Blender
The free and open-source 3D suite for modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering and more.
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About Blender
Blender is a complete 3D creation suite that covers modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering with the Cycles and EEVEE engines, compositing, video editing and 2D animation with Grease Pencil. It is developed in the open by the Blender Foundation and a large community, funded mainly by donations and Development Fund memberships, and it is used by hobbyists, indie game developers, YouTubers and a growing number of studios. Its add-on ecosystem and Python API make it very extensible. The trade-offs are that its interface and shortcuts differ from Autodesk tools, some studio pipelines still expect Maya or 3ds Max, and it is not a precision CAD tool for engineering drawings. Blender is free for any purpose, including commercial work, under the GNU GPL, with no paid tier. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and is also available on Steam.
Best for: Anyone who wants a full 3D pipeline, from modeling to rendering, at no cost.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free for any use, including commercial work
- Covers modeling, sculpting, animation, simulation and rendering in one app
- Huge community, tutorials and add-on ecosystem
- Fast release cycle with long-term support versions
Why people leave
- Interface and shortcuts differ from industry tools like Maya
- Not a parametric CAD tool for engineering
- Some studio pipelines still require Autodesk formats and tools
Top Blender alternatives
See all 7- 1
Cinema 4D77.6Easier learning curve and strong motion-graphics tools, with Redshift included.
- 2
Houdini74.6Procedural workflows and simulations at a deeper level, with a free Apprentice edition.
- 3
Autodesk Maya71.0The animation and VFX studio standard, if you need to match a studio pipeline.
- 4
ZBrush64.7Dedicated sculpting tool for very high-detail characters and creatures.
- 5
Wings 3D63.1A much simpler, free subdivision modeler if Blender feels overwhelming.
Why people left Blender
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Blender: common questions
Is Blender free?
Yes. Blender is free, open-source software.
Is Blender open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Blender run on?
Blender is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Blender?
The highest-ranked Blender alternatives right now are Cinema 4D, Houdini and Autodesk Maya. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.