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3D & CAD · head to head

Twinmotion vs Shapr3D

Twinmotion logo

Twinmotion

3D & CAD

Real-time visualization for architecture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

3D & CAD

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Twinmotion epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • They diverge on capability: Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering, Shapr3D covers Direct modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Twinmotion and Shapr3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Twinmotion and Shapr3D differ
AttributeTwinmotionShapr3D
PlatformsWindows, MacOSIPadOS, MacOS, Windows
Founded19912015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 Twinmotion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Easy import
  • Vegetation
  • Phasing
  • VR export
  • Video export
  • Direct link to CAD
  • Revit

Only in Shapr3D

  • Direct modeling
  • Parametric history
  • Visualization
  • 2D drawings
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Import/export
  • Annotations
  • Fusion 360

Both cover

  • Rhino
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Twinmotion

  • Architectural visualizationnot Shapr3D
  • Design presentationnot Shapr3D

Shapr3D

  • Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot Twinmotion
  • Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot Twinmotion
  • Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot Twinmotion

Where each one falls short

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

Twinmotion

  • Epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.

Shapr3D

  • The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
  • Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
  • Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
  • Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
  • Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
  • On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Twinmotion

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Non-commercial
  • Professional$499/month
    • Commercial use

Shapr3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 active designs
    • Basic features
  • Pro$25/month
    • Unlimited designs
    • All export formats
  • Business$199/month
    • Team features
    • Visualization

Which should you pick?

Choose Twinmotion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want easy import.
Twinmotion review

Choose Shapr3D if

  • You need direct modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want parametric history.
Shapr3D review

Questions people ask

Is Twinmotion or Shapr3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Twinmotion starts at Free and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Twinmotion or Shapr3D?
Twinmotion starts at Free and Shapr3D at Free.
Does Twinmotion or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
Twinmotion runs on Windows, MacOS. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Twinmotion for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Twinmotion best used for?
Twinmotion is most often used for architectural visualization, design presentation. Of those, architectural visualization and design presentation are not what Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
What can Twinmotion do that Shapr3D cannot?
Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering, Easy import, Vegetation, Phasing. Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Both handle Rhino, Windows support, MacOS support.
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