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Ultimaker Cura vs ZBrush

Ultimaker Cura logo

Ultimaker Cura

Software

Powerful 3D printing slicer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Ultimaker Cura has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Ultimaker Cura support varies by community contribution; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Ultimaker Cura covers Universal printer support, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ultimaker Cura and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where Ultimaker Cura and ZBrush differ
AttributeUltimaker CuraZBrush
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, 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 Ultimaker Cura

  • Universal printer support
  • Custom profiles
  • Plugin marketplace
  • Cloud integration
  • Tree supports
  • Arachne engine
  • Ultimaker printers
  • Most FDM printers

Only in ZBrush

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

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Ultimaker Cura

  • 3D print slicingnot ZBrush
  • Professional printingnot ZBrush

ZBrush

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

Where each one falls short

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

Ultimaker Cura

  • Support varies by community contribution
  • No commercial technical support

ZBrush

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Ultimaker Cura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Ultimaker Cura review.

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Ultimaker Cura if

  • You need universal printer support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want custom profiles.
Ultimaker Cura review

Choose ZBrush if

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

Questions people ask

Is Ultimaker Cura or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. Ultimaker Cura 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, Ultimaker Cura or ZBrush?
Ultimaker Cura has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Ultimaker Cura and On request for ZBrush.
Does Ultimaker Cura or ZBrush run on more platforms?
Ultimaker Cura runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
Can I use Ultimaker Cura for free?
Yes. Ultimaker Cura has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ZBrush starts at On request.
What is Ultimaker Cura best used for?
Ultimaker Cura is most often used for 3d print slicing, professional printing. Of those, 3d print slicing and professional printing are not what ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can Ultimaker Cura do that ZBrush cannot?
Ultimaker Cura covers Universal printer support, Custom profiles, Plugin marketplace, Cloud integration. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ultimaker Cura: Is Ultimaker Cura free?

Yes. Ultimaker Cura is completely free and open-source under the LGPL license. There are no premium versions, subscriptions, or hidden fees. All features are available to everyone.

Source
Ultimaker Cura: How many printers does Cura support?

Ultimaker Cura supports over 400 different 3D printer models with out-of-the-box configuration. Users can add custom printers and profiles.

Source
Ultimaker Cura: What file formats does Cura import?

Ultimaker Cura converts STL, OBJ, 3MF, and other 3D file formats into G-code instructions that 3D printers can execute.

Source
Ultimaker Cura: What features are available?

Cura offers 400+ configurable print settings, material profiles, intent profiles for specific applications, plugin support via the Ultimaker Marketplace, and active community development on GitHub.

Source
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