We have curated a list of the top websites you can visit to get the free STL 3D models for your 3D printer.
GrabCAD
The website is managed by third-party designers who upload models ranging from easy to complex with thousands of polygons. It is usually tagged as the largest library of free STL files and other formats. You can search by category or use the search box. GrabCAD has a 3D printing & modeling software called GrabCAD Workbench and GrabCAD Print. It is popular among manufacturers, designers, engineers among others. Key Features: Free to download 3D models | Active community of 6M+ users | Supports STL, VRML, STEP, and others | Easy to use
4.36+ million CAD files including STL Search by keywords or categories Upload or download models
Cons:
Requires registration for downloads
Visit: GrabCAD
Thingiverse
Thingiverse is one of the most popular STL files repositories offering 2.8+ million SLT files on the display. The website loads much faster, allowing users to search between millions of free STL files to download. You can search by keyword or category through its repository. The website offers a platform for designers to publish their STL models for others to download. Be a part of the various 3D printing designers and professionals from across the globe. You can share, like, and comment on the things and interact with designers and other people like you. Key Features: Free to download STL files | Search by keywords and categories | Share across the web | Download or upload things
More than 2.8 million STL files Free to use Easy and Intuitive A very active community Supports 19 file types
Cons:
Intrusive ads The website is slow to load –
Visit: Thingiverse
Yeggi
Unlike most of the websites offering free and paid 3D models, Yeggi offers nearly 90% of the total 2.51+ million models free of cost. Yeggi is a search engine like STLFinder that crawls all the websites with 3D STL models and returns the results. You can use Yeggi as like as if you are searching on Google. You just need to enter the keyword and it can return the STL files as results. Filter the searches if you want to see only the latest, free, or for sale, and others. The website is updated daily with an average of 400 new 3D printer files added every day. You can add the files to the list before finalizing the models to print or tap on ‘print now’. Key Features: Updated daily | Popular search engine for 3D models | Easy to use | Simple UI | Sort by categories, tags & search by keywords
More than 2.51+ million 3D models Biggest collection of free 3D models Updates daily with new models Better results than rivals Lucrative search option with filters
Cons:
It’s just a search engine No community tab –
Visit: Yeggi
STLFinder
STLFinder is a search engine to find STL files for the 3D printers. The website searches across the internet and returns your results with both free and paid models. Depending on what you choose, you can download it and use it on your 3D printer. Similar to Thingiverse, STLFinder has a database of more than 2 million 3D models to find. It is a powerful yet easy to use platform with free STL files ready to download straight away. The best thing about the website is that you get a proper, easy to use, minimalistic interface like Google. Type in the keywords, filter it by paid or free and it will return with hundreds of STL files. Key Features: A powerful search engine for 3D models | No fluff & no ads | Search anything
Easy to use More than 2 million STL files Free and paid models
Cons:
Some paid models could cost a fortune
Visit: STLFinder
TurboSquid
The portal has more than 860K free and premium 3D models and designs to choose from. This includes many file formats and software systems to use including AR and VR. TurboSquid is a powerful 3D STL files website that offers a variety of categories of models to choose from. It covers airplanes, architecture to plants, nature, furnishings, and other categories. The only downside is that there’s a limitation in the number of 3D models. In fact, you could find almost 53,089 models available under which only 1,780 are free. You’ll get all information about the model, attribution, license, file supported, and more. Key Features: Curated Categories | 24/7 customer support | Simple return policy | Offers 3D models, textures, graphics | Enhanced licensing policy
Supports multiple file formats More than 860K 3D models Detailed description for each listing Easy to use
Cons:
Limited STL files Limited free 3D printer files
Visit: TurboSquid
Free3D
Among all the STL files and 3D models it offers, Free3D has only around 16K free models, while the 391K are paid 3D models. Free3D is a marketplace of 3D models available across different software and file formats. Free3D offers file formats of VRML, STL, OBJ, Blender, and more. The platform has a support of 14 languages and a community that updates its content almost daily. You can share your models on-top to create a portfolio. The user interface is impressive with easy to use navigation panel. In fact, the homepage has almost all details you might need, which is a great feature. Key Features: 400K+ 3D printer files | Easy to use | Simple yet impressive UI | Robust search box | Supports all major 3D modeling features & file formats
