Softwr

3D & CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs Buildbox

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

3D & CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Buildbox logo

Buildbox

Game Development

Game creation platform for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Buildbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence; Buildbox buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Buildbox covers Visual game builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Buildbox actually diverge.

Attributes where 3D-Coat and Buildbox differ
Attribute3D-CoatBuildbox
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxIos, Android, Windows, Macos
Category3D & CADGame Development
Founded20072015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting
  • Surface sculpting
  • Retopology
  • UV mapping
  • Texture painting
  • PBR materials
  • Smart materials
  • Baking

Only in Buildbox

  • Visual game builder
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Physics engine
  • Animation system
  • Monetization SDK
  • Analytics integration
  • Cloud compilation
  • Template library

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting from a digital clay blocknot Buildbox
  • Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot Buildbox
  • UV mapping and PBR texturingnot Buildbox
  • Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot Buildbox
  • Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot Buildbox

Buildbox

  • Mobile game creationnot 3D-Coat
  • Casual gamesnot 3D-Coat
  • Monetized gamesnot 3D-Coat

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3D-Coat

  • Split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence
  • Pricing is not published on the product pages
  • Licences are sold node-locked or floating, so moving a seat between machines depends on which was bought

Buildbox

  • Buildbox splits its editor into two separate paid product lines, Buildbox Classic and Buildbox 3, priced and sold as different products rather than tiers of one app (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • Buildbox Classic Plus is $57.99 USD per year and Buildbox Classic Pro is $137.99 USD per year; Buildbox 3 Plus is $97.99 USD per year and Buildbox 3 Pro is $297.99 USD per year, with a companion audio tool Soundbox sold separately at $49.99 USD per year (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)
  • The only bundle combining Buildbox 3 Pro, Buildbox Classic Pro, and Soundbox is a separate $447.99 USD per year Ultimate Bundle rather than a natural upgrade path (archived pricing page, 8 March 2026)

Pricing, plan by plan

3D-Coat

$29/month
  • Amateur$99/month
    • Non-commercial use
  • Professional$379/month
    • Full commercial license
  • Floating$568/month
    • Network licensing

Buildbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic game creation
    • Mobile export
    • Community support
  • Premium$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Monetization tools
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose 3D-Coat if

  • You need voxel sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want surface sculpting.
3D-Coat review

Choose Buildbox if

  • You need visual game builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want drag-and-drop interface.
Buildbox review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or Buildbox better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Buildbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Buildbox?
Buildbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for Buildbox.
Does 3D-Coat or Buildbox run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Buildbox runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Buildbox for free?
Yes. Buildbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month.
What is 3D-Coat best used for?
3D-Coat is most often used for voxel sculpting from a digital clay block, retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes, uv mapping and pbr texturing, preparing print-ready models for 3d printing. Of those, voxel sculpting from a digital clay block and retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes are not what Buildbox is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that Buildbox cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Buildbox covers Visual game builder, Drag-and-drop interface, Physics engine, Animation system. Both handle Windows support.
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