I've been using 3D Coat for close to 10 years. I'm now use 3D Coat 2022. I've not looked at their free version.
However 3D Coat requires your models be UV mapped and if they are not UV mapped, 3DC will auto map your model.

However 3DC really prefers quads for automapping. I've had issues with tris and n-gons in 3DC.

II's PBR based shaders are incredible but again require UVs.