New to 3d modelling so any vets here can help clarify some qns i have?

[dataworld111]

Hi i got a few qns i want to ask before i start on 3d modelling so
-I hear alot of things about 3D max and blender which one is better? which one is more noobie-friendly? assuming i have access to both 3d max and blender

-Then what does zbrush do? Is it true that without zbrush, top notch modelling is not achievable??

-I see alot of modelling tutorials available on the web but is there any texturing tutorial that actually teaches the basics? coz the ones i found are quite advanced and i have absolutely no idea what they are talking about lol. Preferably free tutorials please? im kinda poor XD.