Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Cinema 4D
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.com
Cinema 4D
maxon.netSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | Cinema 4D |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 0 |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.0 (#16) |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.1 (#9) | 8.3 (#28) |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.1 (#3) | 8.0 (#14) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Integrations | MotionBuilder is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. | Cinema 4D supports workflows with Adobe After Effects and Unreal Engine through Cineware. |
| Purpose | MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. | Cinema 4D combines 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering in one application. |
| Security | Autodesk says its security practices include a secure software development lifecycle, continuous vulnerability assessment, and risk mitigation. | Maxon says it uses reasonable and appropriate security precautions to protect collected information, while noting that no data security measures can guarantee security. |
| System requirements | MotionBuilder 2026 supports Windows 10 version 1809 or higher, Windows 11, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.10/9.3/9.5 WS, and Rocky Linux 8.10/9.3/9.5. | The system requirements page says Cinema 4D needs an online connection for licensing and online content access. |
| Trial | Autodesk offers a free 30-day MotionBuilder trial. | Maxon offers a 14-day free Maxon One trial that includes Cinema 4D and Redshift; only the latest releases are available as trials. |
Plans
Autodesk MotionBuilder
- Annual subscriptionPriced on request
- Annual subscriptionPrice not published
- 3-year subscriptionPriced on request
- 3-year subscriptionPrice not published
- MotionBuilder free trialFree
- MotionBuilder 2025$2,145 a year
- Media & Entertainment Collection$2,790 a year
- MotionBuilder subscriptionPrice not published
In their own words
Autodesk MotionBuilder
Autodesk MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. Its real-time character engine automatically creates movements for biped or human skeletons, while manipulation tools let users alter a character’s position and orientation. The listed capabilities include motion capture, motion retargeting, facial animation, animation retargeting, and character retargeting. Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce animations. It is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. MotionBuilder is available for Linux and Windows. The stated minimum hardware includes a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB of free disk space, and a three-button mouse. Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial, but no free plan. A subscription covers installation on up to three devices for one named user, with use limited to one computer at a time, and includes the current version plus three previous versions.
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D combines 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering in a desktop application. Modeling options include parametric and polygonal workflows, sculpting, generators, deformers, and spline-based tools. MoGraph provides cloners, effectors, fields, and distributions for procedural motion design. Its simulation system supports cloth, rigid and soft bodies, particles, hair, smoke, flames, and liquids. Animation features include keyframes, character rigging templates, motion tracking, and motion capture support. Every subscription includes GPU-accelerated Redshift rendering, and Cineware supports workflows with Adobe After Effects and Unreal Engine. Listed formats include OBJ, FBX, Alembic, USD, glTF, STEP, CATIA, and Solidworks. The application supports 3D print export and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Cinema 4D was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany. There is no free plan, but a 14-day Maxon One trial includes Cinema 4D and Redshift; only the latest releases are available for trial. A CPU with AVX2 support is required for Cinema 4D 2025 and newer.