# Cinema 4D, LightWave 3D, Modo vs Maya Comparison | | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 3.9 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 136 | 29 | 86 | 267 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (72.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (78.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (74.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (61.8% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | £74.00 1 Users Per Month | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Cinema 4D Pros: - Animation (3 reviews) - Animation Quality (3 reviews) Cons: - Difficult Learning (2 reviews) - Performance Issues (2 reviews) ### LightWave 3D **Not enough data** ### Modo **Not enough data** ### Maya Pros: - 3D Modeling (1 reviews) - Ease of Use (1 reviews) Cons: - Crashes (1 reviews) - Software Bugs (1 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (125 reviews) | 7.6 (27 reviews) | 8.1 (73 reviews) | 8.8 (228 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (126 reviews) | 7.4 (27 reviews) | 8.1 (73 reviews) | 7.0 (228 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (11 reviews) | 8.8 (35 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.2 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (10 reviews) | 8.5 (25 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (105 reviews) | 6.9 (25 reviews) | 8.4 (66 reviews) | 7.8 (200 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 8.7 (27 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.5 (125 reviews) | 6.5 (27 reviews) | 7.3 (73 reviews) | 8.1 (223 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Cinema 4D #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial Yes ### LightWave 3D #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Modo #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Monthly Subscription Price: £74.00 1 Users Per Month Description: Month-by-month subscription with no contract. Key Features: - Access to new product releases and features - Continued Support [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/modo/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### Maya #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### 3D Modeling | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cinema 4D** | 8.2/10 | 35 | | **LightWave 3D** | N/A | N/A | | **Modo** | 7.3/10 | 24 | | **Maya** | 8.0/10 | 100 | #### Design | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Sculpting** | 7.8 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 6.0 (20 reviews) | 7.5 (91 reviews) | | **Topology** | 7.7 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (21 reviews) | 8.7 (89 reviews) | | **Drawing** | 7.2 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | 5.6 (18 reviews) | 7.0 (83 reviews) | | **Brush Variety ** | 6.5 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 5.1 (20 reviews) | 7.2 (84 reviews) | | **Effects** | 9.0 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (19 reviews) | 8.3 (87 reviews) | #### Move | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Animate** | 9.3 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.3 (19 reviews) | 9.1 (86 reviews) | | **Render** | 8.9 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (21 reviews) | 9.0 (90 reviews) | | **Views** | 9.2 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.8 (21 reviews) | 8.7 (86 reviews) | #### Store & Manage | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Pipeline ** | 8.4 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (20 reviews) | 8.8 (87 reviews) | | **Controls** | 8.2 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.4 (21 reviews) | 8.5 (85 reviews) | | **Template library ** | 7.8 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.2 (22 reviews) | 7.3 (81 reviews) | #### Generative AI | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.7 (40 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.1 (41 reviews) | ### Architectural Rendering | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cinema 4D** | 8.6/10 | 5 | | **LightWave 3D** | N/A | N/A | | **Modo** | 7.4/10 | 11 | | **Maya** | N/A | N/A | #### Library | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Objects** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 5.6 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Materials** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 6.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Rendering | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Textures** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Shading** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Lighting** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Exterior Rendering** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Aerial Rendering** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.8 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Atmospheric rendering** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 6.7 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Integrations | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **BIM Integration** | 6.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **3D Rendering Integration** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 7.7 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Generative AI | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### 3D Rendering | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cinema 4D** | N/A | N/A | | **LightWave 3D** | N/A | N/A | | **Modo** | N/A | N/A | | **Maya** | 6.7/10 | 32 | #### Generative AI | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.7 (29 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-Video** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.4 (29 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.1 (30 reviews) | ### Animation | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cinema 4D** | N/A | N/A | | **LightWave 3D** | N/A | N/A | | **Modo** | N/A | N/A | | **Maya** | 7.4/10 | 41 | #### Generative AI | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **AI Image-to-Text** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.9 (36 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (38 reviews) | #### Agentic AI - Animation | Feature | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (3):** [Animation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/animation), [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling), [3D Rendering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-rendering) **Unique to Cinema 4D (1):** [Architectural Rendering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/architectural-rendering) **Unique to Modo (1):** [Architectural Rendering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/architectural-rendering) **Unique to Maya (1):** [Virtual Reality (VR) Game Engines](https://www.g2.com/categories/vr-game-engine) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Cinema 4D | LightWave 3D | Modo | Maya | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 72.6% | 78.6% | 74.7% | 61.8% | | **Mid-Market** | 14.8% | 14.3% | 18.1% | 23.2% | | **Enterprise** | 12.6% | 7.1% | 7.2% | 15.1% | ### By Industry #### Cinema 4D - **Design:** 21.3% - **Animation:** 11.8% - **Graphic Design:** 10.3% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 8.8% - **Media Production:** 7.4% - **Entertainment:** 4.4% - **Architecture & Planning:** 3.7% - **Broadcast Media:** 3.7% - **Information Technology and Services:** 2.9% - **Computer