10 best places to sell 3D models in 2024 (pros & cons)
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Can’t decide between selling 3D models on an online marketplace vs eCommerce platform? Let us help you out.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best sites to sell 3D models online. We’ve also included pros and cons for each platform so that you can make an informed decision.
So, let’s dive right in!
1. Sellfy
Sellfy is an easy-to-use eCommerce solution with plenty of features made for selling digital products like 3D models. The platform has quickly become a leader in this niche and has now evolved into a full-fledged hosted eCommerce solution for all types of creators and digital artists.
Thanks to Sellfy’s user-friendly interface, you can start selling your products almost instantly—it takes no more than 10 minutes to build an online store.
And, here’s the best part:
Unlike most platforms and online marketplaces, Sellfy does not take a percentage of your income as commission, transaction fees, or through any other means. So, you never have to worry about unexpected costs.
It’s also important to note that Sellfy stores are fully customizable. You’ll be able to create the desired store look simply by using a pre-made theme or the Store Customizer tool.
And, last but not least, another great feature that makes Sellfy an attractive choice is its built-in marketing tools. So, despite not having an established customer base, you can still drive traffic to your store and reach a wide audience with these powerful tools.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking to build an online store with marketing tools, store customization, and automated file delivery without any hidden costs.
Pros:
- Affordable & user-friendly platform
- Set your own prices & keep 100% of the revenue
- Secure payment processing & instant payouts
- Automated file delivery for customers
- Customize your storefront
- Built-in marketing tools (offer discounts, product bundles, etc.)
- No hidden transaction fees or commissions on sales
Cons:
- No advanced product filtering or sorting options
- Lack of established customer base
2. Sketchfab
Selling your 3D models on Sketchfab is quite straightforward—the online marketplace allows you to upload your models directly from your 3D software.
Once uploaded, you can set the price and licensing options. And, just like Sellfy, Sketchfab has customizable store pages, social media sharing, and the ability to embed products on your website.
The platform is also well-known for its large and active community of around 5 million members. This means that your models have the potential for reaching customers and making sales.
However, it also means that there’s a lot of competition, which makes it hard for your work to stand out.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a big marketplace that enables direct uploading of their models form their 3D software.
Pros:
- Large & active community of potential buyers
- Easy-to-use platform
- Advanced search & filtering options
Cons:
- Commission fee of up to 30% on sales
- Competition from other sellers
- Limited control over pricing & marketing
- Strict quality standards
3. TurboSquid
TurboSquid by Shutterstock is another site dedicated to selling 3D models.
To start selling your 3D models, you can create a free account and upload your models. TurboSquid takes care of the hosting, promotion, and payment processing, and you get a cut of the sales.
The platform also has a large customer base, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage due to the competition.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the platform has a quality control process that ensures only high quality models are sold, so you need to create quality work and be experienced to get accepted.
But, the good thing is that TurboSquid allows you to set your own prices and earn up to 80% commission.
And, perhaps the best feature of TurboSquid is that it provides tools to optimize your 3D models for different applications.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a vast marketplace that provides special tools for optimizing their 3D models.
Pros:
- High volume of potential customers
- Flexible pricing options
- Tools to optimize your 3D models
- Free to get started
Cons:
- Fierce competition & high quality standards
- Significant commission on each sale (up to 60%)
- Users have reported issues with payment & customer support
4. Etsy
Etsy is not a marketplace that is specifically designed for 3D model sellers, however, it is still among the top choices for online selling.
One of the benefits of selling 3D models on Etsy is the large audience you can reach—Etsy has millions of buyers, and many of them are interested in purchasing 3D models.
Etsy also provides various resources and tutorials to help you optimize your shop and improve your sales. Plus, you can set your own prices and create several product listings.
So, all in all, selling 3D models on Etsy can be a good opportunity thanks to the platform’s large audience and user-friendly interface.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a user-friendly marketplace with an access to an established customer base and flexible pricing.
Pros:
- Access to a large customer base
- Set your own prices & control your profit margins
- Receive reviews & build a positive reputation as a seller
Cons:
- Listing fees & 5% transaction fee on each sale
- Extremely competitive marketplace
- Buyers may expect lower prices for digital products
- Managing customer service & addressing issues can be time-consuming
5. CGTrader
The CGTrader marketplace offers different pricing options as well as auctions and custom quotes that give 3D model sellers flexibility in their sales tactics.
And, like most marketplaces, CGTrader comes with a large audience—the platform has over a million registered users and has partnerships with major companies.
CGTrader also offers sellers the ability to protect their work with watermarks and copyright protection. Plus, you can use CGTrader’s analytics tools to track your sales and improve your marketing strategy.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a large marketplace that comes with extra features such as auctions and custom quotes.
Pros:
- Large customer base
- Good customer support & tools for sellers
- Flexible pricing & control over the licensing terms for your models
Cons:
- 30% commission on each sale
- Competition on the platform
- You may have to deal with copyright infringement (if someone misuses your models)
6. 3DOcean
3DOcean is a digital marketplace that is a part of the larger Envato Market network.
The marketplace is best known for its extensive community of buyers, which can help increase your exposure as a seller.
