15 Best Heroforge Alternatives in 2024 [Free and Paid]

Introduction:

Heroforge is a popular online character creation tool that allows users to easily design and customize tabletop miniatures for games like Dungeons & Dragons. With Heroforge, you can choose from a wide range of fantasy races, outfits, poses, and other options to create a unique character model. Once designed, you can order a high-quality 3D printed model of your character to use in your games.

While Heroforge is a great option, there are many other excellent character creators and 3D printing services to consider in 2024. Here are 15 of the best Heroforge alternatives currently available, including both free and paid tools:

15 Best Heroforge Alternatives For You (Free and Paid)

1. Eldritch Foundry

Eldritch Foundry is one of the top alternatives to Heroforge when it comes to customizing and 3D printing tabletop miniatures. The character creator has a massive selection of options to build your perfect RPG character, from various races and classes to intricate clothing and armor choices.

Once designed, you can choose to download the STL file for self-printing or order a professional quality model shipped to your door. Turnaround times are fast and the level of detail on the prints is exceptional. It’s one of the most versatile and user-friendly Heroforge alternatives out there.

Key Features:

• Massive library of customization options.
• Detailed 3D models ready for printing.
• STL downloads or professional printing services.
• Fast turnaround times.

Pros:

• Very easy-to-use character creator.
• Tons of detail options for granular customization.
• Models have excellent print quality.

Cons:

• More expensive than some competitors.
• Smaller user base than HeroForge.

2. DesktopHero 3D

For those looking for a completely free and web-based character creator, DesktopHero 3D is an excellent choice. It provides a catalog of highly customizable fantasy character models ready for posing and tweaking.

DesktopHero has a user-friendly interface that allows you to change things like hair, skin tone, facial features, and clothing on base models. With the click of a button, you can randomize features or take fine-grained control. There are also lots of fun accessories and items you can add to bring your character to life.

Finished characters can be downloaded as STL files for 3D printing or as images to use online. It lacks some of the polish and model quality of paid tools but it’s an unbeatable free option for quick character generation.

Key Features:

• Free web-based character creator.
• Fantasy-focused model library.
• Customizable characters ready for 3D printing.
• Simple posing and randomization tools.

Pros:

• Completely free to use.
• Easy to make quality characters quickly.
• Lots of great accessories and items.
• Instantly downloadable STL files.

Cons:

• A smaller selection of models/features than paid tools.
• Poses can sometimes look unnatural.
• Model quality is simpler than paid options.

3. Incarnate RPG

Incarnate RPG is an up-and-coming contender for the best HeroForge alternative. It offers an impressive web-based character builder with the option to buy detailed 3D prints. The interface allows multi-layer customization down to granular details like eyelash length and ear angles.

There are currently fewer base models than HeroForge but the level of tweaking possible gives you the tools to make unique characters. You can choose facial expressions, add props like weapons and armor, and even build large multipart sculptures. Turnaround for prints is fast and the pricing is very competitive.

Key Features

• Highly customizable web-based character builder.
• Print-ready 3D models with lots of detail.
• Multi-part sculpting for large creations.
• Growing model catalog with continuous updates.

Pros:

• Powerful character customization tools.
• Great model quality and print detail.
• Option for complex multi-part models.
• Fast shipping on printed minis.

Cons:

• Offers a smaller selection of base models.
• The web interface is less polished than some alternatives.
• Limited posing compared to HeroForge.

4. MetaHuman Creator

MetaHuman Creator is an AI-powered web tool by Unreal Engine for generating photorealistic human avatar models. Users can customize and randomize hyper-detailed digital humans with ease.

The quality and realism achieved in MetaHuman models blows HeroForge portraits out of the water. The automated tools allow the creation of production-ready human assets rapidly. While not built for tabletop mini-printing, it’s an incredible avatar-generation tool.

Key Features:

• AI-assisted photorealistic human avatar creation.
• Intuitive customization of face, hair, skin, and more.
• Highly optimized models for games and animation.
• Free web-based app.

Pros:

• The most advanced digital human generation is available.
• Models have exceptional detail.
• Surprisingly easy customization.
• Great for next-gen game avatars.

Cons:

• Not designed for 3D printing use.
• The web app requires heavy bandwidth.
• Limited pose and animation options.

5. Avatar Maker

For cartoon-style character designs, Avatar Maker is a great HeroForge alternative to check out. It offers an online character creator with a library of fun cartoon avatar models ready to customize.

The tool lets you change things like hair, clothes, faces, and accessories on base models with a simple click. There are also props, poses, and scene backgrounds to help bring your avatar to life. Final designs can be downloaded as images or 3D printable STL files.

The avatar models won’t have nearly as much detail as HeroForge. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to generate fun cartoon minis or avatars for social media, Avatar Maker hits the spot.

