ZBrush vs Shapelab

ZBrush4.0Visit Shapelab8.3Visit

ZBrush #1 in 3D Sculpting Software 4.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit ZBrush

vs

Higher score Shapelab #5 in 3D Sculpting Software 8.3/10 From $9.99/mo · 7-day trial ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Shapelab

• ZBrush fits best

  Professional character and production sculpting

• Shapelab fits best

  Flexible desktop and VR sculpting

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Side by side

Feature	ZBrush 4.0/10 Visit ↗	Shapelab 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	4.0	8.3
Ranking	#1 in 3D Sculpting Software	#5 in 3D Sculpting Software
Best for	Professional character and production sculpting	Flexible desktop and VR sculpting
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	$9.99/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS	Windows, Android
Support	Tickets, Community, Docs, Phone	Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features ZBrush 0/6 · Shapelab 5/6
Automatic retopology	Not published	—
Manual retopology	Not published	✓ (best)
Multiresolution sculpting	Not published	✓ (best)
Voxel sculpting	Not published	✓ (best)
Texture painting	Not published	✓ (best)
Free trial	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not published	Windows, Android
Our review
Pros	Multi-resolution sculpting with customizable brushes, Dynamesh, and ZSpheres GoZ interoperability with Cinema 4D, Maya, 3ds Max, and Photoshop Retopology, rendering, animation, texturing, and 3D-print preparation in one suite	Combines polygon sculpting, voxel sketching, and dynamic topology Supports desktop and VR workflows with Meta Quest access Exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL files and integrates with Blender
Cons	Full desktop access requires a paid subscription The iPad free plan is limited to selected sculpting tools Paid pricing varies by region and may change with exchange rates	No automatic retopology; topology work is manual No free plan, with the trial limited to 7 days Desktop support is limited to Windows
Our verdict	ZBrush is Maxon's professional software for digital sculpting, painting, modeling, rendering, animation, and 3D-print preparation. It is aimed at character and creature artists, digital sculptors, concept artists, illustrators, toy and… Read the review →	Shapelab is a VR-focused 3D sculpting and modeling application for organic models, digital props, characters, concepts, game assets, virtual worlds, digital art, and 3D printing. It is designed for beginner creators and professional 3D… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ZBrush — where it wins

  • Multi-resolution sculpting with customizable brushes, Dynamesh, and ZSpheres
  • GoZ interoperability with Cinema 4D, Maya, 3ds Max, and Photoshop
  • Retopology, rendering, animation, texturing, and 3D-print preparation in one suite

  Where it doesn't

  • Full desktop access requires a paid subscription
  • The iPad free plan is limited to selected sculpting tools
  • Paid pricing varies by region and may change with exchange rates

• Shapelab — where it wins

  • Combines polygon sculpting, voxel sketching, and dynamic topology
  • Supports desktop and VR workflows with Meta Quest access
  • Exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL files and integrates with Blender

  Where it doesn't

  • No automatic retopology; topology work is manual
  • No free plan, with the trial limited to 7 days
  • Desktop support is limited to Windows

• ZBrush4.0/10 · Free plan

  A deep production sculpting suite for character, creature, modeling, and print workflows.

  Visit ZBrushFull verdict →
• Shapelab8.3/10 · From $9.99/mo · 7-day trial

  A flexible sculpting workspace that connects polygon, voxel, painting, and VR workflows.

  Visit ShapelabFull verdict →