Blender

Blender is a comprehensive, open-source 3D creation suite. It excels in polygonal modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering (with Cycles and Eevee), and includes VFX and video editing tools. Its target audience is incredibly broad, from hobbyists and indie developers to professional studios, thanks to its zero-cost barrier and powerful feature set. It ranks first due to its unparalleled value, massive community-driven development, and continuous innovation, making it a viable alternative to high-cost commercial software.

Recent updates have significantly improved its UI, asset management, and real-time capabilities.