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When Disney’s Toy Story debuted in 1995, it was the first movie I watched that was 3D. Now, reminiscing about that movie, I was instantly wowed by the imagery, thinking it looked so real. This experience influenced my perception of art, and as a kid, I thought, “I want to create a 3D movie when I grow up.” Where I am going with this is that over a few years, even up to me writing this blog, I have explored many different hobbies and one of those hobbies included using tools like 3D modeling software.
After exploring and revisiting these tools recently, I encountered a few challenges with some of these applications, including steep learning curves, high computer demands, and other issues with some of the features or functionalities. With so many options popping up, and with some of those options coming with an expensive price tag, it can be tough to find the right 3D modeling software truly worth your time.
Whether you are a product designer, educator, animator, game designer, or even someone looking for a new hobby, there are 3D modeling tools for everyone.
That’s why I’ve put together this list. As someone with experience and time dedicated to these applications, I’ve rounded up the best 3D modeling software of 2025. I’ve generated this list based on a few factors: budget, complexity, compatibility issues, and unique features that each application has to offer.
*These 3D modeling software solutions are top-rated in their category, according to G2 Grid Reports. I’ve also included their monthly pricing in parentheses for easy comparison. Some of these apps come with free trials.
If I had to explain what 3D modeling software was in an “elevator pitch”, I would describe 3D modeling software as a computer program that transforms your ideas or designs into three-dimensional forms, or 3D. The resulting 3D models can be used by many to visualize a product, an object, a person, a character, simulations, and anything you can think of that you would like to communicate to others visually.
For me, 3D modeling software plays a crucial role in visualization and design communication. Instead of archaic blueprints and wasted paper to illustrate a point, 3D modeling can show us details of an object from different angles. We no longer need to build the final prototype to see the functionality in real-time.
I also love that with 3D modeling software becoming an evolving tool, many applications offer team collaboration features and integrations with other apps to enhance workflow.
When putting together this list, I drew on my journey of testing 3D modeling tools over several years and my current experience, re-testing the tools again this year. In addition, I also collaborated with professionals and did extensive research gathering honest feedback on what others have experienced using these products. I explored which tools excelled at certain projects, where they fell short, and whether I felt they were worth your time and investment. Using G2 Grid Reports and product reviews, I leveraged artificial intelligence to analyze real users’ wants, needs, and pain points for each tool.
3D modeling has seen significant growth over the past few years and because of this, the software market is saturated with various 3D modeling programs to choose from. Choosing the right 3D modeling software depends on a variety of factors. Here are the factors I paid attention to when choosing the best 3D modeling tool for me:
By considering these factors, I’ve been able to choose the best 3D modeling software that works for me. I’ve tested more than 15 3D modeling platforms that fit my criteria. Of the 15 I tested, these are the top 10 3D modeling products that stood out for their functionality, compatibility, features, performance, and community support.
The list below contains genuine user feedback from the 3D modeling software category. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free.
To be included in this category, a product must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
SketchUp (formerly Google SketchUp) is a premiere 3D modeling software that is used to create and edit 3D models with the “Push and Pull” method. This method allows designers to take a flat surface and mold it into a 3D form. I’ve seen many projects created in SketchUp, such as interior design stages, video game design, and architecture.
Recently, I started using the SketchUp Free subscription, which is their web-based version that offers limited features. However, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about software that I might not have considered otherwise, without a budget penalty.
There are a few reasons I put SketchUp on this list. SketchUp is one of the few 3D modeling programs that offers an intuitive interface and therefore a minimal learning curve— making it a favorite among beginners or professionals looking for quick results. There is also a wide library of extensions and plugins that you can use to improve your models, including the 3D Warehouse (SketchUp Warehouse) which offers a bunch of pre-made 3D models that you can experiment with or add to your models. Lastly, the platform integrates with a variety of other platforms, such as AutoCAD, Revit, and rendering engines like V-Ray. I’ve also seen it integrate with Google Earth, which is pretty neat!
