MB-Lab
MB-Lab: A capable free Blender tool for human avatars, with development and support ended. Ranked #13 of 26 in 3D Avatar Software by our editors (6.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Blender-based humanoid creation.
At a glance
- Editor score6.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree Blender-based humanoid creation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Avatar styleHuman
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free, open-source humanoid creation with detailed morph and measurement controls
- Includes skin, hair, facial rig, FACS, expression, pose, and proxy tools
- Supports rigged finalization with BLEND and JSON character workflows
Where it doesn't
- Development and support ended after the final release
- Export workflow is focused on Blender files and JSON
- AGPL 3 defaults may restrict closed-source games or 3D models
Our verdict on MB-Lab
MB-Lab is an open-source Blender add-on for creating and customizing humanoid characters. It is aimed at artists, developers, and creators who want human avatar generation inside Blender rather than a broad library of avatar styles. Its workflow covers model templates, morphing, phenotype controls, measurements, skin, eyes, hair, facial rigs, expressions, poses, proxy assets, and rigged character finalization.
The feature depth is strongest around character customization. Morphing, phenotype, and measurement controls support detailed changes to a humanoid model, while skin, eye, and hair tools extend the appearance workflow. Custom facial rig and FACS rig support add control for facial performance, and expression and pose tools provide further adjustment. Proxy asset fitting is included for fitting compatible assets to the character. Finalized characters can be saved as Blender files, with character parameters preserved as JSON.
Blender compatibility is central to the product. The final release supports Blender 4.0 and later, and the published export workflow lists BLEND and JSON formats with rigged exports. However, the project was archived on July 21, 2024, and version 1.8.1 is identified as the final release; development moved to Charmorph. The generated 3D models default to AGPL 3, which may restrict use in closed-source games or closed-source 3D models. Choose MB-Lab for a free, Blender-focused humanoid workflow when its licensing and archived status fit the project. Teams needing ongoing development, support, or a broader active ecosystem should choose an alternative.
MB-Lab pricing
MB-Lab fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Avatar style | Human |
| Export formats | BLEND, JSON |
| Rigged exports | Yes |
| Game engine export | Not verified |
| Face tracking | Not verified |
| Commercial use | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to MB-Lab
- MakeHumanA free, detailed character generator for artists who need parametric human models.9.0
- Daz StudioA free desktop suite for creating, animating, simulating, and rendering 3D characters.8.2
- IMVUA social avatar platform with creator tools, virtual products, and Shop monetization.7.7
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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