# MeshLab vs SideFX Houdini

| Attribute | MeshLab | SideFX Houdini |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 34.4 (14% (low)) | 20.1 (3% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 1 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 5,802 | - |
| description.long | Enables interactive processing of 3D mesh data, including editing, repair, analysis, rendering, and conversion. Designed for professionals working with output from 3D scanning equipment and those preparing models for three-dimensional printing. | Houdini is a procedural 3D animation and visual effects platform that provides comprehensive tools for artists and studios to create cinematic results. It includes modeling, rigging, character animation, simulations, look development, lighting, and rendering capabilities across the entire production pipeline. |
| integrations.count | - | 4 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Unreal Engine"},{"name":"Maya"},{"name":"Unity"},{"name":"3ds Max"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | GPL-3.0 | - |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"IT","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"CA","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.meshlab.net","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:20:25.233Z"}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | - |
| pricing.model | open_source | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 59 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/MeshLab-2025.07","date":"2025-07-22T06:48:34Z","type":"stable","version":"MeshLab-2025.07"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/MeshLab-2023.12","date":"2023-12-12T11:52:49Z","type":"stable","version":"MeshLab-2023.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/MeshLab-2022.02","date":"2022-03-02T11:26:46Z","type":"stable","version":"MeshLab-2022.02"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2021.10","date":"2021-10-29T08:59:03Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2021.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2021.07","date":"2021-07-19T16:44:36Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2021.07"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2021.05","date":"2021-05-21T11:51:47Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2021.05"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.12","date":"2020-12-01T12:46:07Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.09","date":"2020-09-01T08:12:01Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.09"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.07","date":"2020-07-01T07:55:48Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.07"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.06","date":"2020-06-01T08:56:11Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.06"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.05","date":"2020-05-01T12:54:07Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.05"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.04","date":"2020-04-01T11:18:29Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.04"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.03","date":"2020-03-01T00:23:11Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.03"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/Meshlab-2020.02","date":"2020-02-01T00:33:20Z","type":"stable","version":"Meshlab-2020.02"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/bfa1bbc","date":"2019-12-04T17:16:12Z","type":"prerelease","version":"bfa1bbc"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/f6c6675","date":"2019-01-29T05:29:12Z","type":"prerelease","version":"f6c6675"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/48663dc","date":"2018-12-19T06:28:35Z","type":"prerelease","version":"48663dc"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/d140b21","date":"2018-10-18T08:43:21Z","type":"prerelease","version":"d140b21"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/42ef8f6","date":"2018-10-18T08:46:34Z","type":"prerelease","version":"42ef8f6"},{"url":"https://github.com/cnr-isti-vclab/meshlab/releases/tag/dff7980","date":"2018-10-01T10:19:17Z","type":"prerelease","version":"dff7980"}]` | - |
| security.scorecard | 2.7 | - |

## Capabilities (3d Modeling)

| Capability | MeshLab | SideFX Houdini |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | - | - |
| Polygonal box mesh modeling | - | - |
| Digital clay brush sculpting | - | - |
| Procedural node based generation | - | - |
| Skeletal rigging and inverse kinematics ik | - | - |
| Nurbs and spline based modeling | - | - |
| Uv mapping and texture unwrapping | - | - |
| Native CPU GPU raytraced render engine | - | - |
| Game engine export fbx obj gltf | - | - |
| Motion graphics and cloner effectors | - | - |
| SOC2 type ii | - | - |
| ISO 27001 | - | - |
| Pricing model | - | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:00:13.913Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*