Blender is free on Windows, macOS and Linux, but hardware requirements differ by platform. Since Blender 5.0, Macs must use Apple Silicon.
Values come from the Blender Foundation's requirements page, re-read on 2026-11-02.
Key differences at a glance
- Minimum RAM: 8 GB on all platforms; 32 GB recommended.
- Windows and Linux: 4-core SSE4.2 CPU, 2 GB VRAM, OpenGL 4.3 and Vulkan 1.3 minimum; 8 cores and 8 GB VRAM recommended.
- macOS: Apple Silicon and macOS 13 (Ventura) minimum; macOS 26 (Tahoe) recommended.
- Intel Macs: Blender 4.5 LTS is the last release that supports them.
- GPU vendors (Windows/Linux): NVIDIA GeForce 900 series and newer, AMD GCN 4th gen and newer, Intel Kaby Lake and newer.
Specification comparison
| Feature | Blender on Windows | Blender on macOS | Blender on Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum OS | Windows 8.1 (64-bit) | macOS 13 (Ventura) | glibc 2.28 or newer (64-bit) |
| Recommended OS | Windows 11 | macOS 26 (Tahoe) | Not stated in the cited source |
| CPU | Min 4 cores SSE4.2; rec 8 cores | Apple Silicon | Min 4 cores SSE4.2; rec 8 cores |
| RAM | Min 8 GB; rec 32 GB | Min 8 GB; rec 32 GB | Min 8 GB; rec 32 GB |
| GPU | Min 2 GB VRAM; rec 8 GB | Not stated in the cited source | Min 2 GB VRAM; rec 8 GB |
| Graphics API | OpenGL 4.3 and Vulkan 1.3 (min) | Not stated in the cited source | OpenGL 4.3 and Vulkan 1.3 (min) |
| Notes | Not stated in the cited source | Applies to Blender 5.0+; Blender 4.5 LTS is last release supporting Intel Macs | Not stated in the cited source |
Shaded cells mean the cited sources did not state the value. We do not fill gaps from memory.
Windows and Linux
The minimums are identical: a 64-bit OS (Windows 8.1 or a Linux distribution with glibc 2.28 or newer), a 4-core CPU with SSE4.2, 8 GB of RAM and a GPU with 2 GB of VRAM supporting OpenGL 4.3 and Vulkan 1.3. The recommended setup is 8 cores, 32 GB of RAM and 8 GB of VRAM, with Windows 11 recommended on Windows.
macOS
Blender 5.0 and later require Apple Silicon and macOS 13 or later; macOS 26 is recommended. Intel Mac owners must stay on Blender 4.5 LTS, which supports Metal 2.2 GPUs, or older releases.
Planning hardware
For comfortable work with large scenes, simulations and GPU rendering, plan around the recommended 32 GB of RAM and 8 GB of VRAM. Rendering performance depends heavily on the GPU, which this page does not benchmark.
Strengths and limitations
Blender on Windows
Strengths
- Same hardware floor as Linux.
Limitations
- Requirements version not stated for the table.
Blender on macOS
Strengths
- Apple Silicon only for current releases.
Limitations
- Intel Macs only via Blender 4.5 LTS.
Blender on Linux
Strengths
- Same hardware floor as Windows.
Limitations
- Recommended OS not stated.
Pricing
Blender requirements; no price compared.
Which should you choose?
- Intel Mac: Blender 4.5 LTS — last release supporting Intel Macs
- Standard workstation: Windows or Linux — same hardware floor and recommendations
Our verdict
Plan for 32 GB RAM and 8 GB VRAM for comfort. On macOS, Apple Silicon is required for Blender 5.0+.
Frequently asked questions
Does Blender still support Intel Macs?
Blender 4.5 LTS is the last release that supports Intel Macs; Blender 5.0 and later require Apple Silicon.
How much RAM does Blender need?
8 GB minimum and 32 GB recommended on all platforms.
Which GPUs are supported on Windows and Linux?
NVIDIA GeForce 900 series and newer, AMD GCN 4th gen and newer, and Intel Kaby Lake and newer, with OpenGL 4.3.
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How this was checked
Specifications compiled on 2026-11-02 from the sources below. The cited sources were re-opened and the key table values re-checked on 2026-11-02.
Blender requirements page re-read on 2026-11-02; listed values matched.
Disclosure: AYORAHUB did not hands-on test these products or services. Nothing on this page is a lab measurement, benchmark or review score; analysis explains what the cited specifications mean in practice.
- The page's table does not state which Blender version applies to Windows and Linux rows.
Sources
- Blender Requirements — Blender Foundation (manufacturer/official)