I’m sorry if I’m duplicating a thread but recently I’ve been using Blender, and when looking at other peoples projects where they’ve been using maya or 3ds, the models look that little bit better (probably my poor modelling?) Anyway, I’ve googled this, and can’t find a comparison of the two so I’d thought I’d ask those who use them with for their projects. What’s actually the difference? And which one is “better” for character and architectural/level design?
Thanks 
It all depends on a persons skill level, patience and determination.
You can make great looking 3d models, characters and architecture in almost any 3d software.
Whether it is Maya, 3dsmax, Hexagon, or Blender etc.
It also depends, on how much work, you put into the modelling, materials and texturing etc. that determines how much closer to realism, your project looks.
All of this was done in Blender.
http://thenatureacademy.blenderguru.com/sp/7612-the-nature-academy-live-now
Note: Check out the Forest pics.
The one called Plants and the other called Forests.
Awesome!
If you’re getting problems, to make your 3d models, look as awesome as the Max and Maya users models etc.
Then it means you’ll have to improve a little more, or alot more.
But the pics etc from Nature Academy proves, that Blender can do super alot.
So work hard!! 
Oh, to answer the other part of your question, both Max and Maya work well for 3d modelling.
It’s all a matter of preference and choice.
Oh, and while you’re at it, check out SoftimageXSI.
The video game industry loves that 3d software. 
Literally!
Thanks for the reply. Softimage will be extinct soon as of 2015, so it looks like Maya or 3DS is on the cards. I can knock up some pretty decent objects in Blender, its just a bit long winded and not that stable (probably my technique and computer).
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Feature wise, I would probably go with Maya. Autodesk doesn’t seem to be giving Max much love in the past years. If your are looking for simplicity then go with Max.
If I was you, I would go with Blender. It’s amazing.
I was using Maya before (some kind of test version) and switched to blender for legal purposes.
At first I was not excited to switch to a free, open source program and the switching process was kinda hard.
But in the end I regret nothing.
Blender is an amazing program and I love it for it’s UI and usability. I also think that a lot of things are better solved than in Maya.
Btw. I recommend you a program called Xnormal, if you’re into modelling for games. It’s a program for baking texture maps (such as normal maps). It’s looking like a program from the 90s, but it’s awesome and also free. Even the pro’s in the industry are using it.
There are some really good tutorials on Blender/Xnormal on youtube. You should watch them.
Best regards
Dennis