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Blacksmith vs Spline

Blacksmith logo

Blacksmith

Developer Tools

2x faster GitHub Actions with 60% cost savings

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit BlacksmithFull review
Spline logo

Spline

Design

3D design tool for the web

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit SplineFull review

The short version

  • Blacksmith is a GitHub Actions runner service; Spline is a free 3D design software.
  • Free plans on both; paid from $0.004/mo and $9/mo.
  • Only Blacksmith lists bare metal runners; only Spline lists 3D modeling.
  • Where Blacksmith falls short: per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs.
  • Where Spline falls short: AI generation features produce inconsistent and often distorted results, failing at basic depth perception tasks.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blacksmith and Spline actually diverge.

Attributes where Blacksmith and Spline differ
AttributeBlacksmithSpline
PlatformsGitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOSWeb, iOS, Android, VR and AR
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDesign

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Blacksmith, founded for Blacksmith.

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 Blacksmith

  • Bare metal runners
  • Multiple OS support
  • ARM support
  • Docker layer caching
  • Sticky disks
  • GitHub Actions observability
  • Free tier
  • Static IPs

Only in Spline

  • 3D modeling
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Animations
  • Interactions
  • Code export
  • React
  • Next.js
  • Webflow

What people use each for

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

Blacksmith

  • Replacing GitHub Actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructurenot Spline
  • Accelerating CI build times for organizations with heavy CI loadnot Spline
  • Reducing cloud spend on GitHub Actions by 60% or morenot Spline
  • Supporting ARM architecture builds without GitHub runnersnot Spline

Spline

  • Web 3D experiencesnot Blacksmith
  • Interactive prototypesnot Blacksmith
  • Product visualizationnot Blacksmith

Where each one falls short

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

Blacksmith

  • Per-minute pricing model requires estimating usage to predict costs
  • macOS M4 pricing ($0.08/min) is significantly higher than GitHub Actions
  • Docker layer caching and sticky disks are paid add-ons at $0.50/GB/mo
  • Static IP add-on costs $100/IP/mo

Spline

  • AI generation features produce inconsistent and often distorted results, failing at basic depth perception tasks
  • Limited to simpler designs - not suitable for high-poly, detailed production models
  • Performance degrades with complex scenes containing many objects and materials
  • Limited non-Apple platform coverage compared to cross-platform design tools
  • Tutorials are either too fast for beginners or too basic for advanced users

Pricing, plan by plan

Blacksmith

Free
  • Ubuntu x64$0.004/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • Ubuntu ARM$0.0025/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • Windows x64$0.008/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads
  • macOS M4$0.08/minute
    • 3,000 free minutes per month
    • 2x faster hardware
    • 4x faster cache downloads

Spline

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited projects
    • Basic exports
    • Community support
  • Pro$9/mo
    • Advanced exports
    • Custom domains
    • Password protection
  • Team$19/mo
    • Team collaboration
    • Version control
    • Admin controls

Which should you pick?

Choose Blacksmith if

  • You need bare metal runners.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want multiple os support.
Blacksmith review

Choose Spline if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, VR and AR.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
Spline review

Questions people ask

Is Blacksmith or Spline better?
Neither clearly leads. Blacksmith starts at Free and Spline at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blacksmith or Spline?
Blacksmith starts at Free and Spline at Free.
Does Blacksmith or Spline run on more platforms?
Blacksmith runs on GitHub Actions, Linux, Windows, macOS. Spline runs on Web, iOS, Android, VR and AR.
Can I use Blacksmith for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blacksmith best used for?
Blacksmith is most often used for replacing github actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructure, accelerating ci build times for organizations with heavy ci load, reducing cloud spend on github actions by 60% or more, supporting arm architecture builds without github runners. Of those, replacing github actions runners with faster, cheaper infrastructure and accelerating ci build times for organizations with heavy ci load are not what Spline is typically brought in for.
What can Blacksmith do that Spline cannot?
Blacksmith covers Bare metal runners, Multiple OS support, ARM support, Docker layer caching. Spline covers 3D modeling, Real-time collaboration, Animations, Interactions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blacksmith: How much do Blacksmith runners cost compared to GitHub Actions?

Blacksmith offers 60-75% cost savings depending on OS. Ubuntu x64 costs $0.004/min vs GitHub at $0.012/min. All plans include 3,000 free minutes monthly.

Source
Spline: What is Spline's pricing?

Spline offers a Free plan with watermarked web exports, Starter at $12/month (billed annually) removing watermarks, Professional at $20/month with unlimited projects, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Viewers are unlimited on all plans.

Source
Blacksmith: Can I use Docker layer caching with Blacksmith?

Yes, Docker layer caching is available as an add-on at $0.50/GB/mo. Managed Docker layer persistence is included with the base service.

Source
Spline: Can Spline export 3D models to other tools?

Spline's export/import format support is more limited compared to traditional 3D tools like Blender. It focuses on web-first exports and native app code generation.

Source
Blacksmith: What is the SLA for Enterprise plans?

Enterprise Blacksmith plans include a 99.9% SLA guarantee along with 24/7 priority support, dedicated Slack channels, white-glove onboarding, and CI optimization support.

Source
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