Best FAB Alternative for Selling 3D Models in 2026 — Keep 100% of Every Sale
Epic Games' FAB marketplace (which absorbed ArtStation Marketplace, the Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab Store, and Quixel) takes 12% commission on every sale and is optimised for game-engine pipelines — not for 3D print creators or format-agnostic sellers. Proofly takes 0% commission. Buyers pay a flat ~$1 service fee; you keep the rest.
Published 2026-07-21 · 8 min read
FAB vs Proofly — Quick Comparison
| Feature | FAB (Epic Games) | Proofly |
|---|---|---|
| Creator payout rate | 88% (Epic takes 12%) | 100% |
| Buyer fee model | % deducted from listed price | Flat ~$1 from buyer only |
| Primary audience | Game developers (Unreal/Unity) | 3D print + game-asset buyers |
| STL / 3MF support | Not a focus; minimal discoverability | Native, with WebGL preview |
| In-browser 3D viewer | Asset previews (game-focused) | Full WebGL viewer (orbit, wireframe, measure) |
| Per-buyer piracy tracing | None | HiddenMark™ mesh fingerprint |
| Requires Epic account | Yes (buyers and sellers) | Email signup only |
| Creator analytics | Basic | Views, conversion funnel, geo, A/B cover test |
| Founding Creator badge | No | First 100 creators — lifetime priority listing |
What Is FAB — and Why Did Epic Build It?
FAB launched in October 2024 as Epic Games' unified asset marketplace. It replaced and merged four separate storefronts:
- Unreal Engine Marketplace — Blueprints, environment packs, character assets for Unreal
- ArtStation Marketplace — brushes, reference packs, 3D models; formerly separate from UE Marketplace
- Quixel Megascans — photogrammetry assets, now free for Unreal Engine users
- Sketchfab Store — 3D models that were previously sold via Sketchfab's embedded viewer
The goal was to create one destination for every digital asset a game studio might need. For game developers using Unreal or Unity, FAB is genuinely convenient — one account, one library, tight engine integration. For 3D model creators outside that pipeline, FAB's consolidation brought a 12% commission and a buyer base optimised for real-time game engines, not 3D printing or format-agnostic use.
Many sellers who were on ArtStation Marketplace or the Sketchfab Store did not choose to join FAB — they were migrated. If you're among them and looking for a platform that fits your workflow better, the rest of this article covers what Proofly does differently.
FAB Commission vs Proofly: The Real Numbers
FAB's 12% rate sounds modest, but it compounds significantly over a catalogue. The table below shows cumulative earnings at different price points across 100 and 500 sales.
| Listed Price | Sales | FAB payout (88%) | Proofly payout (100%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | 100 | $440 | $500 | +$60 |
| $10 | 100 | $880 | $1,000 | +$120 |
| $20 | 100 | $1,760 | $2,000 | +$240 |
| $50 | 100 | $4,400 | $5,000 | +$600 |
| $10 | 500 | $4,400 | $5,000 | +$600 |
| $20 | 500 | $8,800 | $10,000 | +$1,200 |
| $50 | 500 | $22,000 | $25,000 | +$3,000 |
Proofly column reflects 100% payout to seller. Buyer pays a separate flat ~$1 service fee not shown here. FAB payout = 88% of listed price.
3D Viewer: FAB vs Proofly
FAB provides asset previews for many content types, but the experience is designed around game-engine pipelines — texture maps, material previews, and compatibility with Unreal/Unity editors. For buyers of standalone 3D models, the preview experience differs from what a dedicated marketplace offers.
Proofly's viewer is built specifically around mesh inspection:
Orbit, zoom, pan
Full 3D navigation in-browser before purchase
Wireframe mode
Inspect topology and edge flow without buying
Distance measure tool
Click any two points on the mesh to measure in mm/cm/in
Watertight check
Automatic manifold and normal validation
Explode view
Separate multi-part assemblies to inspect each component
FPS monitor
Auto-performance mode on weak hardware
For buyers purchasing STL or OBJ files to 3D print, being able to check watertightness, inspect manifold geometry, and measure a part before purchasing significantly reduces refund risk and increases confidence — something FAB's game-pipeline viewer does not address.
