My stack

    Cycles

    Blender-integrated render engine for physically based 3D rendering.

    Free.

    ToolTrim Verdict

    Cycles

    3.6/5
    DecentEditorial score
    Free planYes
    ModelFree
    PriceFree
    Verified2026-03-29
    How this score is calculated
    Quick decision

    Cycles: when it makes sense.

    Quick summary (condensed)

    Cycles Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    Free.
    Best for
    professionals.
    Alternatives
    Redshift, Octane Render, V-Ray.
    ToolTrim verdict
    Blender-integrated render engine for physically based 3D rendering.
    Pricing

    How much does Cycles cost?

    Cycles offers a free plan. Here's the full breakdown of available plans for 2026.

    Free0 €

    Inclus avec Blender.

    Price verified on 2026-03-29
    Comparison

    Best alternatives to Cycles.

    3 alternatives to Cycles, compared by price, features, and fit for freelancers and small teams.

    ToolPrice/moFree planTT ScoreReplaceableVerdict
    CyclesCurrent

    Blender-integrated render engine for physically based 3D rendering.

    		Free
    3.6
    		n/a
    Redshift

    Production-focused GPU render engine for motion and professional 3D.

    		46€
    3.6
    		n/a
    Octane Render

    Photorealistic GPU render engine for 3D and motion design.

    		20€
    3.6
    		n/a
    V-Ray

    Photorealistic render engine for premium images, architecture, product and high-end visualization.

    		55€
    3.6
    		n/a

    ToolTrim Score · Independent editorial analysis · Not a user rating

    Which profile should pick what

    ProfileRecommendation
    Solo / freelanceOctane Render is often enough
    TeamOctane Render can be justified
    Audience

    Who is Cycles for?

    Features

    What Cycles covers.

    Rendu 3d
    Render engine
    Rendering
    Modelisation 3d
    Rating

    Our verdict on Cycles.

    3.6/5

    Decent

    ToolTrim editorial score · Independent analysis

    Why this score

    Cycles is fairly easy to replace with an alternative, a free tier to test before paying, use cases that still depend on your specific context.

    Using Cycles?

    User reviews are coming soon. Share what works, what costs too much, what you'd change.

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    FAQ

    Questions about Cycles.

    Pricing, plans, use cases and alternatives to Cycles, key answers before adding this tool to your stack in 2026.

    Tool FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about Cycles

    Pricing, usage, alternatives, and context: useful answers before adding one more tool to your stack.

    What is Cycles used for?

    Blender-integrated render engine for physically based 3D rendering.

    How much does Cycles cost?

    Cycles costs €0 (free). Price verified on 2026-03-29.

    Is Cycles suitable for beginners?

    Cycles suits most professionals. See the "Who is it for" section for details.

    Is Cycles worth the price?

    It depends on your usage. See our verdict above.

    What are the best alternatives to Cycles?

    The main alternatives to Cycles are: Redshift, Octane Render, V-Ray.

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