Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

ZBrush

maxon.net

Free plan WindowsmacOSiOSAPI
Visit maxon.net
Spec score 9.3 #2 of 147 in 3D modeling software

What it is

ZBrush is a 3D sculpting and modeling application with desktop and iPad offerings. Its listed tools include sculpting, parametric modeling, animation, rendering and 3D print export. Desktop is listed for Windows and macOS, while a separate supported-platform list also includes Linux. The desktop plan includes ZBrush for iPad and advanced sculpting, modeling, rendering and export tools. Rendering is described as hybrid, with GPU and animation rendering and denoising. Listed workload areas include CPU and GPU rendering, ray tracing, shader execution and geometry processing. Other listed capabilities include rotoscoping, 3D camera tracking, custom test profiles and CLI or automation support. The listed result export formats are none documented, and results are not saved as a file. Headquarters are listed as both Bad Homburg vor der Höhe and Friedrichsdorf, Germany; the maker is listed as founded in 1986.

Spec sheet

What it does
ZBrush is a digital sculpting, modeling and painting application built around virtual-clay workflows.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
Trial
Maxon offers a 14-day trial through the Maxon App, including ZBrush and the full Maxon One suite.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Integrations
GoZ connects ZBrush with Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and other supported applications.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Support
Maxon provides a support center with knowledge-base articles, ticket support, installers, requirements, release notes, training and community forums.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Headquarters
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
Founded
1986Read 28 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
3D print export
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
3D printing
ZBrush 3D Print Hub exports STL, 3MF, VRML and OBJ files at exact scale and can hollow models through DynaMesh.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Animation tools
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
API depth
The current Python API is described as shallow for modeling: brushes have no API representation, tools expose little geometry data and strokes cannot be created programmatically.Read 19 Oct 2026 · developers.maxon.net
Brush counts
The comparison lists 28 brushes for free iPad, more than 200 for paid iPad and more than 440 for desktop.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Company founded
LinkedIn lists Maxon software development as founded in 1986, headquartered in Bad Homburg and employing 201–500 people.Read 19 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company headquarters
Maxon Computer GmbH is listed at Basler Str. 5, 61352 Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Company legal name
The legal imprint identifies the maker as Maxon Computer GmbH.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Core sculpting
The desktop product provides more than 200 proprietary brushes for high-detail sculpting.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Documentation
The official help system includes feature overviews, getting-started material, a user guide, scripting references and release notes.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.maxon.net
Dynamic topology
Dynamesh is available in full on desktop and paid iPad plans but is limited in the free iPad plan.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
File formats
ZBrush imports and exports formats including OBJ, FBX, STL, PLY, DAE, ABC, 3MF and USD-related formats depending on edition and plugin.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Licensing
The EULA grants a limited license and states that Maxon retains intellectual-property rights, so ZBrush is proprietary rather than open source.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Limit: animation
Creative Bloq notes that ZBrush supports simple poses and animations but is not designed as a full animation package.Read 19 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Limit: API modeling access
Maxon's API documentation says core mesh data such as vertex positions, normals and UVs is inaccessible through the modeling API.Read 19 Oct 2026 · developers.maxon.net
Limit: iPad rendering
Creative Bloq reports that the iPad edition lacks native real-time rendering and still requires desktop ZBrush for some tasks.Read 19 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Limit: learning curve
Independent reviewers repeatedly describe the desktop interface as unconventional, confusing or difficult for newcomers to learn.Read 19 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Mac requirements
Minimum Mac requirements include macOS 10.14 or later, 4 GB RAM, 8 GB disk space and OpenGL 3.3 support; Apple Silicon is supported.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.maxon.net
Multiresolution editing
The plan comparison lists multiresolution mesh editing for the free iPad, paid iPad and desktop editions.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Notable news
Maxon announced on January 11, 2022 that it completed its acquisition of Pixologic, ZBrush's former developer.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Owner
Maxon states that Maxon Computer GmbH is part of the Nemetschek Group.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Perpetual licensing
Maxon states that perpetual ZBrush licenses were discontinued in December 2023.Read 19 Oct 2026 · support.maxon.net
Platform access
desktopRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
Plugin limitations
Official plugins are not included in the default installation, have limited testing and may receive updates less frequently.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Plugins
Maxon publishes plugins such as NanoTile Textures, Live Boolean Utility, DynaMesh Utility, PrecisionExtract and Turntabler.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Polygon handling
ZBrush desktop supports up to 100 million polygons per SubTool through standard subdivision, while HD Geometry can exceed 500 million polygons on one mesh.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Praise: sculpting power
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise the ability to sculpt highly detailed, high-resolution models and the breadth of sculpting tools.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: workflow integration
Reviewers describe GoZ and file-format compatibility as useful for integrating ZBrush with Maya, 3ds Max and other tools.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Public APIs
Maxon provides a ZBrush Python SDK, GoZ SDK and legacy ZScript scripting system.Read 19 Oct 2026 · developers.maxon.net
Rating on Apple App Store
4.1 out of 5 from 247 ratings.Read 19 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
4.7 out of 5 from 37 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.7 out of 5 from 104 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.4 out of 5 from 25 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Render engine
bothRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
Rendering
Desktop includes advanced BPR rendering, render passes, raytraced ambient occlusion and a ZBrush-to-KeyShot bridge.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Scripting
ZScript has nearly 200 commands and supports macros, plugins, interface controls and automation.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.maxon.net
Sculpting tools
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
Self-hosting
Maxon distributes ZBrush through the Maxon App or website and requires a MyMaxon login for access, with no self-hosted deployment described.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
Supported applications
The interoperability page lists 3ds Max 2016–2026, Maya 2015–2026, Cinema 4D S26 and later, and Photoshop CC.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
System requirements
Minimum Windows requirements include 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, 4 GB RAM, 8 GB disk space, OpenGL 3.3 and Vulkan 1.1 support.Read 19 Oct 2026 · help.maxon.net
Texturing
Desktop ZBrush includes advanced PolyPaint, texture-map support and SpotLight projection painting.Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net

