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3D & CAD · head to head

Mudbox vs PrusaSlicer

Mudbox logo

Mudbox

3D & CAD

Digital painting and sculpting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PrusaSlicer logo

PrusaSlicer

3D & CAD

Feature-rich 3D printing slicer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PrusaSlicer 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); PrusaSlicer limited to slicing workflow only; no interactive 3D design capabilities
  • They diverge on capability: Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mudbox and PrusaSlicer actually diverge.

Attributes where Mudbox and PrusaSlicer differ
AttributeMudboxPrusaSlicer
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
Founded19822012

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & 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 PrusaSlicer

  • Automatic supports
  • Multi-material
  • Variable layer height
  • Custom G-code
  • Paint-on supports
  • Ironing
  • Prusa printers
  • Most FDM printers

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Mudbox

  • Character sculptingnot PrusaSlicer
  • Texture creationnot PrusaSlicer
  • Asset detailingnot PrusaSlicer

PrusaSlicer

  • Preparation of STL models for 3D printingnot Mudbox
  • Multi-material printing preparationnot Mudbox
  • G-code generation and customisation via macrosnot 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)

PrusaSlicer

  • Limited to slicing workflow only; no interactive 3D design capabilities
  • Designed for RepRap-based printers; compatibility with other printer architectures varies

Pricing, plan by plan

Mudbox

$29/month
  • Mudbox$85/month
    • Full sculpting
    • Texture painting
  • M&E Collection$2390/month
    • Mudbox + Maya + 3ds Max + more

PrusaSlicer

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PrusaSlicer review.

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 PrusaSlicer if

  • You need automatic supports.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want multi-material.
PrusaSlicer review

Questions people ask

Is Mudbox or PrusaSlicer better?
Neither clearly leads. Mudbox starts at $29/month and PrusaSlicer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mudbox or PrusaSlicer?
PrusaSlicer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Mudbox and Free for PrusaSlicer.
Does Mudbox or PrusaSlicer run on more platforms?
Mudbox runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. PrusaSlicer runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use PrusaSlicer for free?
Yes. PrusaSlicer 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 PrusaSlicer is typically brought in for.
What can Mudbox do that PrusaSlicer cannot?
Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, Texture painting, Retopology, PTEX support. PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports, Multi-material, Variable layer height, Custom G-code. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.
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