I surveyed hundreds of fashion designers, technical designers, patternmakers, product developers, and freelancers from around the world, to find out which 3D fashion design software they recommend most.

CLO 3D was the hands-down favorite, with more than half of the designers choosing it as their top pick. But your needs and budget might lead you to a different choice.

Many people I surveyed are freelance fashion designers, so these tools tend to be more affordable. These apps are great options for independent designers and small businesses.

3D Fashion Design Software Comparison Chart

Top 5 3D Fashion Design Software

1. CLO

CLO 3D’s Standout Features:

• User-friendly interface
• Accessible for beginners with basic patternmaking knowledge
• Comprehensive design and patternmaking tools 
• Suitable for both technical and creative design
• Loads of free tutorials online
• BONUS: CLO skills are sought after by major fashion companies

CLO 3D’s Limitations:

• Moderately expensive for independent users
• High system requirements

Price: Subscription-based, plans start from $50/month for individuals/freelancers. 

You can check the available plans here.

Free Trial: 14-day free trial available.

CLO is an easy favorite among fashion designers mainly because it’s super powerful but easy to use. It’s known for its realistic garment visuals, tons of fabric options, and the way it works smoothly with 2D pattern designs.

“I can make prints, drapes, patterns, simulations, and animations in the same place. For me this is fantastic, it’s all in one.”

– Yasmin Reis, Patternmaker

“My team is obsessed with CLO 3D. It has totally revolutionized how we design, create patterns, and fit garments. I’m a total nerd for it.” 

– Kristen Anderson, Intimates + Swimwear Design Director & CLO 3D Specialist

It’s currently one of the top 3D design tools in the industry, (not to mention that it’s also one of the most sought-after skills by fashion companies – just check out CLO’s job board!) and you’ll find loads of tutorials online to help you get started, both from its users or directly from CLO’s website and YouTube channel.

Here’s what other fashion designers and patternmakers are saying about CLO:

“I would say CLO 3D [is my favorite] at the moment but I have yet to compare with Browzwear / VStitcher and Style3D in another deep dive. My reason is simply that CLO 3D is specifically tailored towards garment manufacturing.”

“I’ve found that it has an “easier” learning curve compared to other 3D software especially if you are coming from a traditional fashion background with experience on pattern cutting, draping, and the Adobe Illustrator interface. I feel certain knowledge is pretty transferrable.”

– Jade Wei, Freelance 3D Sartorial Streetwear Designer, Patternmaker, & Product Developer

“CLO 3D is my favorite. It’s easy to learn, comfortable to use (user friendly interface is a big deal actually), huge amount of export options (also implementation of add-ons to draft cloth directly to Unreal Engine for example). Overall, the program was created for fashion (for example, its sister Marvelous Designer was mostly made for the game industry, so it has slight differences which could affect garment creation for fashion production).” 

– Nastassia Piatkevich, 3D Generalist

Another thing fashion designers rave about is how fast the CLO team is at improving the software based on user feedback. They constantly add and tweak features as needed.

“I love the user interface and how involved the company is in applying feedback and offering amazing features. As a designer, patternmaker, and technical designer, it has everything I need to offer services for myself and my freelance clients. And the UI is really intuitive if you’re already a patternmaker or used to using Adobe Illustrator.”

– Bri Foster, Freelance Fashion Designer & Artist

“I am using the CLO 3D program and I can easily say that the program has improved a lot now. It has features that I like very much, such as the high resolution it offers us in rendering, the ability to work with multiple products in optional jobs, the graphic layout and the effects we give to the graphics, the realism of the casting it gives according to the quality of the fabric, and the fact that it’s compatible with many programs.”  

– Dilara Gedik, Fashion Designer & 3D Apparel Designer

But here’s the thing – CLO is a pretty intense program, so you’ll need a strong computer to run it smoothly. If your setup isn’t powerful enough, you might experience some lagging or crashing. 

“I use CLO 3D and love it, mainly because of the comprehensive “eCLOsystem” they’ve created, including the CLO-SET, Connect marketplace, community, plug-ins, and an incredible team of instructors worldwide.”

