Makers Empire and Tinkercad 3D Design Software Comparison (updated 2023)

Tinkercad and Makers Empire 3D are both 3D design apps suitable for elementary, primary and middle school students. However, Tinkercad is more suitable for older students while Makers Empire is designed specifically for students from kindergarten to grade 8.

Tinkercad is a browser-based app while Makers Empire is an app that works on all computers and devices including touch devices like iPads, which many younger children find easier to use. Makers Empire can also be used in offline mode, which is helpful when internet access is limited.

Tinkercad and Makers Empire can both be used at school and at home. For school customers, Makers Empire 3D software is bundled together with everything educators need to successfully integrate 3D printing into their everyday teaching practice.

Makers Empire was rated second out of 180 EdTech products in Common Sense Education’s Best EdTech of 2018 List. It has been certified by Education Alliance Finland for pedagogical quality and was selected for the Hundred 2022 list of most innovative and scalable education technology solutions.

Makers Empire is used by 3.2 million students in 50+ countries.

Comparing Tinkercad to Makers Empire

Tinkercad Online Modelling Program

Tinkercad Online Modelling Program

Full access to the app
Suitable for grades 5-8
Shaper design module
~~Blocker design module~~
~~Training lab with tutorials and videos~~
~~Curriculum-aligned design missions~~
~~Themed, curriculum-aligned Challenge Courses (videos, quizzes, tutorials and challenges)~~
~~Design Thinking competitions~~
~~Daily Challenges~~
~~Maze Mania game~~
Augmented Reality (AR) tool
~~Notes annotation tool~~
Collaborative design
Compatible with Windows, Macs, and Chromebooks

Licences

Unlimited classes
Unlimited student accounts
Unlimited teachers

Login Options

For each student, educators must provide the student’s country, birthdate, username, password, and parent’s email address.

Privacy

~~Students use non-identifiable avatars and usernames~~
~~Teachers control students’ design community~~
~~Meets the ST4S standards for safety and security.~~

~~Teacher Dashboard~~

~~Class management tools~~
~~2 hours of online professional development~~
~~150+ curriculum-aligned lesson plans~~
~~Progress reports and assessment tools~~
~~Live chat/support~~

~~3D Printing~~

Download designs as STL files for 3D printing
~~Australian schools can use the Makers Empire 3d printing bureau 5~~

Makers Empire 3D Design App

Makers Empire 3D Design App

Limited access to the app
Suitable for grades K-8
Shaper design module
Blocker design module
Training lab with tutorials and videos
Curriculum-aligned design missions
Themed, curriculum-aligned Challenge Courses (videos, quizzes, tutorials and challenges)
Design Thinking competitions
Daily Challenges
Augmented Reality (AR) tool
Notes annotation tool
Maze Mania game
Limited collaborative design
Compatible with iPads, Windows, Macbooks, Tablets (Android) & Chromebooks (Android)

Licences

~~Unlimited classes~~
1 student account
~~Unlimited teacher accounts~~

Login Options

Privacy

Students use non-identifiable avatars and usernames
~~Teachers control students’ design community~~
Meets the ST4S standards for safety and security.

~~Teacher Dashboard~~

~~Class management tools~~
~~2 hours of online professional development~~
~~150+ curriculum-aligned lesson plans~~
~~Progress reports and assessment tools~~
~~Live chat/support~~

~~3D Printing~~

~~Download designs as STL files for 3D printing~~
~~Australian schools can use the Makers Empire 3d printing bureau~~

Free

Explore all features

Makers Empire School Subscription

Makers Empire 3D Design App

Full access to the app
Suitable for grades K-8
Shaper design module
Blocker design module
Training lab with tutorials and videos
Curriculum-aligned design missions
Themed, curriculum-aligned Challenge Courses (videos, quizzes, tutorials and challenges)
Design Thinking competitions
Daily Challenges
Augmented Reality (AR) tool
Notes annotation tool
Maze Mania game
Limited collaborative design
Compatible with iPads, Windows, Macbooks, Tablets (Android) & Chromebooks (Android)

Licences

Unlimited classes
Unlimited student accounts
Unlimited teacher accounts

Login Options

Privacy

Students use non-identifiable avatars and usernames
Teachers control students’ design community
Meets the ST4S standards for safety and security.

Teacher Dashboard

Class management tools
2 hours of online professional development
150+ curriculum-aligned lesson plans
Progress reports and assessment tools
Live chat/support

3D Printing

Download designs as STL files for 3D printing
Australian schools can use the Makers Empire 3d printing bureau

$1,999 per school

Start free trial

What Teachers Think of Makers Empire

“After having tried several softwares I can say hands down that Makers Empire has been the easiest for my students in grades 3-5 to access and manipulate.”

