Top 7 best 3D GPU rendering software

In this article, VFXRendering gathers a list of the best 3D GPU rendering software for you.

What is 3D GPU rendering software?

3D rendering is the final step in the creation of 3D graphics, in which we take the boring and raw 3D models and bring them to life. This last step is completed with the assistance of 3D rendering software. At first, 3D rendering is done by the processors (CPU) of the PC. However, the advent of 3D GPU rendering significantly accelerated the previously slow CPU-based rendering processes.

There are many types of 3D GPU rendering software. Which render engine should you choose then? Of course, Certain factors can influence your choice. But we think the choice mostly depends on your work, whether you create 3D CAD, architectural visualization, character design, physical simulation, visual effects, etc.

So, in this article, VFXRendering discovers several renderers and compiles the best 3D GPU rendering software for you. 

Top 7 best 3D GPU rendering software

Redshift

Redshift is a strong GPU-based render engine. It is designed to accommodate creative individuals and studios of all sizes, and it connects with industry-standard CG tools. More importantly, Redshift provides all of the functionality and quality of a CPU renderer, but at GPU rendering speeds. It, unlike other GPU renderers, is a biased renderer that allows the user to alter the quality of various approaches to achieve optimal performance and quality balance for their project. That is why Redshift suits the unique requirements of modern high-end production rendering.

• Support multiple GPUs.
• Hardware compatibility: Redshift was developed initially for PC and NVIDIA GPUs. Now Redshift can run on macOS and Apple/AMD GPUs.
• Software compatibility: Redshift supports the industry’s most popular 3D applications: Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Katana, Houdini, and Zbrush.
• Price: now only available in the subscription. $264 per year or $45 per month for individuals.

Image: Chuvilin Vitaliy

OctaneRender

OctaneRender is a 3D GPU rendering software that is fast, unbiased, and spectrally accurate. It outperforms any production render engine on the market in terms of quality and speed. Their creator, Otoy, is proud of their cutting-edge graphics innovations. OctaneRender features breakthrough machine learning improvements, out-of-core geometry support, enormous 10-100x scene graph speed benefits, and RTX raytracing GPU hardware acceleration. What’s more, this RTX hardware acceleration feature of Octane enhances the render speed of NVIDIA raytracing GPUs with multi-GPU capabilities by 2-5 times. The more complex scenes, the faster the RTX acceleration.

• Support multiple GPUs.
• Hardware compatibility: Octane was originally only available on PC with NVIDIA GPUs. It then was made compatible with Apple and can now be run on AMD Vega and Navi GPUs. 
• Software compatibility: Octane supports a variety of 3D applications: Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, After Effects, Daz 3D, Lightwave, Modo, Nuke, Rhinoceros, Sketchup, Unity, Unreal Engine, and many more.
• Price: now only available in one OctaneRender Studio+ subscription. €239.88 per year or €23.95 per month.

Vray GPU

V-Ray GPU is a complete 3D GPU rendering software that provides rapid, lifelike images as well as real-time feedback. V-Ray GPU optimizes interaction performance by utilizing all of your GPUs and/or CPUs while producing equal results.

What is advantageous about Vray GPU? That is you are able to use GPU fast speeds on your local workstation and then render on CPUs in your render farm. The quality will be the same no matter the hardware configuration. Flexible!

• Support multiple GPUs.
• Hardware compatibility: Vray GPU is compatible with pretty much any system that its host application works. Both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs.
• Software compatibility: Vray GPU supports many industry standard 3D applications: Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Sketchup, Rhinoceros, Revit, Nuke, and Unreal Engine.
• Price: available in the subscription. A fixed license costs $466.80 per year or $77.90 per month. A floating license costs $694.80 per year or 114.90 per month. There are some other pricing plans available such as enterprise, educational, or 3-year plans.

Image: Sherwood Pomegranate TVC by Dabarti

Arnold GPU

Autodesk Arnold is a robust Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer. It is used to create realistic 3D people, lifelike designs, and complicated sceneries for movies and television, games, and visualization projects. This renderer lets you control the software using simple and easy interfaces. You can create professional-quality renders while maintaining complete artistic control. Moreover, you are capable of getting immediate results with interactive rendering.

Thanks to its powerful capability, Arnold is widely used by 3D modelers, animators, lighting artists, and FX artists across the film, TV, games, and design visualization industries.

• Support multiple GPUs.
• Hardware compatibility: Arnold can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, Arnold GPU can only use NVIDIA GPUs.
• Software compatibility: Arnold GPU supports these five industry-standard 3D applications: Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Houdini, and Katana.
• Price: only available in the subscription. $50 per month, $400 per year and $1200 per 3 years for a single-user subscription.

Image: Dusan Kovic

Cycles (Blender)

Cycles, which is developed by the Blender project, is a physically based production render engine. This rendering engine is open source, highly interactive, and be frequently updated, maintained just the same as other Blender software. Furthermore, it has an impressive array of rendering options, some of which include powerful subsurface-scattering, accurate PBR shading nodes, and vector displacement and adaptive subdivision solutions. They allow Blender users to produce realistic renderings with physically accurate illumination and calculations.

• Support multiple GPUs.
• Hardware compatibility: Cycles is a cross-platform 3D GPU rendering software. It is available on Windows, Linux and macOS and works on NVIDIA, AMD, Intel and Apple Silicon GPUs.
• Software compatibility: Cycles is a Blender’s built-in render engine. In addition, you can use Cycles rendering engine in Cinema 4D through a bridge called Cycles 4D.
• Price: Free.

Image: E-Cycles Render Engine

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a free and powerful 3D creative platform that enables artists to produce photorealistic images and immersive experiences in real-time. Though Unreal’s original goal is an advanced game engine, its developers have extended it. Therefore, Unreal Engine now gives creators across industries the freedom and control to create advanced content, engaging experiences, and vivid virtual worlds.

• Support one GPU.
• Hardware compatibility: You can run Unreal Engine on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This 3D rendering software works with both NVIDIA and AMD cards.
• Price: Free. 5% royalty if the lifetime gross revenue from that product exceeds $1 million USD.

Image: Unreal Engine

Lumion

Lumion is a full-featured 3D GPU rendering software designed for architects and designers. They use Lumion for various purposes: architectural design, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning and 3D rendering. What benefit can Lumion give you?

– You can quickly convert any 3D model into an experience so that others can see and feel.

– Lumion integrates smoothly into your workflow, regardless of the CAD or 3D modeling software you use.

– Lumion’s quick rendering speed allows you to add visualizations at any stage, from the initial design evaluation to the large client presentation. As a result, it creates a visual foundation that helps everyone feel committed.

• Support one GPU.
• Hardware compatibility: Lumion works on Windows only, and works with both NVIDIA and AMD cards.
• Software compatibility: Lumion is compatible with SketchUp, Revit, ArchiCAD, Rhinoceros, Autocad, Allplan, Vectorworks, 3D Max, and a few more.
• Price: available in the subscription. Lumion Standard costs €749 per year or €1999 per 3 years. Lumion Pro costs €1499 per year or €3999 per 3 years.

Image: Lumion

Conclusion for Top 7 best 3D GPU rendering software

Above, VFXRendering has listed the 7 best 3D GPU rendering software generally. I think not a single renderer can cover all rendering needs since each software may be better at certain use cases. So, it is your job to select a render engine that suits you best, depending on your needs as well as your personal tastes and skills.

See more:

• Best GPU render farms
• Best 3D render engines