Plans and prices

ZBrush for iPad Free Plan Free 28 brushes · 20 million polygons per mesh · limited Dynamesh, SculptrisPro, ZSpheres and ZRemesher Read 19 Oct 2026 · maxon.net
ZBrush for iPad Subscription Price not published Multi-resolution mesh editing · Subscription access to expanded iPad features Read 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
ZBrush for iPad Subscription Priced on request Multi-resolution mesh editing · Subscription access to expanded iPad features Read 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
ZBrush Desktop Price not published Desktop version · Includes ZBrush for iPad · Advanced sculpting, modeling, rendering, and export tools Read 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
ZBrush Desktop Priced on request Desktop version · Includes ZBrush for iPad · Advanced sculpting, modeling, rendering, and export tools Read 21 Sep 2026 · maxon.net
ZBrush for iPad $33.25 a month monthly iPadOS 17 or later · A12 Bionic or later · M-series recommended Read 19 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
ZBrush $399 a year annually Desktop and iPad versions · premium features · Redshift rendering · ZBrush Classroom · Cineversity training Read 19 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com

Every ZBrush plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Sculpting, modeling, animation and rendering tools
  • iPad free plan includes 28 brushes
  • Hybrid rendering includes GPU rendering and denoising
  • CLI or automation support is listed

Limits

  • No result export formats are documented
  • Results are not saved as a file

Who it suits

ZBrush suits people looking for 3D sculpting, modeling and rendering tools, including users who want an iPad option or desktop software. Its listed animation and 3D print export tools may also fit those workflows.

Verdict

The feature list spans sculpting, rendering, animation and export tools, with both iPad and desktop offerings. Before choosing it, note that the listed results are not saved as files and paid prices are not provided.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ZBrushAll alternatives →