Autodesk 3ds Max AlternativesOnly apps categorised as 3D Animators

The best 3D Animator alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max and 13 are 3D Animators so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting 3D Animator alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max are SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, Spline and Houdini.

filter to find the best alternatives

Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives are mainly 3D Animators, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or VFX Software you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Free, Open Source, Mac, iPad and Linux. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max.
More about Autodesk 3ds Max
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Blender icon

    Blender

     1749 likes

    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    140 Blender alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
     
    |
    9
    109
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    It is really powerfull. It is only a 100 MB file (3ds Max is 1+ GB file). It really really requires low resources from a modest PC. Its is free!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    Blender is free but is hard to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Lower learning curve and high usability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 9 comments
    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Blender icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Blender is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Blender is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  2. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     555 likes

    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    166 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI
     
    |
    6

    • Some users think SketchUp is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative, some don't.

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Autodesk Maya icon

    Autodesk Maya

     149 likes

    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    61 Autodesk Maya alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1
     
    |
    19
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Maya icon
    Autodesk Maya

    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  6. Spline icon

    Spline

     24 likes

    Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. Control the outcome of your 3d design work.

    19 Spline alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Spline screenshot 1
     

    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Spline is LightweightAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  7. Houdini icon

    Houdini

     40 likes

    Houdini covers all the major areas of 3D production, including:

    • Modeling - All standard geometry entities including Polygons, (Hierarchical) NURBs/Bezier Curves/Patches & Trims, Metaballs
    • Animation - Keyframed animation and raw channel manipulation (CHOPs), motion captur.
    48 Houdini alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Houdini screenshot 1
     
  8. Rumba icon

    Rumba

     1 like

    Because 3d animators are crucial in today’s animation and VFX productions, they deserve a productive and modern software dedicated to their art.

    12 Rumba alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Rumba screenshot 1
     
  10. Electric Image Animation System (EIAS) icon

    Electric Image Animation System (EIAS)

     3 likes

    The Electric Image Animation System (EIAS) is an eminent 3D animation and rendering package. Available for the Mac and PC, with it, you can texture, animate and render your 3D scenes. Extraordinarily, EIAS includes the ability to network render to an unlimited number of...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Electric Image Animation System (EIAS) screenshot 1
     
  11. Womp icon

    Womp

     10 likes

    Womp is a free and beginner friendly browser based 3D design software, allowing anyone to easily create professional and 3D printing ready creations live from virtually any device and without any technical knowledge.

    12 Womp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Womp - Discover Page with 3D assets
     
  12. Deep FX Studio icon

    Deep FX Studio

     1 like

    Deep FX Studio is a general purpose 3D computer graphics application that runs on Windows and will be ported to Linux in the future. Tools anyone can use and master. Built from the ground up to be intuitive for artists who only want to focus on their art, and technical artists...

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Deep FX Studio screenshot 1
     
  13. Patchwork 3D Enterprise icon

    Patchwork 3D Enterprise

     3 likes

    Patchwork 3D Enterprise makes it easy to use real-time photorealistic rendering to shorten design cycles, base your communication, marketing and sales through: VR, CAVE, Powerwall, AR, web configurator, collaborative tools, mobile, online/offline.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Patchwork 3D Enterprise screenshot 1
     
  14. Anim8or icon

    Anim8or

     10 likes

    Anim8or is a free 3D modeling and character animation program.

    39 Anim8or alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Anim8or screenshot 1
     
  15. Akeytsu icon

    Akeytsu

     Like

    Created by and for animators, akeytsu brings creativity back into 3D animation with an easy-to-learn and intuitive UI design.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Steam
    Akeytsu screenshot 1
     
12 of 13 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives