Some of the best Arnold GPU render farms worth considering in 2025
Discover the top best Arnold GPU render farms for your projects!
This article provides an essential overview of Arnold, explains why using a render farm is beneficial, especially for Arnold GPU, and highlights some of the best Arnold GPU render farms available today. We will look at whether these farms fully support the latest Arnold versions, how well they integrate with popular 3D software, and what artists should consider when choosing the right platform for their workflow.
Table of Contents
What is Arnold?
Arnold is a highly advanced Monte Carlo ray-tracing renderer engineered to meet the heavy demands of feature-length animation and blockbuster-level visual effects. As one of the industry’s most trusted rendering solutions, Arnold has become a go-to tool for studios worldwide thanks to its stability, physically accurate lighting system, and ability to produce stunning realism across a wide range of creative projects.
From lifelike 3D characters and cinematic environments to design visualization and game assets, Arnold consistently delivers high-quality, photorealistic results. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to artists across different pipelines and operating systems.
One of Arnold’s biggest advantages is its flexibility in rendering modes. Autodesk offers two key paths: Arnold (CPU) and Arnold GPU. While traditional Arnold relies on CPU rendering, Arnold GPU, first introduced in version 5.3, allows users to tap into the massive parallel computing power of modern GPUs, or even combine CPU and GPU resources depending on their setup. This seamless switching between modes makes it easier for artists to balance speed, hardware availability, and production requirements.
Arnold also integrates brilliantly with major 3D applications, including 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Katana, and Maya, along with historical support for Softimage (up to SItoA 4.0.0). Whether you are building complex FX scenes, crafting character shots, or handling large-scale environmental renders, Arnold’s compatibility ensures a smooth and stable production workflow.
Why use a render farm for Arnold GPU?
A render farm is a network of high-performance machines working together to accelerate the rendering of images, sequences, or full animations. In the rendering world, there are two main types of platforms to choose from: SaaS (render-farm-as-a-service) and IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service). Each comes with its own workflow, pricing model, and level of control. This is something we have explored in detail in our previous overview of render farm types, including how to choose the most suitable platform for your specific project (SaaS vs IaaS render farm: which is better for rendering your projects).
While Arnold can run on both CPU and GPU, GPU rendering especially benefits from powerful hardware. Modern GPUs can render significantly faster than CPUs thanks to their architecture, but high-end GPUs such as the NVIDIA RTX series are expensive and not always readily available, especially if your project needs multiple GPUs running in parallel.
For complex scenes with heavy lighting, dense geometry, volumetrics, hair, or long animation sequences, a single GPU workstation simply may not be enough. Deadlines tighten, scenes get heavier, and artists need reliable performance without compromising quality. This is where a render farm becomes an invaluable solution.
Using a render farm for Arnold GPU allows you to:
- Scale rendering power instantly without investing in expensive hardware.
- Speed up turnaround times for large or urgent projects.
- Access top-tier GPU models, often much more powerful than standard studio or personal setups.
- Run multiple shots or iterations at once, improving efficiency and creative flexibility.
- Ensure stable performance, even with the latest Arnold GPU versions and plugins.
In short, while Arnold GPU delivers impressive speed and quality on its own, pairing it with a reliable render farm unlocks its full potential, helping artists produce high-quality results faster, more efficiently, and without hardware limitations.
Some of the best Arnold GPU render farms worth considering in 2025
This list is not a ranking. We only introduce them in alphabetical order. We will try to list the version of Arnold they support, the 3D software and other plugins you can use, and some advantages and disadvantages.
You should get used to the call of Arnold for each of these software:
- MAXtoA is the plugin for Autodesk 3ds Max, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in 3ds Max.
- C4DtoA is the plugin for Maxon Cinema 4D, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in Cinema 4D.
- HtoA is the plugin for SideFX Houdini, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in Houdini.
- KtoA is the plugin for Foundry Katana, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in Katana.
- MtoA is the plugin for Autodesk Maya, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in Maya.
- SItoA is the plugin for Softimage, which allows you to use the Arnold renderer directly in Softimage.
Fox Renderfarm
Fox Renderfarm is from China, established in 2009. It’s a well-known render farm which is the choice of many 3D artists and is the service for many hits and blockbusters. The approach is still SaaS, but you will proceed with the render on their website.
- Hardware: 16 cores (hyperthreading available), 64-128 GB RAM
- Pricing: free trial $25 credits, with a discount for students. Price starts at $0.0306 per core per hour.
