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Entertainment · head to head

Maya vs Starz

Maya logo

Maya

Entertainment

3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Maya has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Maya complex interface that requires significant training and experience; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Maya covers 3D modeling, Starz covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Maya and Starz actually diverge.

Attributes where Maya and Starz differ
AttributeMayaStarz
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded19821994

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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 Maya

  • 3D modeling
  • Character animation
  • Visual effects
  • Simulation
  • Rendering
  • Arnold renderer
  • Mental Ray
  • V-Ray

Only in Starz

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

What people use each for

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

Maya

  • Film productionnot Starz
  • Game developmentnot Starz
  • TV animationnot Starz
  • VFX creationnot Starz
  • Architectural visualizationnot Starz

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot Maya
  • Original series watchingnot Maya

Where each one falls short

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

Maya

  • Complex interface that requires significant training and experience
  • Software crashes and stability issues reported by users
  • Heavy system requirements and resource-intensive processing

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Maya

Free
  • Monthly Subscription$245/month
    • Full features
  • Annual Subscription$1945/year
    • Full features
  • Indie License$305/year
    • Full features for revenue under $100k
  • Student LicenseFree
    • Free for 3 years (watermarked)

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

Which should you pick?

Choose Maya if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want character animation.
Maya review

Choose Starz if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Starz review

Questions people ask

Is Maya or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. Maya starts at Free and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Maya or Starz?
Maya has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Maya and $6.99/month for Starz.
Does Maya or Starz run on more platforms?
Maya runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Maya for free?
Yes. Maya has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz starts at $6.99/month.
What is Maya best used for?
Maya is most often used for film production, game development, tv animation, vfx creation. Of those, film production and game development are not what Starz is typically brought in for.
What can Maya do that Starz cannot?
Maya covers 3D modeling, Character animation, Visual effects, Simulation. Starz covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Exclusive content.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Maya: What is the cost of an annual Maya subscription?

A standard annual Maya subscription costs $1,945 per year, with a monthly option at $245 per month. Indie users with revenue under $100k USD qualify for $305 per year. Educational licenses are free for 3 years but watermark output.

Source
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

Source
Maya: Does Maya include rendering capabilities?

Yes. Maya includes Arnold, a high-quality rendering engine built into the software for producing photorealistic renders directly within Maya.

Source
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

Source
Maya: What platforms does Maya run on?

Maya runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Maya 2027 supports Windows 11, macOS versions 26.x through 14.x, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux with Rocky Linux.

Source
Maya: Can students use Maya for free?

Yes. Maya is free for students at registered educational institutions. The license lasts 3 years but is non-commercial only and watermarks exported files.

Source
Maya: Does Maya integrate with other software?

Maya supports many plugins including ZooTools Pro for rigging, RealFlow for simulation, ngSkinTools for character skinning, and MASH for motion graphics, extending its capabilities for production workflows.

Source
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