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3D & CAD · head to head

Redshift vs ZBrush

Redshift logo

Redshift

3D & CAD

World's first fully GPU-accelerated biased renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

3D & CAD

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Redshift redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Redshift covers GPU rendering, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

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 (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 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

  • Production renderingnot ZBrush
  • Motion graphicsnot 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

  • Redshift is sold only as part of the Maxon One subscription bundle (via the Maxon App, 14-day free trial), with no standalone perpetual license offered on the vendor page

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 production rendering, motion graphics. Of those, production rendering and motion graphics 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.
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