- Arnold support: Because of its approach as SaaS, you will need to check if their Arnold version and 3D software match yours. Below is the list we have collected:
| Arnold version | 3D Software |
| MAXtoA 1.x-2.x-3.x MAXtoA 2.2.961 / 4.0.2.24 MAXtoA 2.4.43 / 3.2.660 / 4.x MAXtoA 4.x MAXtoA 4.3.3.21 / 5.0.4.4 MAXtoA 5.x MAXtoA 5.x MAXtoA 5.x MAXtoA 5.8 | 3ds Max 2018 3ds Max 2019 3ds Max 2020 3ds Max 2021 3ds Max 2022 3ds Max 2023 3ds Max 2024 3ds Max 2025 3ds Max 2026 |
| C4DtoA 2.0.x C4DtoA 2.0.x C4DtoA 2.x C4DtoA 2.x C4DtoA 2.x – 3.x C4DtoA 3.x – 4.x C4DtoA 3.x – 4.0.0.1 C4DtoA 3.x – 4.x C4DtoA 3.x – 4.x C4DtoA 3.x – 4.x C4DtoA 4.x C4DtoA 4.x C4DtoA 4.x C4DtoA 4.x C4DtoA 4.8.4.1 | Cinema 4D R16 Cinema 4D R17 Cinema 4D R18 Cinema 4D R19 Cinema 4D R20 Cinema 4D R21 Cinema 4D R22 Cinema 4D R23 Cinema 4D R24 Cinema 4D R25 Cinema 4D R26 Cinema 4D 2023 Cinema 4D 2024 Cinema 4D 2025 Cinema 4D 2026 |
| MtoA 1.2.3.4 MtoA 1.x – 2.0.1 MtoA 1.x – 2.x – 3.x MtoA 1.x – 2.x – 3.x MtoA 1.x – 2.x – 3.x MtoA 2.x – 3.x – 4.x MtoA 3.x – 4.x – 5.x MtoA 4.x – 5.x MtoA 4.2.x – 5.x MtoA 5.x MtoA 5.x MtoA 5.x MtoA 5.x | Maya 2014 Maya 2015 Maya 2016 Maya 2016.5 Maya 2017 Maya 2018 Maya 2019 Maya 2020 Maya 2022 Maya 2023 Maya 2024 Maya 2025 Maya 2026 |
| HtoA 4.4.x – 5.x HtoA 5.x HtoA 5.x – 6.0.x HtoA 6.x HtoA 6.x HtoA 6.x HtoA 6.4 HtoA 6.x | Houdini 17.5 Houdini 18 Houdini 18.5 Houdini 19 Houdini 19.5 Houdini 20 Houdini 21 Houdini 20.5 |
Note:
- Have the Fox Renderfarm Desktop app, which you can use on your own PC and don’t need to go to their website. You can easily see which version of Arnold they support, which plugins they have and some software like above.
- Support many versions of Arnold
- Lacking support for Arnold for Softimage, Katana
- Only Windows and Linux are supported
GridMarkets
GridMarkets is a render farm from America, established in 2011. It keeps a low profile with more than 5.000 users from more than 110 countries around the world. However, the support for big 3D software and render engines is superb. It’s a SaaS platform, where you need to download their plugin and integrate it into your software, then send your files through their plugin and get back the rendered images.
- Hardware: minimum machine configuration is 12 cores (24 threads) at 3+ GHz with 64 GB RAM. GPUs are Tesla P100 and Tesla V100.
- Pricing: free trial $20 for new users. Pricing starts at $1.05 for On Demand, $707 for Daily Plan and $500/month for Subscription.
- Arnold support:
| Arnold version | 3D software |
| Arnold 5.4.3 Arnold 5.5.5 | Maya 2023 Maya 2024-2025-2026 |
| Arnold 4.7.10 Arnold 4.7.10 | Cinema 4D 2024.4.0 Cinema 4D 2025.3.3 |
| Arnold 6.x | Houdini 18-19-20-20.5 Houdini 18.x-19.0.x |
| Arnold 5.2.0.46 | 3ds Max 2021 / 2022 / 2024 |
Note:
- Support many versions of Arnold for Houdini, other 3D software have limited support
- Windows, MAC and Linux supported
- Lacking support for software like Softimage, Katana
iRender Render Farm
iRender – a cloud render farm from Vietnam is one of the best Arnold GPU render farms, established in 2019. Of all the render farms in the list, its approach and development are really impressive.
