I know the choice is difficult because in a given program you will work for years.
I've tested programs for one month each:
3ds Max
Maya
Cinema 4D
Blender
LightWave 3D
Modo
Zbrush
*Entry Levels:
Low-Very Easy to find specific tool everything is on top.
Medium-Sometimes it's hard to find something.
High-Beginnings with the program very difficult and little intuitive.
3Ds Max:
Entry Level*: Medium.
Tutorials: There is a lot of tutorials for 3ds max.
Interface:It is sometimes difficult to find a given tool.
Number of users:Larges.
Plugins:Very large number of plugins.Plugs quite expensive.
Price:Subscription Term.One Year : 1.470 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Vray,Fstorm,Archviz tool(FuturArch).
Maya:
Entry Level*: Medium-High.
Tutorials:Lots of tutorials.
Interface:Very Good for Animation.
Number of users:Quite a lot.
Plugins:Large number of plugins.Plugs quite expensive.
Price:Subscription Term.One Year : 1.470 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Vray,PhoenixFD,Carbon Scatter.
Cinema 4D:
Entry Level*: Low-Medium.
Tutorials:Lots of tutorials.
Interface:Good.Everything is legible.Very good for graphic designers.
Number of users:Second Place.
Plugins:Quite a lot number of plugins.Plugs quite expensive.
Price:Perpetual 3.510 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Vray,X-Particle,Vector Pro.
Blender:
Entry Level*: High.
Tutorials:Very Large amount of tutorials.
Interface:Initially-other than others.
Number of users:Large Number.
Plugins:A lots of free Plugins.
Price:Free
Very helpful plugins:Easy FX,Plancher,Vray,Mirage.
LightWave 3D:
Entry Level*:Low.
Tutorials:Large amount of tutorials.
Interface:Great for 3D Modeling.
Number of users:Average number.
Plugins:A lots of free Plugins.
Price:Perpetual 995 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Kray,Octane Render,LWCad,LWBrush.
Modo:
Entry Level*:Low.
Tutorials:Medium amount of tutorials.
Interface:Great for Paint and UV Mapping.
Number of users:Average number.
Plugins:Quite a lot number of plugins.
Price:Perpetual 1799 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Vray,XFrog Plants,MatPak,
Zbrush:
Entry Level*:High.
Tutorials:Large amount of tutorials.
Interface:Great for Sculpting.
Number of users:Average number.
Plugins:Good amount of free plugins.
Price:SUL (single user license) 795 $ (USD)
Very helpful plugins:Keyshot,Ztree,Terrain Tool.
At the very beginning, it's best to ask yourself a question: What field we want to start?
Big amount of plugins:3ds Max
Animation:Maya
3D Modeling with friendly interface:LightWave 3D
Fluid Simulation(water,fire,smoke) Blender
Sculpting (Medicine,Character Modeling) Zbrush
Paint and UV Mapping:Modo
Mograph real-world motion graphics:Cinema 4D
Best Regards.
Adrian