More than 400,000 3D models Sort by categories, types, free & paid Supports multiple file formats Multi-language support
Cons:
Doesn’t have enough free models More than 90% 3D models are paid Not all models at STL
Visit: Free3D
CGTrader
With more than 1 million+ 3D models across all formats, CGTrader is undoubtedly a big place for STL files search. Deducting others, there are still 292,440 3D printer models available although it includes both free and paid ones. The website offers an easy to use interface, a search box sitting on the homepage lets you search by keywords. All the 3D models are professional quality that makes paying worth it. There is a huge community of designers who upload their models to create a portfolio. You can also do the same if you are a 3D model designer. CGTrader is also a Freelance Hub allowing users to search for projects and get hired. There’s also a feature to sell 3D models at a royalty of up to 80%. The website runs discounts throughout the year allowing you to purchase models at a cheaper price. Key Features: More than 1 million 3D models | 292K printable models | Sell 3D Models | Search by tags, keywords & categories | Enterprise Services | Tutorials & Forum | Freelance Hub
Supports multiple file formats S292,440+ 3D STL files Free account Royalty-free use
Cons:
Premium 3D models could go above $500
Visit: CGTrader
Cults3D
Cults 3D is a France Free STL file downloads website that offers an intuitive interface. With more than 160,000 3D printer models, Cults 3D is one of the fastest-growing communities of designers and professionals. You can use its efficient search box to search by keyword or sort it with categories and tags. Can’t find one? Cults 3D offers a quick requirement to create a 3D model design in a jiffy. Available in Spanish, French, and English, this increases the footfall on the website. You can check out its repository of 3D STL files via its random and collections section or use the search box to find. Each listing on Cults3D gives you info on the format, description, photos, and licensing details. What makes it even more attractive is the option to edit 3D models before downloads. There’s a community tab to get in touch with the designers. Also, you can publish your own 3D models and STL files with 80% of royalty. Key Features: High-quality 3d model designs | Both free & paid models | Active community of designers, makers | Unlimited contests | Learn mode with blog | Publish & earn
Request a custom 3D model A huge community of users Search by category, keywords & tags
Cons:
Premium models can be too expensive
Visit: Cults 3D
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is an STL files repository with over 129,000 3D models available for use. The portal checks all the designs posted by its community of designers making sure all designs are 100% printable. If you are a designer or starting into this field, check out the various contests and challenges that MyMiniFactory organizes throughout the year. MyMiniFactory has a budding community where you can interact with others if you are a designer. Submit your entries and stand a chance to win the title of a rockstar. Contribute to the community by uploading and selling your profits. There’s a built-in customizer if you want to customize any 3D design before uploading a new or downloading an existing one. It has close ties with printer manufacturer iMakr where you can buy 3D printers and accessories. Key Features: Built-in Customizer | 100% printable 3D models | Easy to use | Learn more with the community & blogs
More than 129,000 3D files Sell your designs for a profit 3D challenges and contests to complete Multi-language support
Cons:
Premium designs require pay First-party promotional ads
Visit: MyMiniFactory
PinShape
PinShape offers both free and premium STL files for 3D printing needs. It has a Pinterest-like layout that makes it easy to search through the database of 3D models. The website has models supporting file formats STL and OBJ and contains all the info regarding attribution & licensing right in front of you. What makes PinShape unique is its offerings and the ease to edit it. With PinShape, you can be a part of more than 70,000 makers and designers. You can upload STL files free on the website and earn a hefty amount when you sell any renders. Ther website runs contests so you can take part in it too. Key Features: High-quality 3D STL models | Free & Paid downloads | 70,000+ makers & designers community | Sell STL models for profit
All info about downloads are available One of the largest community Abundant study materials Efficient search box for faster searches
Cons:
Some models are under a paywall Supports OBJ and STL only There’s no customizer tool
Visit: PinShape These were the best websites to download STL files for your 3D printing project. Of course, there are dozens of alternatives to choose from including 3DKitBash, Polar Cloud, Instructables. Let us know which website you found the most amazing off the list. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
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