Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Cascadeur

cascadeur.com

From $8/mo Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidAPI
Visit cascadeur.com
Spec score 9.4 #2 of 106 in Animation Software

What it is

Cascadeur is physics-based 3D animation software for creating character animation without motion capture. Its Free plan includes animation, rigging, physics-based tools, inbetweening, and animation unbaking, but exports only to CASC. Paid plan comparisons list FBX, DAE, USD, and GLTF/GLB exports. The software is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS, and its documentation covers workflows with Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Daz Studio. Unreal Engine Live Link streams animation from Cascadeur in real time; its plugin requires a separate manual download and installation. Cascadeur 2026.1 introduced an AI-powered Root Motion Tool that transfers motion style using signatures from reference animation. Minimum requirements include 4 GB memory and OpenGL 4.1, plus a 64-bit multi-core Intel or AMD processor on Windows or Linux, or an M-series processor on macOS. Users must sign in after installation with Google or a Cascadeur account. Plans include a free option and paid tiers, with the listed annual starting rate at $8 per month; Pro and Teams include a 14-day trial.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cascadeur is software for making character animation without motion capture, using physics-based methods and machine-learning assistance.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Purpose
Cascadeur is physics-based 3D animation software for creating character animation without motion capture.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Platforms
The download page lists Windows, Mac, and Linux installers; system requirements specify Windows 10 version 1809 or later or Windows 11, Ubuntu 20.04–22.04.1, and macOS 13.3 or later.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · cascadeur.com
Paid from
8Read 23 Sep 2026 · cascadeur.com
Support
Support is offered through Discord, email, documentation and plan-specific priority or dedicated chat channels.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Company
Cascadeur's about page says Eugene Dyabin started it in 2006 as an internal animation tool for Nekki.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Account requirement
The installation guide says users need to sign in after installation, and the sign-in guide supports Google or a Cascadeur account.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
AI features
Cascadeur 2026.1 introduced an AI-powered Root Motion Tool that uses motion signatures from reference animation to transfer motion style.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Animation retargeting
Pro and Teams include retargeting that transfers animation between differently structured rigs.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Animation tools
The Free plan includes animation, rigging, physics-based, inbetweening, and animation unbaking tools.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Animation unbaking
Animation Unbaking converts baked frame-by-frame animation into editable keyframes and interpolation intervals.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
API documentation depth
The API documentation describes roughly 20,000 lines of implementation but says coverage is uneven and concentrated on rig generation and rigging tools.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
AutoPhysics
AutoPhysics analyzes animation and applies physics-based corrections while exposing parameters such as gravity and correction controls.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
AutoPosing
AutoPosing predicts a desired humanoid or quadruped pose from the animator's controller manipulation, although quadrupeds require Pro or higher.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Character rigging
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · cascadeur.com
Company headquarters
LinkedIn lists Cascadeur headquarters in Limassol, Cyprus.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company history
Cascadeur began in 2006 as an internal Nekki animation tool; Nekki was founded in 2002.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists Cascadeur as privately held with 11-50 employees.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Current download
The download page lists version 2026.2.3 dated 1 October 2026 for Windows, Linux and Mac.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Custom commands
Users can place Python files in a commands folder so they appear as entries in Cascadeur's Commands menu.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Documentation
Official help includes installation, getting started, interface, tools, animation, rigging, tutorials, videos, FAQ and release notes.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Export formats
Paid tiers export CASC, FBX, DAE, USD and GLTF, while Free is limited to CASC export.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Exports
Paid plan comparison lists CASC, FBX, DAE, USD, and GLTF exports, while Free is limited to CASC.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Hardware
Minimum requirements include 4 GB memory, OpenGL 4.1 support, and a 64-bit multi-core Intel or AMD processor on Windows/Linux or an M-series processor on macOS.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Inbetweening
The Inbetweening tool generates motion between selected keyframed poses with machine-learning assistance.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Licence
Cascadeur is distributed under Nekki's proprietary end-user licence agreement rather than an open-source licence.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Limit: blendshape authoring
Creative Bloq reported that blendshapes could be imported but not created inside Cascadeur in the reviewed version.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Limit: feature depth
Creative Bloq said Cascadeur still lacks the depth and breadth of Maya's tools.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Limit: mobile bugs
An Apple App Store reviewer reported body glitches and unusual movement during mobile animation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Linux requirements
The published Linux minimum is Ubuntu 16.04 or later, Core i5 or Ryzen 5 at 3.5 GHz or better, 16 GB RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Live Link limitation
Live Link requires matching joint names and skeleton hierarchies and streams from Cascadeur to Unreal only.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Notable news: 2026.1
Cascadeur's 2026.1 release introduced a Filament renderer, rebuilt Unreal Live Link and a root-motion generation tool.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Other integrations
Official documentation covers workflows with Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Daz Studio, and supports FBX and Collada exchange workflows.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Praise: physics assistance
Creative Bloq found AutoPhysics useful for turning rough animation into more physically convincing motion and saving time.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Praise: workflow
Creative Bloq praised the automated tools and intuitive workflow, saying they simplify animation while retaining animator control.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Privacy and security
Nekki says it uses physical, administrative, and technical safeguards including firewalls, antivirus, and SSL encryption to protect personal information.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Python API
Cascadeur embeds Python 3.8 scripting through the csc module, with application, scene, tool, model, layer and FBX interfaces.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.3 out of 5 from 304 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
5.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 14 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on Fab
5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · fab.com
Rating on G2
0 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Google Play
3.4 out of 5 from 245 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rigging
The product includes tools for creating and editing character rigs.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Scene linking
Pro and Teams provide a scene-linking tool for combining multiple scenes into one working setup.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Security and privacy
Nekki's privacy policy says it follows GDPR principles and uses safeguards including firewalls, antivirus controls and SSL encryption.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
System requirements
The published Windows minimum is Windows 10 64-bit, Core i5 or Ryzen 5 at 3.5 GHz or better, 16 GB RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Unreal integration
A paid Windows-only Live Link feature streams joint transforms from Cascadeur to Unreal Engine through a Cascadeur Live Link plugin.Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com