Piracy Protection: FAB Has None, Proofly Has HiddenMark™
When a buyer purchases a 3D model on FAB, the file they receive is identical to any other copy — there is no per-buyer identifier in the file itself. If that buyer shares or resells the file, you have no mechanism to identify the source of the leak or take targeted action.
Proofly solves this with HiddenMark™, a steganographic watermarking system that embeds an invisible, buyer-specific code directly into the mesh geometry of every STL file at purchase time. The code:
- Is specific to each individual purchase — two buyers of the same model get files with different codes
- Survives format conversion (STL → OBJ → STL) and basic geometric edits
- Can be read back from any leaked file using the public HiddenMark verifier
- Returns the creator name, model title, and purchase date — sufficient for a DMCA takedown
For creators with popular models — especially printable miniatures, characters, or architectural parts that frequently appear in Discord leak channels — HiddenMark converts piracy from an untraceable problem into a traceable one with a clear legal path.
Who Should Use FAB — and Who Should Use Proofly
FAB is the right choice if you…
- ✓ Create Unreal Engine Blueprints or content packs
- ✓ Sell Unity-compatible asset packages
- ✓ Target professional game studios as buyers
- ✓ Were already on ArtStation Marketplace and your buyers followed
- ✓ Benefit from Epic Games' game-developer marketing reach
Proofly is better if you…
- ✓ Sell STL, 3MF, OBJ, or GLB files for 3D printing
- ✓ Want to keep 100% of every sale (not 88%)
- ✓ Need per-buyer piracy tracing for your files
- ✓ Sell to a mixed audience (print + game + general 3D)
- ✓ Want a dedicated 3D viewer that shows manifold quality
- ✓ Prefer open creator access without a game-engine dependency
The two platforms are not in direct competition for the same audience. FAB serves the Epic ecosystem; Proofly serves independent 3D model creators who want the highest possible payout and tools built around mesh quality and piracy protection. Many creators list on both — FAB for Unreal/Unity buyers, Proofly for everyone else.
Full Feature Comparison
| Category | FAB | Proofly |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 12% (creator keeps 88%) | 0% (creator keeps 100%) |
| Buyer payment | Included in listed price | Separate flat ~$1 service fee |
| STL support | Yes, but low visibility | First-class, with WebGL viewer |
| 3MF support | Not a focus | Supported with viewer |
| GLB / GLTF | Yes | Yes, with PBR + animation viewer |
| FBX | Yes | Yes, with animation viewer |
| In-browser 3D viewer | Game-focused preview | Full WebGL: orbit, wireframe, measure, explode |
| Piracy protection | None | HiddenMark™ per-buyer mesh fingerprint |
| DMCA certificate | Not provided | One-click legal authorship certificate |
| Creator analytics | Basic sales dashboard | Views, conversion funnel, geo, A/B cover test, boost ROI |
| Payout currency | USD (via Epic account) | PLN / USD / EUR (Stripe Connect) |
| Print-profile export | None | PrusaSlicer .ini + Cura .curaprofile per model |
| Embedding / sharing | FAB link | Embeddable iframe viewer with "Buy on Proofly" CTA |
| Founding Creator programme | None | First 100 creators — lifetime priority + badge |
| AI topology check on upload | None | Automatic STL topology score + fix suggestions |
| Platform lock-in | Epic account required for buyers | Email-only signup, no ecosystem lock-in |
5-Step Guide: Listing on Proofly Alongside FAB
Export your asset files from FAB
Download your source files from your FAB seller account. For models you sell as GLB/FBX for game use, also prepare STL or 3MF variants if you want to reach 3D print buyers — Proofly supports both audiences simultaneously.
Create a Proofly creator account
Sign up at proofly.store with your email. Connect Stripe for payouts (takes under 5 minutes). You don't need an Epic account, Unity account, or any engine subscription.
Upload with AI assistance
Drag your files into the upload page. Proofly's AI generates a title, description, and tags from the file — useful for quickly replicating FAB listings without rewriting everything manually. The AI topology checker automatically validates your STL and flags any manifold issues.
