The short answer
Choose a configurator platform such as Zakeke or Kickflip if you want to set up many products yourself, start quickly and pay through a plan. Choose a custom-built 3D configurator for a defined range where the look, the part logic and owning the files matter. Threekit now focuses on quoting for manufacturers, which is a different job.
What each approach is
Here is how three platforms describe themselves on their own websites today, next to a custom build.
Zakeke
Calls itself an “AI platform for D2C brands and manufacturers”. Its 3D product configurator offers “rule-based logic, components, and variants” and connects to Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix and others. You upload 3D files (converted to GLB) or send photos and Zakeke helps create the models. Free to try, then standard or enterprise plans.
Kickflip
A “product configurator platform” you set up without code, by drag and drop, for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix or a custom stack. Its help centre explains that a customizer is built from product images: photos, or PNG renders of your 3D model. After a 14-day free trial, the monthly cost is a plan price plus transaction fees.
Threekit
Now presents itself as “the AI-native CPQ built for manufacturers”. It configures, prices and quotes complex products for sales teams, dealers and website visitors.
A custom build
A studio or developer builds the configurator for your product: the 3D parts, materials, viewer, menus and the connection to your cart. You pay for a project instead of a plan and receive the files and code agreed at the start. Setup takes longer; the result is shaped around your product and store. This is our custom 3D product configurator development service.
Side by side
| Configurator platform (Zakeke, Kickflip) | Custom build | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Plans, with a free trial first. Kickflip's monthly cost includes transaction fees. | One-off project, quoted for your scope |
| Who makes the 3D models | You upload them, or the vendor or its partners help | Built for your product: from sewing patterns for sewn goods, from your 3D or CAD files for others |
| Files and code | Runs in the vendor's software. Ask which files you can export. | Agreed files and code are handed over to you |
| Look | The vendor's interface with theme settings, such as fonts, colours and layout | Menus, colours and lighting designed around your store |
| Time to start | Quick if images or 3D models are ready; both vendors talk of going live within weeks | Depends on parts and materials. You review a first part before the rest is built. |
| Many products | Built for setting up many products yourself | Products and options are added in later phases |
| Store and cart | Ready apps and plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix and more | Shopify, WooCommerce, ikas, Ticimax or a custom store; the cart route is set in the quote |
| Good fit for | Many products you set up yourself, quickly | A defined range where the look, the part logic and owning the files matter |
Threekit is left out: its website presents it as quoting software for manufacturers.
When a platform is the better choice
When a custom build is the better choice
Questions to ask any vendor
How Glorvia builds a custom configurator
Glorvia is a fashion atelier in Gaziantep, Türkiye, that builds custom 3D configurators as one-off projects. We make the 3D parts in-house: in CLO 3D from sewing patterns for sewn products, and in Blender or from your 3D and CAD files for everything else. The viewer runs in the browser with Three.js and compressed glTF/GLB files. The cart connection is set in the quote, and we hand over the agreed files and code.
Two of our demos
Try these live, with the thobe (1,728 combinations in 37 fabrics), chair and sneaker, on our 3D product configurator page.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your catalogue and how long you would keep a plan. A platform spreads the cost over monthly payments; a custom build is a one-off project quoted for your scope. Compare both over the years you expect to use it, including setup, 3D models, any transaction fees and adding products later.
Yes, among other tools. Zakeke's website describes a 3D product configurator with rule-based logic, components and variants, connected to Shopify, WooCommerce and other platforms. You can upload your own 3D files, which Zakeke converts to GLB, or send product photos and ask Zakeke to help create the models.
Threekit's website presents it as an AI-native CPQ for manufacturers. It guides sales teams, dealers and website visitors to valid configurations, applies pricing rules and produces quotes. The finished configuration is handed over as JSON or XML to other systems. If you sell made-to-order products through dealers, it belongs on your list.
Kickflip's help centre describes building a customizer from product images. You can start from high-resolution photos or, if you have a 3D model, render transparent PNG images for each customizable area. Kickflip also lists partners who prepare visuals and handle setup.
Yes, if you plan for it. Ask your current vendor which files you can export, especially the 3D models. If you have 3D or CAD files, a custom build can start from them; for sewn products we can build the parts from patterns.
A platform is usually quicker if your images or 3D models are ready: you install an app, then set up your products. A custom build depends on the number of parts and materials. We set the schedule in the quote, and you review a first part before the rest is built.
Plan a 3D configurator for your product
Send us your product and the options you want customers to choose. We will come back with how we would build it and what it takes.
