Comparison

Head Model Studio vs 3D modeling

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

Head to head
About

Head Model Studio

This app provides 3D reference models for artists to study and draw faces. It offers detailed control over lighting and rendering to help users understand facial planes and tones, aiding in portrait drawing practice.

Highlights
  • 25 detailed 3D head models
  • Full 3D model control (zoom, tilt, rotate)
  • Realistic environmental and studio lighting
  • Customizable rendering with edge outlines
  • Pre-made practice scenes
  • Study facial planes and geometry
Features
Read full description

Draw better portraits with Head Model Studio. Study faces in detail from simple planes to complex geometry. It is the best iOS / iPadOS application to learn and study faces in detail. Take your sketches to the next level. INSPIRED BY FAMOUS TECHNIQUES Inspired by master methodologies, Head Model Studio comes with 25 different models, including 2 free. From simple to more detailed models, progress easily by understanding the planes of the face. Expand your practice with 5 classical models. COMPLETE CONTROL You have complete control over the 3D models. Zoom, tilt, and rotate to study each part of the model at will. ENVIRONMENTAL & STUDIO LIGHTING Realistic environmental lighting based on HDR photos, recreate a sunrise, midday, or sunset illumination. Switch to Studio Lighting to create amazing lighting composition with multiple spotlights and different colors. Change the lighting to be at any angle or intensity. Perfect to study the planes of the head and understand tones. CUSTOMISABLE RENDERING The edge outline highlights the planes for easier practice. Turn it off once comfortable and practice in a more realistic setting. Modify the shininess for a different material rendering. PRE-MADE PRACTICE Want to learn to draw but unsure where or how to start? We’ve created a bunch of scenes to get you started. PRICING Head Model Studio offers a couple of free models. A premium access is required to access the rest of the models. Lifetime and Yearly (non-recurring) options are available. WE LOVE FEEDBACK I love coding and drawing, feel free to reach out, and tell me what feature you'd love to see in the app. Terms & Conditions: https://headmodelstudio.com/terms-conditions/

About

3D modeling

Create 3D models and digital art on your mobile device. Sculpt, sketch, and color your designs with intuitive gesture controls and a comprehensive set of modeling tools. Export your creations in standard formats.

Highlights
  • Gesture-based 3D manipulation
  • Vertex, edge, and face editing tools
  • Sculpting and coloring capabilities
  • UV editor for texture placement
  • Material application
  • OBJ file import/export
  • Video tutorials for all tools
Features
Read full description

3D Modeling App lets you easily design 3D content on the go using gestures on iPhone or iPad. No need to use the Apple Pencil, but you can, if you want to. Tons of features: 1. Fast workflow: - Move, Rotate, Scale objects and camera by gestures switching between them on the go. - Easily multi-select Vertices, Edges, Faces and Objects by long tap or frame draw. 2. Vertex tools: Merge (Target merge, Collapse Edges, Collapse Faces), Connect, Create face by vertices. 3. Edge tools: Draw cut by single swipe or by set point by point, Cut loop (create new edge-loops), Select loop (also by double tap), Extrude, Delete, Select ring, Create face by border edge (fill the hole). 4. Face tools: Extrude, Draw face by set points, Detach, Clone, Select shell, Reverse, Delete. 5. Object tools: Combine, Separate, Clone, Mirror, Smooth, Divide, Soft/hard normals. 6. Sculpting tools: Move, Screen, Push, Pull, Smooth. You can adjust brush size and strength. 7. Colouring tools: - Paint textures. - Edit texture placement using UV editor. - Vertex color painting. 8. Display tools: - Grid with settable size and snapping value. - Display info: Triangles count, Distance between vertices, Edge length. - Wireframe on shaded on/off. - Shadows on/off. - Axis on/off. 9. 20 materials can be applied to your objects. 10. Additional tools: - Orthographic camera. - Set Move, Rotate and Scale precise values. - Display selected (Isolate selection). - Grow selection and convert selection. - Move Vertices, Edges, Faces and Objects freely without grid snap. - Snap. - Auto-save. 11. Export & import .obj files. 12. Video tutorial for every tool. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Head Model Studio4 screens
3D modeling4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: 3D modeling at #83 against Head Model Studio's unranked. 3D modeling also leads on ratings volume (14K vs 2.4K). Head Model Studio's advantage is review sentiment (77% vs 68%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Head Model Studio sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month and 3D modeling sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Head Model Studio against 4.6 for 3D modeling. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D modeling has 14K ratings behind it against 2.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of Head Model Studio's written reviews are positive against 68% of 3D modeling's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, 3D modeling every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Head Model Studio versus 3D modeling: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHead Model Studio3D modeling
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.4K ratings)4.6 (14K ratings)
Positive reviews76.7% of reviews — better68.1% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4K14K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#83 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2.2 GB116 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWes CastainCore five, Inc.

Customer experience

Head Model Studio

All ratings2,416 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews232 reviews
Positive76.7%
Neutral9.1%
Negative14.2%

3D modeling

All ratings14,155 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral5.5%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews1,236 reviews
Positive68.1%
Neutral10.8%
Negative21.0%

User reviews

Head Model Studio

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Excellent reference tool for artists
  • 🔍 Helpful for understanding head anatomy and planes
  • 🔧 Customizable lighting and model features
  • 💰 Reasonable subscription pricing

Room to improve

  • 💰 Premium features locked behind paywall
  • 🔒 Lack of free trial to test premium content
  • 🔧 Limited customization options for free users
  • 🐛 Occasional technical issues with lighting and model adjustments

3D modeling

From 14K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 💡 Helpful tutorials
  • 🎨 Good modeling tools
  • 🎨 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Exporting locked behind paywall
  • 🔒 Subscription model
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔍 Unclear file management
  • 🔍 Confusing controls

Bugs and requests

Head Model Studio

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Sudden loss of model functionality after updates
  • Overheating issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add female Loomis head models
  • Expand customization options for paid users
  • Implement full-body reference models
  • Provide option for one-time lifetime purchase

3D modeling

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Painting issues with textures
  • Inconsistent scaling behavior
  • Reference images disappearing
  • Inability to delete objects

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add layer management
  • Improve UV mapping tools
  • Implement lighting controls
  • Allow importing custom models
  • Add mirror/symmetry mode

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Head Model Studio

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Access$9.001 Month
  • 1 Year Access$16.001 Year
One-time2
  • 1 Year Access$23.00
  • Lifetime Access$50.00
6 purchases

3D modeling

Subscriptions6
  • Premium Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Monthly Pro$6.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$34.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Premium Yearly$34.991 Year
  • Yearly Pro$39.991 Year
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Head Model Studio free?
Head Model Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D modeling free?
3D modeling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Head Model Studio or 3D modeling?
Head Model Studio and 3D modeling are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2.4K and 14K ratings respectively.
Do Head Model Studio or 3D modeling have ads?
Neither Head Model Studio nor 3D modeling shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Head Model Studio or 3D modeling?
Head Model Studio ships an update monthly, and 3D modeling every 2 months. Most recently, Head Model Studio was updated on September 23, 2026 and 3D modeling on September 24, 2026.

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