Makers Empire and Tinkercad 3D Design Software Comparison (updated July 2025)

What Teachers Think of Makers Empire

Full Comparison of Tinkercad and Makers Empire


Tinkercad

Makers Empire 3D App





Makers Empire School Plans (3D App and Teacher Dashboard)

Full access to the app
Suitable for grades K-2
Suitable for grades 3-4
Suitable for grades 5-6
Suitable for grades 7-9+
Compatible with all devices and computers
Licence(s)Unlimited classes, teachers and students One individual (home user)Class, maker and school plans for schools and educational institutions, per student pricing for school districts and enterprise pricing for groups of schools
CostFreeFreePaid
Privacy AgreementsTinkercad (Autodesk) is unable to sign and comply to privacy agreements required by many US school districts. requirements.N/aMakers Empire can comply with and has signed agreements with many US schools and US school districts. We can work with schools and districts to fulfil requirements.
Login OptionsAutodesk, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, class code, email + password
Google, Clever, Apple, Microsoft, email + passwordGoogle/Google Classroom, Clever, Apple, Microsoft, class code, QR code, email + password
Freeform 3D design editor✅ Shaper✅ Shaper
Voxel 3D design editor✅ Blocker✅ Blocker
Advanced design editor✅ Fusion - a seperate app✅ Advanced✅ Advanced
Training Lab or Learning Centre✅ Learning Centre ✅ Training Lab ✅ Training Lab
Themed, in-app Challenge Courses with videos, quizzes, tutorials & challenges.
Full, curriculum-aligned lesson plans✅ 18 lesson plans✅ 150+ lesson plans in the Lesson Plan Library
Lesson plan builder so teachers can create their own curriculum-aligned lesson plans✅ Teachers can opt to share lesson plans with the Makers Empire community via the Lesson Plan Library
Lesson and project ideas (not aligned with curriculum)✅ 100+ projects on website✅ 30+ lesson ideas on website✅ 30+ lesson ideas on website
Timed challenges✅ 24/year delivered via website✅ 12 monthly Design Thinking competitions + 365 Daily Challenges delivered in the app✅ 12 monthly Design Thinking competitions + 365 Daily Challenges delivered in the app
In-app Design Missions✅ 129 in-app Design Missions
Design Mission builder so teachers can create their own in-app Design Missions✅ Create design missions in the teacher dashboard and have them appear in the Makers Empire app✅ Create design missions in the teacher dashboard and have them appear in the Makers Empire app
AR tool
Notes (annotation) tool✅ Can program notes to play in a specific order✅ Can program notes to play in a specific order
Replayer tool (shows how a design was made)
Design and play 3D mazes✅ Maze Mania✅ Maze Mania
Simulation Lab Add-On
Coding Add-On
Circuits Add-On
Students can collaborate on designs
Getting started guide for teachers
Students use non-identifiable avatars and usernames
Teachers control the size of their students' design community
Teacher dashboard
Class management tools
Assign students tasks via teacher dashboard
Online professional development for teachers
Class progress reports for teachers
Can send custom and suggested feedback to students as in-app notifications
Can download .STL files for 3D printing
3D design app (software) support✅ FAQs, forums✅ Live support (phone, email) plus knowledgebase of help articles✅ Live support (phone, email) plus knowledgebase of help articles
3D Printer (hardware) support✅ Set up, troubleshooting and servicing where possible
3D printing bureau for Australian schools