Sketchfab vs Poly Haven vs Kenney: Free 3D Assets Compared (2026)
Last updated: June 2026.
Three names come up constantly when you're after free 3D assets: Sketchfab, Poly Haven, and Kenney. They're not really competitors, they're good at different things. One is a massive mixed-license marketplace, one is photorealistic and CC0, one is stylized and game-ready. Here's how they compare in 2026 and when to reach for each.
At a glance
| Sketchfab | Poly Haven | Kenney | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Variety, complex/detailed models | Photorealistic models, textures, HDRIs | Game-ready, stylized, consistent style |
| License | Mixed (check each) | CC0 (all) | CC0 (all) |
| Attribution | Depends on model | None | None |
| Catalog | Millions | 2,000+ | Tens of thousands |
| Style | Everything | Realistic | Cohesive low-poly / clean |
| Formats | glTF, FBX, OBJ | glTF, Blend, FBX | GLB, PNG, WAV, more |
| Direct download / API | Login required | Yes, no-key API | Yes (packs) |
Kenney: cohesive and game-ready
Kenney is the fastest way to a coherent-looking game. Tens of thousands of assets, all CC0 (no attribution, commercial OK), in consistent styles you can mix and match across packs, all optimized for games. The trade-off is range: it's stylized and clean rather than photorealistic, and you won't find one specific hyper-detailed prop. Use Kenney when you want your whole game to look like it belongs together, fast, with zero licensing thought.
Poly Haven: photorealistic and CC0
Poly Haven is the realism specialist: PBR-textured 3D models, high-resolution textures, and HDRIs for lighting, all CC0, with multiple resolutions and a no-key API for direct downloads. Over 2,000 assets and growing. The catalog is smaller and more focused (props, environment pieces, materials, lighting) rather than a sprawling marketplace. Use Poly Haven when you want realistic materials, environment dressing, and proper HDRI lighting without any attribution.
Sketchfab: variety, with a license to check
Sketchfab is the giant: millions of models, a 3D preview before download, and an enormous range of styles and subjects. The catch is that licenses vary per model, so you must filter for downloadable plus CC0 or CC-BY and verify each one. A 2026 caveat: Sketchfab's store moved to Epic's Fab, and only CC-BY and Fab Standard content can migrate. CC0 and other Creative Commons models stay downloadable on Sketchfab for now, but treat it as a slowly declining CC0 source and grab what you need. Use Sketchfab when you need a specific or unusual model the others don't have, and you're willing to check the license.
Which should you use?
- Whole-game cohesion, fast, no attribution: Kenney.
- Realistic props, materials, and lighting, CC0: Poly Haven.
- A specific or unusual model, widest selection: Sketchfab (check the license).
In practice, many developers use all three: Kenney for the base set and UI, Poly Haven for realistic textures and HDRIs, and Sketchfab for the one-off hero asset. Mixing realistic Poly Haven materials onto stylized Kenney models can clash, so decide your art direction first, then pick sources that match it.
Beyond the big three
These aren't your only options. Quaternius is another superb CC0 source for stylized low-poly, AmbientCG specializes in CC0 textures, and Poly Pizza hosts the archived Google Poly catalog. You can also generate models with AI. For the full landscape, see our free 3D model sites and free game assets guides.
Common Questions
Is Sketchfab, Poly Haven, or Kenney best for free 3D models?
They're best at different things. Kenney is best for cohesive, game-ready stylized assets, all CC0. Poly Haven is best for photorealistic models, textures, and HDRIs, all CC0. Sketchfab is best for variety and specific or detailed models, but its licenses vary so you must check each one. Many developers use all three together.
Are Poly Haven and Kenney really free for commercial games?
Yes. Both are entirely CC0, meaning every asset is public domain: free for commercial use, modifiable, with no attribution required. That makes them the two lowest-risk sources of the three. Sketchfab, by contrast, has mixed per-model licenses you must verify before commercial use.
Do I have to credit assets from these sites?
Not for Kenney or Poly Haven, since everything is CC0. For Sketchfab it depends on the individual model's license: CC0 needs no credit, CC-BY requires attribution, and some models can't be used commercially at all. Always check the license on each Sketchfab model before shipping.
Can I mix assets from all three in one game?
Technically yes, and the licenses allow it, but watch your art direction. Kenney's stylized look and Poly Haven's photorealistic materials can clash if combined carelessly. Decide on a visual style first, then pull matching assets, using Sketchfab for specific pieces the CC0 sources lack.
Related
- Best Free 3D Model Sites for Games — the wider field
- Where to Find Free Game Assets — 20+ sources, all types
- Best AI Asset Generators for Games — generate instead
- Game Asset Licenses Explained — CC0, CC-BY, and the rest
- Free Sound Effects and Music for Games — the audio side