Head-to-head · 3D Avatar Software
MakeHuman vs UMA 3
MakeHuman leads on 0 checks, UMA 3 on 3, and 1 is 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 scoreMakeHuman · 9.0/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresUMA 3 · 3 of 4
MakeHuman scores higher on our rubric for 3d avatar software: 9.0 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.
UMA 3 offers rigged exports; MakeHuman doesn't publish it. UMA 3 offers game engine export; MakeHuman doesn't publish it. UMA 3 offers commercial use; MakeHuman doesn't publish it.
MakeHuman is the better fit for free parametric human modeling. UMA 3 is the better fit for free runtime avatars in Unity.
- MakeHuman fits best
Free parametric human modeling
- UMA 3 fits best
Free runtime avatars in Unity
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Side by side
| Feature | MakeHuman 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | UMA 3 7.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| Ranking | #1 in 3D Avatar Software | #8 in 3D Avatar Software |
| Best for | Free parametric human modeling | Free runtime avatars in Unity |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Self-hosted |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 2 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features MakeHuman 0/4 · UMA 3 3/4 | ||
| Rigged exports | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Game engine export | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Face tracking | Not published | Not published |
| Commercial use | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Avatar style | Not published | Both |
| Export formats | Not published | OBJ, FBX, ZTL, 3ds Max, Blend |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| 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 → |
UMA 3 is an open avatar creation framework for Unity projects, aimed at game developers building customizable characters, crowds, multiplayer avatars, and reusable avatar content. It generates customizable humanoids and supports adapting… 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
UMA 3 — where it wins
- Runtime customization with bones, DNA, and blendshapes
- Modular clothing, accessories, overlays, and texture atlases
- Mesh combining and optimization for crowd avatars
Where it doesn't
- Platform coverage centers on Unity
- Requires Unity project integration
- Export workflows focus on rigging and source assets
- MakeHuman9.0/10 · Free plan
A free, detailed character generator for artists who need parametric human models.
Visit MakeHumanFull verdict → - UMA 37.0/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Unity framework for customizable runtime humanoid avatars.
Visit UMA 3Full verdict →
More comparisons
- MakeHuman vs Daz Studio
- MakeHuman vs IMVU
- MakeHuman vs Reallusion Character Creator
- MakeHuman vs VRoid Studio
- MakeHuman vs FaceGen
- MakeHuman vs Human Generator
- Daz Studio vs UMA 3
- IMVU vs UMA 3
All 3D avatar software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update