The marketplace offers tools and resources to help you improve your modeling skills and create high-quality work that meets the platform’s standards.
3DOcean also supports additional file formats, and you can set your own prices for your 3D models. Although the platform takes a commission on each sale, you get to keep the majority of the revenue.
It’s a pretty good platform that offers a secure payment system and customer support to ensure a smooth selling experience.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a marketplace with an extensive community of buyers, including tools and resources to improve modeling skills.
Pros:
- Large customer base
- Good customer support & tools for sellers
- Flexible pricing & control over the licensing terms for your models
Cons:
- 50% commission on each sale
- There is a lot of competition on the platform
- You may have to deal with copyright infringement (if someone misuses your models)
7. Cults
Cults is a marketplace with a large community of users, which means that sellers can expect high levels of exposure for their work.
The website offers tools and features that help 3D designers promote their models, such as social media sharing, email campaigns, and paid advertising options.
Cults also has a feature that allows sellers to customize their work, and even a special tool that lets them create and sell their own 3D models.
In addition to these features, Cults has a loyalty program that rewards sellers and buyers for their activity and purchases.
However, the downside is that, like most marketplaces, Cults has a strict quality control process and takes a commission on each sale.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a marketplace with special tools to create, customize, and sell their 3D models.
Pros:
- High royalties of up to 80% for exclusive models
- Large community of buyers & sellers
- Easy-to-use platform with a simple upload process
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- High competition from other sellers
- Strict content guidelines & moderation policies
- Limited payment options for non-EU sellers
- 15% commission on each sale
8. Daz 3D
Daz 3D has a feature that sets it apart from other marketplaces—it’s called the Daz Studio and it allows customers to preview and customize their purchases before buying.
Selling on Daz 3D is a good option for several reasons: it has a large customer base and provides competitive commission rates so that you can earn a decent amount of money for your models.
The marketplace also provides resources for sellers such as tutorials and forums where you can connect with other sellers and learn from their experiences.
To sell your 3D models on the Daz 3D marketplace, you first need to create an account and become a vendor. Once approved, you can upload your models to the marketplace.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a marketplace with unique features like the Daz Studio and a software suite for creating 3D models.
Pros:
- Large customer base with dedicated community
- Promotional opportunities for top sellers
- Supports various file formats & software programs
- Unique features like the Daz Studio
Cons:
- Exact percentage of commission on each sale varies
- Limited control over pricing & sales promotions
- Strict quality standards & requirements
- Limited customer support
- High competition among sellers
9. Pond5
Pond5 is a marketplace that comes with a transparent pricing model where sellers can set their own prices, including plenty of resources to help anybody achieve success.
Additionally, Pond5 offers a royalty-free license so that buyers can use the models for commercial purposes without paying additional fees.
Pond5 also has a large and diverse customer base, and an affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions by promoting other artists’ work.
However, the commission structure of the marketplace varies depending on the type of media being sold and the contributor’s membership level. In general, Pond5 takes a 50% commission on all sales.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a marketplace with a diverse customer base and the chance to earn additional income through an affiliate program.
Pros:
- Large & diverse customer base
- User-friendly interface
- Earn extra money through an affiliate program
Cons:
- Competition for sales can be high
- Strict quality guidelines
- Pond5 sets the prices for your products
- 50% commission on each sale
10. MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is a marketplace that offers free test prints to ensure that the 3D model is printable and of good quality. This leads to happier customers, better reviews, and more sales.
Sellers can register for free and upload their 3D models, which will be reviewed for quality and suitability. Once approved, the models are available for purchase, and the seller receives 75% of the sale price.
MyMiniFactory is also known for its emphasis on community. The platform hosts design competitions, has a forum for designers, and encourages collaboration.
With a focus on quality and community, it’s a pretty good place to build a following and making money from your 3D model designs.
Best for: 3D model sellers seeking a free marketplace with a strong emphasis on community, collaboration and fun competitions.
Pros:
- Large community of users interested in 3D printing
- Free to sign up & start selling
- Cool community & competitions
Cons:
- Commission ranges from 10% to 30% of the sale price
- Competition from other sellers
- Limited control over pricing
FAQ: Selling 3D models
Where can I sell my 3D models?
You can sell your 3D models on various platforms like TurboSquid, CGTrader, Sketchfab, and Sellfy. Among these options, Sellfy stands out as an excellent choice. It offers a user-friendly interface and allows you to set up your online store with ease, showcase your 3D models, and handle secure payments. Sellfy’s marketing features and global reach help you attract customers and generate sales.
Can I make money selling 3D models?
Absolutely! Selling 3D models can be a profitable venture. There’s a growing demand for high-quality 3D assets in various industries like gaming, animation, and architecture. By creating valuable and unique 3D models, you can attract customers and generate passive income on online marketplaces or your own online store.
Why should I sell my 3D models on Sellfy?
Sellfy offers several advantages for 3D model creators. It allows you to keep 100% of your earnings with no transaction fees. You can set your own prices and customize your storefront to reflect your brand. With Sellfy’s secure file delivery, you can provide instant access to customers after purchase. The platform’s marketing features help you reach a global audience and boost sales potential.
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