Autodesk Maya vs Houdini
A side-by-side comparison of Autodesk Maya and Houdini.
| Visit website | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Professional 3D animation, modeling and VFX software for film and games | Procedural 3D software for visual effects, simulation and animation |
| Pricing | Free trialProprietary | FreemiumProprietary |
| Developer | Autodesk | SideFX |
| Platforms | ||
| Windows | ||
| Mac | ||
| Linux | ||
| Features | ||
| Animation | ||
| Plugins & extensions | ||
| Rendering | ||
| Sculpting | ||
Alternatives to both Autodesk Maya and Houdini

Cinema 4D
3D modeling, animation and rendering software geared to motion graphics
Approachable interface compared with most 3D suites
Free trial8 alternatives
Blender
Free and open source 3D suite for modeling, animation and rendering
Completely free and open source, with no license or subscription
FreeOpen source12 alternatives
ZBrush
Digital sculpting software for highly detailed 3D models
Handles models with millions of polygons smoothly
Freemium6 alternatives
Autodesk 3ds Max
Windows 3D modeling and rendering software for visualization and games
Deep modeling toolset built around a flexible modifier stack
Free trial9 alternatives
Unreal Engine
Real-time 3D engine from Epic Games for games, film and visualization
Top-tier visuals with Nanite geometry and Lumen lighting
FreemiumSource available9 alternatives