Autodesk MotionBuilder vs iClone
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.comiClone
reallusion.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | iClone |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.1 (#9) | 9.2 (#5) |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.1 (#3) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | MotionBuilder is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. | Official pipelines connect iClone with Character Creator, Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Marmoset Toolbag and NVIDIA Omniverse. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.1 out of 5 from 17 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 13 reviews |
| What it does | MotionBuilder is Autodesk software for real-time 3D character animation used in games, feature films and television. | iClone is Reallusion's real-time 3D animation environment for character performance, scene design and cinematic storytelling. |
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
iClone
- PersonalFree
- iClone 365Priced on request
- iClone 8Priced on request
- iClone 8Price not published
- iClone Personal EditionFree
- iClone 365$16.58 a month
- iClone 365 Pro$23.28 a month
- iClone 8 Perpetual License$359, paid once
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.
iClone
iClone is a Windows application for character rigging and real-time capture, including facial tracking. It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 and exports FBX, OBJ, ABC, and USD files. The listed capabilities do not include 2D animation, 3D modeling, motion graphics, or cloud collaboration. iClone uses a freemium model with a Free Personal Edition priced at free, with no time limit and 30 3D exports. The iClone 365 and iClone 8 plans each list 2,000+ free assets, but their prices are not provided. Capture sources are both, and the product is intended for users working with rigged characters and captured motion on Windows. The maker is headquartered in Hsintien, New Taipei City, Taiwan, and was founded in 1993.