Best 3ds Max CAT Alternatives in 2026
The top 3ds Max CAT alternatives are AccuRIG, Mixamo and Rigify: 15 3D rigging software our editors would look at instead of 3ds Max CAT, in our ranking order.
3ds Max CAT: A capable CAT rigging toolkit for 3ds Max, with broad animation workflows and host-specific scope. Where it falls short: runs on windows and supports 3ds max as its host.
Switching from 3ds Max CAT? For most 3d rigging software buyers the best 3ds Max CAT alternative is AccuRIG, built for free, cross-tool automatic character rigging. On a budget, Contour Rig Tools starts at $40/mo.
Why People Look for a 3ds Max CAT Alternative
- Runs on Windows and supports 3ds Max as its host
- No free plan; access is tied to a paid 3ds Max subscription
- Documented rig preset formats are RIG and RG3
- No free plan — 12 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAccuRIG9.4
Free, cross-tool automatic character rigging
Visit AccuRIG - Lowest priceContour Rig Tools7.7
Paid plans from $40/mo
Visit Contour Rig Tools - Best free optionAccuRIG9.4
Has a free plan (3ds Max CAT has none)
Visit AccuRIG
All 15 3ds Max CAT Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Sponsored alternatives to 3ds Max CAT Sponsored alternative
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Best forFree, cross-tool automatic character rigging
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.7
A capable free auto-rigging tool for biped models across major 3D applications.
- Auto-rigging
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Reallusion -
Best forFree humanoid auto-rigging and animation
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.7
A free web tool for automatic humanoid rigging and motion-captured animation.
- Auto-rigging
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Mixamo -
Best forBlender users wanting deep open rig automation
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.7
A free Blender add-on for automated character armatures and extensible rig systems.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Rigify -
Best forMaya studios needing production rig workflows
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.7
A capable rigging toolkit with free non-commercial access and paid commercial licenses.
- Auto-rigging
8.9/10★★★★☆Try AdvancedSkeleton -
Best forBlender game-character rigging and export
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.7
A feature-rich Blender rigging add-on for characters headed to game engines.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Auto-Rig Pro -
Best forFree web-to-desktop rigging and animation
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7
A capable free rigging tool for creators who can work with GLB export.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Mesh2Motion -
Best forOpen Maya framework for custom production rigs
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.7
A flexible Maya framework for teams building custom character and animation pipelines.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit mcsGear -
Best forFree Maya biped, quadruped, and vehicle rigs
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.7
A capable Maya rigging toolkit for configurable biped, quadruped, vehicle, and prop setups.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
8.3/10★★★★☆Try dpAutoRigSystem -
Best forFree procedural Blender control rigs
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.7
A focused open-source choice for regenerable, metarig-based Blender control rigs.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit CloudRig -
Best forStudios needing rigging inside a full procedural suite
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.7
A broad procedural suite with capable rigging, but a high-cost choice for rigging alone.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit SideFX -
Best forMaya teams wanting modular production rigs
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.7
A capable modular rigging toolkit for Maya teams that can work without a free tier.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rapid Rig -
Best forFree Blender humanoid rigging
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.7
A focused, free Blender add-on for automated humanoid character rigging.
- Auto-rigging
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit BlenRig -
Best forMaya riggers needing spline-based deformation
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.7
A focused Maya plug-in for spline deformation, Contour rigs, IK, and technical rigging workflows.
- Scripting support
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Notional Pipe -
Best forFree 3ds Max character rig construction
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.7
Free 3ds Max rig construction with automatic building, skinning, and animation tools.
- Scripting support
- Auto-rigging
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit InstantRig -
Best forOpen Maya pipeline rig construction
- Better than 3ds Max CAT:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.7
A modular Maya rigging framework for technical artists and riggers.
- Scripting support
7.5/10★★★★☆Explore Maya Pulse
3ds Max CAT Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to 3ds Max CAT?
AccuRIG: #1 in our 3D Rigging Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A capable free auto-rigging tool for biped models across major 3D applications.
Is there a free alternative to 3ds Max CAT?
Yes. AccuRIG, Mixamo, Rigify, AdvancedSkeleton and Mesh2Motion have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for 3ds Max CAT alternatives?
Runs on Windows and supports 3ds Max as its host; No free plan; access is tied to a paid 3ds Max subscription; Documented rig preset formats are RIG and RG3.
How do I switch from 3ds Max CAT?
Export your data from 3ds Max CAT (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel 3ds Max CAT.
How to Switch from 3ds Max CAT
- Export your data from 3ds Max CAT (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel 3ds Max CAT.
3ds Max CAT vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Auto-rigging | Deployment | Rig targets | Supported host apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 3ds Max CAT | No | Host_plugin | Mixed | 3ds Max | 6.7 | ||
| 1 | AccuRIG | Yes | Free | Yes | Standalone | Mixed | Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, iClone, Omniverse, Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Cinema 4D | 9.4 |
| 2 | Mixamo | Yes | Free | Yes | Standalone | Humanoids | Adobe Photoshop | 9.2 |
| 3 | Rigify | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Blender | 9.1 |
| 4 | AdvancedSkeleton | Yes | $1,500/yr | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine | 8.9 |
| 5 | Auto-Rig Pro | No | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Blender | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Mesh2Motion | Yes | Free | Yes | Both | Mixed | 8.7 | |
| 7 | mGear Framework | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Autodesk Maya; Unreal Engine | 8.5 |
| 8 | dpAutoRigSystem | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Maya | 8.3 |
| 9 | CloudRig | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Blender | 8.2 |
| 10 | Houdini | Yes | $1,475/device/yr | 8.0 | ||||
| 11 | Rapid Rig: Modular | No | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Autodesk Maya | 7.9 | |
| 12 | BlenRig | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Humanoids | Blender | 7.8 |
| 13 | Contour Rig Tools | Yes | $40/mo | Host_plugin | Mixed | Maya | 7.7 | |
| 14 | InstantRig | Yes | Free | Yes | Host_plugin | Mixed | Autodesk 3ds Max | 7.6 |
| 15 | Maya Pulse | Free | Host_plugin | Mixed | Autodesk Maya | 7.5 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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