Comparison

3D Modeling, Design vs GemSim

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

Head to head
About

3D Modeling, Design

This app offers intuitive 3D modeling tools for creating detailed models on mobile devices. It's suitable for beginners, kids, and professionals, with features for game development and 3D printing. Export your designs for use in popular game engines or to bring them to life with a 3D printer.

Highlights
  • Intuitive 3D modeling tools
  • Sculpting capabilities
  • 3D model export (OBJ, STL)
  • Game development asset creation
  • 3D printing model preparation
  • Beginner-friendly interface
  • Model library for printing
Features
Read full description

Try the subscription-based 3D modeling app Shapeyard! Whether it’s 3D modeling on iPhone or 3D modeling for iPad – Shapeyard lets you create detailed 3D models using easy and intuitive tools that simplify 3D modeling for beginners and even make it accessible for kids. Shapeyard’s 3D modeling tools are perfect for 3D modeling for games. If you’re wondering how to make a game, start modeling with Shapeyard and export 3D models into Roblox Studio, Unity, and Unreal Engine through the OBJ or STL formats. Elevate your 3D printing endeavors with Shapeyard, the premier mobile iOS app designed to bring your creations to life. Seamlessly create intricate 3D models for 3D printing using our intuitive tools. Unleash your imagination and explore a world of possibilities as you discover an array of 3D models that you can readily download and print in 3D. Shapeyard empowers both beginners and experts to craft the best 3D prints, providing a platform to turn 3D printing models into tangible reality. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just embarking on your 3D printing journey, Shapeyard offers an extensive selection of 3D printing ideas and files, catering to your every need. With Shapeyard, the world of 3D printing is at your fingertips – explore, create, and print with unparalleled ease. Easily create and 3D print your models. Shapeyard allows you to export your creations into slicers and seamlessly transition to 3D printing for tangible results with unparalleled ease. Terms of Use: https://www.shapeyard.org/info/terms_of_use Privacy Policy: https://www.shapeyard.org/info/privacy_policy

About

GemSim

Features
Read full description

Design your gemstone before you cut it. GemSim is a free 3D gemstone faceting simulator for designing, visualizing, and refining gemstone cuts before touching a real stone. Whether you’re learning faceting, experimenting with new ideas, or recreating published designs, GemSim gives you powerful design tools on iPhone, iPad, and the web. Interactive 3D Simulation • Rotate, zoom, and inspect your gemstone from any angle • See design changes instantly in 3D • Preview gemstones with realistic rendering • Analyze light return, windowing, and head shadow Faceting Design Editor Create and modify designs with detailed faceting controls. • Add, edit, reorder, duplicate, and delete tiers • Control facet angles, depths, and indices • Create and reuse custom index sequences • Select meet points directly from the 3D model • Use fractional indexes for advanced designs • Toggle tier visibility and undo changes Frost Edge Create decorative frosted edges directly from the 3D model. • Select individual edges or groups of symmetrical edges • Control the width of the frost strip • Frost crown, pavilion, and girdle edges • Automatically generate editable frost tiers • Preview frosted facets with realistic rendering • Include frosted facets in printable cutting diagrams Design Library Explore thousands of classic and public gemstone designs. Search by shape, design name, designer, dimensions, and more. Load a design and immediately start exploring or editing it. Cloud Storage & Sharing Create a free GemSim account to save designs in the cloud and access them across devices. • Store up to 100 cloud designs • Share designs using public links • Share privately with specific GemSim users • Choose View Only or View + Copy access • Manage access independently for each design An account is optional. Core design and simulation features remain available without signing in, and you can continue saving and opening files locally. Import, Export & Print • Save editable GemSim project files • Export designs as 3D models • Generate printable cutting diagrams and instructions • Use local files without an account Learn and Experiment GemSim is built for beginning cutters, experienced faceters, hobbyists, students, and gemstone designers. Experiment with angles, indices, proportions, meet points, frost patterns, and complete designs without risking valuable rough material. Make mistakes on the screen instead of on the dop. GemSim is free to use, with no subscription required to create, edit, and simulate gemstone designs. Start designing today and discover what’s possible before you make the first cut.

Screenshots

3D Modeling, Design4 screens
GemSim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GemSim at none against 3D Modeling, Design's 11. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. 3D Modeling, Design sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. GemSim asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Modeling, Design ships an update every 10 days, GemSim every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
3D Modeling, Design versus GemSim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D Modeling, DesignGemSim
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (5.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews34.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.7K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMagic Unicorn Inc.Xuezhong Wang

Bugs and requests

3D Modeling, Design

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when trying to create models
  • Inability to save progress
  • Unreliable face tracking and scanning
  • Compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to customize avatars
  • Improve sculpting and modeling tools
  • Integrate with other 3D platforms
  • Provide more free content and features
  • Improve stability and reduce bugs

GemSim

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

3D Modeling, Design

Subscriptions9
  • Pro Version$2.997 Days
  • Pro Version7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Pro Version$5.997 Days
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Pro Version2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Pro Version$29.991 Year
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Pro Version$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$99.99
None

GemSim

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 3D Modeling, Design free?
3D Modeling, Design is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GemSim free?
GemSim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do 3D Modeling, Design or GemSim have ads?
Neither 3D Modeling, Design nor GemSim shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 3D Modeling, Design or GemSim?
3D Modeling, Design ships an update every 10 days, and GemSim every 2 weeks. Most recently, 3D Modeling, Design was updated on October 20, 2026 and GemSim on October 9, 2026.

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