Looking for the best 3D video editing software in 2024? Whether you're a beginner seeking free 3D video editing apps or a professional needing advanced 3D video editors for PC, this comprehensive guide covers the top 10 tools. We'll compare features, pricing, and ease of use to help you choose the perfect 3D video maker for your projects. From industry-standard software like Blender to user-friendly options like Filmora, discover which 3D video editing software suits your needs and budget.
Best Free 3D Video Editing Software
1. Blender: Best Free 3D Video Editing Software
Blender is a leading 3D video editor and is preferred by many. This is an open-source 3D video editor and is free to use. This award-winning 3D animation tool is extremely popular within the animation creation communities. It works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you have any queries about how it works or want some advice on what else you can do, Blender has a massive community that is always willing to help you out. You can adjust the layouts, colors, font size, and more. It's a professional tool and is not recommended for novice 3D video makers.
Supported System: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Key Features
- Blender is an open-source video editing tool with tons of features.
- The edited videos are always of high quality.
- Keyframes, transitions, adjustment layers, and more.
- Completely free with no limitations or watermarks
- Professional-grade features rivaling expensive commercial software
- Active community support with extensive tutorials and resources
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Regular updates with cutting-edge 3D technology
- Complete 3D pipeline from modeling to final rendering
- No subscription fees or hidden costs
- Steep learning curve - not suitable for casual users
- Complex interface can overwhelm beginners
- Resource-intensive requiring powerful hardware
- Time investment required to master all features
- No official customer support (community-based only)
- Can be overkill for simple 3D video projects
- Complete 3D pipeline: modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering
- Professional-grade output quality rivaling expensive alternatives
- Advanced keyframes, transitions, and compositing tools
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and community resources
- Regular updates with cutting-edge 3D technology
2. Jahshaka Studio: Real-time 3D Animation Tool
Supported Systems: Linux and Windows
Jahshaka comes with multiple royalty-free assets and scenes. In addition, this open-source 3D video maker allows you to do 3D animation in real-time. This open-source software works seamlessly on Windows and Linux. You can download Jahshaka today and start making creative 3D films, animations, and VRs. This is an immersive 3D content creation tool with multiple features.
- Real-time 3D animation with instant preview
- Extensive royalty-free assets included
- Open-source and completely free
- VR content creation support
- User-friendly interface compared to other free options
- Good for immersive content creation
- Limited platform support (no macOS)
- Smaller community compared to Blender
- Less comprehensive than full 3D suites
- Development updates can be sporadic
- Limited advanced features for complex projects
- Fewer learning resources available online
- Real-time 3D animation and preview capabilities
- Extensive library of royalty-free 3D assets and scenes
- Character and avatar creation tools
- VR content creation support
- Intuitive playback and preview controls
Premium 3D Video Editing Software
Adobe Character Animator - Best for Character Animation
If you want to create animated characters based on someone's facial expressions and faces, Adobe Character Animator will be an ideal choice for you. Adobe Character Animator is designed to help users create professional 3D videos. You can use the webcam to use your face and facial expressions on the animated character. Not just this, you can even add voice lines to the animated videos, and that too in real-time. Adobe Character Animator will cost you $54.41/month.
- Real-time motion capture using standard webcams
- Adobe Creative Suite integration for seamless workflow
- Professional character animation capabilities
- Live streaming support for real-time performances
- Pre-designed character library for quick starts
- Regular updates and new features from Adobe
- Cloud sync and collaboration features
- Expensive subscription at $54.41/month
- Limited to character animation - not a full 3D suite
- Requires Creative Cloud subscription for full benefits
- High system requirements for optimal performance
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Subscription-only model - no one-time purchase
- Real-time facial motion capture using standard webcams
- Full-body animation with advanced puppet controls
- Live audio synchronization and voice line integration
- Pre-designed character library for quick starts
- Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Suite
Maxon Cinema 4D - Industry Standard 3D Solution
Maxon is a fantastic 3D video editor that allows users to quickly create a stunning 3D video. This powerful tool is easy to use, and the interface is petty intuitive. This is a Microsoft 3D movie maker, and you need to pay $149.00 per month if billed monthly, but if you choose the annual plan, you will pay $99.91 per month. Maxon is an ideal 3D movie maker for both professionals and novices. Some of the features you will get with Maxon are 3D animation, motion design, VFX, GPU rendering.
