Thangs vs Thingiverse – Which Is Better?

Thingiverse and Thangs are two of the most popular 3D file hosting services.

Thingiverse has existed for more than a decade before Thangs, but Thangs’ rapid growth has led to constant comparisons between the two services.

In this post, I will compare Thangs vs. Thingiverse. I will discuss what each service offers and the pros and cons of each. And finally, I will give my recommendation on which is better.

So, whether you are an engineer, CAD designer, or just someone who enjoys 3D printing, this post will be valuable to you.

Let’s begin!

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Introduction

What is Thangs?

Thangs is the world’s first geometry search engine for 3D models. Launched in August 2020 by Physna Inc, this service also claims to be the biggest online community for 3D creators.

Physna launched this service to help hardware developers access search and collaborative tools to make them work more efficiently.

Hardware developers like engineers, designers, and architects had no way to search for 3D models, which made their work more complex and time-consuming. They also had no platform like GitHub to collaborate on projects or for version control.

But Thangs has leveled the playing field. Hardware developers now have access to the same comprehensive resources as software developers when searching and collaborating with 3D data.

Thangs classifies physical objects and 3D models, similar to how Google indexes 2D data like text and images.

Users can search for parts using Thangs based on their (potential) relationships. With Thangs, a user can upload a 3D model and find out where it might fit or what parts are available as components that match that model.

In terms of collaboration, Thangs provides a smart collaboration tool that allows designers to annotate, compare, and group 3D models together.

What is Thingiverse?

Thingiverse is a web-based online community and search engine for sharing and discovering 3D printable objects. It was founded in 2008 by Zach Smith, the co-founder of MakerBot Industries, a company that makes 3D printer kits for DIYers. Stratasys acquired Makerbot and Thingiverse in 2013.

Thingiverse is also a website where users can discover, design, and share 3D printable objects that are available for download as 3D printing files for anyone to use freely. Users can upload their own design or build a 3D model using an online designer tool created by Thingiverse called Tinkercad.

These files can be downloaded from Thingiverse as STL or OBJ files and can be printed by any 3D printer. Users can also browse and download designs from Thingiverse’s over two million files database.

This is the largest online community for 3D printing, with more than two million registered users and 1.7 million downloads monthly.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: User Interface

Thangs

My first thought about Thangs’ website is that it is inviting. As far as design goes, it is pretty simple and easy to navigate.

When the page loads, you see the Thangs search bar on the left side of the page, just below some texts that read “14,231,160 available models to search, store, and collaborate,” as well as the section on the homepage that highlights featured projects.

At the top of the page, you can see different navigation options, like Sign up, Log in, and Explore. The Sign-up option takes you to the home page, where you can sign up using your email address.

The Login option takes you to the login page, where you must enter your email address and password to log in to Thangs. The Explore option takes you to a page that shows you different search categories and collections.

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Thingiverse

Thingverse focuses on functionality over aesthetics when it comes to its design. It makes sense as they aim to cater to a diverse audience of users with varying tastes in aesthetics and functionality. Thingiverse has a simple, minimalist look that works well for its website’s intended purposes.

The search bar is at the top of the home page, just to the right of the company logo. The Sign-up, Education, Create, and Explore buttons are to the right of the search bar.

The Sign-up button takes you to a page where you can sign up using your email address or Facebook account.

The Education button takes you to the Education page, where you can find educational resources that feature already available designs on Thingiverse.

These designs include categories such as Art, Engineering, History, Special Ed, and even K-6 and 7-12 education. If you click on any of the models, you can find details about the design, such as size, material type, and 3D printer settings.

With the Create button, you’ve got two options: “Upload a Thing!” or “Customize a Thing!” which you can only access after signing up.

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Thangs vs Thingiverse: Free or Paid Designs

Thangs

Thangs is free to join, easy to use, and you can download all files for free. This is good for users because downloading files costs nothing. However, if you are a creator looking to make money from your designs, this may not be the best place for you.

Thingiverse

The same applies to Thingiverse; it is free to join and download shared files.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: File Types

Thangs

Thangs supports 31 file types, including .stl, .3dxml, .3mf, .asm, 3mf, .asab, .model, .obj, .catpart, .catproduct, .stp, usdz, .vda, .x_b, .dwg, .dxf, .par, .prt, .sab, .sat, .sldasm, .fbx, .glb, .gltf, .dxf, .fbx, .glb, .gltf, .iges, .igs, .ipt, and .jt.

This is good because users are not limited in the types of files they can upload or download.

Thingiverse

The most common files uploaded to Thingiverse are .stl files. If you want to print with a Marketbot 3D printer, it is best to download STL files from Thingiverse.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Search

Thangs

Thangs has a basic search bar where you only need to enter keywords or phrases to see results. After the results load, you can filter the results by source, printable, file type, and cost.

You may wonder why a filter by cost option exists when Thangs is free. It is because Thangs displays models from other paid 3D file hosting services.

