Brandwave

Autodesk Maya vs ZBrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, ZBrush had more branded searches than Autodesk Maya among 3D modelling software worldwide. ZBrush had about 90,500 branded searches, while Autodesk Maya had 49,500. ZBrush made up 0.81% of all 3D modelling software searches we track, and Autodesk Maya accounted for 0.44%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D modelling software, Autodesk Maya appeared in four of the five answers and ZBrush in three. Autodesk Maya was mentioned before ZBrush in three out of four answers that named either.

Among 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

ZBrush, about 83% more searches than Autodesk Maya

ZBrush 90.5K searchesAutodesk Maya 49.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Autodesk Maya, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, ZBrush in 3

Autodesk Maya in 4 of 5ZBrush in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Autodesk Maya, named ahead of ZBrush in 3 of 4 answers

Autodesk Maya first in 3ZBrush first in 1

Follow Autodesk Maya vs ZBrush and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top 3D modelling software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Autodesk Maya was mentioned in four out of five: in all 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. Autodesk Maya was listed before ZBrush 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 Autodesk Maya or ZBrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Autodesk Maya 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.

Autodesk Maya and ZBrush among 3D modelling software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for ZBrush, Autodesk Maya. 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 Autodesk Maya and ZBrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • ZBrush was ahead of Autodesk Maya in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Autodesk Maya’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 0.45% to 0.44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 49.5K.
  • 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, ZBrush fell from 6th to 7th among 3D modelling software worldwide.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Autodesk Maya worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 49.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Autodesk Maya’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.

Autodesk Maya

1 branded search term

  • autodesk maya

ZBrush

1 branded search term

  • zbrush

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among 3D modelling software

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free