Cinema 4D vs ZBrush:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, ZBrush had more branded searches than Cinema 4D among 3D modelling software worldwide. ZBrush had about 90,500 branded searches, while Cinema 4D had 74,000. ZBrush made up 0.81% of all 3D modelling software searches we track, and Cinema 4D accounted for 0.66%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D modelling software, ZBrush appeared in three of the five answers and Cinema 4D in two. ZBrush was mentioned before Cinema 4D in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
ZBrush, about 22% more searches than Cinema 4D
Who does AI mention more?
ZBrush, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Cinema 4D in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
ZBrush, named ahead of Cinema 4D in 3 of 3 answers
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Top 3D modelling software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and 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. Cinema 4D was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. ZBrush was listed before Cinema 4D in every answer 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- +1 more
Cinema 4D11th
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 Cinema 4D or ZBrush more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cinema 4D 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.
Share of searches by month for ZBrush, Cinema 4D. 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 Cinema 4D and ZBrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- ZBrush was ahead of Cinema 4D in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cinema 4D’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 0.55% to 0.66%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
- 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

In September 2026, Cinema 4D rose from 9th to 8th among 3D modelling software worldwide.

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 Cinema 4D’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.
Other head-to-heads among 3D modelling software

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