Key Features:

• Online cartoon avatar character creator.
• Good model variety with props and poses.
• Simple customization tools.
• Downloadable STLs and PNG images.

Pros:

• Super easy to make fun cartoon avatars.
• Cute low-poly models are perfect for printing.
• Lots of great accessories and items.
• Completely free to use.

Cons:

• Models are lower detail than HeroForge.
• Limited flexibility for granular customization.
• Smaller selection compared to some tools.

6. Mixamo

Adobe Mixamo alternative to Heroforge offers a powerful 3D character customization and animation suite. The online tool allows you to customize or auto-generate detailed humanoid 3D models ready for posing, animation, and export.

While Mixamo doesn’t specialize in tabletop minis, its character creator provides way more flexibility over details like body shape, facial features, and textures than HeroForge. Animated character files can be downloaded for use in game engines like Unity. The auto-rigging also makes posed models easy to animate.

Key Features:

• Auto and custom character model generation.
• Advanced face, body, and texture customization.
• Auto-rigging for animation.
• Animated character downloads.

Pros:

• Extremely flexible character customization.
• Detailed humanoid models.
• Advanced auto-rigging features.
• Great for game character workflows.

Cons:

• Not focused specifically on tabletop models.
• The web interface has a learning curve.
• Requires technical knowledge to get the most out of it.

7. Maya

Maya is a professional 3D modeling and animation software used widely in the film and game industries. As an advanced HeroForge alternative, it provides an immense toolkit for creating any kind of 3D character you can imagine.

The Maya modeling toolset allows you to sculpt figures with incredible detail down to the finest facial wrinkles and clothing fibers. Character rigging and animation tools make bringing figures to life easy. Maya exports perfectly to all major 3D printing formats when you want a physical model.

Of course, Maya comes with a steep learning curve and a hefty price tag. But for those looking for a professional grade character creation powerhouse, Maya is hard to beat.

Key Features:

• Full professional 3D modeling and animation suite.
• Deep toolset for crafting any character type.
• Advanced animation and posing capabilities.
• Exports to all major 3D printing formats.

Pros:

• Limitless customization flexibility.
• Create stunningly detailed models.
• Animation and posing tools.
• Industry-leading 3D software.

Cons:

• Very steep learning curve.
• Expensive licensing fees.
• Massive overkill for simple needs.

8. MakeHuman

MakeHuman is free, open-source 3D modeling software specialized for creating humanoid figures. The tool provides powerful customization options for quickly generating human character models.

A graphical body mesh editor makes tweaking a character’s physique easy and lifelike. You can finely adjust face and head features, skin, textures, and clothing with preset and custom options. Completed characters are export-ready for animation, game engines, or 3D printing.

While not as advanced as Maya, MakeHuman provides an impressive toolkit for human character creation that goes well beyond HeroForge’s capabilities. The free and open-source nature makes it a great option to experiment with.

Key Features:

• Specialized human character customization tools.
• Intuitive mesh and skeletal editing.
• Detailed face, body, and clothing options.
• Free and open-source.

Pros:

• Highly customizable human models.
• More options than HeroForge.
• Free and open source software.
• Great for prototyping characters.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for advanced use.
• Most models need post-processing.
• Limited fantasy customization options.

9. Fuse CC

Fuse CC is a powerful 3D character creation tool from Adobe. It allows you to make unique and production-ready human and fantasy figures using an intuitive interface.

Fuse sports over 130 animated character-based models spanning male, female, fantasy races, and more. You can customize faces, hair, clothing, accessories, and props with ease. Completed characters and animations can be exported to various formats for games or animation.

Key Features:

• 130+ customizable character bases.
• Animation-ready models.
• Fantasy and human options.
• Face, hair, clothing, prop customization.

Pros:

• Huge character base model library.
• Easy to create production-ready models.
• Animation and posing capabilities.
• More styles than HeroForge.

Cons:

• Not as focused on tabletop minis.
• Requires Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
• Advanced features have a learning curve.

10. VRoid Studio

VRoid Studio is a free character maker from Pixiv that specializes in creating anime-style 3D avatar models. The tool provides an easy-to-use interface for customizing unique anime characters.

You can choose gender, hair, eyes, outfits, and accessories from a catalog of stylized options. Adjusting body type and facial features is also streamlined. Completed characters can be exported with textures and rigs for animation or games.

For anime-inspired tabletop miniatures or quick character portraits, VRoid is fun and easy to use. The animated models work great as virtual VTuber avatars as well.

Key Features:

• Customize anime-style 3D avatar models.
• Hundreds of style presets.
• Export textures, rigs, and poses.
• Completely free tool.

Pros:

• Straightforward anime character customization.
• Massive library of style options.
• Free download with no limits.
• Great for anime miniatures.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility outside of anime style.
• Lower model detail than HeroForge.
• Fewer fantasy customizations.