Christopher Burdman, STEM Teacher

Joseph P Tynan Elementary School, Boston, USA

“I have worked with several design software but Makers Empire is the easiest to use… One of the best things students learned is that it is okay to not get the “right” answer the first time, or second time. Students know that “failing” is part of the design process and problem solving. Students have expanded their problem solving skills to think more outside of the box… Before, my students were limited in their STEM applications and designs due to financial issues and materials available. Now each student is able to have an account for their designs and can work at their pace which is meeting them on their individual need. Through this, my after school STEM club has gained interested to where students had to be put on a waiting list. Students have discussed participating in STEM clubs in middle school and high school as well as more interest in engineering type careers.”

Casey Corn, STEM Teacher

Chesnee Elementary School, South Carolina, USA

“Makers Empire has been a great tool for many of my students that find other CAD software difficult. Some students have difficulty visualizing in a 3D workspace; 3D modelling is great practice to build spatial sense… This is linked to a skill in our math curriculum, so it’s great to give a real world application for students to practice… Originally I started with my whole class using TinkerCAD. However, when given the choice many of my students gravitated to Makers Empire. I’m not sure if they prefer using the touch screen on the tablets to manipulate their designs, the gamification, or something else, but many have been successful with it and have made some great designs! 3D printing tech lets my students see themselves as creators and how it can help others. They feel empowered by the possibilities of the technology and the leadership they are able to take in their school.”

Jeff Hennigar, Grade 4/5 Teacher

BLT Senior Elementary School, Nova Scotia, Canada

“Software is great, very user friendly… Kids loved it.”

Bryan Couts, Technology Teacher

Titusville Middle School, Pennsylvania, USA

“I was trying to start 3D printing in our school for a while, but I found it very difficult to start from nothing. I needed a lot of resources and easy access to resources. This program has provided everything that I needed. It was wonderful!… All of my students learned how to use Makers Empire design software during my STEM classes. I used Makers Empire lessons: “Let’s Get Decorated” with 5th-8th grade students and “Mazes” with 8th grade students. They all loved learning about 3D printing… I enjoyed teaching this, observing their enjoyment, learning and looking at their awesome designs,”

Meltem Albayrak DiLeo, Teacher

Holy Trinity Catholic School, Pennsylvania, USA

“I am so much better prepared and motivated to tackle our 3D printer dilemma. I am so glad you clarified that the goal is not necessarily to print but to be creative, have the kids explore and problem solve… This makes so much more sense. Of course, we will have a printing party to inaugurate our new journey through the Design Thinking Process in Makers Empire, but we will focus on having the kids grow into becoming better designers and problem solvers. Thank you!!!”

Martha Garibay, 1st Grade Teacher & Robotics Coach

52nd Street Elementary School, California, USA

“As a school, this has been a game changer in the 3D design game for our students of all ages. This is a great design and creation tool that teachers and students can use to be innovative and share ideas with a vibrant community of makers. With Makers Empire, students learn how to identify needs and opportunities and then create, prototype, test and refine designs of solutions using 3D printing.”

Craig Kemp, Head of Educational Technology

Stamford American International School, Singapore

From the beginning, the students had no trouble. They absolutely loved it… The students’ favorite part was going from the computer screen to something they can hold in their hand…It’s always better if you can give students an authentic reason to communicate.”

Sandra Wiseman, Library Media & Technology Integration Specialist

Woodsdale Elementary School, West Virginia, USA

“The students love it. They picked it up very quickly. Now, they are better at it than I am!”

Colleen Small, Media Specialist

Groveland Elementary School, Minnesota, USA

“Before I started with Makers Empire I had no idea how 3D printing worked. I avoided coding and anything to do with the DigiSpace… Definitely, do the PD (professional development) from Makers Empire. It was very clear and helped me put 3D printing into practice… I think it’s wonderful for someone who is a bit fearful… it really helped me develop confidence in it.”

Jane Doherty, Teacher Librarian

Kelvin Grove State College, Australia

“Makers Empire is a more student-friendly version of TinkerCAD for your primary kids. It’s so much easier and there are games to teach the kids how to design and how to manoeuvre the build plate… TinkerCAD, Sketchup – they are all for upper grades.”

Robin McGinnis, North/South/Jr. High Lead Teacher – STEAM

Mount Healthy City School District, USA

“The benefit of Maker’s Empire is that it provides learning experiences using 3D Printing to enable students to develop their understandings of Design and Digital Technologies across all areas of the School Curriculum.”

Gary Romeo, Teacher

St Margaret's Primary School, Maribyrnong, Victoria

“A simple 3D modelling program for the early years that is easy for students to use on the IPads.”

Alex Lumb

Prospect Primary School, South Australia

“Makers Empire is an interactive, ‘kid-friendly’, easy to use and intuitive CAD Package.”

Jim Goodall, Senior Leader for School Improvement for the Mt Lofty and Heysen Dept. for Education Partnerships

South Australia