Blender or 3DS max: Which is the Best for Archviz in 2025?

The debate between Blender and 3ds Max continues to captivate the architectural visualization (archviz) community. In Oliver Higgins' latest video, he dives deep into the pros, cons, and real-world applications of these two industry-leading tools, helping you decide which software is the best fit for your career goals in 2025.

Blender has gained immense popularity, especially among freelancers, students, and small studios. Its open-source nature makes it free to use, with a vast library of plugins that cater to almost any creative need. Blender’s active community and abundance of free tutorials lower the barrier to entry, making it an excellent choice for those just starting or working on smaller-scale projects like furniture design, interior renders, or residential buildings.

However, Blender has its challenges. Its steep learning curve, hotkey-heavy interface, and struggles with handling large, complex scenes might be hurdles for some users, particularly those involved in large-scale projects.

For larger archviz firms tackling commercial skyscrapers and urban landscapes, 3ds Max remains the go-to software. Its robust capabilities for handling intricate and large-scale scenes, combined with the power of Chaos Corona renderer, make it ideal for high-detail, professional projects.

While 3ds Max offers a more straightforward learning experience, its significant licensing costs can be a drawback for independent artists or smaller studios. Moreover, free learning resources are limited compared to Blender’s expansive tutorial ecosystem.

The choice ultimately depends on your needs. If you aim to work in large archviz firms or handle commercial projects, mastering 3ds Max with Corona might be worth the investment. On the other hand, if you’re a freelancer, student, or work with smaller projects, Blender’s versatility and cost-effectiveness make it an outstanding option.

For a deeper dive into this comparison and practical advice on choosing the right tool, watch the full video on Oliver Higgins’ YouTube channel or in the player below.