Plans and prices

Free Free free forever complete animation, rigging, physics and inbetweening tools · CASC export only · non-commercial use Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Indie $19 a month monthly FBX/DAE export · priority support · revenue under $100k/year Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Pro $49 a month monthly unlimited commercial use · retargeting · environment interaction · scene linking · quadruped AutoPosing · dedicated chat Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Teams $49 a month per user monthly 2-6 users · centralized user management · role permissions · dedicated Discord chat Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Educational $49, paid once one-time educational license teachers, professors and institutions Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Indie $96 a year annual FBX/DAE export · priority support · revenue under $100k/year · perpetual license build access Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Pro $396 a year annual unlimited commercial use · retargeting · environment interaction · scene linking · quadruped AutoPosing · dedicated chat · perpetual license build access Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com
Teams $396 a year per user annually 2-6 users · centralized user management · role permissions · dedicated Discord chat Read 14 Oct 2026 · cascadeur.com

Every Cascadeur plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan includes animation and rigging tools
  • Real-time Unreal Engine Live Link
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS
  • Paid plans add multiple export formats

Limits

  • Free exports are limited to CASC
  • Sign-in is required after installation
  • Unreal plugin needs separate manual installation
  • Minimum requirement includes 4 GB memory

Who it suits

Cascadeur suits character animators who want physics-based tools without motion capture and can work within its hardware requirements. Teams needing broader export formats, commercial-use terms, or support options can consider the paid plans.

Cascadeur in depth

Read the full write-up

Cascadeur is 3D character-animation software for building motion without motion capture. It suits animators who want animation and rigging tools in one workflow, particularly those exchanging work with Unreal Engine, Blender, Unity or Daz Studio. Its appeal is a capable free starting point; commercial use and pipeline-friendly exports require a paid plan.

Overview

Cascadeur combines character animation and rigging with physics-based tools, inbetweening and animation unbaking. Those core tools are included in the free plan, making it possible to learn and develop non-commercial work before committing to a subscription. The boundary is consequential: Free is non-commercial and exports only CASC.

The software is built for creating animation rather than capturing motion. Its Root Motion Tool, introduced in Cascadeur 2026.1, uses motion signatures from reference animation to transfer motion style. That gives animators another way to shape movement without changing the software’s central focus.

Key features

Animation and rigging: Both are included in Free, alongside physics-based tools, inbetweening and animation unbaking. This is a substantial learning and personal-project toolkit, but commercial work calls for a paid plan.

Export and interchange: Paid plans support CASC, FBX, DAE (Collada), USD and GLTF/GLB; Free is restricted to CASC. The paid formats make Cascadeur more useful in a mixed-tool pipeline, while the free export cap can be a deal-breaker if another application needs to consume the finished animation.

