Modly is a free, open-source desktop tool that bundles a few local 3D engines. If you want that, it is a genuinely good option. 3D Mate takes a different path: a polished, native macOS app tuned for Apple Silicon, with more engines, one-click installs, and support.
Short answer: both are local and private. Choose Modly if free and open source is the priority and you are comfortable with a more hands-on setup. Choose 3D Mate for a native Mac experience: more engines, installs from inside the app, Photo Scan, a full viewer and export set, and someone to email when something breaks.
| 3D Mate | Modly | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs locally and offline | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Native macOS, Apple Silicon | Cross-platform desktop |
| Engines | 9 today, more added | A few bundled |
| Install | One click from inside the app | Manual, more technical |
| Photo Scan (Object Capture) | Yes | No |
| Exports | GLB, USDZ, OBJ, STL, PLY, 3MF | GLB, OBJ |
| Model | Paid, one-time or yearly, with support | Free, open source |
Modly is free, open source, and local, and it runs on more than just macOS. For a tinkerer who wants the source and does not mind assembling the pieces, that is a real advantage.
3D Mate is a native Mac app first. Engines install in one click, everything is tuned for Apple Silicon, and you also get Photo Scan (true photogrammetry via Object Capture), a studio viewer, the full export set, signed auto-updates, and support. It is a product rather than a project, sold once rather than metered.
Free to try on any Apple Silicon Mac. Compare every engine on the comparison page.
Download for macOS