Set your price and publish
Use the same price as your FAB listing, or adjust it — since Proofly returns 100% to you (vs 88% on FAB), you can list at the same price and earn more per sale, or price slightly lower to drive more volume while still netting the same per-sale revenue.
Add your Proofly link to your FAB listing
FAB allows links in your creator bio. Add your Proofly profile or individual model page. Buyers who find you on FAB can follow through to Proofly for additional formats (like STL) or for direct purchases that maximise your payout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What commission does FAB charge on 3D model sales?
FAB (Epic Games) charges a 12% platform fee on every sale — sellers keep 88% of the listed price. While that is lower than legacy platforms like CGTrader or TurboSquid, it still means giving up $120 for every $1,000 in sales. On Proofly, sellers keep 100% — only the buyer pays a separate flat ~$1 service fee. On 500 sales of a $10 model ($5,000 in revenue), that is $5,000 on Proofly vs $4,400 on FAB — a $600 difference from the same models.
What happened to ArtStation Marketplace and the Unreal Engine Marketplace?
Epic Games launched FAB in October 2024 as a unified asset store that merged four platforms: the Unreal Engine Marketplace, ArtStation Marketplace, Quixel Megascans, and the Sketchfab Store. Sellers who had active listings on those platforms were migrated to FAB. The ArtStation portfolio site and Sketchfab 3D viewer remain as standalone services, but all paid marketplace activity now runs through fab.com.
Is FAB good for 3D print creators selling STL files?
FAB is not designed for 3D print creators. Its product catalogue, search filters, and buyer base are oriented towards real-time game assets — Unreal Engine Blueprints, Unity packages, rigged characters, and PBR materials for game pipelines. STL, 3MF, and print-optimised models have limited discoverability on FAB because its audience is game developers, not 3D printing enthusiasts. Proofly is a dedicated 3D model marketplace built for both print and game-asset creators, with format-specific filters, a native WebGL viewer that supports STL and 3MF, and a buyer base actively looking for print-ready models.
Does FAB have piracy protection for 3D model files?
FAB does not offer per-buyer piracy tracing. When a buyer purchases your model on FAB, the file they receive contains nothing that identifies them specifically — if they share or resell it, you have no way to know who leaked it. Proofly's HiddenMark™ system embeds an invisible, per-buyer steganographic code directly into the STL mesh before delivery. The code survives format conversion and basic editing, and can be read back from any leaked file to identify exactly which buyer shared it — giving you legal standing for DMCA takedowns.
Can I sell on FAB and Proofly at the same time?
Yes. FAB does not require exclusivity for general 3D model listings. A common strategy is to list game-ready GLB/FBX assets on FAB for the Unreal/Unity audience while listing the same models — plus STL and 3MF variants — on Proofly for the 3D printing community and general buyers. Every sale on Proofly returns 100% to you rather than 88%, so shifting your primary listing and promotion to Proofly as your audience grows there is financially significant.
Does FAB have a 3D viewer for buyers to inspect models before purchase?
FAB provides previews for some asset types, but it is primarily oriented towards game assets with preview renders and static screenshots. Proofly provides a full native WebGL viewer for every supported format — STL, GLB, OBJ, FBX, and 3MF. Buyers can orbit, zoom, pan, toggle wireframe mode, measure distances between points on the mesh, check watertightness, and inspect polygon counts before purchasing — substantially reducing refund rates and increasing buyer confidence.
Who is FAB built for — and who should use Proofly instead?
FAB is built for game developers and studios using Unreal Engine and Unity. Its buyers are looking for Blueprint systems, Unreal content packs, rigged game characters, PBR texture sets, and audio packs. If you create that content, FAB has a relevant audience. Proofly is better for: 3D print creators (STL, 3MF, OBJ), game-ready GLB/FBX sellers who want higher margins (0% vs 12%), creators who need per-buyer piracy tracing (HiddenMark™), and anyone who wants format-agnostic distribution with a native 3D viewer for every file.
Start selling on Proofly today
Upload your first model in 2 minutes. 0% commission, full WebGL viewer, and HiddenMark™ piracy protection built in. Keep 100% of every sale.