Our verdict: VRoid Studio is the easiest way to make an anime-style 3D avatar without modeling skills: pick presets, move sliders, paint textures and export VRM. Models you build are yours to use, including commercially. It only makes humanoid anime characters, so anything else needs a real 3D modeler.
About VRoid Studio
VRoid Studio is a 3D character creation app made by pixiv Inc. in Japan. It is free for everyone, and pixiv states that models made with it are yours to use on other platforms and services. Preset bodies, outfits, accessories and textures without special license notes may be used commercially, for example for streaming or selling the exported model.
Characters are built from presets for faces, hairstyles and outfits, then shaped with sliders. Hair is drawn as strokes that become 3D strands with individual bounce settings, and a texture editor with layers and pen pressure lets you paint on the model or its UV map. Finished avatars are exported as VRM files for VTuber apps, games and social VR, or uploaded to pixiv's VRoid Hub. On Windows, pixiv recommends installing it through Steam.
What it does well
- Preset-based creation. Faces, hairstyles, outfits and accessories that you adjust with sliders.
- Hair drawing. Draw hair chunks with one stroke and set bounce for each chunk.
- Texture painting. Layered texture editor with pen pressure, on the 3D model or UV map.
- Outfit templates. Combine and overlay clothing templates to build new outfits.
- VRM export. Export avatars as VRM files or upload them to VRoid Hub.
Who it is for
Good fit
VTubers, game makers and hobbyists who want an anime-style humanoid avatar without learning 3D modeling.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who needs realistic characters, non-humanoid creatures or general 3D modeling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free, including commercial use of your models
- No 3D modeling skills needed
- Hair and texture tools work well with pen tablets
- Standard VRM export for VTuber apps
Cons
- Windows version is distributed through Steam
- Only anime-style humanoid characters
- Detailed edits beyond presets take practice
How to install VRoid Studio
The official page recommends getting VRoid Studio for Windows through Steam, so you need a Steam account and the Steam client. The "Windows, macOS installers" link on the same page is for the old VRoid Studio beta. pixiv lists an Intel Core i5 6th gen or Ryzen 5 3rd gen CPU, 8 GB of RAM and 10 GB of free space as minimum.
Questions about VRoid Studio
Is VRoid Studio free?
Yes. pixiv states that VRoid Studio is free to use for anyone. On Windows it is installed through Steam at no cost.
Can I use VRoid models commercially?
Yes. Models you create are yours, and preset items without special license notes can be used commercially, for example for streaming or selling the model. Items made by pixiv or third parties with their own terms must follow those terms.
What format does VRoid Studio export?
It exports VRM, a 3D avatar format supported by many VTuber apps, games and social VR platforms.