One downside I have experienced using this application is the lack of advanced modeling capabilities, like parametric design and sculpting, which makes it less suitable for complex forms that you might want to make. It also doesn’t come with built-in photorealistic rendering. This means if you are looking to build near-lifelike models using virtual lights and cameras, SketchUp does not offer that functionality.
In addition, as someone who wanted to become an animator, SketchUp is not designed for animation workflows, which could be a dealbreaker for users looking for animation features and 3D modeling all in one application.
Some typical dislikes that you might hear from users is that the application can be a bit pricey starting at $49.99/month for the pro version or $17.99/month for the Go version (which has limited features). Some users also experience performance issues, which like many 3D software that have a lot of features, it’s important to have a decent computer setup to be able to handle the rendering engines of these platforms.
“Sketchup is a pretty intuitive program to learn from the moment you start. I like all of the free plug-ins and the support videos. Layout is a great extension as well, just wish it was a little easier to use for some things.”
-SketchUp Review, Brian P.
“While SketchUp excels in many areas, there are a few drawbacks, especially when it comes to 3D printing. The software isn’t specifically designed for creating models intended for 3D printing, which can lead to issues like non-manifold geometry, overlapping faces, or gaps in the model. These issues often require additional time for troubleshooting and fixing before a model is ready for printing. Additionally, the precision tools in SketchUp, while sufficient for many design tasks, can sometimes feel limiting when exact measurements and tolerances are critical for 3D printing. This can result in models that don’t print as intended without further refinement in more specialized 3D printing software.”
-SketchUp Review, Loi T.
Are you looking for software that is more architecture-focused? Check out the G2’s category page on Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Blender is an open-source 3D modeling software that allows users to create 3D models, animations, and visual effects. Blender is a free software and one of the few fully accessible 3D software that you can share or use without limitations. I’ve been using Blender since high school when the Blender 2.69 version was out. The latest and last version I used before I decided on a career switch was Blender 4.0, but it’s amazing to see that Blender keeps updating periodically. It is now, as of writing this article, at Blender 4.3. With this update, I started dabbling into again. That’s one of the reasons I love this application —despite the platform maintaining its free version, it has a loyal fanbase. It’s clear the developers listen to their community and work hard to keep evolving the software.
Other than the fact that Blender is one of the most robust applications that remains free to its users, because of the massive support there are a ton of learning tools and resources that I have found over the years that helped me dive even deeper into this application.
In addition to these factors, I also love Blender’s powerful render engines, Eevee and Cycles (what cute names). Both of these render engines offer real-time rendering and photorealistic results, which cater to a variety of projects and complex workflows. Blender also offers cross-platform compatibility, which means the app can work on different operating systems like macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Of course, Blender does have some quirks. With Blender’s massive features library and functions, Blender does have a steep learning curve. It took me weeks to familiarize myself with the interface. However, I wouldn’t consider this a con by any means. Most software comes with steep learning curves, so I implore others to still explore this app. My biggest dislike was its limited industry integration. This could be because the application is open-source, so they are unable to partner with large corporations. Many industries use standard proprietary software, so Blender is not normally adopted into these processes.
“I am a big fan of Blender, a 3D software that is both free and open-source. It impresses me with its high-quality tools that are usually found in expensive commercial software. Blender includes features commonly used in the industry, such as modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering which I found super helpful.”
-Blender Review, Vaibhav S.
“Importing large FBX files is very slow! Although I have a powerful machine (32GB RAM, i7, Nvidia GF 1070) sometimes I wait for more than 10 minutes to import a large FBX file (>1 GB).”
-Blender Review, Ziya M.
Is Blender not the right fit for you? Looking for other free 3D software options? Check out our article on the Top 11 free 3D modeling software that we wrote in 2024.
Maya is an Autodesk 3D modeling software that can be used all-in-one for 3D creations, animation, film, and more. Maya is an industry-standard 3D software application and has been used frequently in the film and animation industry, as well as the gaming industry.
