MakeHuman vs FaceGen

MMakeHuman9.0Visit FaceGen7.0Visit

Higher score M MakeHuman #1 in 3D Avatar Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit MakeHuman

vs

FaceGen #6 in 3D Avatar Software 7.0/10 From $300 ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit FaceGen

• MakeHuman fits best

  Free parametric human modeling

• FaceGen fits best

  Specialized photographic 3D head generation

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Side by side

Feature	MMakeHuman 9.0/10 Visit ↗	FaceGen 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	7.0
Ranking	#1 in 3D Avatar Software	#6 in 3D Avatar Software
Best for	Free parametric human modeling	Specialized photographic 3D head generation
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not published
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MakeHuman 0/4 · FaceGen 2/4
Rigged exports	Not published	Not published
Game engine export	Not published	✓ (best)
Face tracking	Not published	Not published
Commercial use	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Avatar style	Not published	Human
Export formats	Not published	DAE, FBX, 3DS, MA, LWO, OBJ, XSI, WRL, STL, PNG, JPEG, TGA, BMP
Our review
Pros	Detailed sliders for body proportions, age, muscle, weight, and height Exports to FBX, OBJ, STL, BVH, Collada, and other formats Open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux	Generates heads from photos, random parameters, or 3D scan data More than 150 facial controls plus expressions and FACS blendshapes Exports meshes and textures for Unity and major 3D tools
Cons	The standalone 1.x application is largely unmaintained No official support for model animation inside the application Built-in animation tools are not provided	Desktop Modeller runs on Windows Focuses on human heads rather than full-body avatars Paid licenses start at a $300 one-time price
Our verdict	MakeHuman is a free, open-source desktop application for creating customizable 3D human characters. It suits artists, designers, educators, and developers who need a starting point for human models rather than a general-purpose 3D… Read the review →	FaceGen creates realistic 3D human head models from photographs, random generation, or 3D scan data. It is designed for artists, animators, game and avatar developers, 3D printing workflows, research tools, and software teams that need… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MakeHuman — where it wins

  • Detailed sliders for body proportions, age, muscle, weight, and height
  • Exports to FBX, OBJ, STL, BVH, Collada, and other formats
  • Open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • The standalone 1.x application is largely unmaintained
  • No official support for model animation inside the application
  • Built-in animation tools are not provided

• FaceGen — where it wins

  • Generates heads from photos, random parameters, or 3D scan data
  • More than 150 facial controls plus expressions and FACS blendshapes
  • Exports meshes and textures for Unity and major 3D tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop Modeller runs on Windows
  • Focuses on human heads rather than full-body avatars
  • Paid licenses start at a $300 one-time price

• MMakeHuman9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, detailed character generator for artists who need parametric human models.

  Visit MakeHumanFull verdict →
• FaceGen7.0/10 · From $300

  A specialized Windows tool for photographic 3D head generation and production exports.

  Visit FaceGenFull verdict →