Engine connection: Unreal Engine Live Link streams animation to Unreal in real time. Its plugin must be downloaded and installed separately, so the connection entails a setup step rather than being ready automatically.

Other workflows: Documentation covers Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine and Daz Studio, including FBX and Collada exchange. That range helps artists using those tools fit Cascadeur into an existing workflow.

Pricing

Cascadeur is freemium, with a 14-day trial on Pro and Teams. The tiers separate personal learning from commercial use and progressively broader production needs.

Free — free, billed Free forever: Animation and rigging tools for non-commercial use, with CASC-only export. It is the sensible starting point for learning or personal work, but cannot serve as a commercial production plan or provide FBX, DAE, USD or GLTF/GLB export.

Indie — $19 a month, or $8 per month billed annually: Adds FBX and DAE export and priority support. It is for commercial users whose revenue is less than $100k per year and who need those exchange formats. An annual plan also gives access to perpetual license builds.

Pro — $49 a month, or $33 per month billed annually: Allows commercial use with no limits and adds retargeting, environment interaction, scene linking and dedicated chat support. It fits professional work that needs those capabilities; the 14-day trial offers a short evaluation period. Annual subscribers also get access to perpetual license builds.

Teams — $49 a month per user, or $33 per user per month billed annually: Covers 2–6 seats, with dedicated Discord chat, centralized user management and role-based permissions. Choose it when a small group needs managed access rather than individual subscriptions; it also includes a 14-day trial and annual access to perpetual license builds.

Indie is the lower-cost route for eligible commercial users, but it lacks Pro’s listed retargeting, environment interaction and scene linking. Teams adds team administration rather than Pro’s listed production features, and its per-user pricing makes the seat count part of the cost decision.

Platforms

Cascadeur supports Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS. Minimum requirements include 4 GB of memory, OpenGL 4.1 support and a 64-bit multi-core Intel or AMD processor on Windows or Linux; macOS requires an M-series processor. Check the hardware requirements before choosing it for an older machine. Users must sign in after installation, using Google or a Cascadeur account.

Who it's for

Cascadeur is a good fit for character animators who want to create motion directly, learn with a free non-commercial toolset or send animation into an established workflow involving Unreal Engine, Blender, Unity or Daz Studio. Indie suits commercial makers under the revenue threshold who need FBX or DAE. Pro is the better fit for unrestricted commercial work needing its additional production features, while Teams targets small groups needing centralized access and permissions.

It is a poor fit for commercial users who want to stay on the free plan, or for anyone whose workflow depends on formats beyond CASC but who does not want to pay. Users who require motion capture itself should look to a motion-capture product instead.

Pros and cons

Pro: Free includes animation, rigging and several supporting tools, so learning the core workflow does not require a subscription.

Pro: Paid exports span CASC, FBX, DAE, USD and GLTF/GLB, supporting more varied handoffs than the free tier.

Pro: Real-time Unreal Live Link and documented workflows for several major 3D tools make it relevant to artists working across applications.

Con: Free is both non-commercial and CASC-only, sharply limiting its use in a production pipeline.

Con: Unreal Live Link requires a separate manual plugin download and installation.

Con: Installation requires sign-in, and the stated hardware minimums may rule out some older systems.

Alternatives

Consider Blender if you want a free, open-source 3D creation suite that can be downloaded without registration or used without an internet connection. For motion capture, Rokoko Studio and Move AI are alternatives with free plans; Move AI’s free tier uses 30 non-expiring credits for videos up to 30 seconds. Plask Motion is a web-based alternative with a freemium plan and a daily limit of 15 seconds. Houdini is another freemium option for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Daz 3D offers a free Daz Studio plan with starter content and cross-platform exporters. Animaze has a free Basic plan with 80+ items and a paid Plus plan. Muvizu is a Windows alternative with a free plan and trial.

Browse more options in 3D Character Animation Software, 3D Animation Software, Game Motion Capture Software, Game Animation Software and Animation Software.

Verdict

Choose Cascadeur if you want to build character animation without motion capture, value its animation and rigging tools, and can work within the plan’s commercial and export terms. Free is worthwhile for non-commercial learning; Indie is the practical step up for eligible commercial work needing FBX or DAE. Look elsewhere if you need a free commercial workflow, exports beyond CASC without paying, or motion capture rather than animation creation.

Verdict

Cascadeur provides a free entry point for animation and rigging, with expanded export options on paid plans. Review the export restriction, sign-in requirement, and hardware minimums against your workflow.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to CascadeurAll alternatives →