Autodesk Maya
Claim this toolIndustry-standard 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software.
Free plan available Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
- Price
- Free plan available. Compare plans
Key facts
- Professional 3D modeling and animation software.
- Industry-standard for film, TV, and games.
- Comprehensive tools for all stages of 3D production.
Pros
- Industry-standard with extensive community support and tutorials.
- Extremely powerful and versatile for complex 3D projects.
- Excellent animation and rigging tools.
- High-quality rendering with Arnold.
- Highly customizable and extensible through scripting.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware.
- High subscription cost.
What is Autodesk Maya?
Ratings Across the Web
Autodesk Maya holds an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 305 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
- 3D Modeling (NURBS, Polygons, Subdivision Surfaces)
- Character Rigging and Skinning
- Keyframe and Procedural Animation
- Dynamics and Effects (Fluids, Cloth, Hair, Particles)
- UV Mapping and Texturing
- Integrated Arnold Renderer
- Motion Graphics Tools (MASH)
- Scripting (MEL and Python)
Pricing
Autodesk Maya offers a generous free tier with optional paid upgrades for advanced features.
Autodesk Maya by the numbers
| Metric | Autodesk Maya | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | 67% have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 1 tool | 2 | #52 of 88 (joint) |
| User rating | 4.4/5 (across the web, 305 ratings) | 4.4/5 | #16 of 37 (joint) tools with 20+ reviews |
| Compare-page visits, last 30 days | 30 visits | 37 | #30 of 50 tools with 20+ compare-page visits |
Listed as an alternative to: #53 on 2026-10-16 to #52 on 2026-11-03 (rank among 88 tools, 1 is best).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All 3D Design data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Autodesk Maya by the numbers”, Nov 2026.
Reviews
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Across 305 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra
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Autodesk Maya FAQ
How does Autodesk Maya facilitate professional animation workflows?
Which teams benefit most from using Autodesk Maya?
How is Autodesk Maya priced?
What kind of hardware is recommended for optimal performance with Autodesk Maya?
How does Autodesk Maya compare to Blender for 3D modeling and animation?
Can users customize and extend the functionality of Autodesk Maya?
Does Autodesk Maya include tools for high-quality rendering?
Source: autodesk.com