In 3D model generation, Hunyuan3D 2.1 (Tencent) ranks #2 and Retro Diffusion ranks #5. On 3D Arena, Hunyuan3D 2 is #8 and Hunyuan3D 2.1 is #10 of 24 image-to-3D models. Free open weights you run on your own GPU, but the licence doesn't cover the EU, UK or South Korea. 3D Arena leaderboard
Commercial use: Hunyuan3D 2.1 (Tencent): restricted (see notes) terms. Retro Diffusion: commercial use allowed terms.
Free plan: Hunyuan3D 2.1 (Tencent): free plan (Free open weights (your own GPU costs)) pricing. Retro Diffusion: free trial or credits only (Free starting balance for new accounts) pricing.
Shipping free-plan output in a paid game: only Retro Diffusion allows it, per their published terms.
API and MCP: both: public API, official MCP server.
Engine integrations stated by the vendor: Hunyuan3D 2.1 (Tencent): none stated (standard file export). Retro Diffusion: Godot, Unity, Unreal.
Self-hosted image-to-3D outside the EU/UK/South Korea
Pay-per-image pixel-art sprites and tiles
What it does
Open-weights image-to-3D model with PBR material generation that you can run on your own hardware.
Pixel-art-specific image models for sprites, tiles, tilesets and animations, plus low-poly 3D model generation with export for Godot, Unity and Unreal. Also sells an Aseprite extension.
Verdict
For devs who can self-host a 3D model generator at no licence cost; the licence excludes the EU, UK and South Korea, and products over 1 million monthly users must request a licence.
For pixel-art devs who want pay-per-image pricing with no subscription; the site says all output is yours for commercial use.
Tasks●
3D model generation, Textures & materials
Concept art & 2D assets, 3D model generation
Engines●
Any (standard file export / engine-agnostic)
Godot, Unity, Unreal
Free plan●
Free plan Free open weights (your own GPU costs)
Free trial or credits only Free starting balance for new accounts
Pricing
Free to download and self-host (your own GPU/compute costs apply). source
Pay per generation from a prepaid balance: images from US$0.03 (RD Fast), US$0.06, US$0.18 (RD Pro); animations from US$0.07 per clip. New accounts get a free starting balance. source
Export formats
Not stated by vendor
Not stated by vendor
Commercial use●
Restricted (see notes) Tencent Hunyuan 3D 2.1 Community License: does NOT apply in the EU, UK or South Korea; use of the works or outputs outside the licensed territory is unauthorized; products with over 1 million monthly active users must request a license from Tencent. source
Commercial use allowed Official FAQ: "Everything you generate is yours, for personal and commercial projects alike." source
Revenue share / caps●
Products with over 1 million monthly active users must request a licence from Tencent.
Not stated by vendor
API
Available. Paid Hunyuan 3D API on Tencent Cloud source
Rows marked ● differ between the two tools. Licence badges: green = commercial use allowed (including any free plan or trial), amber = paid plans only, restricted, or allowed but with no free plan, red = not allowed, grey = not stated by vendor or not applicable. Read the vendor's current terms before you ship.
