Winner: Blender.The community that has built up around Blender has made it one of the most accessible animation programs for support. This is a no-brainer considering Blender is free. Though both have a bit of a learning curve, Maya continues to stand the test of time for its process of creating animation.

Having been around in the industry for quite some time, Maya’s many plugins have stood the test of time to be essential and valuable for creating high-quality theatrical animation. The rendering tools within Maya are remarkably robust and save quite a bit of time. The interface for Blender has made vast improvements over time that has allowed it to be one of the friendliest of work environments.

Winner: Blender.Thanks to a host of improvements, Blender’s animation process is relatively smooth when it comes to getting your rigged models moving. Winner: Maya.With a host of different plugins to aid in the process, Maya’s intricate rigging system offers excellent range and control. The surface and texturing tools are just a bit more simplified in Blender than in Maya. While Blender’s modeling environment may take some getting used to at first, its process for creating models is a relative breeze. Though Maya offers a wealth of industry-standard features, Blender stands tall as the superior program not just for its cheaper cost (free is a good price) but for the friendly interface, a multitude of tools, and ease of use.

Not as much of an industry-standard program yet.

Takes more time to learn the workflow when compared to the straightforward nature of Maya.

Lacking in tools and plugins to simplify rendering and workflows.

Maya head modeling