Forma3D vs ZBrush
Forma3D
forma3d.app
ZBrush
maxon.netSide by side
| Figure | Forma3D | ZBrush |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.17/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 7 |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 7.9 (#92) | 9.3 (#2) |
| Animation tools | No | Yes |
| File formats | Forma3D imports and exports STL, 3MF, and USDZ, and saves native .forma3d projects. | ZBrush imports and exports formats including OBJ, FBX, STL, PLY, DAE, ABC, 3MF and USD-related formats depending on edition and plugin. |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | 3MF exports include Bambu Lab and Creality Print-compatible metadata, and users upload exported files manually; Forma3D does not connect directly to printers. | GoZ connects ZBrush with Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and other supported applications. |
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
| Render engine | none | both |
| Sculpting tools | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The site links to Telegram Support and Discord. | Maxon provides a support center with knowledge-base articles, ticket support, installers, requirements, release notes, training and community forums. |
Plans
ZBrush
- ZBrush for iPad Free PlanFree
- ZBrush for iPad SubscriptionPrice not published
- ZBrush for iPad SubscriptionPriced on request
- ZBrush DesktopPrice not published
- ZBrush DesktopPriced on request
- ZBrush for iPad$33.25 a month
- ZBrush$399 a year
In their own words
ZBrush
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.