TurboSquid vs CGTrader Fees & Royalties in 2026: Which Pays 3D Artists More?
Which pays more in 2026, TurboSquid or CGTrader?
On a $50 3D model sale, CGTrader takes $20 in fees and leaves you with $30, while TurboSquid takes $30 and leaves you with $20 at basic tiers. For most 3D asset sellers pricing between $25-100, CGTrader pays about $10 more per sale, so it's usually better for pure take-home. TurboSquid's SquidGuild exclusivity and 20% affiliate bonus can offset the gap for established artists with strong referral traffic.
This comparison focuses on 3D model marketplace royalties for digital asset creators, not custom freelance jobs or commissioned work.
Fee Comparison at a Glance
TurboSquid vs CGTrader fees on 3D model sales in 2026
| Sale Price | TS Fee % | TS Fee $ | TS Net | CG Fee % | CG Fee $ | CG Net | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | 60% | $15.00 | $10.00 | 40% | $10.00 | $15.00 | CGTrader |
| $50 | 60% | $30.00 | $20.00 | 40% | $20.00 | $30.00 | CGTrader |
| $100 | 60% | $60.00 | $40.00 | 40% | $40.00 | $60.00 | CGTrader |
| $200 | 60% | $120.00 | $80.00 | 40% | $80.00 | $120.00 | CGTrader |
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How TurboSquid Fees Work in 2026
TurboSquid operates on a tiered royalty system with a base rate of 40% for non-exclusive sellers. This means on every sale, TurboSquid keeps 60% and you receive 40% of the sale price.
The SquidGuild program offers significantly better rates for exclusive sellers. By committing to sell your 3D models only on TurboSquid, you can earn 50-80% royalties depending on your lifetime sales tier:
| SquidGuild Tier | Lifetime Sales | Your Royalty |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $0 - $10,000 | 50% |
| Silver | $10,001 - $50,000 | 60% |
| Gold | $50,001 - $150,000 | 70% |
| Platinum | $150,001+ | 80% |
At a $50 price point (non-exclusive):
- TurboSquid commission: $30.00 (60%)
- You keep: $20.00
Bottom line: TurboSquid's base rates are the lowest in the 3D marketplace industry, but SquidGuild exclusivity and affiliate income can significantly boost earnings for committed sellers.
How CGTrader Fees Work in 2026
CGTrader uses a 26-level progressive royalty system that rewards sales volume without requiring exclusivity. New sellers start at Level 1 with a 60% royalty rate (CGTrader keeps 40%), and can progress to Level 6 earning 85% royalties.
| CGTrader Level | Royalty Rate | You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (New) | 60% | $30 on $50 |
| Level 2 | 65% | $32.50 on $50 |
| Level 3 | 70% | $35 on $50 |
| Level 4 | 75% | $37.50 on $50 |
| Level 5 | 80% | $40 on $50 |
| Level 6 (Top) | 85% | $42.50 on $50 |
CGTrader also processes payouts monthly with a low $50 minimum threshold, making it accessible for artists with moderate sales volume.
At a $50 price point (Level 1):
- CGTrader commission: $20.00 (40%)
- You keep: $30.00
Bottom line: CGTrader offers the best starting rates for new 3D artists and doesn't lock you into exclusivity to earn higher tiers.
Is CGTrader Cheaper Than TurboSquid?
Yes. On typical $25-100 sales at basic tiers, CGTrader keeps 40% vs TurboSquid's 60%, so you keep about $10 more per $50 sale on CGTrader.
The only scenario where TurboSquid becomes competitive is when you're a SquidGuild Platinum member (80% royalty after $150K+ lifetime sales) or earning significant affiliate commissions from referred customers.
When Should Creators Pick TurboSquid?
TurboSquid is the better choice when:
- You can commit to exclusivity: SquidGuild's 50-80% royalty rates beat CGTrader's starting rates, but require selling only on TurboSquid.
- You have strong referral traffic: The 20% affiliate bonus on referred purchases can add significant passive income if you have a YouTube channel, blog, or social following.
- You're already established: High-volume sellers with $150K+ lifetime sales earn 80% royalties, which beats most competitors.
When Should Creators Pick CGTrader?
CGTrader is the better choice when:
- You're just starting out: 60% royalty from day one with no barriers or requirements.
- You want to sell on multiple platforms: No exclusivity requirements at any tier level.
- You prefer predictable progression: The 26-level system rewards consistent sales without gambling on affiliate traffic.
Long-Term Earnings Potential
How do the platforms compare as your career grows?
| Seller Stage | TurboSquid (Non-Excl.) | TurboSquid (SquidGuild) | CGTrader |
|---|---|---|---|
| New seller ($50 sale) | $20 (40%) | $25 (50%) | $30 (60%) |
| Mid-tier ($50 sale) | $20 (40%) | $30-35 (60-70%) | $35-40 (70-80%) |
| Top seller ($50 sale) | $20 (40%) | $40 (80%) | $42.50 (85%) |
What About Fab (Epic Games)?
If you're also considering Fab (formerly Unreal Marketplace), it offers an 88% royalty rate—the highest in the industry. However, Fab is primarily focused on game-ready assets for Unreal Engine and Fortnite creators.
See our complete Fab fees breakdown for a detailed comparison. For general 3D models sold across industries, CGTrader and TurboSquid remain the primary marketplaces.
Quick comparison: On a $50 sale, Fab pays $44 vs CGTrader's $30 vs TurboSquid's $20. If your assets work for game developers, check Fab's fee calculator.
Calculate Your Take-Home
Use our free calculators to see your exact earnings on each platform:
- TurboSquid Fee Calculator — includes SquidGuild tier modeling
- CGTrader Fee Calculator — includes level progression
- Compare All 3D Marketplaces — side-by-side comparison
Related Reading
- CGTrader Fees Explained 2026 — full 26-level royalty breakdown
- TurboSquid Fees Explained 2026 — complete SquidGuild tier guide
- Fab Fees Explained 2026 — how Fab's 88% share really works
- Unity Asset Store Fees 2026 — flat 30% commission explained
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[
{"question": "Which pays more in 2026, TurboSquid or CGTrader?", "answer": "CGTrader pays more at basic tiers. On a $50 sale, CGTrader keeps 40% ($20) leaving you $30, while TurboSquid keeps 60% ($30) leaving you $20."},
{"question": "What percentage does TurboSquid take per sale in 2026?", "answer": "TurboSquid takes 60% commission from non-exclusive sellers (you keep 40%). SquidGuild exclusive members can earn 50-80% depending on tier."},
{"question": "What percentage does CGTrader take per sale in 2026?", "answer": "CGTrader takes 40% from new sellers (you keep 60%). Top-tier sellers at Level 6 keep up to 85% of each sale."},
{"question": "Does TurboSquid require exclusivity?", "answer": "No, but exclusivity unlocks SquidGuild with better royalty rates (50-80%) plus a 20% affiliate bonus on referred sales."},
{"question": "Can I sell on both TurboSquid and CGTrader?", "answer": "Yes. Both allow non-exclusive selling. However, TurboSquid's best rates require SquidGuild exclusivity."},
{"question": "Which platform is better for new 3D artists?", "answer": "CGTrader is better for new artists. You start at 60% royalty with no exclusivity requirements vs TurboSquid's 40% base rate."}
]