Looking for websites like Thingiverse to download STL files? Despite being popular for its vast collection, many 3D printing enthusiasts seek alternatives due to numerous reasons. Moreover, some users prefer platforms with curated content or specialized models that better meet specific printing needs, such as professional-grade designs or educational resources.
Alternative sites may also offer enhanced community features, better search capabilities, or improved support for creators looking to share or monetize their designs. Exploring these alternatives can provide a more tailored experience based on individual preferences and requirements in the 3D printing community.
Fortunately, some worthy alternatives to Thingiverse have recently garnered considerable attention in the 3D printing world. In this article, we'll highlight the 7 best alternative websites like Thingiverse to download STL files, followed by a guide on what to consider when choosing the best Thingiverse alternatives.
7 Best Alternative Websites Like Thingiverse
This section will highlight the 7 best websites like Thingiverse to download STL files. So, let's get started.
Printables
Like Thingiverse, Printables boasts a large database of 3D models, making it a worthy mention. It is a by-product of Prusa Research, a brand known for providing top-notch, dependable 3D printers. Despite its modern-looking interface, Printables is quite user-friendly, making navigating the platform a breeze. It boasts a nicely done categorization and filtering feature that makes it easy to find what you need quickly.
This process is further accentuated with the option to filter your search results by print time, material, printer type, and nozzle diameter. And, of course, it has a thriving and supportive community with users from across the globe, where you can seek answers to your queries.
Regular contests are held on the platform for users to compete and win amazing prizes. Moreover, with the launch of their Printables Clubs, a subscription service for creators, its members can access exclusive 3D model designs, vote for their favorite creators, and other cool perks. They also have the Printables Store, which offers paid 3D designs, enabling the creators to monetize their high-quality works.
Geared towards: Ideal for users seeking a user-friendly interface and a diverse community, with options for both free and paid designs.
PIXUP
Another website like Thingiverse currently gaining a lot of momentum is PIXUP. The user interface is simple and easy to use. The prominent search bar makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for, and the 3D models are conveniently categorized into different groups such as trending, free models, LCD models, FDM models, Phrozen Verified, and newbie-friendly.
From Marvel superheroes to automata 3D models, movie and comic book characters, and much more, PIXUP boasts one of the most interesting 3D model collections. Moreover, PIXUP features regular monthly campaigns such as Automata Extravaganza, The Armored Warrior, and many more, exposing their audience to high-quality 3D model collections revolving around particular themes.
Another standout feature is the Phrozen Verified 3D models - a collection of premium 3D models that are pre-optimized for impressive quality and a success rate of over 95%, allowing users to easily achieve high-quality prints without extensive tweaking or adjustments. On this platform, designers can upload their free and paid models.
That’s not all; PIXUP also has an exclusive Phrozen Verified program for creators through which talented designers, if approved, can upload their high-quality designs and gain access to a wide range of benefits such as dedicated promotion, a 5% increase in pricing of paid models, dedicated operational support, and many more. If you want more information, you can visit the Phrozen Verified help center.
If you’re looking for websites like Thingiverse, whether to download high-quality STL files or to become a creator yourself, PIXUP is a site you shouldn’t miss out on.
Geared towards: Users seeking a diverse collection of 3D models and creators looking to benefit from a supportive platform with promotional opportunities.
Cults
Another great Thingiverse alternative is Cults, an independent 3D model database that has become quite popular for many good reasons. The platform offers a wide selection of 3D design files, with models shared by its active community of users and 3D designs by different 3D creators. The user interface is easy to use and uncomplicated.
It provides categorization and practical filtering tools to help you narrow down your searches. The categories cover a wide range of options, including art, architecture, and gadgets, to more intriguing ones like Naughties and Ideas. Additionally, the site regularly holds contests, features a monthly set of STLs, and even includes a random option to assist you in discovering new designs.
Cults, like Printables and Thingiverse, have contests for users to participate in for exciting rewards. There's also a monthly featured set of STLs and even a random option to help you find a new design. Many creators sell their unique designs on the platform and make passive income.
Geared towards: Suited for those looking for unique and artistic designs, often curated by independent creators worldwide.
Pinshape
The other great option for anyone looking for websites like Thingiverse is Pinshape, which started in 2013 and has been garnering considerable attention from designers and creators. Like Thingiverse, it features a blog and a forum section, leveraging a similar community-focused philosophy.
While free printable 3D designs do exist on Pinshape, many creators and designers also share high-quality 3D designs in STL formats for a price. To quickly find your preferred designs, all 3D models are segmented into different categories, including fashion, gadgets, people and creatures, art, and home living, to name a few.
The educational hub on the platform offers helpful guides on hardware and software projects, 3D printing materials, post-processing, and more. Pinshape boasts a growing community of 70K designers and makers.
Geared towards: Great for both beginners and advanced users, offering a wide range of free and premium 3D models, along with educational resources.
MyMiniFactory
Started in 2013, MyMiniFactory is undoubtedly one of the top Thingiverse alternatives. Like other popular 3D model websites, it offers 3D designs in different formats, including STL for creators and designers wishing to access or sell free and paid 3D design files.
