Comparison

Manikin vs Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Manikin

This app provides a 3D posing tool for artists, offering a collection of models and tools to help with drawing anatomically correct figures. It allows for quick scene creation, storyboard generation, and comic book illustration framing, with intuitive posing and adjustable camera and lighting.

Highlights
  • 3D model posing
  • Anatomy reference
  • Intuitive controls
  • Adjustable camera and lighting
  • Character animations
  • Cutout screenshots
Features
Read full description

Sketch fast with MANIKIN a 3D posing tool containing a collection of models and tools aimed to help professional artists and amateurs alike in drawing anatomically correct figures with respect to light & perspective. Create scenes with multiple characters or manipulate simple 3D shapes to quickly visualize the outlines of your sketches, generate storyboards with screenshots or frame your comic book illustrations and mangas. ARTISTS MANNEQUIN The mannequin was born out of the need for an interactive human anatomy reference to tackle problems like foreshortening, proportion and depth. We expand upon the wooden mannequin for figure drawing with various 3D models and tools to help you with shape recognition, shading, perspective and stance. POSE FAST Moving things in 3D often involves a lot of interaction for even the simplest of goals. This is why we wanted posing to be as intuitive and simple as possible with a bare minimum in menu diving and without losing complexity. A straightforward and intuitive design keeps all functionality close without drowning you in options. Our goal is to let you spend more time drawing and less time preparing. APPLY ANIMATIONS Even for the most hardened artists it’s not easy to imagine how the body moves. In MANIKIN all animations can be viewed in detail. Use them to get faster to your desired stance or as use them as a figure study for motion. CAMERA & LIGHT We also give full control over camera & light. Use 360 mode to work and use "point of view mode" to get the exact camera angle you had in mind. To ease your shading needs you have up to 4 fully adjustable lights at your disposal to create dynamic drop shadows and realistic depth. SCREENSHOTS FOR DIGITAL PAINTERS MANIKIN also features cutout screenshots so you can immediately use them in Photoshop, Coreldraw, Procreate, Paper or whatever digital drawing software you use. No more hassle with editing screenshots. FEATURES * View character animations in detail. * A straightforward and intuitive design. * Various tools and effects such as outline, cut-out, grid, ... * Dynamic light with up to 4 fully adjustable lights * Freelook camera * Screenshots without background. * Share your creations on any platform and much more …

About

Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

Explore and showcase your 3D models with advanced rendering and intuitive controls. Supports multiple file formats, ideal for entertainment or preparing models for 3D printing.

Highlights
  • High performance rendering
  • Intuitive gestures
  • Multiple 3D formats
  • Enhanced visualization
  • Showcase digital creations
  • Prepare for 3D printing
Features
Read full description

Emb3D will let you use the most appropriate visual clues and rendering styles to fully show the potential of your creations - High Performance Rendering - Intuitive Gestures - Multiple 3D Formats - Enhanced Visualization Show off your digital creations for entertainment or 3D printing! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Manikin4 screens
Emb3D 3D Model Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Manikin at none against Emb3D 3D Model Viewer's shown. Manikin also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 42%) and ratings volume (4.4K vs 241). Emb3D 3D Model Viewer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.0). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Manikin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Emb3D 3D Model Viewer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Manikin holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Manikin has 4.4K ratings behind it against 241, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Manikin's written reviews are positive against 42% of Emb3D 3D Model Viewer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Manikin versus Emb3D 3D Model Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManikinEmb3D 3D Model Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (4.4K ratings) — better4.4 (241 ratings)
Positive reviews74.1% of reviews — better41.9% of reviews
Number of ratings4.4K — better241
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size226 MB67 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperUNSH VOFNetfarm s.r.l.