- Industry-standard software used by major studios
- Excellent motion graphics capabilities
- GPU-accelerated rendering for faster processing
- Intuitive interface compared to other professional tools
- Strong integration with After Effects and other tools
- Professional support and training available
- Regular updates with new features
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Very expensive at $149/month
- High learning curve for advanced features
- Requires powerful hardware for optimal performance
- Subscription-only pricing model
- Overkill for simple projects
- Complex licensing for teams and studios
- Advanced 3D modeling, animation, and rendering engine
- GPU-accelerated ProRender for faster processing
- Global illumination for photorealistic visuals
- Extensive motion graphics and VFX capabilities
- Professional workflow integration and collaboration tools
Autodesk MotionBuilder - Professional Animation Suite
Autodesk MotionBuilder is an intelligent and professional 3D video editor and maker that allows you to work on skeletal and facial animation. So, whether you want to create animated animals or characters, Autodesk MotionBuilder will let you do it all. The best part about MotionBuilder is that it allows you to create movements and actions in real-time. The only drawback of MotionBuilder is its price. It costs $1950 per year. So, if you don't have a budget issue and want to invest in a high-quality 3D video maker, go for it.
- Industry-leading motion capture tools
- Real-time character animation capabilities
- Professional skeletal animation system
- FBX format compatibility for seamless workflows
- Robust pipeline integration for studios
- Exceptional character rigging tools
- Professional support from Autodesk
- Extremely expensive at $1,950/year
- Very steep learning curve
- Limited to character animation - not for general 3D
- No macOS support
- Requires extensive training to use effectively
- Overkill for most users and projects
- Complex interface not suitable for beginners
- Real-time 3D engine optimized for character animation
- Advanced motion capture editing and cleanup tools
- FBX format compatibility for seamless data exchange
- Professional-grade skeletal animation system
- Interactive timeline and keyframe manipulation
Xara 3D Maker - User-Friendly 3D Graphics
Unlike the traditional 3D video editors, Xara 3D Maker makes things easy for you. It lets you create high-quality 3D graphics and tests. Whether you want to create a 3D video for a web page, movie, presentation, etc., with Xara 3D Maker, you will have no difficulty. You can do extrude, real-time positioning, pick an animation type, and more. The interface is easy to understand and comes with all the functionalities needed to create a 3D video. A free trial is available.
- Very user-friendly interface for beginners
- Over 700 professional templates included
- Quick results with minimal learning required
- Affordable pricing with free trial available
- Real-time preview and positioning
- Perfect for 3D text and logos
- Cross-platform support (Windows/Mac)
- Limited to basic 3D graphics - not full animation
- Fewer advanced features than professional tools
- Not suitable for complex 3D projects
- Template-dependent workflow may limit creativity
- Smaller user community and fewer resources
- Limited export options compared to competitors
- Over 700 professionally designed 3D templates
- Selective animation controls for objects or entire scenes
- Real-time 3D object manipulation and positioning
- Intuitive interface designed for non-technical users
- Quick export options for various media formats
Aurora 3D Animation Maker - Versatile 3D Creator
Aurora 3D Animation Maker is not a free 3D video maker and is fully equipped with multiple features that will let you create fantastic 3D videos without investing a lot of time. Whether you are a novice or a professional video maker, you will not face any difficulty in using Aurora 3D Animation Maker. The 3D graphics mode feature is fantastic because it lets you change the animation mode swiftly, meaning you can switch from 3D to 2D and vice versa. However, you will have to buy a license to use Aurora 3D Animation Maker. One license will cost you $69.95.
