3ds Max vs Onshape:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Onshape had more branded searches than 3ds Max among 3D modelling software worldwide. Onshape had about 1.2 million branded searches, while 3ds Max had 90,500. Onshape made up 10.9% of all 3D modelling software searches we track, and 3ds Max accounted for 0.81%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D modelling software, 3ds Max appeared in three of the five answers and Onshape in two. 3ds Max and Onshape were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Onshape, about 13 searches for every 1 for 3ds Max
Who does AI mention more?
3ds Max, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Onshape in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top 3D modelling software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 3ds Max was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Onshape was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 3ds Max and Onshape were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Fusion 3601st
Blender2nd
Autodesk Maya3rd
ZBrush4th
SketchUp5th
Shapr3D6th
Onshape7th
Plasticity8th
3ds Max9th
Tinkercad10th- +1 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Blender5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SketchUp4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Autodesk Maya4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
3ds Max3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ZBrush3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Tinkercad2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Onshape2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Cinema 4D2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Shapr3D2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about 3D modelling software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which 3D modelling software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best 3D modelling software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best 3D modelling software for a 3D model?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d modelling software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d design software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is 3ds Max or Onshape more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 3ds Max and Onshape by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 3D modelling software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Onshape, 3ds Max. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tinkercad | SketchUp | Onshape | Fusion 360 | Blender | 3ds Max | ZBrush | Cinema 4D | Shapr3D | Autodesk Maya | Plasticity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 68.4% | 13.7% | 9.1% | 4.1% | 1.2% | 0.82% | 1% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.45% | 0.05% |
| Nov 2025 | 65.2% | 15.9% | 8.7% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.96% | 0.96% | 0.64% | 0.79% | 0.53% | 0.06% |
| Dec 2025 | 63.9% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 0.94% | 1.1% | 0.77% | 0.94% | 0.52% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 59.6% | 17.8% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 2% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.88% | 0.59% | 0.06% |
| Feb 2026 | 65.4% | 16% | 8.7% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.79% | 0.96% | 0.53% | 0.79% | 0.43% | 0.06% |
| Mar 2026 | 64% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 4.7% | 1.4% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.63% | 0.77% | 0.52% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 65.4% | 16% | 8.7% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.65% | 0.79% | 0.53% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 66.1% | 16.2% | 8.8% | 4% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.53% | 0.8% | 0.44% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 66.3% | 16.2% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.98% | 0.66% | 0.8% | 0.54% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.9% | 17.9% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.89% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.08% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.6% | 15.5% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 0.94% | 1.2% | 0.77% | 0.94% | 0.63% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 66.8% | 13.4% | 10.9% | 4% | 1.5% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.66% | 0.66% | 0.44% | 0.06% |
How has the 3ds Max and Onshape comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Onshape was ahead of 3ds Max in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3ds Max’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 0.82% to 0.81%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Onshape’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 9.1% to 10.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Onshape gained share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide, from 8.6% to 10.9%.

In September 2026, 3ds Max rose from 7th to 6th among 3D modelling software worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3ds Max’s and Onshape’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among 3D modelling software

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