I had the good fortune of being able to use Maya for free since it was offered to students when I took a 3D modeling course. Maya does have an extensive price tag that comes with it, so to justify that price tag Maya offers a lot of fitting features which I greatly enjoyed when exploring this tool.
The reason Maya is so unmatched in most industries is that the app can handle many complex modeling and animation projects, including facial rigs and motion paths. Maya’s polygon and NURBS functionalities, combined with the advanced UV mapping tools, make it an ideal tool for creating realistic models. I also enjoyed Maya’s built-in physics and simulation tools, like Bifrost for fluids and nCloth for cloth dynamics.
Despite its learning curve, this was not one of the reasons I disliked the application. It was the performance issues that this application had. I’ve worked on this application across multiple platforms, primarily macOS. It seems to be handled well on the Mac that I used, but the moment I brought my project home and worked on it through the Windows operating system, it would occasionally crash. I had to back up my files multiple times, which disrupted workflow. I also did not like the plugin dependency. While Maya is powerful and can achieve many effects that you are looking for, some of the projects required additional plugins (and a lot of these plugins were not free).
“Best about maya is ease of 3d modeling. With just shift alt and ctrl + mouse buttons you can rule the modeling. Its so easy and fast once you understand the basic. Features like fx and arnold renderer is cherry on the top. Customer support is also too good. If you face any bug or issue with installation the support given is amazing.”
-Maya Review, Abhishek S.
“I don't like that some simple operations may turn off or crash, its architecture is already old, unfortunately, but it is still my favorite tool, the customer support sucks.”
-Maya Review, Jorge R.
Unity is a popular 3D modeling application for creating video games, animation, and VR/AR content. It’s popular among the gaming industry and is commonly used as the industry-standard game development program. Also known as a game engine, Unity offers real-time tools and cross-platform functionality for artists and designers.
There are many positives to this 3D software. Besides Unity’s cross-platform capabilities, which make it the most versatile engine available, it also has a large asset store of pre-built assets, scripts, tools, and plugins that you can choose from. It was a lifesaver for me when I was looking for certain functionalities I wanted to have for my character’s obstacle course. Another aspect that I love about Unity is that it can integrate with a lot of other software, including Blender, Maya, and Photoshop. Unity is also known for its real-time capabilities. This includes the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) that allowed me to create stunning scenes without compromising my computer’s performance.
The main dislike I have about the application, aside from the cost, is the frequent updates of this software, which leads to some fragmented issues. I also encountered issues where features or the API changed, making it frustrating for me to find updated learning resources to follow along. Another dislike was the lack of intuitive native visual scripting. Even though they recently introduced Bolt (now Unity Visual Scripting), it’s not as powerful as other systems that offer this functionality, like Unreal Engine’s Blueprints.
“Easy to learn and use, it is excellent for beginners who want to enter the world of video game creation. It offers a multitude of features that guide you through all aspects of game development, including 3D, 2D, lighting, coding, animation, UI, optimization, and more.”
-Unity Review, Ernesto S.
“Is very overwhelming at first, not gonna lie. Fortunately, there are many step-by-step videos online that ease you into the motion of things. After that, the only thing you need is to select your preferred path and get to it.”
-Unity Review, Gustavo G.
Creo Parametric is PTC’s 3D CAD (computer-aided design) and 3D modeling software and is mainly used to build 3D product designs. The application is used to design, analyze, and share information about products to make it easier for engineers to streamline the product-to-manufacture process.
Over the course of a few weeks, I talked to professionals who have used this product and got their take on its pros and cons. I was also given the chance to explore the interface for a little bit. As you can already guess from its name, Creo Parametric excels in parametric modeling, a design method in 3D CAD programs that uses parameters and geometric elements when creating a model. Creo Parametric is known to have a pretty sophisticated algorithm to capture information and parameter predictions.
