Software · head to head
Mudbox vs OnShape
The short version
- Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Mudbox a Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023); OnShape the free plan is non commercial only and makes every document publicly accessible, so nothing designed on it can be kept private
- They diverge on capability: Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mudbox and OnShape actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Mudbox
- Digital sculpting
- Texture painting
- Retopology
- PTEX support
- Layer system
- Stencils
- Stamps
- GPU tessellation
Only in OnShape
- Cloud-native CAD
- Real-time collaboration
- Version control
- Part studios
- Assemblies
- Drawings
- FeatureScript
- Mobile access
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Mudbox
- Character sculptingnot OnShape
- Texture creationnot OnShape
- Asset detailingnot OnShape
OnShape
- Cloud based parametric CAD without local workstation installsnot Mudbox
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Mudbox
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Mudbox
- A Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
- Sold as monthly, annual or 3-year subscription terms with no perpetual license option offered on the pricing page (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
OnShape
- The free plan is non commercial only and makes every document publicly accessible, so nothing designed on it can be kept private
- The Standard plan is $1,500 per user per year and Professional $2,500
- Simulation, rendering, CAM and advanced PDM all require the Professional plan
- SSO, analytics and advanced administration are Enterprise only with no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
Mudbox
$29/month- Mudbox$85/month
- Full sculpting
- Texture painting
- M&E Collection$2390/month
- Mudbox + Maya + 3ds Max + more
OnShape
Free- FreeFree
- Limited features
- Public documents
- Standard$1500/month
- Private documents
- Full features
- Professional$2100/month
- Advanced simulation
- Enterprise features
Which should you pick?
Choose Mudbox if
- You need digital sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want texture painting.
Choose OnShape if
- You need cloud-native cad.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want real-time collaboration.
Questions people ask
- Is Mudbox or OnShape better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mudbox starts at $29/month and OnShape at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mudbox or OnShape?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Mudbox and Free for OnShape.
- Does Mudbox or OnShape run on more platforms?
- Mudbox runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mudbox starts at $29/month.
- What is Mudbox best used for?
- Mudbox is most often used for character sculpting, texture creation, asset detailing. Of those, character sculpting and texture creation are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
- What can Mudbox do that OnShape cannot?
- Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, Texture painting, Retopology, PTEX support. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios.
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