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Babylon.js vs Substance 3D Painter

Babylon.js logo

Babylon.js

Software

Powerful 3D engine for the web with WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substance 3D Painter logo

Substance 3D Painter

Software

3D texture painting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Babylon.js has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Babylon.js javaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain; Substance 3D Painter the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.
  • They diverge on capability: Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Babylon.js and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeBabylon.jsSubstance 3D Painter
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React NativeWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19751982

Identical on both: 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 Babylon.js

  • WebGL/WebGPU rendering
  • Physics engines
  • GUI system
  • Node material editor
  • WebXR
  • glTF
  • Havok physics
  • Azure

Only in Substance 3D Painter

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

What people use each for

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

Babylon.js

  • Web 3D rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiencesnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Cross-platform 3D development with native runtime and React Native supportnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot Babylon.js
  • Film assetsnot Babylon.js
  • Product visualizationnot Babylon.js

Where each one falls short

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

Babylon.js

  • JavaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain

Substance 3D Painter

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.

Pricing, plan by plan

Babylon.js

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Babylon.js review.

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 Babylon.js if

  • You need webgl/webgpu rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native.
  • You also want physics engines.
Babylon.js 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 Babylon.js or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. Babylon.js 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, Babylon.js or Substance 3D Painter?
Babylon.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Babylon.js and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
Does Babylon.js or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
Babylon.js runs on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use Babylon.js for free?
Yes. Babylon.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
What is Babylon.js best used for?
Babylon.js is most often used for web 3d rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiences, cross-platform 3d development with native runtime and react native support. Of those, web 3d rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiences and cross-platform 3d development with native runtime and react native support are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can Babylon.js do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Physics engines, GUI system, Node material editor. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow.
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