After speaking with a few engineering professionals, I was informed that the Creo Parametric also offers advanced simulation and analysis tools, including thermal structures and motion simulations. I’ve often seen the results from professionals who frequent this app and use the application to create 3D prints. Creo offers built-in tools for designing models for 3D printing, which is pretty cool.
One con that people have faced, including my own, when navigating the interface was the overwhelming interface. Since Creo has a rich interface, when I had the opportunity to navigate this UI, I could tell it would have a steep learning curve. Another dislike I had about this tool, was not only do you have to put in a lot of personal information to request a free trial, which means you cannot directly download it from PTC’s site, but that the paid license is very expensive. This probably explains why this tool is primarily used in a business setting.
“Creo Parametric is best for managing large assembly files. It has various features which are pretty easy to use. It is very flexible and customizable. It has very good technical support which enhances the implementation process.”
-Creo Parametric Review, Pavan T.
“Its very costly as compare to the other CAD Softwares in the market. Apart from Price pont of view. I dont see any disadvantages of using creo. its mostly suitable for solid and sheetmetal modules. They have to improve more on Plastics side of the module.”
-Creo Parametric Review, Akshay B.
Are you interested in more CAD software? Here’s G2’s list of CAD software that you could explore, both free and paid options.
Coohom is your leading 3D modeling design software that allows users to create interior designs and floor plans. This affordable interior design platform comes with a free option that offers basic features, which is a great option for those wanting to learn more about designing floor plans without being dedicated to a subscription.
When I was in high school, I briefly thought about becoming an architect before I transitioned my aspirations. However, Coohom was not released until 2018, which makes it one of the newest software on this list. I was excited that Coohom offered a free version for me to try this year.
What I loved about Coohom’s interface was its user-friendly interface. It offers a drag-and-drop functionality which makes it easy to create interior designs and 3D layouts for beginners. It’s the perfect tool for anyone looking to create visualizations without extensive 3D modeling knowledge. In conjunction with its drag-and-drop functionality, Coohom provides a vast library of pre-built assets, such as furniture and decor, that you can directly add to your designs. If Sims didn’t awaken your desire for interior design, Coohom certainly will.
Of course, I did encounter some challenges with this app, such as the limitations on customization. From experience, most user-friendly interfaces that offer a lot of pre-built templates and assets, also have limitations in editing those pre-built features. This is the case for Coohom. Since Coohom’s specialty is focused on interior design, it’s not suitable for broader 3D modeling or architectural design goals. If you are looking for more 3D and interior design versatility, you might need to look at other software.
“One of the best aspects of Coohom is its easy-to-use 3D visualization tool, which makes it simple to create realistic room designs. The drag-and-drop feature allows for quick adjustments, and the extensive library of furniture and decor items adds variety. It’s a great tool for getting professional-looking results without needing advanced design skills.”
-Coohom Review, Munfar A.
“It should start its integration with Revit. As Coohom still lacks in some of the modeling features but making the model in revit and doing rest of the things like material light and rendering or Revit would be great combo.”
-Coohom Review, Laiba W.
NVIDIA Omniverse is an NVIDIA extension app and modular platform that uses advanced APIs, SDKs, and other microservices to build real-time collaborative 3D models. Basically, rather than the app serving as a 3D modeling tool, its focus is built around it being a central hub for designers, artists, and engineers working together on projects in a shared environment.
If you are working on a team project, this application is a great addition to your skillset as it offers real-time collaboration. One of the biggest reasons I love this tool, other than it offering seamless collaboration, is the app is built on Pixar’s Universal Scene Description (USD) framework, which means the app is quite compatible with a variety of industry-standard tools like Maya, 3DS Max, and Unreal Engine. I also like that Omniverse supports AI tools and features like noise reduction and generative modeling.
One thing I did not like about this application is the hardware demands. If the name isn’t an indicator, Omniverse requires an NVIDIA GPU for optimal performance. Users who use another GPU might have come across limitations or other issues, such as struggles with rendering or exporting. Another factor that made me dislike the application is the app’s accessibility feels restrictive. This app is primarily designed for enterprise solutions, making the subscription cost less appealing for smaller teams or individual users.
