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Quixel Mixer vs ZBrush

Quixel Mixer logo

Quixel Mixer

Software

Free 3D texturing and material creation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Quixel Mixer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Quixel Mixer discontinued as of February 19, 2026 with no future updates or support; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Quixel Mixer covers Material blending, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Quixel Mixer and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where Quixel Mixer and ZBrush differ
AttributeQuixel MixerZBrush
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20111986

Identical on both: 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 Quixel Mixer

  • Material blending
  • Megascans integration
  • Smart materials
  • Procedural tools
  • 3D painting
  • UDIM support
  • Real-time preview
  • Export presets

Only in ZBrush

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

Both cover

  • Blender
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Quixel Mixer

  • Game texturesnot ZBrush
  • Environment artnot ZBrush
  • Photorealistic materialsnot ZBrush
  • Film VFXnot ZBrush

ZBrush

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

Where each one falls short

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

Quixel Mixer

  • Discontinued as of February 19, 2026 with no future updates or support
  • No built-in baker functionality unlike Substance 3D Painter
  • Limited customization compared to industry-standard Substance Painter
  • Megascans asset library now requires paid subscription instead of free access

ZBrush

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Quixel Mixer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full feature set
    • Megascans integration
    • Commercial use

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Quixel Mixer if

  • You need material blending.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want megascans integration.
Quixel Mixer review

Choose ZBrush if

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

Questions people ask

Is Quixel Mixer or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. Quixel Mixer starts at Free and ZBrush at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Quixel Mixer or ZBrush?
Quixel Mixer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Quixel Mixer and On request for ZBrush.
Does Quixel Mixer or ZBrush run on more platforms?
Quixel Mixer runs on Windows, macOS. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
Can I use Quixel Mixer for free?
Yes. Quixel Mixer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ZBrush starts at On request.
What is Quixel Mixer best used for?
Quixel Mixer is most often used for game textures, environment art, photorealistic materials, film vfx. Of those, game textures and environment art are not what ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can Quixel Mixer do that ZBrush cannot?
Quixel Mixer covers Material blending, Megascans integration, Smart materials, Procedural tools. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Quixel Mixer: Is Quixel Mixer still available?

Quixel Mixer was discontinued on February 19, 2026. The final version 2023.1 is available for free download from the Epic Games launcher. It runs offline indefinitely but will receive no future updates or support.

Source
Quixel Mixer: Can Quixel Mixer work offline?

Yes, version 2023.1 enables Quixel Mixer to run completely offline. Users can download and use the software offline indefinitely, though without future updates.

Source
Quixel Mixer: What is the current status of Megascans free access?

Quixel Megascans is no longer free for Unreal Engine users. Starting in 2025, Megascans assets are sold individually or included in Fab subscription tiers. The free-for-Unreal era ended at the close of 2024.

Source
Quixel Mixer: How does Quixel Mixer compare to Substance Painter?

Quixel Mixer excels for simplicity, photorealism, and Unreal Engine integration, but lacks a built-in baker unlike Substance 3D Painter. Substance Painter offers more customization and is an industry standard, while Mixer focused on streamlined PBR material creation.

Source
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