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CAD · head to head

Redshift vs ZBrush

Redshift logo

Redshift

CAD

World's first fully GPU-accelerated biased renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

CAD

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Redshift no specific pricing amounts published on product page; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Redshift covers GPU rendering, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redshift and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where Redshift and ZBrush differ
AttributeRedshiftZBrush
Starting price$29/monthOn request
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20141986

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Redshift

  • GPU rendering
  • Out-of-core rendering
  • Proxy system
  • AOVs
  • Motion blur
  • Production shading
  • Houdini
  • Floating licenses

Only in ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D
  • Blender
  • Maxon account
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Redshift

  • 3D rendering and visualizationnot ZBrush
  • GPU-accelerated ray tracingnot ZBrush
  • Multi-GPU rendering up to 8 GPUs per machinenot ZBrush

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot Redshift
  • High-polygon organic form designnot Redshift
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot Redshift
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot Redshift

Where each one falls short

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

Redshift

  • No specific pricing amounts published on product page
  • Only 14-day free trial duration mentioned; no longer-term free tier
  • Must contact sales team for subscription cost details

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

Pricing, plan by plan

Redshift

$29/month
  • Redshift$45/month
    • Full GPU rendering
  • Maxon One$149.91/month
    • Redshift + C4D + ZBrush

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Redshift if

  • You need gpu rendering.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want out-of-core rendering.
Redshift review

Choose ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

Is Redshift or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. Redshift starts at $29/month and ZBrush at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Redshift or ZBrush?
Redshift starts at $29/month and ZBrush at On request.
Does Redshift or ZBrush run on more platforms?
Redshift runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
What is Redshift best used for?
Redshift is most often used for 3d rendering and visualization, gpu-accelerated ray tracing, multi-gpu rendering up to 8 gpus per machine. Of those, 3d rendering and visualization and gpu-accelerated ray tracing are not what ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can Redshift do that ZBrush cannot?
Redshift covers GPU rendering, Out-of-core rendering, Proxy system, AOVs. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Blender.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Redshift: What is included with a Redshift subscription?

Redshift Subscription includes all integration plugins and capability for multiple instances up to 8 GPUs on a single computer. Specific features beyond rendering engine not detailed in public pricing documentation.

Source
ZBrush: What is included in a ZBrush subscription?

Every ZBrush subscription includes ZBrush on desktop, iPad, and Windows on Arm devices with premium features, rendering with Redshift, ZBrush Classroom, and Cineversity training.

Source
Redshift: How long is the Redshift trial period?

Redshift offers a 14-day free trial for users to evaluate the software before purchase commitment.

Source
ZBrush: Is there a free trial available?

Yes. Download the Maxon App to start your 14-day free trial. Every trial includes ZBrush and the full Maxon One suite.

Source
Redshift: Where can I find Redshift pricing details?

Specific pricing is available through Redshift store access or by contacting the sales team directly. Pricing amounts are not listed on the public product page.

Source
ZBrush: Can I use ZBrush on multiple devices?

ZBrush licensing is dual platform, so you can run on desktop and iPad simultaneously or switch between them at any time.

Source
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