I’m unsure how I feel about Thangs displaying designs from other services. But the only advantage that benefits the user is more variety in design choices.

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Thingiverse

The search capability of Thingiverse is similar to Thangs in that you type keywords or phrases in the search bar. But in Thingiverse, you filter the results by Things Users, Makes, Collections, and Groups.

Left of the filter button, you can search for designs by selecting categories like Fashion, Learning, Models, Arts, etc.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Groups

Thangs

One of the best things about using a digital product or online service is the convenience of collaboration and sharing ideas with other users.

Thangs 3D Community is Thangs’ online community on Facebook. It is a private group where you are required to send a request to join. Once accepted, you can start rubbing minds with members about 3D engineering, 3D printing, and hardware development.

Like all online groups and communities, you must follow the group rules.

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Thingiverse

Things are done differently on Thingiverse.

There are several groups on Thingiverse created by users. The idea is to start or join a group that resonates with the topics you care to discuss.

For instance, you can join the Engineering group, where you can share and discuss all things engineering-related.

And if you can’t find a group that interests you, create your own.

With this flexibility, you can join more than one group, and the experience can be even more enjoyable.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Prints/Makes

Thangs

Makers can upload the result of what they have 3D printed. However, this includes the picture, description, and a box for other users to comment on.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse also allows makers to share the outcome of their 3D prints. But unlike Thangs, there is more than just a picture and description.

Makers can share more details, particularly on the education page. After describing the design, they can also share related things, print settings, specifications, etc.

Thingiverse also provides the option for users to like and comment on models.

Access to information like this can encourage more users to try it out because it gives them a better understanding of what to expect when they print out the design. The more information you share with users, the better.

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Thangs vs Thingiverse: Customizer

Thangs

Currently, users cannot modify existing designs on Thangs without needing a third-party service such as Tinkercad or Autodesk Fusion360.

Thingiverse

In contrast, Thingiverse allows users to modify designs in the browser without a third-party program.

Thanks to the Thingiverse Customizer app, you can create customizable models based on OpenSCAD parameters. You can set dimensions, activate specific patterns, and define the number of pegs on a model, among other similar features.

Designers can customize certain features and dimensions of base models by writing code in OpenSCAD’s unique programming language.

The Thingiverse Customizer app allows anyone to customize the model based on set parameters after the model has been posted on Thingiverse (including the SCAD file).

Activating the “Customizer” filter in the search options will allow you to find modifiable designs on Thingiverse. After you’ve adjusted the model to your liking, you’ll want to generate and download it.

While customizers are a valuable addition for new users, they are also a negative aspect. Many users post their designs generated from these customizers, so there are a lot of design similarities.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Ownership

Thangs

Physna, the owner of Thangs, compares and analyzes 3D models using deep geometric learning and 3D search. The company drives industrial innovation by connecting physical objects with digital code.

Thingiverse

Marketbot, the owner of Thingiverse, is a company that manufactures desktop 3D printers in New York City.

However, the company was taken over by Stratasys in 2013, along with all its assets. The deal included Thingiverse as well as the printer company.

The common theme of these parent companies is that they are both heavily invested in the 3D print industry.

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Thangs vs Thingiverse: Contests

Thangs

Thangs runs contests and even giveaways for users to win items like free filament and 3D printers. Some recent contests were the HalloWearable Design Contest for costumes for Halloween and the #DIY Back To School Contest.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse also hosts challenges like the MakerEd Challenge, in which contestants need to develop projects that will aid educators in bringing 3D printing into the classroom.

The contest will allow contestants to win a MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D printer for every design they create for a qualifying project.

Another challenge that Thingiverse organized is the Costume Challenge. In this challenge, participants had to design something spectacular to wear to a costume party.

All types of costumes, including masks and practical pieces, were welcome.

However, the entries had to be distinctive and suitable for wear.

Vorpal Robotics sponsored the prizes, including spools of MakerBot® PLA filament and a MakerBot® Replicator®+ Desktop 3D Printer.

These challenges encourage creators and designers to push the boundaries of what 3D printing can do and their design limits. And such competitions boost the community because it encourages participants to share their latest designs with everyone.

The only concern about the contests is that Thingiverse only offers prizes manufactured by Marketbot, which makes sense since Marketbot is Thingiverse’s parent company. But this may not impress you if you are not a fan of Marketbot products.

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Thangs vs Thingiverse: Terms of Use

Thangs

As per Thangs, all three-dimensional models uploaded from the platform are the user’s responsibility. Physna is responsible for how you use their platform to analyze, modify, or create 3D models.

You are responsible for obtaining the intellectual property rights you may require to work with and create 3D models on their website.

Therefore, the users of Thangs are accountable for the intellectual property they post and are responsible for ensuring they have the intellectual property rights to communicate the models they host on Thangs.

Thingiverse

By uploading your work to Thingiverse, you are granting Makerbot a perpetual, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use your work worldwide.

This means you grant Makerbot a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to reproduce and use your model, with the express rights to distribute, publicly display, and create derivative works of your design.

