Software · head to head
Gravity Sketch vs Tilt Brush
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Gravity Sketch free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room; Tilt Brush no longer actively developed by Google since January 2021; future updates and support are not guaranteed
- They diverge on capability: Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Tilt Brush covers 3D painting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Gravity Sketch and Tilt Brush actually diverge.
| Attribute | Gravity Sketch | Tilt Brush |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Platforms | VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web) | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR |
| Founded | 2014 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Gravity Sketch
- VR design
- Desktop app
- Surface modeling
- Collaboration
- Import/export
- Presentation mode
- Rhino
- Alias
Only in Tilt Brush
- 3D painting
- Dynamic brushes
- Environment selection
- Animation
- Google Poly
- Sketchfab
- YouTube VR
- Vr support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Gravity Sketch
- Spatial 3D design and conceptualisation in VRnot Tilt Brush
- Collaborative product design sessionsnot Tilt Brush
- Conceptual model generationnot Tilt Brush
- Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot Tilt Brush
Tilt Brush
- VR Gamingnot Gravity Sketch
- AR Marketingnot Gravity Sketch
- Virtual Trainingnot Gravity Sketch
- 3D Visualizationnot Gravity Sketch
- Immersive Experiencesnot Gravity Sketch
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Gravity Sketch
- Free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
- File format support limited to OBJ and STL on free plan; other formats require paid plan
- Evaluation tools (surface contours, viewpoints, section tool) not available on free tier
- VR access requires Meta Quest, Steam, or web app; limited to specific platforms
- Data localisation only available on Enterprise plan
Tilt Brush
- No longer actively developed by Google since January 2021; future updates and support are not guaranteed
- Limited editing capabilities with no layers system and no 3D brushes for precise refinement
- Not designed for professional branding or marketing work; better suited for creative expression than practical design
- Tool limitations make it difficult to move, cut, or rearrange grouped elements after creation
- VR hardware costs are high relative to software cost, and can cause motion sickness in some users
Pricing, plan by plan
Gravity Sketch
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch review.
Tilt Brush
Free- Google Tilt Brush$19.99/one-time
- VR painting and creative tools
- Available on VR app stores
- Open Brush (open-source)Free
- Free open-source version
- Available on Steam and Meta Quest
Which should you pick?
Choose Gravity Sketch if
- You need vr design.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
- You also want desktop app.
Choose Tilt Brush if
- You need 3d painting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR.
- You also want dynamic brushes.
Questions people ask
- Is Gravity Sketch or Tilt Brush better?
- Neither clearly leads. Gravity Sketch starts at Free and Tilt Brush at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Gravity Sketch or Tilt Brush?
- Gravity Sketch starts at Free and Tilt Brush at Free.
- Does Gravity Sketch or Tilt Brush run on more platforms?
- Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web). Tilt Brush runs on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, PlayStation VR.
- Can I use Gravity Sketch for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Gravity Sketch best used for?
- Gravity Sketch is most often used for spatial 3d design and conceptualisation in vr, collaborative product design sessions, conceptual model generation, engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environment. Of those, spatial 3d design and conceptualisation in vr and collaborative product design sessions are not what Tilt Brush is typically brought in for.
- What can Gravity Sketch do that Tilt Brush cannot?
- Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. Tilt Brush covers 3D painting, Dynamic brushes, Environment selection, Animation.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Tilt Brush: Is Tilt Brush still available to use?
Yes. Although Google ended active development in January 2021, Tilt Brush remains available on VR app stores and continues to function. Google also open-sourced the code, enabling community-maintained alternatives like Open Brush to provide free versions for PC VR and Meta Quest.
SourceTilt Brush: Is there a free version of Tilt Brush?
The official Google Tilt Brush costs $19.99. However, Open Brush (the open-source community version) is completely free and available for PC VR via Steam and on Oculus Quest.
SourceTilt Brush: What VR headsets does Tilt Brush support?
Tilt Brush works on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, Valve Index, and PlayStation VR. The open-source Open Brush version also supports PC VR.
SourceTilt Brush: Can I export my Tilt Brush creations?
Yes. Tilt Brush creations can be exported as room-scale VR pieces or animated GIFs to share with others. The app does not support direct export to 3D model formats like OBJ or FBX.
SourceTilt Brush: Is Tilt Brush good for professional 3D design work?
Tilt Brush is primarily a creative expression and painting tool rather than a professional 3D design tool. It lacks features like layers, editable 3D brushes, and precise refinement controls needed for professional workflows. For professional VR sculpting, Adobe Medium or Quill are better choices.
SourceRelated pages
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