11. AutoDesk Character Generator

AutoDesk Character Generator uses AI to automatically generate unique humanoid character models. The free web-based tool lets you customize parameters like age, skin tone, expression, and more to produce character concepts.

The AI-generated models have a stylized cartoon quality with lots of quirky personalities. Figures come rigged and animation is ready for use in projects.

Key Features:

• AI-powered instant character generation.
• Customize age, gender, race, and other attributes.
• Stylized cartoon humanoids.
• Downloadable rigged models.

Pros:

• Super fast character ideation.
• Fun mix-and-match customization.
• Hundreds of unique models.
• Free web-based tool.

Cons:

• The model style is very stylized.
• Limited flexibility for granular adjustments.
• Poses and animations need work.

12. Chitubox

Chitubox is a free 3D model slicing and printing software with some handy character customization features. It provides a simple polygon sculpting tool to modify basic humanoid models before 3D printing.

While limited compared to dedicated character creators, Chitubox allows quick resizing, posing, and sculpting adjustments on base models. The seamless printing integration is handy for tabletop gamers with access to a 3D printer.

Key Features:

• Basic humanoid model customization.
• Intuitive sculpting and posing.
• Integrated model slicing for 3D printing.
• Free software.

Pros:

• Easy way to tweak models for printing.
• Free sculpting and posing tools.
• Great for 3D printing enthusiasts.
• Price can’t be beat.

Cons:

• Very limited compared to dedicated software.
• Low polygon models lack detail.
• Small male/female model selection.

13. Character Creator

For a professional character customization suite, Character Creator from Reallusion is a top choice. The toolset allows for intricately customizing characters with options for faces, hair, bodies, clothing, poses, and more.

Finished models integrate with the companion animation and game design tools. There are also lots of drag-and-drop content libraries for fantasy and sci-fi character elements. For tournament-quality miniatures, Character Creator delivers.

Key Features:

• Highly advanced character customization tools.
• Thousands of content items and presets.
• Animation and game design suite integration.
• export formats for 3D printing.

Pros:

• Professional grade customization options.
• Massive content library for RPGs.
• Animation and game design tools.
• High-quality printable models.

Cons:

• Very expensive licensing model.
• Long learning curve to master.
• Overkill for simple tabletop needs.

14. DAZ 3D Genesis

DAZ 3D Genesis is a versatile 3D human model creation platform aimed at digital artists. It provides advanced customization of highly detailed male and female figures.

The Genesis modeler sports preset morphing dials for intuitive tweaking of faces, hair, bodies, and clothing. User-created content expands options even further. Models work with animation tools and game engines like Unity for bringing characters to life.

For artists willing to learn a pro-grade toolkit, Genesis delivers HeroForge-beating realism perfect for detailed miniatures. The upfront cost is the main barrier for casual users.

Key Features:

• Highly customizable and detailed human models.
• Intuitive morphing tools for easy editing.
• Huge selection of content and presets.
• Animation and game engine support.

Pros:

• Most advanced character customization is available.
• Powerful toolkit perfect for miniatures.
• Thriving user content ecosystem.
• Animation and posing capabilities.

Cons:

• Very expensive base pricing tiers.
• The long learning curve to mastering software.
• Requires professional software ecosystem.

15. Ready Player Me

For easy multiplayer avatar creation, Ready Player Me is a neat HeroForge alternative. It offers an AI-powered web app to customize stylized avatar models. Avatars are compatible with popular virtual worlds and metaverse platforms.

The tool provides intuitive sliders and presets to quickly tweak faces, hair, skin, and clothing on Pixar-esque models. It won’t match HeroForge’s detail but the web interface makes avatar creation a breeze.

Key Features:

• AI-powered avatar customization.
• Tuned for social VR and metaverse worlds.
• Easy stylized face, hair, and clothing options.
• Drag and drop presets to speed up design.

Pros:

• Super fast avatar creation.
• Great for multiplayer games and VR.
• Stylized models perfect for cartoony games.
• Easy to use web interface.

Cons:

• Very stylized customization options.
• Limited model detail compared to HeroForge.
• Fewer fantasy costume pieces.

Conclusion

HeroForge offers an awesome way to create and order custom tabletop miniatures. But it’s far from the only option for making personalized RPG characters.

Tools like Eldritch Foundry, DesktopHero 3D, and Incarnate provide similar services with their own strengths. Software like MakeHuman, Genesis 8, and Character Creator give professional-grade control to the dedicated. And options like Ready Player Me make multiplayer avatar creation a breeze.

No matter your specific needs, there’s a HeroForge alternative perfect for generating your dream characters while adding some nice variety to your collection and campaigns. With the continued growth of digital customization tools and 3D printing services, there’s never been a better time to get creative and make tabletop gaming more personal.