About ZBrush
- ZBrush, ZBrush, annual plan
$516 USDa year
≈$735.66 CAD (converted from USD)
Every pick below has a free version.
- Key file formats
- .ztl.fbx.obj.stl
Filter alternatives
2 alternatives
ToolLicensePlatformsStatus
Top pick
1 toolThe editor’s first choice for most people switching.
1Bl
Best for sculpting inside a full 3D suite
License: Open source
Status: Unknown
- MOVMOV: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
- MP4MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
- FBXFBX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified
- OBJOBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity
- PNGPNG: opens and saves, full fidelity
- +2 more
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. ZTool files (.ztl) do not open in Blender, so move sculpts through OBJ, FBX or STL. No iPad version.
Situational
1 toolRight for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
2Sc
Best for quick sculpts in a browser
License: Open source
Status: Unknown
- OBJOBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity. Geometry only
- STLSTL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Geometry only
The author stopped development and archived the repo; the web app still runs. Imports and exports OBJ, PLY and STL.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
Feature parity
How each alternative covers what people use ZBrush for. Numbers link to editor notes.
Feature parity with ZBrush| Feature | Blender | SculptGL |
|---|
| Sculpting |
|---|
| Sculpting brushes, masks and symmetry | YesNote 1Sculpt Mode has brushes, masks, face sets and symmetry | PartialNote 2A smaller brush set with masking and symmetry |
|---|
| Millions of polygons with dynamic detail | PartialNote 3Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh work; very dense meshes need a strong GPU | PartialNote 4Dynamic topology works, but browser memory limits mesh density |
|---|
| Subdivision levels (multiresolution) | YesNote 5Multires modifier with subdivision levels | Yes |
|---|
| Topology |
|---|
| Automatic retopology (ZRemesher) | PartialNote 6Quadriflow remesh and manual retopology tools; no one-click ZRemesher equivalent | PartialNote 7Voxel remeshing gives quad meshes; no guided retopology |
|---|
| Texturing |
|---|
| Color painting on vertices (PolyPaint) | YesNote 8Color attributes can be painted per vertex in Sculpt Mode | PartialNote 9Vertex colors and PBR texture export; a smaller toolset |
|---|
| Output |
|---|
| Normal and displacement map baking | YesNote 10Normal and displacement baking from high to low poly | NoNote 11Exports painted textures; no normal or displacement baking |
|---|
| Parity score | 83% | 50% |
|---|
- Blender, Sculpting brushes, masks and symmetry: Sculpt Mode has brushes, masks, face sets and symmetry
- SculptGL, Sculpting brushes, masks and symmetry: A smaller brush set with masking and symmetry
- Blender, Millions of polygons with dynamic detail: Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh work; very dense meshes need a strong GPU
- SculptGL, Millions of polygons with dynamic detail: Dynamic topology works, but browser memory limits mesh density
- Blender, Subdivision levels (multiresolution): Multires modifier with subdivision levels
- Blender, Automatic retopology (ZRemesher): Quadriflow remesh and manual retopology tools; no one-click ZRemesher equivalent
- SculptGL, Automatic retopology (ZRemesher): Voxel remeshing gives quad meshes; no guided retopology
- Blender, Color painting on vertices (PolyPaint): Color attributes can be painted per vertex in Sculpt Mode
- SculptGL, Color painting on vertices (PolyPaint): Vertex colors and PBR texture export; a smaller toolset
- Blender, Normal and displacement map baking: Normal and displacement baking from high to low poly
- SculptGL, Normal and displacement map baking: Exports painted textures; no normal or displacement baking
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Millions of polygons with dynamic detail, Automatic retopology (ZRemesher). See all feature gaps
File formats
Can each alternative open and save ZBrush files?
Opening and saving ZBrush files| Format | Blender | SculptGL |
|---|
| .ztl | NoNote 1Export OBJ from ZBrush first | NoNote 2ZBrush ZTool files do not open in SculptGL |
|---|
| .fbx | Opens and savesNote 3Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplifiedPartial fidelity | NoNote 4Use OBJ or PLY instead |
|---|
| .obj | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 5Geometry onlyFull fidelity |
|---|
| .stl | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 6Geometry onlyFull fidelity |
|---|
- Blender, .ztl: Export OBJ from ZBrush first
- SculptGL, .ztl: ZBrush ZTool files do not open in SculptGL
- Blender, .fbx: Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified
- SculptGL, .fbx: Use OBJ or PLY instead
- SculptGL, .obj: Geometry only
- SculptGL, .stl: Geometry only
Switching saves about $516 USD / ≈$736 CAD (estimated from the USD price) a year. Prices checked ; ≈ means converted from USD.
Based on ZBrush, annual plan. Price source. USD to CAD at 1.4257 as of Oct 7, 2026.
ZBrush is a product of Maxon, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for ZBrush: Windows, macOS, iOS.