About Thingiverse
Thingiverse is an online community for sharing and downloading 3D models and files. It is run by UltiMaker, and visitors can find millions of designs for 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC machines, from custom parts to creative one-off objects. The site describes itself as a community for open hardware.
Members upload their own designs so that others can download and make them, and the library is browsable by category and search. Thingiverse is a hosted website rather than software you run yourself, and the site has a pricing page for designs, indicating that some content or services are paid.
Key features
- Library of 3D printable models
- Files for 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC
- Community uploads of custom designs
- Browsing by category and search
Good fit for
- →Finding a printable replacement part
- →Sharing a custom design with other makers
- Tags
- 3d-printing
- models
- community
- open-hardware
- cnc
- laser-cutting
- maker
Thingiverse: questions and answers
- What is Thingiverse used for?
- Thingiverse is a community library of 3D printable models from UltiMaker for 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC machines. It is a good fit for finding a printable replacement part and sharing a custom design with other makers.
- Is Thingiverse free?
- Yes. Thingiverse is free to use.
- Is Thingiverse open source?
- No. Thingiverse is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the 3D & CAD category, open-source options include FreeCAD, OrcaSlicer and OpenSCAD.
- What are some alternatives to Thingiverse?
- Thingiverse competes with Printables and Sketchfab.
Open-source alternatives to Thingiverse
See all
FreeCAD
3D & CAD
Official source code of FreeCAD, a free and opensource multiplatform 3D parametric modeler
LGPL-2.1vs SolidWorks★ 34k
OrcaSlicer
3D & CAD
G-code generator for 3D printers (Bambu, Prusa, Voron, VzBot, RatRig, Creality, etc.)
AGPL-3.0vs Simplify3D★ 16k
OpenSCAD
3D & CAD
OpenSCAD - The Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller
OSSvs Autodesk Fusion★ 10k
PrusaSlicer
3D & CAD
G-code generator for 3D printers (RepRap, Makerbot, Ultimaker etc.)
AGPL-3.0vs Simplify3D★ 9.4k
UltiMaker Cura
3D & CAD
3D printer / slicing GUI built on top of the Uranium framework
LGPL-3.0vs Simplify3D★ 7k
KiCad
3D & CAD
This is an active mirror of the KiCad development branch, which is hosted at GitLab (updat
GPL-3.0vs Altium Designer★ 3k
SaaS alternatives to Thingiverse
See all
Printables
3D & CAD
3D printing model library and community from Prusa Research
SaaS
Sketchfab
3D & CAD
Platform for publishing, sharing and selling 3D models
SaaS
Vectary
3D & CAD
Browser-based 3D design and AR tool for product visuals
SaaS
3dplotter
3D & CAD
Turns a 3D printer into a pen plotter with presets, G-code generator, Hershey fonts and a pen holder library
SaaS
3D-Coat
3D & CAD
3D sculpting, retopology and texture painting software
SaaS
Mastercam
3D & CAD
CAD/CAM software for CNC programming and machining
SaaS

