Best 3D Modeling Software in 2026
Choosing 3D modeling software starts with the work you want to do, whether that means shaping forms, building parametric designs, animating, or preparing models for print. Compare the entries on 3D print export, animation tools, sculpting tools, parametric modeling, and render engine, then consider platform access, free plans, and paid starting prices. Houdini and SOLIDWORKS are among the first entries, alongside SketchUp and Rhino 3D; SelfCAD, Blender, Onshape, and FreeCAD also appear near the top. Weigh which capabilities fit your projects and workflow, including how you need to access, render, and export your models.
140 3d modeling software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Houdini Top pick · 9.1 Free plan · $7.92/mo
#2 SOLIDWORKS Runner-up · 9.1 Free plan · $4/mo
#3 SketchUp Also great · 9.0 Free plan · $0.90/mo
- Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$7.92/mofirst paid tier About HoudiniVisit site - Free planFree trial macOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $2,820/user/mo
- Platform access
- both
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$4/mofirst paid tier About SOLIDWORKSVisit site - Free plan iOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $10.75/user/mo
- Platform access
- both
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$0.90/mofirst paid tier About SketchUpVisit site - Free planFree trial WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Platform access
- desktop
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$95/mofirst paid tier About Rhino 3DVisit site - Free planFree trial WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $11.99/user/mo
- Platform access
- both
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$11.67/mofirst paid tier About SelfCADVisit site - Free planOpen source LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- Free
- Platform access
- browser
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$125/mofirst paid tier About OnshapeVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free planFree trial Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Platform access
- Microsoft Windows
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free planFree trial AndroidWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $12/user/mo
- Platform access
- both
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$15/mofirst paid tier About SplineVisit site - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- Free
- Platform access
- both
- Sculpting tools
- No
- Animation tools
- No
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$24.92/mofirst paid tier About Shapr3DVisit site - Free plan WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan WebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- both
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free planFree trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial€379/mofirst paid tier About 3DCoatVisit site - Free plan WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$18.25/mofirst paid tier About form·ZVisit site - Free planFree trial Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan AndroidapiiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$20/mofirst paid tier About MeshyVisit site - Free plan iOSmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- both
- Animation tools
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$9.99/mofirst paid tier About uMakeVisit site - Free plan WebWindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform access
- both
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- No
- Parametric modeling
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial£15.99/mofirst paid tier About Gravity SketchVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - macOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Platform access
- desktop
- Sculpting tools
- Yes
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial$167.50/mofirst paid tier About Autodesk MayaVisit site - WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
- Platform access
- desktop
- Animation tools
- Yes
- Parametric modeling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which 3d modeling software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
Houdini is ranked #1 of 140 with a score of 9.1. SOLIDWORKS is second and SketchUp third.
How many of these have a free plan?
23 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SketchUp has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.90/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Certifications are listed from the provider's own catalogue with level, role and exam. Platforms are ranked on what each publishes: a free tier or trial, price, certificates offered, the devices it runs on and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.