“However, depending on the user’s needs and budget, I sometimes recommend a “lighter” software due to the cost of required equipment or fewer crashes. I’ve explored and learned Style3D, Browzwear, and Audaces, which also have their own advantages. Ultimately, the choice depends on the implementation project, its scale, and most importantly, who will be trained to use it.”

– Ursula Klayn, 3D Fashion Designer & Digital Transformation Consultant

Lastly, since CLO is one of the most feature-packed programs out there, it’s not the cheapest option in this list.

2. VStitcher

VStitcher’s Standout Features:

• True to life fabric simulation and draping
• Balanced 2d and 3d capabilities
• Suitable for technical designers and patternmakers

VStitcher’s Limitations:

• Requires knowledge of patternmaking and technical design (better suited for intermediate users)
• Fit library may not be accurate; custom avatars are preferred for precision

Price: $750 annually for the Freelancer license, custom pricing for enterprise.

For technical designers and patternmakers, Browzwear’s VStitcher is a solid pick. It’s known for its precise and high-quality fabric simulations and advanced pattern design tools. 

While VStitcher is Browzwear’s dedicated 3d fashion design software, the company also offers specialized software like Lotta for pattern blocks, Stylezone for collaboration, and Fabric Analyzer to assess the physical properties of fabrics – all of which can be integrated seamlessly with the VStitcher app.

“Browzwear is the tool when you are more of a technical designer who knows how to tweak patterns for best fit that will enter hundreds or thousands in production.”

“One of Browzwear’s standout features is its ability to create production-ready patterns. This means you can go from 3D design to manufacturing with less hassle. It streamlines the design process, from initial sketches to technical specifications, making it an efficient choice for both creative exploration and technical development.”

“I would go for Vstitcher as it has the most true-to-life fabric simulation and it is not overpacked with unnecessary tools. But then other tools are much better prepared for using meshes in external software.”

– Sylwia Szymczyk, 3D Apparel Specialist

“CLO 3D is good for beginners. Its weakness is 2D. Gerber/Lectra is advanced 2D but surprisingly far behind in 3D. Browzwear is the best system. It’s the most balanced between 2D & 3D, so professional patternmakers and designers can get their work done easily. They also have great partnerships with fabric & trim vendors, can digitize fabrics for you, and their photorealistic avatars are superior.”

– Tracy Campbell, 3D Apparel Technical Designer

But VStitcher isn’t for the complete beginner. Those without experience in technical design and patternmaking might find it less forgiving. Some users also pointed out that the default avatars aren’t the best and that they prefer to import their own to get more realistic results.

“Browzwear is less flexible as it mimics the real world challenges in terms of patternmaking, fit evaluation, and choice of fabric; which is most often challenging and requires special knowledge and experience to master.”

– Mahamudul Hasan Mridha, 3D Garment Technician

“It’s a challenge to allow custom rigs into the system for avatars. The rendering is nice, and I enjoy the work history structure, but connecting data to production, like markers and cut tables, is still challenging. I do not like their fit library of avatars. I bring mine in as they are tested for reality.”

– Katherine Schildmeyer of Design Cycle Solutions Company

3. Style3D

Style3D’s Standout Features:

• Great simulation and rendering
• Suitable for quick merchandising and design
• Good price for beginners
• Lighter on the hardware

Style3D’s Limitations:

• Limited features
• Not the best for manufacturing

Price: Subscription-based, plans start from $40 for individuals/freelancers, custom pricing for enterprise and academic. 

You can check the available plans here.

Free Trial: 30-day free trial available.

If you’re looking for a more lightweight 3D design application, Style3D could be worth considering. Many users compare it to CLO because of their similar interface. However, it’s said to be geared more towards merchandising and design rather than manufacturing.

“Style3D is more suitable for merchandising and design. It eases the function of the creative 3D hub for use of images in websites, line sheets, marketing, and 3D artistry. It’s not code heavy like other 3D programs that allow for the same fidelity and quality of creativity.”

– Katherine Schildmeyer of Design Cycle Solutions Company

“I tried Style3D, but at that moment its interface and some basic tools were not implemented in the best way, the simulation and render was pretty solid tho. Also, if you (as me) use render, texturing and scene building elsewhere – render possibilities and AI texture generators won’t be a reason to switch from CLO to other 3d fashion design software.” 

