Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Stop Motion Studio
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.com
Stop Motion Studio
stopmotionstudio.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | Stop Motion Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.1 (#9) | 9.0 (#12) |
| 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. | Projects can move between devices using iCloud, AirDrop, Dropbox, and the Files app, and finished videos can be shared to YouTube, Instagram, and other social networks. |
| Support | Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources. | The maker provides an app manual, tutorials, and a contact support option. |
| 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. | Current downloads require Windows 10 or newer and macOS 13 or newer; the education page lists iOS 16+, Android 9+, Windows 10/11, and ChromeOS. |
| What it does | MotionBuilder is Autodesk software for real-time 3D character animation used in games, feature films and television. | Stop Motion Studio captures and assembles frame-by-frame animation from LEGO, clay, drawings, and everyday objects. |
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
Stop Motion Studio
- FreeFree
- Pro (iPhone and iPad)Price not published
- Pro 2 (Mac)Price not published
- FreeFree
- Stop Motion Studio (free mobile version)Free
- Pro$5.99, paid once
- Stop Motion Studio Pro (iPhone and iPad)$5.99, paid once
- School site licensePrice 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.
Stop Motion Studio
Stop Motion Studio is an app for creating stop-motion animation with frame-by-frame capture and editing. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Camera capture can be automatic or manual, with controls for focus, exposure, ISO, and white balance; the app can create 4K video. Editing tools include a frame-by-frame editor, zoomable timeline, audio, titles, credits, and filters. Onion skinning, composition guides, a path layer, and reference images or video support planning movement and framing. The product page also describes DSLR control with Live View and in-app shutter speed, ISO, and aperture settings. Finished movies can be saved as video, GIF, sticker, or flipbook; raw images can also be exported, and projects transferred to another device. The free mobile version costs nothing and includes core classroom features such as frame-by-frame capture, onion skinning, and video export. Green screen, rotoscoping, 4K export, and other advanced tools require an upgrade. The Pro app for iPhone and iPad is listed at $5.99, paid once, with no subscription. The maker says there is no trial or free version for Windows or macOS.