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CAD · head to head

Mudbox vs OnShape

Mudbox logo

Mudbox

CAD

Digital painting and sculpting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnShape logo

OnShape

CAD

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mudbox mudbox subscriptions ending August 7, 2026 - end of sale for 3-year subscriptions, November 7, 2026 for monthly/yearly subscriptions; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mudbox and OnShape actually diverge.

Attributes where Mudbox and OnShape differ
AttributeMudboxOnShape
Starting price$29/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb, IOS, Android
Founded19822012

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (CAD).

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

  • Mudbox subscriptions ending August 7, 2026 - end of sale for 3-year subscriptions, November 7, 2026 for monthly/yearly subscriptions
  • Product is being discontinued, making it unavailable for new purchases after specified dates

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.
Mudbox review

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.
OnShape review

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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mudbox: How much does Autodesk Mudbox cost?

Autodesk Mudbox pricing is not shown on the product page. Annual and monthly subscription options are available, but the product is being discontinued with end of sale on November 7, 2026 for monthly subscriptions.

Source
OnShape: How much does Onshape cost?

Onshape Standard is $1,500 per user per year and Professional is $2,500 per user per year, both billed annually. Enterprise is quoted by sales. A free plan exists for non-commercial use.

Source
Mudbox: Is Autodesk Mudbox being discontinued?

Yes, starting August 7, 2026, Autodesk is discontinuing the sale of new and renewal Mudbox subscriptions. The 3-year subscription offering discontinues August 7, 2026, followed by end of sale for 1-year and monthly subscriptions on November 7, 2026.

Source
OnShape: Is the free version of Onshape usable for commercial work?

No. Onshape states the free plan is for non-commercial use only, and every document created on it is publicly accessible. Private storage requires the Standard plan at $1,500 per user per year.

Source
OnShape: What does Onshape Professional add over Standard?

Professional adds company managed data, release management, advanced PDM, simulation, rendering, ECAD to MCAD exchange and CAM, for $2,500 per user per year against $1,500 for Standard.

Source
OnShape: Can I try Onshape Professional for free?

Onshape states that qualified professionals can try Onshape Professional free for up to 6 months through its Discovery Program, with no credit card required.

Source
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