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Game Development · head to head

Armory3D vs Substance 3D Painter

Armory3D logo

Armory3D

Game Development

Open-source 3D game engine integrated with Blender

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substance 3D Painter logo

Substance 3D Painter

Game Development

3D texture painting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Armory3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Armory3D covers Blender integration, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Armory3D and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where Armory3D and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeArmory3DSubstance 3D Painter
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Html5, AndroidWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20161982

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).

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 Armory3D

  • Blender integration
  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Bullet)
  • Audio system
  • Haxe scripting
  • Particle effects
  • Skeletal animation
  • Material system

Only in Substance 3D Painter

  • 3D painting
  • Smart materials
  • Generators
  • PBR workflow
  • Baking
  • Export presets
  • Scripting
  • Maya

Both cover

  • Blender
  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Armory3D

  • 3D game developmentnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Blender-based gamesnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Web gamesnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot Armory3D
  • Film assetsnot Armory3D
  • Product visualizationnot Armory3D

Where each one falls short

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

Armory3D

  • No pricing information accessible on the vendor homepage, suggesting either free or quote-based model
  • Limited product information on the landing page

Substance 3D Painter

Nothing recorded yet. See the Substance 3D Painter review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Armory3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Blender integration
    • 3D graphics

Substance 3D Painter

$29/month
  • Substance 3D Texturing$19.99/month
    • Painter + Sampler
  • Substance 3D Collection$49.99/month
    • All Substance apps

Which should you pick?

Choose Armory3D if

  • You need blender integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android.
  • You also want 3d graphics rendering.
Armory3D review

Choose Substance 3D Painter if

  • You need 3d painting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want smart materials.
Substance 3D Painter review

Questions people ask

Is Armory3D or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. Armory3D starts at Free and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Armory3D or Substance 3D Painter?
Armory3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Armory3D and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
Does Armory3D or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
Armory3D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Html5, Android. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use Armory3D for free?
Yes. Armory3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
What is Armory3D best used for?
Armory3D is most often used for 3d game development, blender-based games, web games. Of those, 3d game development and blender-based games are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can Armory3D do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
Armory3D covers Blender integration, 3D graphics rendering, Physics engine (Bullet), Audio system. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Blender, Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Armory3D: How much does Armory 3D cost?

Armory 3D pricing is not listed on their website. The platform appears to offer both ArmorPaint and Armory Engine products but does not disclose pricing on the public homepage.

Source
Substance 3D Painter: Does Substance 3D Painter offer a free trial?

Free trial availability for Substance 3D Painter cannot be confirmed from publicly accessible pricing pages. Check the product page directly or contact Adobe for current trial offers.

Source
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