3D & CAD · head to head
Modo vs D5 Render
The short version
- Only D5 Render has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Modo foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated; D5 Render windows-only application with no macOS support
- They diverge on capability: Modo covers Polygon modeling, D5 Render covers Real-time ray tracing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Modo and D5 Render actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 Modo
- Polygon modeling
- Subdivision surfaces
- Sculpting
- UV tools
- Procedural modeling
- Rendering
- Animation
- MeshFusion
Only in D5 Render
- Real-time ray tracing
- GI
- Asset library
- Video export
- LiveSync
- Geo-location
- SketchUp
- Revit
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Modo
- Polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assetsnot D5 Render
- Look development and rendering of product and character modelsnot D5 Render
D5 Render
- Architectural visualizationnot Modo
- Interior rendersnot Modo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Modo
- Foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated
- Support continues only until each customer's current contract term expires
- Foundry does not guarantee that Modo will keep working on future operating system updates because no patches will be issued, and recommends customers migrate to alternative 3D workflows
- Perpetual licences keep working but receive no further updates, bug fixes or support
- The Modo forums closed in December 2024 and downloads, docs and the support knowledgebase were committed only until November 2025
D5 Render
- Windows-only application with no macOS support
- Requires dedicated NVIDIA GPU, limiting hardware compatibility
- Community edition restricted to non-commercial use only
- Teams plan at USD 75/seat/month becomes expensive for larger organizations
Pricing, plan by plan
Modo
$29/month- Indie$599/month
- Full Modo
- Revenue limit $100K
- Modo$1898/month
- Full commercial license
D5 Render
Free- CommunityFree
- Full rendering engine with real-time ray tracing
- Unlimited projects
- High-resolution image and panorama output
- Pro$38/month
- 16K stills and panoramas
- 4K video
- Frame sequence rendering
- Teams$75/month
- All Pro features
- Multi-seat licensing
- Team collaboration
Which should you pick?
Choose Modo if
- You need polygon modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want subdivision surfaces.
Choose D5 Render if
- You need real-time ray tracing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want gi.
Questions people ask
- Is Modo or D5 Render better?
- Neither clearly leads. Modo starts at $29/month and D5 Render at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Modo or D5 Render?
- D5 Render has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Modo and Free for D5 Render.
- Does Modo or D5 Render run on more platforms?
- Modo runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. D5 Render runs on Windows.
- Can I use D5 Render for free?
- Yes. D5 Render has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Modo starts at $29/month.
- What is Modo best used for?
- Modo is most often used for polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets, look development and rendering of product and character models. Of those, polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets and look development and rendering of product and character models are not what D5 Render is typically brought in for.
- What can Modo do that D5 Render cannot?
- Modo covers Polygon modeling, Subdivision surfaces, Sculpting, UV tools. D5 Render covers Real-time ray tracing, GI, Asset library, Video export. Both handle Windows support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
D5 Render: What is the pricing for D5 Render Pro?
D5 Render Pro costs USD 38/month or USD 360/year. Annual billing saves 20-21% compared to monthly payments.
SourceD5 Render: Is there a free version of D5 Render?
Yes. D5 Render Community edition is free for non-commercial use. It includes the full rendering engine with real-time ray tracing, unlimited projects, and approximately 2,000 library models and materials.
SourceD5 Render: Does D5 Render work on macOS?
No. D5 Render is a Windows-only application that requires a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. There is no Mac version available.
D5 Render: What are the output resolution capabilities in Pro?
D5 Render Pro supports 16K stills and panoramas, 4K video, frame sequence rendering, and VR output with full Showreel capabilities.