The platform has multiple categorizations, such as Architecture, Board Games, and Accessibility. While it has a collection of free 3D models, the platform mainly focuses on paid 3D designs. Additionally, the platform hosts various contests with exciting prizes for the winners, helping attract talented designers to compete and share high-quality 3D models.
Like Thingiverse, it has its own version of Customizer, which lets you customize files shared by other creators. Nonetheless, this platform's success is thanks to its growing number of engaged community members.
Geared towards: Perfect for enthusiasts looking for high-quality, curated designs and a strong community of creators and makers.
Thangs
Another strong contender to make for an excellent alternative to Thingiverse is Thangs, which was launched in 2020. It's more of a powerful and robust search engine than a repository for 3D files. Despite being relatively new to the scene, the website has quickly fostered a thriving community with an impressive selection of over 19 million 3D files.
Thanks to its user-friendly interface, skimming through the platform is easy. It also has various filtering tools and categories to quickly search for your desired designs. Users of Android and Apple devices can also use the augmented reality features to check the models in real life. The Thangs Sync is an excellent feature as it stores work revisions securely.
Like Thingiverse, this platform offers free downloadable 3D files. However, some paid options are also available. It also lets designers and creators share their creations and fosters collaborations with comparisons, annotations, and progress-tracking features.
Geared towards: Ideal for users who value a robust search engine for 3D files, with a focus on user-friendly features and community collaboration.
CGTrader
Launched in 2011, CGTrader is a popular online marketplace that offers paid and free 3D models. It also provides a wide variety of custom and licensable stock 3D models. Needless to say, CGTrader boasts an impressive global community of over 8 million users, making it a great Thingiverse alternative.
The website mainly caters to professionals who work with VR/AR and CG projects, but you can still find files in various formats, including STL. The clean user interface, coupled with its search filters and design categories, allows for a smooth search experience. The platform offers a plethora of free downloadable 3D designs as well as paid designs to cater to users with different use cases. Premium 3D options are usually the way to go if you need professional or detailed designs.
Geared towards: Best for professionals and hobbyists alike, offering a marketplace with a vast selection of licensable 3D models, including VR and AR projects.
Other Worthy Mentions for Website Likes Thingiverse
If the list of 3D printing sites like Thingiverse above isn’t enough for you; here are some other notable options for you to check out:
Thingiverse: What is it?
Since its inception in 2008, Thingiverse has grown exponentially to become the most popular 3D repository in the 3D printing community. The platform boasts over 2.5 million design files categorized into various groups.
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, the user-friendly interface, coupled with its collaborative environment, lets you easily share, store, and download 3D printing files. Thingiverse also lets you personalize designs with Customizer, where you can upload design files with specific instructions to customize various parameters.
What to Look for When Choosing Websites Like Thingiverse
When selecting websites like Thingiverse for obtaining downloadable, printable, and high-quality 3D STL files, it's essential to consider the following factors:
User-friendly Interface
The user experience should be considered when choosing an online repository for 3D design files. Ensure the website's interface is easy for users to navigate and has precise categorization and filtering options for 3D file resources. This will help you find what you need easily and quickly.
Collaborative Community & Support
One of the reasons for Thingiverse's popularity is its collaborative community. Make sure the platform you choose boasts an active community where you can ask questions and gain support should you face any issues. Popular websites like Thingiverse are also known for hosting 3D design competitions, encouraging users to take part and win exciting prizes.
Design Quality
Choose platforms that boast a collection of high-quality 3D design models that are aesthetically pleasing and 100% printable. One way to do this is by checking the number of file downloads and designers. A higher number is a good indicator of a reliable 3D model repository.
Price
Thingiverse is a free platform, meaning users can access and download 3D files without cost, which is excellent for those on a tight budget. However, paid 3D model websites like Thingiverse may offer higher printability and aesthetic quality, making them a better choice for printing compared to free 3D files.
Copyright License
A reliable 3D repository will also protect the rights of every creator. This could be in the form of specific licensing terms the creator sets. The digital files usually have a license description like 'non-commercial,' 'No sharing,' or something similar.
Final Thoughts
Whether looking for the best websites like Thingiverse to download STL files or other alternatives, the sites mentioned in this article are great choices. They come with an impressive selection of high-quality 3D designs, boast user-friendly interfaces, and help you find exactly what you need with efficient categorizations and filtering tools. Plus, depending on your needs and requirements, you can access and download free and paid designs.
FAQs
Can I Download and Use the STL files from these Platforms for Free?
Absolutely! Most of the aforementioned platforms in the article can be downloaded and used for free. You can use them for non-commercial purposes. That being said, these sites also offer paid 3D designs, which may be of higher quality. Additionally, it's always wise to read the licensing terms set for each file before using the free 3D designs.
Is it Possible to Personalize or Modify the STL Files Available on These Websites Like Thingiverse?
The websites mentioned above may allow users to customize the 3D designs in most cases. However, it's critical that you read the licensing terms of each file before doing any modifications to ensure you comply with the set restrictions.
What Exactly are STL Files?
STL stands for stereolithography and is a common 3D file format used for printing. Such files contain information about the 3D objects' geometry, which is critical for 3D printers to create physical miniatures or figures layer by layer.
