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Software · head to head

3D-Coat vs ZBrush

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

Software

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and ZBrush differ
Attribute3D-CoatZBrush
Starting price$29/monthOn request
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20071986

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

  • Blender
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Windows support
  • MacOS 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 ZBrush
  • Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot ZBrush
  • UV mapping and PBR texturingnot ZBrush
  • Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot ZBrush
  • Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot ZBrush

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot 3D-Coat
  • High-polygon organic form designnot 3D-Coat
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot 3D-Coat
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot 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

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

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

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush review.

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 ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and ZBrush at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or ZBrush?
3D-Coat starts at $29/month and ZBrush at On request.
Does 3D-Coat or ZBrush run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
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 ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that ZBrush cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Windows support.
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