What it is
Rhino 3D is desktop software for Windows and macOS with tools for 3D modeling and related work. Its listed capabilities include parametric modeling, animation, rendering and export for 3D printing. The commercial Rhino 8 single concurrent-user license is listed at 995.00 USD per month, billed as a permanent license that does not expire. Options for 10 and 50 concurrent users are 9950.00 USD per month and 49750.00 USD per month, respectively, also billed as permanent licenses. Student or faculty and school licenses are listed at 195.00 USD per month and 975.00 USD per month, with educational-status or school-licensing requirements. Upgrade options are listed for commercial and educational users; the commercial upgrade is 595.00 USD per month, while the student or faculty upgrade is 95.00 USD per month and requires a prior version license key. Evaluation versions cannot be upgraded. A free 90-day evaluation license is available at 0.00 USD per free, but saving and plugins stop working after 90 days. The maker is listed as based in Seattle, Washington, and founded in 1980.
Who it suits. Rhino 3D may suit people who need desktop 3D modeling, animation, rendering or 3D-print export on Windows or macOS. Separate listed licenses address commercial users, eligible students and faculty, and schools.
Good
- Runs on Windows and macOS.
- Includes parametric modeling and animation tools.
- Supports rendering and 3D-print export.
- Commercial single-user license is permanent.
Watch for
- Evaluation saving and plugins stop after 90 days.
- Commercial upgrades do not apply to evaluation versions.
- Educational licenses have eligibility requirements.
Verdict
Rhino 3D offers a permanent commercial license alongside a 90-day evaluation and separate education options. Consider the required license type and the evaluation restrictions before deciding which option fits your use.
Plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial — Rhino 8 single concurrent user | $995 a month | Permanent license; does not expire |
| Commercial — Rhino 8, 10 concurrent users | $9,950 a month | Permanent license; does not expire |
| Commercial — Rhino 8, 50 concurrent users | $49,750 a month | Permanent license; does not expire |
| Commercial upgrade — Rhino 8 single concurrent user | $595 a month | Evaluation versions are not upgradable |
| Student or faculty — Rhino 8 single user | $195 a month | Proof of educational status required |
| Student or faculty upgrade — Rhino 8 single user | $95 a month | Prior version license key required |
| School — Rhino 8, 30-user lab | $975 a month | School licensing; proof of status required |
| Evaluation | $0 | 90-day trial license; saving and plugins stop working after 90 days |
From Rhino 3D's own pricing page, checked 21 Sept 2026. Every plan
What the maker publishes
- Animation tools
- Yes source
- Compute API
- Rhino.Compute exposes Rhino and Grasshopper SDK functionality through a stateless REST API that can run on Windows or Linux servers. source
- Compute scope
- Compute provides access to more than 2,400 RhinoCommon calls plus geometry operations such as intersections, booleans, tessellation and mass properties. source
- Core modeling
- The software provides free-form modeling tools designed for accurate design, prototyping, engineering and manufacturing. source
- Developer APIs
- The developer platform includes RhinoCommon, Rhino.Python, openNURBS, RhinoScript, C/C++ plugin APIs and Grasshopper components. source
- Developer SDK
- RhinoCommon is a cross-platform .NET SDK for Windows, Mac, Rhino.Python and Grasshopper and is distributed as a NuGet package. source
- Digital fabrication
- ShrinkWrap can create watertight meshes around NURBS, SubD, meshes and point clouds for fabrication and 3D printing. source
- Display
- Rhino supports fast 3D graphics, unlimited viewports, clipping planes, named views, floating views and full-screen display. source
- Documentation
- McNeel provides online and offline Rhino help, context-sensitive command help, learning materials and a dedicated developer documentation site. source
- File compatibility
- Rhino supports broad CAD, CAM, CAE, rendering and animation interoperability, including USD and glTF support in Rhino 8. source
- Founded
- 1980 source
- Free plan
- No source
- Grasshopper
- Grasshopper is included as a visual algorithm editor for parametric and generative design without requiring conventional programming. source
- Headquarters
- Seattle, Washington, USA source
- Headquarters
- The company lists its Seattle, Washington office at 146 N Canal Street, Suite 320. source
- License management
- Cloud Zoo is a free cloud licensing service that lets users associate licenses with accounts or teams and sign in on different devices. source
- Licensing model
- Rhino licenses are permanent and have no subscription, maintenance or support fees. source
- Limit: learning curve and missing tools
- G2 reviewers report a steep learning curve, dated or clunky drafting and BIM functions, limited native rendering and occasional file-compatibility problems. source
Review
Rhino 3D is desktop modeling software for Windows and macOS. It suits designers, makers, and contractors who need parametric modeling and tools for presenting or exporting 3D work. Its permanent commercial license is the central draw; the high purchase price and time-limited evaluation make the commitment worth weighing.
