Exports GLB, GLTF, OBJ, STL, and PLY mesh formats
  • Includes GPU path-traced and PBR rendering
Cons
  • Desktop releases are limited to Windows and macOS
  • The official release is identified as a beta version
  • Its voxel-focused workflow may not suit non-voxel 3D work
  • Geometry animations are not supported
  • No maximum grid dimension is documented
  • Game-engine export is listed without named engine integrations
Our verdict

MagicaVoxel is a desktop editor for creating and editing models built from volumetric cubes. It is suited to artists, game developers, hobbyists, and other users working with voxel-based 3D assets. The Free plan is available for any…

Read the review →

Voxel Builder is an open-source voxel-based 3D modeling application for individual creators and small teams working with voxel assets. It combines interactive modeling, symmetric drawing and painting, color groups, voxel layering,…

Read the review →
  1. MagicaVoxelVoxel Editors 9.1Free plan
  2. Voxel BuilderVoxel Editors 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MagicaVoxel — where it wins

    • Free to use for any project on Windows and macOS
    • Built-in GPU path tracing with lighting, camera, lens, and fog controls
    • Animation, shaders, patterns, world editing, and varied export options

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop releases are limited to Windows and macOS
    • The official release is identified as a beta version
    • Its voxel-focused workflow may not suit non-voxel 3D work

  • Voxel Builder — where it wins

    • Free and open source across web, desktop, and mobile platforms
    • Exports GLB, GLTF, OBJ, STL, and PLY mesh formats
    • Includes GPU path-traced and PBR rendering

    Where it doesn't

    • Geometry animations are not supported
    • No maximum grid dimension is documented
    • Game-engine export is listed without named engine integrations

More comparisons

All voxel editors comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update