Customer experience

Manikin

All ratings4,412 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral5.1%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive74.1%
Neutral10.1%
Negative15.9%

Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

All ratings241 ratings
Positive85.1%
Neutral4.1%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive41.9%
Neutral8.1%
Negative50.0%

User reviews

Manikin

From 4.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Dramatically speeds up workflow
  • 👍 Smooth and speedy posing
  • 👍 Helped improve drawings
  • 👍 Useful for reference poses
  • 👍 Easy to use and understand

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Camera controls feel unnatural
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Difficult to move and select objects
  • 🐛 Confusing UI with unclear buttons
  • 🐛 Laggy and unresponsive at times

Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

From 241 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Useful 3D viewer
  • 👍 Good rendition of models
  • 👍 Free and useful
  • 👍 Fast and easy to show 3D models

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes for large files
  • 🐛 Share function does nothing
  • 🐛 Doesn't show packaging, only skeleton
  • 🐛 Cannot open files
  • 🐛 Cracks when selecting file

Bugs and requests

Manikin

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unlocked items disappearing
  • Horizontal camera toggle not working
  • Pose resets when using certain features
  • Inability to move multiple models independently

Requested features

9 requests
  • Digitigrade leg toggle
  • Ability to scale and customize body parts
  • Add animal models (e.g. cats, dogs)
  • Ability to import custom 3D models
  • Perspective slider for camera view
Show 4 more
  • Posable fingers and toes
  • Mobility equipment like wheelchairs
  • Animation and video creation tools
  • More free models and animations

Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

Reported bugs

32 issues
  • App crashes for files above 50mb
  • Share function does nothing
  • Specific files always crash the app
  • Cannot open files
  • Cracks when selecting file
Show 27 more
  • White texture is a bit too bright
  • Sharing doesn’t work
  • 'Open with' function disappeared
  • No explanation on how to add textures
  • No way to Share a file with this app
  • No way to associate file types with this app
  • Doesn't open STL files
  • Lighting is bad/too bright
  • Account creation fails with 'gatewaydomainerror1' or 'gatewaydomainerror2'
  • Doesn't work for PLY files
  • Only shows in the bottom left of the screen
  • Model import into app not working via 'Share' menu
  • Registration required, but free version doesn't allow uploads
  • Payment window freezes
  • Crashing when importing ZIP files
  • Impossible to open .obj or .ply files more than 30mb
  • Free version only allows program download, no model viewing
  • Intermittent cloud storage issues
  • Loading permanently
  • Crashes regularly on iPhone
  • Exceeded 100mb size limitation
  • Doesn't work for large files
  • PLY seems to not support multi-texturing
  • App crashes and doesn't save exported ZIP file
  • Loading screen stuck
  • Files are gone from cloud storage
  • Files refuse to show in the app

Requested features

11 requests
  • Locked orbit feature
  • Built-in picture ability with transparent background option
  • Ability to control lighting
  • Add background like a photo from your library
  • Wireframe mode on flat shaded
Show 6 more
  • Ability to store 3D models locally without needing to upload to external server
  • Remove the humongous orbit
  • UI improvements with thumbnails for models
  • Focal length adjustment
  • Built-in instructions
  • Startup models should be downloadable

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Manikin

One-time1
  • Manikin - full$9.99
3 purchases

Emb3D 3D Model Viewer

Subscriptions2
  • Emb3D PRO Monthly$4.491 Month
  • Emb3D PRO Yearly$46.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove ADS$9.99

Questions

Is Manikin free?
Manikin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Emb3D 3D Model Viewer free?
Emb3D 3D Model Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Manikin or Emb3D 3D Model Viewer?
Manikin is rated higher. Manikin averages 4.6 out of 5 from 4.4K ratings, while Emb3D 3D Model Viewer averages 4.4 from 241 ratings.
Do Manikin or Emb3D 3D Model Viewer have ads?
Emb3D 3D Model Viewer shows ads; Manikin does not.
Which is updated more often, Manikin or Emb3D 3D Model Viewer?
Manikin ships an update every 2 months, and Emb3D 3D Model Viewer every 2 months. Most recently, Manikin was updated on September 25, 2026 and Emb3D 3D Model Viewer on September 19, 2026.

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