The platform of iRender is IaaS, which means you can control and use their remote servers as your own computer. Therefore, you can install any version of Arnold GPU (which runs on Windows 10 and 11), and any software and plugins.
- Hardware: RTX 4090 GPU, AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3955WX or AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5975WX CPU
- Pricing: pricing starts at $8.2/hour/node to $52/hour/node. 100% bonus for new users’ first deposit and 50% bonus for students and educational purposes.
- Arnold support:
| Arnold version | 3D software |
| Arnold (all versions that can install on Windows 10-11 and Linux) | 3ds Max Cinema 4D Houdini Katana Maya Softimage |
Note:
- Support all 3D software for Arnold
- Support all plugins
- Support Linux remote server
- No macOS remote server. You will need to use your macOS to connect to their Windows or Linux OS remote server for using
- Need to install your app and transfer your license to their servers.
Ranch Computing
Ranch is a company in France that provides high-performance 3d rendering service. It’s a well-established farm which has a long history of 15 years in this industry. They provide a SaaS platform, with a plugin integrated to your 3d software called RANCHecker and a plugin called RANCHSync to synchronize your data. It will help you to check if your project is okay and upload/download your project. If it’s okay, it will upload through RANCHecker. Then it’s their job to render for you and notify you when it’s done, and you can download the results from RANCHSync.
- Hardware: Up to 192 CPUs or 56 GPUs, 128 or 156 GB RAM
- Pricing: Pricing starts at $0.011-$0.047/hour. Free trials $36, and you need to apply for them.
- Arnold support: Ranch supports some versions of Arnold (both CPU and GPU), along with a number of 3D software and plugins.
| Arnold version | 3D Software |
| MAXtoA 5.2.0.46 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.5.2.11 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.6.6.4 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.7.8.1 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.8.3.2 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.8.3.2 (both CPU and GPU) MAXtoA 5.8.3.2 (both CPU and GPU) | 3ds Max 2020 3ds Max 2021 3ds Max 2022 3ds Max 2023 3ds Max 2024 3ds Max 2025 3ds Max 2026 |
| C4DtoA 3.3.3 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.3.1 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.6.4.2 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.6.8 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.6.8 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.8.3.2 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.8.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.8.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) C4DtoA 4.8.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) | Cinema 4D R20 Cinema 4D R21 Cinema 4D R24 Cinema 4D R25 Cinema 4D R26 Cinema 4D 2023 Cinema 4D 2024 Cinema 4D 2025 Cinema 4D 2026 |
| MtoA 4.2.1.1 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 4.2.4 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.2.2.3 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.5.5.3 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.4.8.1 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.5.4.2 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.5.4.2 (both CPU and GPU) MtoA 5.5.4.2 (both CPU and GPU) | Maya 2018 Maya 2019 Maya 2020 Maya 2022 Maya 2023 Maya 2024 Maya 2025 Maya 2026 |
| HtoA 6.3.2.2 (both CPU and GPU) HtoA 6.4.3.1 (both CPU and GPU) HtoA 6.4.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) No No HtoA 6.4.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) HtoA 6.4.4.1 (both CPU and GPU) | Houdini 19.0.720 Houdini 19.5.805 Houdini 20.0.896 Houdini 20.5.445 Houdini 20.5.584 Houdini 21.0.440 Houdini 20.5.684 |
Note:
- Support both Arnold and Arnold GPU
- Easy to use
- Support a limited version of Arnold
- Lacking support for Softimage, Katana
- Obscure information about hardware
Final words
As we’ve explored, popular 3D applications such as 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and Maya enjoy broad render farm support, making it easy for most artists to find a platform that fits their needs. However, if your pipeline involves Houdini, Katana, or Softimage paired with Arnold, your options become more limited. Therefore, choosing the right farm requires a bit more attention.
We hope this article has given you a clearer picture of which Arnold GPU render farms are worth considering and what factors truly matter when making your decision. If you’re rendering with Arnold GPU, solutions like iRender or GridMarkets can offer the powerful performance and flexibility you need. And no matter which provider you choose, always double-check plugin compatibility; in this regard, farms like Fox Render Farm, iRender, and Ranch Computing tend to offer broader plugin support and smoother integration.
Ultimately, the best render farms is the one that aligns with your workflow, software, plugins, and deadline. With the right choice, you can fully unlock the speed, efficiency, and rendering quality that Arnold GPU is known for, bringing your projects to life faster and with greater confidence.
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