You can 3D print cool stuff with 3D models available all over the internet. But finding the right STL 3D Model for your 3D printer, for your purpose is not quite easy. Well, there are tons of websites you can use to download free STL models for 3D printers without any trouble.
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.
Pros:
- 4.36+ million CAD files including STL
- Search by keywords or categories
- Upload or download models
Cons:
- Requires registration for downloads
Key Features: Free to download 3D models | Active community of 6M+ users | Supports STL, VRML, STEP, and others | Easy to use
Visit: GrabCAD
Thingiverse
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.
Pros:
- 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
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Key Features: Free to download STL files | Search by keywords and categories | Share across the web | Download or upload things
Visit: Thingiverse
Yeggi
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’.
Pros:
- 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
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Key Features: Updated daily | Popular search engine for 3D models | Easy to use | Simple UI | Sort by categories, tags & search by keywords
Visit: Yeggi
STLFinder
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.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- More than 2 million STL files
- Free and paid models
Cons:
- Some paid models could cost a fortune
Key Features: A powerful search engine for 3D models | No fluff & no ads | Search anything
Visit: STLFinder
TurboSquid
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.
Pros:
- 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
Key Features: Curated Categories | 24/7 customer support | Simple return policy | Offers 3D models, textures, graphics | Enhanced licensing policy
Visit: TurboSquid
Free3D
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.
Pros:
- 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
Key Features: 400K+ 3D printer files | Easy to use | Simple yet impressive UI | Robust search box | Supports all major 3D modeling features & file formats
Visit: Free3D
CGTrader
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.
Pros:
- Supports multiple file formats
- S292,440+ 3D STL files
- Free account
- Royalty-free use
Cons:
- Premium 3D models could go above $500
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
Visit: CGTrader
Cults3D
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.
Pros:
- Request a custom 3D model
- A huge community of users
- Search by category, keywords & tags
Cons:
- Premium models can be too expensive
Key Features: High-quality 3d model designs | Both free & paid models | Active community of designers, makers | Unlimited contests | Learn mode with blog | Publish & earn
Visit: Cults 3D
MyMiniFactory
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.
Pros:
- 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
Key Features: Built-in Customizer | 100% printable 3D models | Easy to use | Learn more with the community & blogs
Visit: MyMiniFactory
PinShape
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.
Pros:
- 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
Key Features: High-quality 3D STL models | Free & Paid downloads | 70,000+ makers & designers community | Sell STL models for profit
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.
Good list, it would be nice to add also 3DfindIT.com
https://www.3dfindit.com/cad-bim-library?lang=en_US&path=dape