“NVIDIA has leveraged its industry dominance in the GPU world, to create a multi-GPU cloud resident platform, which creates photorealistic visuals and clean and connected workflows. The latest integration with Apple Vision Pro is definitely a plus point.”
-NVIDIA Omniverse Review, Tasneem G.
“NVIDIA Omniverse has a very complicated initial setup and installation process. It is a hardware-dependent program that needs a high-end GPU to function.”
-NVIDIA Omniverse Review, Atharva V.
Adobe Dimension is a 3D design, modeling, and rendering software that focuses on rendering photorealistic 3D images. I’ve seen this application used to build brand visualizations, illustrations, and product mockups. I had fun using this tool for a project to showcase a drink advertisement model.
What I loved most about Adobe Dimension was that it offered a pre-made asset library consisting of a variety of 3D models, materials, lighting setups, and more. I loved that this was one of the applications I used that offered pre-built lighting setups — as I am terrible at setting up the perfect lighting. I love that the tool bridges the gap between 2D and 3D design, which helps aspiring graphic designers create 3D visuals without the need to learn advanced 3D modeling or rendering.
I also have to mention that Dimension has great photorealistic rendering capabilities. I believe Adobe prides itself on this feature alone. Dimension’s ability to simulate realistic lighting and texture makes it a prominent standout feature.
This application does come with its challenges, including limited 3D modeling functionality. It’s not a full-fledged 3D modeling tool, so it cannot create custom 3D models from scratch if that is what you are looking for. When I first tried this tool, I was disappointed I couldn’t edit the pre-built assets as much as I wanted. Although Adobe Dimension offers good rendering options, it lacks a lot of those 3D modeling features you might want, like ray tracing and V-Ray.
“Dimensions bring 3-D mockups and rendering to the hands of graphic designers, I had struggled trying to learn C4D and Blinder in order to bring a 3D mockup or to get product shots to use in posters and social media ads, but dimensions made that very easy, you don't have to worry about texture and lighting and render sitting, you just choose what suits you off the list and there it is ready for you
-Adobe Dimension Review, Mohammad K.
“The downsides are mostly around pricing, but for professionals, this is just a small cost per month that is fully deductible, unlike an outright purchase. Another negative, though less visible, is the number of "helpers" that run in the background and the need for an always-on internet connection.”
-Adobe Dimension Review, Daniel M.
Start your 3D printing journey today—explore these free 3D printing software to bring your creative ideas to life.
ReCap, short for “Reality Capture,” is an Autodesk platform used for 3D scanning and 2D drawing. It captures photos or scans and turns them into detailed 3D models. This application is mainly used by those interested in architecture or engineering. Many surveyors also use it to create terrain maps and land surveys.
I briefly experimented with this application. For this article, I did do a few weeks of research with the use of the 30-day free trial offered by Autodesk.
What I like most about the ReCap app is how effective it was at accurately capturing scans or photos that I imported from the tool. It was impressive that it was able to turn pictures of real-life architecture from multiple angles and create a 3D model of that architecture. ReCap supports multiple integrations, such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks. It also supports a wide range of input data, including LiDAR scans, drone mapping, 2D images, and land surveys, making this tool incredibly versatile. Another feature I liked is that ReCap offers RealView Navigation, which allows users to navigate the 3D models as if they’re walking through that space.
While ReCap excels at functionality and features, it lacks advanced editing tools. If I want to create detailed modifications to the 3D models it captured, I have to use other software to do that and then re-scan it back into ReCap, which is a bit time-consuming. Another aspect that I disliked about this application was the limited capabilities the tool had with non-Autodesk tools or workflows. It felt like I was restricted in a branded box. It also has restrictions on export options, especially if you are using the free or basic version.
“Recap serves primarily to transform photographs into point clouds, which can be effectively utilized in Building Information Modeling (BIM). This software proves highly advantageous to BIM engineers, significantly assisting in the process of 3D modeling within Revit.”
