Free STL viewers let you examine a model without using processor-heavyCAD programs.
Review your work, or someone else’s work, and confirm it’s perfectly edited and scaled.
We evaluated free and open-source STL viewers and rated these viewers according to ease of use and functionality.
Here are our picks for the 13 best free STL viewers.
If your STL files need editing or repairing, you’ll need an STL editor.
Some of these programs offer STL viewing and editing features, while others allow only viewing.
Best for Ease of Use: STLView
The machine’s G-sensor views a model from different perspectives.
Optimized for large models and fast graphics.
Load multiple models at the same time.
No Mac or iOS version available.
No edit or repair functions.
STLView, from ModuleWorks, is a free, basic STL viewer available for multiple platforms.
It supports both ASCII and binary STL formats and loads more than one model at once.
It works well with large models and is optimized for fast graphics.
Use STLView to display your model from different perspectives, zoom in and out, and change colors.
This is a free tool that’s handy and easy to use.
Download For:
Best for Communication: MiniMagics
Make text annotations to communicate with others.
A friendly user interface.
Create a printout of all parts of a project.
No Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS support.
Best Multiple-Function Tool: Meshmixer
Edit and repair STL files.
Useful 3D design tools.
Simple, friendly user interface.
Support Generator tool helps with 3D printing.
You’ll need a powerful system to support all its features.
Meshmixer is more than an STL viewer.
With a vast range of 3D modeling functions, Meshmixer is a powerful tool, focusing on 3D printing.
Best Basic Viewer: SolidView/Lite
View and save images in a variety of formats.
Share files with others to view.
Available only for Windows.
Must upgrade to paid versions for additional functionality.
The Lite version is designed only to get your project to a basic production level.
Best Full-Featured Open-Source Tool: FreeCAD
Runs the same way on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Fast rendering of 3D scenes.
A good user interface and can run in command-line mode.
Revise and edit 3D model files for printing.
Export function for other formats requires an add-on.
Because it’s a full-service CAD program, it’s also a design tool.
Design a project from the ground up as well as adjust, repair, and view designs.
Most Customizable Open-Source Tool: Wings 3D
Powerful and easy to use.
A range of modeling tools.
The interface requires a three-button mouse to use it effectively.
No support for animation.
Wings 3D is a comprehensive, open-source CAD program available in many languages.
It imports and exports multiple file formats, including STL, 3DS, OBJ, SVG, and NDO.
Wings 3D also offers a comprehensive set of mesh modeling and selection tools.
Right-clicking in the program displays a context-sensitive menu with descriptions that appear when you hover over it.
Prepares models for 3D printing.
Fast, efficient, and easy to install.
Can’t create 3D objects from scratch.
MeshLab is an open-source STL viewer and editor created by students at the University of Pisa.
It imports and exports a variety of file formats.
you could clean, re-mesh, slice, measure, and paint models.
It also comes with 3D-scanning tools.
MeshLab is a light and efficient tool that runs on computers without extensive processing power.
Due to the ongoing nature of the project, MeshLab is constantly adding new features.
Best Barebones Open-Source STL Viewer: Viewstl
Small and easy to use.
Basic and easy-to-learn commands.
Need a three-button mouse for it to work best.
Viewstl is a simple and easy open-source STL viewer that shows STL files as shaded on-screen images.
It also supports Ascii STL files and dynamic rotation, scaling, and panning.
Viewstl has basic, easy-to-learn commands and works best with a three-button mouse.
Best Online STL Viewer: 3DViewer
Works on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Personalize the viewer to match your company style.
Upload and share 3D models.
Must upgrade to a paid plan to upload multiple files or update online models.
3DViewer is a free online service.
Use it to view STL files in a web surfing app without the need for software downloads.
After you create a free account, you get 5 GB of free storage.
Paid versions of 3DViewer offer more storage and editing functionality.
Best Full-Service Modeling Program: BRL-CAD
Advanced modeling features.
Available for multiple platforms.
Excellent documentation and coding.
It might be too complicated for a beginner.
BRL-CAD has its own interface and can convert from one file format to another.
Best Open-Source Tool for Album Management: GLC_Player
Review loaded models while loading more models.
Easy navigation within models.
May have more functionality than you need if you’re looking for a simple STL viewer.
It offers an English or French interface for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Use GLC_Player to create and manage albums, and export albums as HTML files.
Use its album-management features to load several models, view thumbnails of loaded models, and switch between models.
Albums files can be saved and reopened later.
Best Combination Viewer and Modeling Program: Gmsh
Fast and user-friendly interface.
Light on system resources.
The website offers tutorials and demos.
Beginners may find it too complicated, while advanced users may need more features.
With a built-in post-processor and CAD engine, Gmsh is more than a viewer.
Best for macOS: Pleasant3D
View STL and GCode files.
Simple and uncluttered interface.
It has only basic editing capabilities.
Pleasant3D was designed to work specifically with macOS.
you’ve got the option to use it to view both STL and GCode files.
However, it can’t convert one to the other and offers only basic editing abilities.
Pleasant3D functions nicely as a basic viewer without the clutter of many extras.