Games:** 2.9% - **Other:** 22.8% #### LightWave 3D - **Animation:** 32.1% - **Design:** 14.3% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 7.1% - **Graphic Design:** 7.1% - **Publishing:** 3.6% - **Newspapers:** 3.6% - **Media Production:** 3.6% - **Management Consulting:** 3.6% - **Machinery:** 3.6% - **Information Technology and Services:** 3.6% - **Other:** 17.9% #### Modo - **Design:** 21.7% - **Computer Games:** 9.6% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 9.6% - **Animation:** 8.4% - **Graphic Design:** 7.2% - **Architecture & Planning:** 6.0% - **Higher Education:** 4.8% - **Fine Art:** 3.6% - **Apparel & Fashion:** 3.6% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 2.4% - **Other:** 22.9% #### Maya - **Animation:** 16.6% - **Computer Games:** 13.1% - **Design:** 6.9% - **Motion Pictures and Film:** 6.9% - **Entertainment:** 6.2% - **Higher Education:** 5.0% - **Information Technology and Services:** 4.2% - **Architecture & Planning:** 3.1% - **Computer Software:** 3.1% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.1% - **Other:** 31.7% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Cinema 4D - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews) - [3ds Max Design](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (280 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Enscape 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/enscape-3d/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (415 reviews) - [V-Ray](https://www.g2.com/products/v-ray/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (221 reviews) - [Artlantis](https://www.g2.com/products/artlantis/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (16 reviews) - [KeyShot](https://www.g2.com/products/keyshot/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (181 reviews) - [D5 Render](https://www.g2.com/products/d5-render/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (1044 reviews) - [Lumion Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/lumion-pro/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (109 reviews) ### Alternatives to LightWave 3D - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [3ds Max Design](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (280 reviews) - [Houdini](https://www.g2.com/products/houdini/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (35 reviews) - [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews) - [KeyShot](https://www.g2.com/products/keyshot/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (181 reviews) - [ZBrush](https://www.g2.com/products/zbrush/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (104 reviews) - [V-Ray](https://www.g2.com/products/v-ray/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (221 reviews) - [Enscape 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/enscape-3d/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (415 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Animaker](https://www.g2.com/products/animaker/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1037 reviews) ### Alternatives to Modo - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [3ds Max Design](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (280 reviews) - [KeyShot](https://www.g2.com/products/keyshot/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (181 reviews) - [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews) - [ZBrush](https://www.g2.com/products/zbrush/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (104 reviews) - [Houdini](https://www.g2.com/products/houdini/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (35 reviews) - [3D Coat](https://www.g2.com/products/3d-coat/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (21 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [D5 Render](https://www.g2.com/products/d5-render/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (1044 reviews) - [Enscape 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/enscape-3d/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (415 reviews) ### Alternatives to Maya - [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews) - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [KeyShot](https://www.g2.com/products/keyshot/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (181 reviews) - [ZBrush](https://www.g2.com/products/zbrush/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (104 reviews) - [Adobe Dimension](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-dimension/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (72 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Adobe After Effects](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-after-effects/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1087 reviews) - [Substance Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/substance-designer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (56 reviews) - [Houdini](https://www.g2.com/products/houdini/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (35 reviews) - [3D Coat](https://www.g2.com/products/3d-coat/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (21 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Cinema 4D - Title: [how i use this app?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/31247-how-i-use-this-app) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "how i download this? " - Title: [LIGHT OF THE LORD](https://www.g2.com/discussions/31720-light-of-the-lord) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "MEDIA " ### LightWave 3D No discussions available for this product. ### Modo - Title: [Hwo do i go back and edit the fusion item after converring the mesh fusion item?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/50604-hwo-do-i-go-back-and-edit-the-fusion-item-after-converring-the-mesh-fusion-item) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Hi Cristian, Sorry, you're having issues, I've reported the issue to our support team. If you'd like to also submit a ticket through the support portal..." - Title: [how to accurately convert fusionsurface to polygonsurface?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/36915-how-to-accurately-convert-fusionsurface-to-polygonsurface) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Hi Mohammad, Thanks for your post, check out our Mesh Fusion documentation..." ### Maya - Title: [Is Maya free to use?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-maya-free-to-use) — 6 comments > **Top comment:** "NO" - Title: [What is new in Maya?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-new-in-maya) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Its a software of Autodesk, used for 3D modelling, rendering and animation" - Title: [What studios use Maya?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-studios-use-maya) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "MPC" - Title: [What does Maya software do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-maya-software-do) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "While it's understandable that many of us prefer to do the work ourselves, when you have more tasks or responsibilities you start to define your time..." - Title: [laraib](https://www.g2.com/discussions/49923-laraib) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "You need assistance and support to run a successful and high-quality business, which will undoubtedly boost your sales and team performance. In these..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cinema-4d-vs-lightwave-3d-vs-modo-vs-maya)