-ReCap Review, Kishore K.
“The user interface of this software is a bit tricky to use. This software do not have many options to customise the feature that are being used on daily basis us.”
-ReCap Review, Devendra S.
Adobe Substance 3D Sampler is an extension app for Adobe’s Substance 3D tool and is used to design, create, and edit realistic materials and textures for 3D models. It’s a 3D scanning software that uses AI to create high-quality 3D materials. Many users, especially those using other Adobe applications will use this tool to help create additional attributes to add to their 3D models. This application is mainly used to create hyper-realistic materials that can be integrated into larger 3D models.
Some features that I love about this application include its AI-powered material feature and the beginner-friendly UI. The app uses Adobe Sensei AI to assist in converting photos and scans into high-quality tileable 3D materials. In addition, the interface is also easy to use with its clean and innovative workflow. Both of these features help save time and effort for designers or users wanting quick results.
The tool also generates materials with PBR (Physically Based Rendering) maps, such as base colors and roughness of a texture. This means that the application can render my projects with simulated light that naturally interacts with materials in the real world, so I don’t have to edit the light source myself.
There were some cons about this product, such as performance demands. The app is very resource-heavy, especially when it's trying to process high-resolution textures for large projects. I’ve experienced severe lags and the occasional crash trying to use this product. In addition, because the tool scans photos, the app depends on the quality of input images. If you get the app to scan a blurry image, it will output a funky texture or a poorly textured, low-resolution image that will require additional editing. Believe me, you will want to make sure the images you use are top-notch quality.
“It's good for the Texturing and working on the real based Texturing and very nice output for the any working like movie and gaming and product because it's work on the real based tendering.”
-Adobe Substance 3D Sampler Review, Yash A.
“It is still like a few more tools that are specific to textiles and fashion. Transparency can be really important, so if there was a way to pick out areas of transparency to make the alpha map would be great. In fact, if there were more tools to actually create maps for specific areas of the fabric would be great. In Style3D fabric, for example, I can use an eye dropper tool or paintbrush to define specific areas of metalness or transparency. This is helpful for fabrics that are not evenly metallic or all one opaqueness.”
-Adobe Substance 3D Sampler Review, Joneien J.
Yes, you can use free 3D modeling for free. Here is a list of G2’s free 3D modeling software. A disclaimer, though, is that G2 considers free software, any software that also offers a free trial.
It depends on your skill level and which application you decide to use. Basic skills can be learned in a few weeks with regular practice/ However, mastering advanced techniques or navigating complex software may take months or even years.
Most major 3D modeling tools are available across multiple platforms, like Windows, macOS, and Linux. Applications like Maya and Unity are just a couple of examples of cross-platform capabilities.
The right animation software depends on your skill level, budget, and goals. I would consider these factors: the learning curve, features you are looking for, affordability, and hardware compatibility or system requirements.
Based on your skill level and experience will help determine which 3D modeling tool is easier for you to use. However, most people consider Google’s SketchUp to be easy to use as it is web-based and can run off your browser. It has an easy-to-learn interface that makes adapting to the app pretty quick.
In summary, selecting the right 3D modeling software ultimately depends on your goals, skill level, possible hardware requirements, budget, and goals you want to achieve for the project you envision. Whether you’re a beginner interested in learning 3D modeling as a hobby or a seasoned professional, there’s a tool that can fit anyone’s needs.
The next step to choosing the right software is to explore your options. If you’re working on professional, large-scale designs, software like ReCap or Creo Parametric might be ideal for their precision. If you want a one-stop shop for 3D modeling and animation, Blender or Maya might be a better fit.
Take advantage of free trials, community resources, and tutorials to help choose your 3D modeling software options before committing to one software, especially one that comes with a price tag.
If you are interested in 3D modeling, perhaps you may be interested in niche-focused tools like 3D Printing software to turn those digital designs into real, tangible objects.
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