- One-time purchase - no subscription fees
- Affordable at $69.95 for lifetime license
- 2D/3D mode switching capability
- Good for beginners and professionals
- Multiple animation templates included
- Keyframe animation system
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Limited advanced features compared to professional tools
- Smaller user community and support
- Infrequent updates compared to subscription software
- Basic rendering capabilities
- Limited integration with other software
- Not suitable for complex projects
- Keyframe animation system for precise control
- Comprehensive library of animation templates
- Seamless 2D/3D mode switching capability
- Cost-effective one-time purchase pricing
- User-friendly interface suitable for all skill levels
Tipard Video Converter - 3D Conversion Specialist
Whether you have 3D animation editing knowledge or not, Tipard video converter will make things easy for you. This 3D animation editor is available for both Windows and Mac users, and for Mac, you get a 90-day money-back guarantee. It's essentially a video converter but comes with multiple video editing features, one of them being the 3D animation feature. The animated video that you will create can be converted to various formats. Once you download the software, you just need to select the 3D Master tool and get started. One month's license for Tipard video converter will cost you $28.00.
- Affordable at $28/month
- Multi-functional - converter + 3D editor
- 90-day money-back guarantee for Mac users
- User-friendly interface for beginners
- Good format conversion capabilities
- Basic 3D effects suitable for simple projects
- Limited advanced 3D features
- Primarily a converter - not a dedicated 3D editor
- Basic rendering quality compared to professional tools
- Limited customer support
- Fewer learning resources available
- Not suitable for complex 3D projects
- Integrated 3D Master tool for easy 3D video creation
- Comprehensive video format conversion capabilities
- Robust editing suite with effects and transitions
- 90-day money-back guarantee for Mac users
- Beginner-friendly interface with guided workflows
Vidmore Video Converter - Lightweight 3D Editor
Supported Systems: macOS and Windows
Vidmore Video Converter is available for $19.95 per month for one PC. It comes along with a multicore processor and can easily create 3D films. This is a lightweight video editing tool with standard features, such as effects, crop, rotate, trim, and much more. You can edit your favorite 3D video on the go and quickly save it in different video formats, such as MOV, MKV, MP4, etc.
- Very affordable at $19.95/month
- Lightweight and fast performance
- Multicore processor optimization
- Quality-preserving compression
- Support for popular formats
- Easy to use for beginners
- Good value for money
- Very basic 3D features
- Limited advanced editing tools
- Primarily a converter with basic editing
- No professional-grade features
- Limited customer support
- Not suitable for serious 3D work
- Multicore processor optimization for faster rendering
- Quality-preserving compression and editing
- Support for popular formats (MOV, MKV, MP4, etc.)
- Lightweight design with standard editing tools
- Cost-effective pricing for individual users
EaseFab 3D Video Converter - 2D to 3D Specialist
EaseFab 3D video converter allows you to make 3D video from 2D video easily. All you need to do is upload the source 2D video, and then choose the 3D output format to start the conversion. This video converter can convert almost all popular formats to 5 types of 3D videos, including Anaglyph(Red/Cyan), Side by Side, Side by Side (half-width), Top and Bottom, and Top and Bottom (half-height).
- Specialized 2D to 3D conversion
- Multiple 3D output formats (5 types)
- Apple device compatibility
- Bidirectional conversion (3D to 2D also)
- Simple workflow for conversion tasks
- Good for repurposing content
- Very limited functionality - conversion only
- No true 3D creation capabilities
- Basic conversion quality
- Limited editing features
- Niche use case - not versatile
- No advanced 3D effects
- Comprehensive 2D to 3D video conversion capabilities
- Support for 5 different 3D output formats
- Compatibility with Apple devices and multimedia players
- Bidirectional conversion (3D to 2D also supported)
- Simple workflow optimized for conversion tasks
So, these are the ten best 3D video makers that you can try. All of them come with unique features, and each one of them allows you to work on 3D videos without any hassle.
