Best xNormal Alternatives in 2026
The top xNormal alternatives are InstaMAT, Adobe Substance 3D Designer and ArmorPaint: 15 game texture software our editors would look at instead of xNormal, in our ranking order.
xNormal: A focused, free Windows tool for texture, normal, and ambient-occlusion baking. Where it falls short: windows-only support limits platform flexibility.
Switching from xNormal? For most game texture software buyers the best xNormal alternative is InstaMAT, built for full-featured texture teams on a budget. On a budget, PBRize starts at $10/mo.
Why People Look for a xNormal Alternative
- Windows-only support limits platform flexibility
- No verified painting or procedural-material features
- No verified integrations or game-engine export
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallInstaMAT9.3
Full-featured texture teams on a budget
Visit InstaMAT - Lowest pricePBRize7.9
Paid plans from $10/mo
Visit PBRize - Best free optionInstaMAT9.3
Has a free plan
Visit InstaMAT
All 15 xNormal 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.
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Best forFull-featured texture teams on a budget
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.2
A broad texture-production toolkit with a free plan and $8/month annual Indie License.
- Procedural materials
9.3/10★★★★★Visit InstaMAT -
Best forProfessional procedural material authoring
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.2
A deep procedural material tool for production pipelines, with paid-only access.
- UDIM support
- Texture baking
- Game-engine export
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Adobe -
Best forAffordable multi-platform texture painting
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.2
Affordable 3D texture painting with PBR, procedural, baking, and neural texture tools.
- Procedural materials
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ArmorPaint -
Best forLarge-scale film and game texture production
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.2
A mature texture-production tool with deep UDIM, procedural, baking, and scripting workflows.
- Procedural materials
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Foundry -
Best forFree procedural material creation
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.2
A free node-based material tool with broad engine exports and experimental 3D painting.
- Procedural materials
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Material Maker -
Best forFree procedural materials with automation
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.2
A free procedural PBR authoring tool with strong automation and a focused workflow.
- Procedural materials
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Surface Labs -
Best forOpen-source procedural textures and baking
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.2
A broad procedural texture and baking toolkit for Windows and Linux users.
- Procedural materials
8.2/10★★★★☆Try VFX Texture Lab -
Best forPhotogrammetry and image-based materials
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.2
A deep material-authoring toolkit for photogrammetry and image-based workflows.
- Game-engine export
- Procedural materials
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFast AI material generation
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.2
A fast web workflow for generating and editing PBR materials with AI.
- Game-engine export
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit PBRgen -
Best forAI PBR conversion from reference images
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.2
A focused web tool for turning reference images into editable PBR texture channels.
- Game-engine export
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit PBRize -
Best forFree open-source procedural textures
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.2
A capable free node-based texture tool for procedural workflows, with limited baking and painting.
- Procedural materials
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit TextureLab -
Best forTexture artists needing presentation rendering
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.2
A broad desktop toolkit for texture artists who need polished 3D presentation renders.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Marmoset -
Best forPhotograph-to-material workflows
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.2
A focused Windows texture suite for turning photographs into editable PBR materials.
- Game-engine export
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit PixPlant -
Best forFree image-based PBR map generation
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 7.2
A capable free choice for image-based PBR maps, with a focused desktop workflow.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AwesomeBump -
Best forWindows artists prioritizing direct texture painting
- Better than xNormal:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 7.2
A free Windows desktop app for direct 3D texture painting, UV setup and layered editing.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Blacksmith3D
xNormal Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to xNormal?
InstaMAT: #1 in our Game Texture Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad texture-production toolkit with a free plan and $8/month annual Indie License.
Is there a free alternative to xNormal?
Yes. InstaMAT, Mari, Material Maker, Surface Labs and VFX Texture Lab have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for xNormal alternatives?
Windows-only support limits platform flexibility; No verified painting or procedural-material features; No verified integrations or game-engine export.
How do I switch from xNormal?
Back up your world, configs and mods from xNormal's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel xNormal after a test session.
How to Switch from xNormal
- Back up your world, configs and mods from xNormal's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel xNormal after a test session.
xNormal vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Procedural materials | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | xNormal | Yes | Free | 7.2 | |
| 1 | InstaMAT | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Adobe Substance 3D Designer | No | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 3 | ArmorPaint | No | $19 one-time | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Mari | Yes | $689/user/yr | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | Material Maker | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | Surface Labs | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.3 |
| 7 | VFX Texture Lab | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.2 |
| 8 | Adobe Substance 3D Sampler | No | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 9 | PBRgen | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 10 | PBRize | Yes | $10/mo | 7.9 | |
| 11 | TextureLab | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.8 |
| 12 | Marmoset Toolbag | No | 7.7 | ||
| 13 | PixPlant | No | 7.6 | ||
| 14 | AwesomeBump | Yes | Free | 7.5 | |
| 15 | Blacksmith3D | Yes | Free | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update