Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Mixamo
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.com
Mixamo
mixamo.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | Mixamo |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 9.1 (#2) | 7.6 (#24) |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.1 (#9) | 8.0 (#54) |
| Animation editing | Manipulation tools let users change a character’s position and orientation to create or alter animation. | Animations can be previewed on a character and edited with controls such as speed and arm spacing. |
| 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. | Adobe Fuse CC characters can be sent to Mixamo for fully automated rigging, with standard skeletons and facial blendshapes enabled by default. |
| Purpose | MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. | Mixamo provides animated 3D characters, skeletal rigs, and animations for film, games, interactive experiences, and illustration. |
| Support | Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources. | Adobe does not support troubleshooting for third-party programs. |
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.
Mixamo
Mixamo is a web service for preparing animated 3D characters for film, games, interactive experiences, and illustration. Its character library includes textured, rigged figures in realistic, cartoon, fantasy, and science-fiction styles, alongside thousands of full-body animations captured from motion actors. Users can preview animations on a character and adjust settings such as speed and arm spacing. For a custom model, automatic rigging fits a full human skeleton to an uploaded character; uploads can be FBX, OBJ, or ZIP. An already rigged model submitted for mapping must be an FBX with embedded texture media. The auto-rigger and animation library are for bipedal humanoids only. Mixamo retains only the most recently used character, not a history of earlier characters or animations. Characters and animations may be used royalty free in personal, commercial, and non-profit projects. The service is free and requires an Adobe ID, but not a Creative Cloud subscription. WebGL must be enabled in the browser.