Brandwave

3ds Max vs ZBrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, 3ds Max and ZBrush were level in searches among 3D modelling software worldwide, with an estimated 90.5K branded searches each, at 0.81% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D modelling software, 3ds Max and ZBrush each appeared in three of the five answers. ZBrush was mentioned before 3ds Max in three out of four answers that named either.

Among 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

3ds Max and ZBrush are searched for about as often as each other.

3ds Max 90.5K searchesZBrush 90.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.

3ds Max in 3 of 5ZBrush in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

ZBrush, named ahead of 3ds Max in 3 of 4 answers

ZBrush first in 33ds Max first in 1

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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. ZBrush was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. ZBrush was listed before 3ds Max in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Fusion 3601st
  2. Blender2nd
  3. Autodesk Maya3rd
  4. ZBrush4th
  5. SketchUp5th
  6. Shapr3D6th
  7. Onshape7th
  8. Plasticity8th
  9. 3ds Max9th
  10. Tinkercad10th
  11. +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

+1 more

See every answer about 3D modelling software

5 answers

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 ZBrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for 3ds Max and ZBrush 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.

3ds Max and ZBrush among 3D modelling software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for 3ds Max, ZBrush. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTinkercadSketchUpOnshapeFusion 360Blender3ds MaxZBrushCinema 4DShapr3DAutodesk MayaPlasticity
Oct 202568.4%13.7%9.1%4.1%1.2%0.82%1%0.55%0.55%0.45%0.05%
Nov 202565.2%15.9%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.96%0.96%0.64%0.79%0.53%0.06%
Dec 202563.9%15.7%8.6%5.7%1.7%0.94%1.1%0.77%0.94%0.52%0.07%
Jan 202659.6%17.8%9.7%6.5%2%1.1%1.1%0.72%0.88%0.59%0.06%
Feb 202665.4%16%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.79%0.96%0.53%0.79%0.43%0.06%
Mar 202664%15.6%10.4%4.7%1.4%0.94%0.94%0.63%0.77%0.52%0.06%
Apr 202665.4%16%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.79%0.79%0.65%0.79%0.53%0.05%
May 202666.1%16.2%8.8%4%1.5%0.8%0.8%0.53%0.8%0.44%0.06%
Jun 202666.3%16.2%7.3%4.9%1.5%0.8%0.98%0.66%0.8%0.54%0.07%
Jul 202659.9%17.9%8.1%6.6%2.4%1.1%1.3%0.89%1.1%0.72%0.08%
Aug 202663.6%15.5%8.6%5.7%2.1%0.94%1.2%0.77%0.94%0.63%0.07%
Sep 202666.8%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 ZBrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • 3ds Max was ahead of ZBrush 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, ZBrush’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 1% to 0.81%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 90.5K.

How did search popularity change for 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, 3ds Max rose from 7th to 6th among 3D modelling software worldwide.

  2. In September 2026, ZBrush fell from 6th to 7th 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 ZBrush’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.

3ds Max

1 branded search term

  • 3ds max

ZBrush

1 branded search term

  • zbrush

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among 3D modelling software

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