Kerf vs ZBrush
Kerf
vulos.org
ZBrush
maxon.netSide by side
| Figure | Kerf | ZBrush |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 7 |
| Spec score · Jewelry Design Software | 8.6 (#3) | 8.5 (#6) |
| Documentation | The documentation site contains getting-started, installation, configuration, architecture, file-format, domain, API, SDK, plugin and deployment sections. | The official help system includes feature overviews, getting-started material, a user guide, scripting references and release notes. |
| System requirements | Source development requires Python 3.11 or newer and Node 22 or newer. | 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. |
| What it does | Kerf is a locally run CAD system combining parametric modeling, drawings, simulation, CAM, electronics, BIM and manufacturing workflows. | ZBrush is a digital sculpting, modeling and painting application built around virtual-clay workflows. |
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
Kerf
Kerf is a free, open-source CAD workspace that runs on the user's own machine and supports work across 37 engineering domains. Users can describe design changes in plain language or use the Python kerf-sdk and JSON-RPC API. Mechanical design tools include constraint-based sketching, parametric feature history, validated B-rep geometry, drawings, and persistent face references. The workspace also includes FEM analysis, topology optimization, SPICE and RF analysis, CAM toolpaths, and G-code output. Listed outputs include STEP, STL, 3MF, IFC4, Gerber, PDF, DXF, BOM CSV, Touchstone, GDS-II, and firmware binaries. The site describes workflows for mechanical and electronics engineers, BIM architects, jewelry designers, and other engineering users. Kerf runs locally without accounts and keeps Git history for file revisions. Workshop content can be used offline once pinned. Installation options include source or Docker, with release archives listed for macOS arm64, macOS x64, and Linux x64; source installation requires Python 3.11 or later. The chat workflow can use a bring-your-own LLM; no bundled model or paid hosted plan is listed.
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.