It also means you authorize MakerBot and Thingiverse to use your model for purposes other than those for which it was licensed.

It is important to note that this license extends to Thingiverse and MakerBot partners. However, you retain ownership of your models.

You may find this inconvenient if you are a professional designer. Read the terms and conditions carefully, as other legal agreements hurt intellectual property rights owners.

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Thangs vs Thingiverse: Licences

Thangs

Thangs allows designers to license their designs. Creative Commons Licenses are part of the design options you can choose to enable others to copy, modify, and redistribute your designs.

You can choose to share unrestricted access or opt to set permissions, such as including attribution or revoking royalty-free rights.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse also uses a Creative Commons license type that allows users to share and remix their designs. This license type will enable users to share their works under several conditions, including:

• Attribution: The user must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor of the content (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). This license type also requires users to grant others the right to share, use and build upon their creations—such as remixing or transforming their works.

You retain all rights to your content–you are free to use this content however you choose. This license type will give you the broadest rights to allow others to use your model or design however they see fit.

• Fair Dealing: Users can adapt and build upon the work provided they do not claim authorship and begin distributing it themselves.
• No Derivatives: The user cannot change or alter the model in any manner whatsoever and is required not to distribute content that contains modified versions of the model. It is intended for users who created models on third-party applications like Tinkercad or Autodesk Fusion360.
• NonCommercial: Users cannot distribute their designs to make a profit and must only use this license type for personal projects. A helpful example of when this license type would be proper is if you are a student working on an assignment or prototype that you will show to your professor or instructor.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Collections

Thangs

Collections are any user-created groupings composed of multiple designs. You can add, remove, and order your collections and share them easily with everyone.

Thangs allows its users to curate a collection of their favorite 3D printable objects to make it easy for everyone to find what they need. When you upload your designs to Thangs, they will automatically appear in your collection.

You can then organize your collections and post a link for others to access them. Your collections are private and are only visible to you unless you elect to make them publicly visible or share them with others.

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Thingiverse

Thingiverse also allows users to create collections of their works. Organizers can create and manage collection permissions.

These collections can be public or private, and users can view and sort them differently.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Apps

Thangs

Thangs does not allow for the creation and use of apps.

Thingiverse

Designers can develop apps on Thingiverse to allow the creation and customization of their work. This is great for designers because they can post their creations and see how others use the inspiration from their designs to create something new and unique.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Physical Print Service

Thangs

Thangs does not offer a physical 3D print service. After downloading the file, you must upload it to another 3D printing service.

Thingiverse

On the other hand, Thingiverse allows users to send select designs to be printed via 3D hubs like Treatstock with its platform.

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Thangs vs. Thingiverse: Collaboration

Thangs

With Thangs Workspace, designers can collaborate on their projects. You can share and edit your shared projects on Thangs Workspace in real-time. Think of Thangs Workspace like Google docs or sheets.

Your changes will automatically be saved so you and your collaborators can view them immediately.

Project owners can invite others to view and collaborate on their projects securely.

This is an impressive feature because it streamlines the project collaboration workflow and eliminates the need for third-party tools.

Thingiverse

The only way to collaborate on Thingiverse is to create groups around the topics you like and hope that like-minded creators will join.

Thangs vs Thingiverse: Pros & Cons

Thangs Pros

• There are more models available
• Designers can collaborate in Workspace
• It supports more file types

Thangs Cons

• It doesn’t provide enough detailed descriptions of 3D print results
• Users cannot modify designs without a third-party program
• It does not allow for the creation and use of apps

Thingiverse Pros

• Users can modify designs within the program
• Designers can develop apps to serve as a source of inspiration for other users
• 3D print outcomes have detailed descriptions

Thingiverse Cons

• Fewer models are available in contrast to Thangs
• Collaboration is tricky
• It supports fewer file types

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Similarities & Differences

	Thangs	Thingiverse
Free Design	✓	✓
Search bar	✓	✓
Groups	✓	✓
Print/Makes	✓ (But it only describes the design)	✓
Customizer	X	✓
Contests	✓	✓
Collections	✓	✓
Apps	X	✓
Physical Print Service	X	✓
Collaboration	✓	X

Conclusion: Thangs vs. Thingiverse – Which is Better?

Thangs and Thingiverse match each other in several areas, and they are among the best 3D file hosting services for good reason. But I’d go with Thangs mainly because of its collaborative capabilities with Workspace.

The 3D printing industry is still in its infancy. It has made a lot of strides in recent years. But the reality is that this industry is still growing. So, a powerful feature like Thang Workspace is an advantage that makes real-time collaboration possible. And it helps boost the 3D printing industry as a whole.

In addition, Thangs has almost seven times the amount of models Thingiverse has, which is another plus. In the short period since Thangs was launched, it has rapidly gained ground to become one of the top 3D modeling websites.

The bottom line is you are in complete control of your work, so you may find yourself using one platform over the other for different reasons.