Overview
Rhino brings modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D-print export together in a desktop product. Commercial licenses do not expire, which can suit users who prefer ongoing access over a renewing subscription. Concurrent-user options cover individuals as well as larger teams, but the upfront cost is substantial, and the free evaluation does not remain a usable free tier.
Key features
- Parametric modeling: A useful capability for designs that depend on parameter-driven models, making Rhino relevant to detailed design work as well as general modeling.
- Animation and rendering: Animation tools and a render engine support both creating and presenting models in one product.
- 3D-print export: Export support gives makers a route from digital models toward 3D printing.
Pricing
Rhino’s commercial and education licenses are permanent rather than expiring subscriptions, despite the listed monthly billing terms. The individual commercial license is 995.00 USD per month, billed as a permanent license, for 1 concurrent user. For teams, the 10-user license costs 9950.00 USD per month and the 50-user license costs 49750.00 USD per month; both are permanent and cover the stated number of concurrent users.
Existing commercial license holders can upgrade for 595.00 USD per month for 1 concurrent user. Evaluation versions are not eligible for that upgrade, so a trial is not a way to secure a later upgrade price. The student or faculty license costs 195.00 USD per month for 1 user and requires proof of educational status; its 95.00 USD per month upgrade also requires a prior-version license key. Schools can choose a 30-user lab license for 975.00 USD per month, with school licensing and proof of status required.
The Evaluation option costs 0.00 USD per free for 90 days. Saving and plugins stop working after that period, so it is useful for evaluating the product but not as a continuing free plan. Choose it to assess whether Rhino fits a project before purchasing, not as a long-term workflow.
Platforms
Rhino is a desktop application for Windows and macOS. That covers users working on either major desktop platform, but it is not a web-based or mobile option.
Who it's for
Rhino is a strong fit for designers and makers who value parametric modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D-print export, and who want a license that does not expire. Contractors considering it for design work should weigh the same strengths against the cost and make sure a desktop tool fits their workflow. Students, faculty, and schools have lower-cost dedicated licenses, but must meet the relevant eligibility requirements. Those who need only a short evaluation can use the 90-day option; those looking for permanent free access should look elsewhere.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Permanent commercial licenses avoid renewal of the license itself, and concurrent-user tiers make licensing available for teams as well as individuals.
- Pros: Parametric modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D-print export span design and presentation needs.
- Cons: The 995.00 USD per month individual commercial price is a significant commitment, even though the license is permanent.
- Cons: The free evaluation ends after 90 days, and saving and plugins stop working, limiting its usefulness for ongoing work.
- Cons: Education pricing depends on proof of status, while upgrade options carry additional eligibility requirements.
Alternatives
Compare Rhino with other 3D CAD software and CAD software to assess the wider category. SOLIDWORKS is worth considering if its freemium model and annual Design Standard with Cloud Services license at 2820.00 USD per year suit your budget and device-locked workflow better. Solid Edge offers a free plan and lists sheet metal, frame and weldments, surface modeling, and basic FEA among its Foundation capabilities, making it an option to compare for those needs. Creo is another paid option, with a floating license for organizational users and support and maintenance included. Autodesk Inventor may suit Windows users who prefer a monthly subscription or token-based 24-hour access. Onshape has a free plan for non-commercial use, but its documents are public. AVEVA E3D Design is an alternative to consider for large, multi-site enterprise deployments. T-FLEX CAD offers a freemium model and a commercial perpetual license that includes first-year maintenance. Siemens NX is another paid option to compare.
Verdict
Choose Rhino if you need its mix of parametric modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D-print export and want continuing access through a permanent license. Its educational tiers can lower the price for eligible users, but for commercial buyers the cost is substantial, and the evaluation is not a lasting free alternative. Look elsewhere if you need a free ongoing plan, a web or mobile workflow, or a lower initial commitment.