Side by side
Blender vs MeshLab
Both stand on 3d modeling software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows
Blender brings a wide range of 3D and animation tools into one free, open-source desktop application. Its broad feature set and Python customization are useful for varied workflows, while GPL source-publication terms matter when distributing modified versions.
Visit Blender Free plan Open source APIiPhoneLinux+3
MeshLab offers mesh editing and processing tools for scan data, with listed exports for common 3D formats and a Python interface. Its scope is desktop mesh processing rather than real-time capture.
Visit MeshLabThe facts
| Blender | MeshLab | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Blender | MeshLab |
| Website | blender.org | meshlab.net |
| On 3d modeling software | #1 of 147 | #2 of 147 |
Blender: what it does well
- Free and open-source under the GNU GPL.
- Covers modeling, animation, rendering, and video editing.
- Cycles supports CPU and GPU rendering.
- Supports 2D drawing in a 3D viewport.
- Can run without installation or internet access.
What to know first
- Desktop platforms listed are Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Distributing modified versions requires publishing the source.
MeshLab: what it does well
- Free and open source under GPL 3.0.
- Tools cover mesh cleaning, repair, inspection, and texturing.
- Supports PTX point-cloud and range-map files.
- PyMeshLab can apply MeshLab filters to meshes.
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What to know first
- Real-time capture is not supported.
- Usage questions are directed to Stack Overflow.
- Bug reports are directed to GitHub.
Alternatives to Blender Alternatives to MeshLab The whole list