GLB vs OBJ: Which 3D Format Should You Use?

OBJ is a simple, widely-supported text format that stores just geometry and basic materials. GLB is more modern, binary, and can include animations, complex materials, and scenes. For web and AR, GLB is increasingly standard. For game engines and legacy pipelines, OBJ remains common.

OBJ has been around since the 1980s and is supported almost everywhere.

• Pros: simple, readable as text, supported by all 3D software.
• Cons: limited material support, no animations, larger files for complex models.
• Best for: game engines, CAD workflows, legacy pipelines, education.

GLB is the binary form of glTF, designed for web and real-time rendering.

• Pros: smaller file size, supports animations, complex materials, and embedded textures.
• Cons: less human-readable, newer adoption.
• Best for: web delivery, AR/VR, game engines (some), real-time viewers.

Choose OBJ when compatibility and simplicity matter more than file size or animation support.

• Exporting from 3D software for maximum compatibility.
• Importing into game engines that prefer OBJ.
• Archiving or version-controlling readable geometry.

Choose GLB when you need compact files, animations, or web delivery.

• Publishing to the web or AR viewers.
• Assets with animations or complex materials.
• Reducing file size for bandwidth-limited uses.

Most 3D software can export both. If you need to convert, use a desktop tool like Blender or an online converter—then verify the result with a free viewer.

• GLB Viewer
• OBJ Viewer
• GLB vs GLTF
• How to open GLB
• Optimize GLB
• CAD tools