– Nastassia Piatkevich, 3D Generalist

4. TUKA3D

Tuka3D’s Standout Features:

• Good grading capabilities
• Excellent for knit garments (sweaters, t-shirts)
• Tuka3D Designer Edition offers a good price for beginners
• Integration with TukaCAD and other TukaTech software

Tuka3D’s Limitations:

• Custom avatars need enhancement
• Not as easy to integrate with other apps outside of Tukatech, including AI tools
• Lacks artistry 

Price: Subscription-based, plans start from $29 for the Tuka3D Designer Edition, custom pricing for enterprise and academic. 

You can check the available plans here.

Free Trial: 30-day free trial available.

Tukatech is a well-respected name in the digital design world and its 2D design app also made my list of the Best Pattern Making Software. With TukaCAD for 2D design and Tuka3D for 3D design, the company offers a comprehensive suite along with their other specialized software and hardware tailored for various manufacturing needs.

Despite some limitations, Tukatech offers notable strengths, particularly in grading and working with knit garments.

“Aspects of custom avatars could be improved and render quality can be improved. Works great for small shops and connects some data to production. It’s hit or miss by the type of product one is developing. It’s great for knit garments like sweats and t-shirts but lacks artistry.”

– Katherine Schildmeyer of Design Cycle Solutions Company

“Grading/rule files are important. Although I find that you still have a lot of manual work to do. I would love files to transfer to Adobe Illustrator a lot easier as I work between programs and believe others do too. But also I’m still learning and trying to figure out these programs and am finding it very hard to find good tutorials online.”

“I learn a lot from Youtube but still struggle on some things that I can’t get the answer to. I liked using Tuka but as an individual it wasn’t worth the monthly $ upgrade to be able to transfer the files into Illustrator. I have the free version of Stylezone. Not sure I like that yet and haven’t put too much time into learning. Mostly use and prefer CLO 3D at the moment. This one I don’t love grading, I prefer Tuka3D but files transfer easier to AI plus the 3D is included in the basic price.”

– Nicola Bassett, Fashion Designer & Patternmaker

5. APEXFiz

APEXFiz’s Standout Features:

• Best for knits and finely woven textile
• Strong support for yarn and textile design
• Seamless integration with Shima Seiki’s knitting machines

APEXFiz’s Limitations:

• Advanced software and comes with a higher cost

Price & Availability: APEXFiz is currently not available in all countries. To purchase the software, you will need to contact a sales representative for more information and availability in your region. 

Learn more about the program here.

Now, this one is kind of a wildcard, but those who mentioned Shima Seiki’s APEXFiz strongly recommend it for knits, which can be tricky to work with in 3D design. I wanted to give this software a shoutout for anyone focused on knits and looking to invest in a suitable application.

The software supports detailed yarn and fabric simulation, allowing for highly realistic prototypes. APEXFiz also integrates seamlessly with Shima Seiki’s knitting machines, making it ideal for knitwear designers and manufacturers.

“I personally adore APEXFiz. I am also a handweaver for fun. I like that I can plan a tie up or an intarsia knit. I can also recolor an item in knit at a high fidelity without color looking off the spectrum.”

“Its education tools are also above average. The team is very helpful, and it integrates into 3D knitting machines or flat knit machines that massively reduce waste. It’s fun to use. The language for knits is also embedded into the block library of designs. This results in great knit tech packs or book publishing for knitters.”

– Katherine Schildmeyer of Design Cycle Solutions Company

What’s the Best 3D Fashion Design Software?

Honestly, it really comes down to what you need. But when it comes to the favorites, CLO easily takes the crown. It’s the go-to choice for most fashion designers, technical designers, and patternmakers we surveyed. Its user-friendly interface and robust features makes it great for beginners to pros, plus they have a great support team to back you up.

Special thanks to Katherine Schildmeyer of Design Cycle Solutions Company, who has plentiful experience working with all of these 3D design tools and gave us the inside scoop on how it was like using each one.

If you want to go deep down the rabbit hole, we had a lively discussion on LinkedIn about everyone’s favorite 3D fashion design software down below.