3D Video Editing Software Comparison
| 3D Video Editor | Price | Skill Level | Best For | Platform | Main Advantage | Main Drawback | Rating |
| Blender | Free | Advanced | Professional 3D Animation | Win/Mac/Linux | Complete professional suite for free | Steep learning curve | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Adobe Character Animator | $54.41/month | Intermediate | Character Animation | Win/Mac | Real-time motion capture | Expensive subscription | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Maxon Cinema 4D | $149/month | Professional | Motion Graphics/VFX | Win/Mac/Linux | Industry standard software | Very expensive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Autodesk MotionBuilder | $1,950/year | Expert | Character Animation | Win/Linux | Best motion capture tools | Extremely expensive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Xara 3D Maker | Trial Available | Beginner | 3D Graphics/Text | Win/Mac | Very user-friendly | Limited to basic graphics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aurora 3D Animation | $69.95 (lifetime) | Intermediate | General 3D Animation | Win/Mac | One-time purchase | Limited advanced features | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tipard Video Converter | $28/month | Beginner | 3D Conversion | Win/Mac | Multi-functional tool | Basic 3D capabilities | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Jahshaka | Free | Intermediate | Real-time 3D | Win/Linux | Real-time animation | Limited platform support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Vidmore Video Converter | $19.95/month | Beginner | Basic 3D Effects | Win/Mac | Very affordable | Very basic features | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| EaseFab 3D Converter | Varies | Beginner | 2D to 3D Conversion | Win/Mac | Specialized conversion | Limited functionality | ⭐⭐ |
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Conclusion
These ten best 3D video editing software options represent the current landscape of 3D content creation tools. Each brings unique strengths to different aspects of 3D video editing, from Blender's comprehensive free solution to specialized tools like Adobe Character Animator. Whether you're starting your journey in 3D video editing or looking to upgrade your current workflow, this guide provides the information needed to make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Video Editing
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What is the best free 3D video editing software?
Blender is universally recognized as the best free 3D video editing software, offering professional-grade features including modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing. Its comprehensive toolset rivals expensive commercial alternatives, making it the top choice for budget-conscious creators serious about 3D video editing. -
Can I edit 3D videos on PC for free?
Yes, several excellent free 3D video editors for PC exist. Blender leads the pack with professional capabilities, while Jahshaka offers real-time 3D animation features. Both provide powerful 3D video editing capabilities without cost, though they require time investment to master. -
What's the easiest 3D video editing app for beginners?
For absolute beginners, Xara 3D Maker offers a gentle learning curve with 700+ templates, while Tipard Video Converter provides affordable access to basic 3D video editing features. -
How much does professional 3D video editing software cost?
Professional 3D video editing software pricing varies: free options like Blender offer complete professional suites, mid-range tools cost $20–100/month (Adobe Character Animator), while enterprise solutions like Autodesk MotionBuilder reach $1,950/year. The right choice depends on your budget and editing needs. -
Do I need special hardware for 3D video editing?
Yes, 3D video editing is hardware-intensive. Minimum requirements include 16GB RAM, a dedicated graphics card (GTX 1060 or better), and SSD storage. More powerful hardware significantly improves performance, especially for rendering complex scenes and real-time previews. -
Can I use these tools for VR and 360-degree video editing?
Yes. Blender offers comprehensive VR/360 capabilities, Jahshaka specializes in immersive content, and pro tools like Cinema 4D include VR workflow integration. These tools provide all features needed for VR-focused 3D video editing and immersive experiences. -
Which 3D video editing software works best with YouTube and social media?
For social media content, Adobe Character Animator works well for engaging character-based social content. -
Should I choose subscription-based or one-time purchase 3D video editing software?
This depends on your budget and needs. Subscription tools like Adobe Character Animator and Cinema 4D provide updates and cloud features. One-time purchases like Aurora 3D Animation Maker ($69.95) offer long-term value. Free options like Blender eliminate costs entirely while offering pro-level capabilities.
