Compare software

Houdini Apprentice vs Maya: catalog facts
Houdini Apprentice	Maya
Best for: Free non-commercial version of Houdini for procedural VFX and simulation	Best for: Industry-standard 3D modeling and animation suite for film, TV and games
Free Free for non-commercial, personal use only.	Paid Commercial subscription software from Autodesk.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Nearly the full Houdini FX feature set at no cost Good on-ramp into procedural VFX and simulation work	Industry-standard tool with broad studio adoption Covers modeling, animation and effects in one application
Non-commercial license only Files typically watermarked and not directly compatible with commercial Houdini versions	Expensive subscription pricing aimed at studios and professionals Steep learning curve for newcomers
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Houdini Apprentice sidefx.com/products/houdini-apprentice Catalog checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Maya autodesk.com/products/maya/overview Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.