Best LightWave 3D Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from 3D modeling software ranked against LightWave 3D on the same published basis.
- 1LightWave 3D vs Houdini
- 2LightWave 3D vs SketchUp
- 3LightWave 3D vs Rhino 3D
- 4LightWave 3D vs Blender
- 5LightWave 3D vs Onshape
- 6LightWave 3D vs Shapr3D
- 7LightWave 3D vs Spline
- 8LightWave 3D vs SelfCAD
- 9LightWave 3D vs Creo
- 10LightWave 3D vs Bforartists
- 11LightWave 3D vs SOLIDWORKS
- 12LightWave 3D vs FreeCAD
- 13LightWave 3D vs ZBrush
- 14LightWave 3D vs 3DCoat
- 15LightWave 3D vs Meshy
- 16LightWave 3D vs Daz 3D
- 17LightWave 3D vs Blockbench
- 18LightWave 3D vs Shade3D
- 19LightWave 3D vs MeshLab
- 20LightWave 3D vs MakeHuman
LightWave 3D alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houdini | 8.9 | Free plan | $7.92/mo | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2 | SketchUp | 8.8 | Free plan | $0.90/mo | iOS, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Rhino 3D | 8.7 | Free plan | $95/mo | Windows, Mac |
| 4 | Blender | 8.6 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | Onshape | 8.6 | Free plan | $125/mo | Android, iOS, Web |
| 6 | Shapr3D | 8.4 | Free plan | $24.92/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 7 | Spline | 8.4 | Free plan | $15/mo | Android, Web |
| 8 | SelfCAD | 8.4 | Free plan | $11.67/mo | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 9 | Creo | 8.3 | No | — | Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| 10 | Bforartists | 8.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 11 | SOLIDWORKS | 8.3 | No | $4/mo | Mac, Web, Windows |
| 12 | FreeCAD | 8.2 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 13 | ZBrush | 8.2 | Free plan | Free | Windows, Mac |
| 14 | 3DCoat | 8.2 | No | €379/mo | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 15 | Meshy | 8.2 | Free plan | $20/mo | Android, API, iOS, Web |
| 16 | Daz 3D | 8.1 | Free plan | — | Mac, Web, Windows |
| 17 | Blockbench | 8.1 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 18 | Shade3D | 8.0 | No | $8.25/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 19 | MeshLab | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 20 | MakeHuman | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
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Questions about LightWave 3D alternatives
What is the best alternative to LightWave 3D?
Houdini, number 1 in 3D modeling software with a score of 8.9 out of 10. The others here: SketchUp, Rhino 3D, Blender and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to LightWave 3D?
Houdini is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 15 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Is there an open-source alternative to LightWave 3D?
Yes: Blender.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.