Cascadeur vs iClone
Cascadeur
cascadeur.comiClone
reallusion.comSide by side
| Figure | Cascadeur | iClone |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.4 (#2) | 9.2 (#5) |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.2 (#2) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Character rigging | Yes | Yes |
| Export formats | Paid tiers export CASC, FBX, DAE, USD and GLTF, while Free is limited to CASC export. | FBX,OBJ,ABC,USD |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Licence | Cascadeur is distributed under Nekki's proprietary end-user licence agreement rather than an open-source licence. | The software and iContent are proprietary; the EULA prohibits copying, sublicensing, reverse engineering and redistribution. |
| 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. | windows |
| Python API | Cascadeur embeds Python 3.8 scripting through the csc module, with application, scene, tool, model, layer and FBX interfaces. | A public Python plug-in API lets developers automate animation, batch rendering, device control and custom tools inside iClone. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.3 out of 5 from 304 ratings | The listing says there are not enough ratings or reviews to display an overview for LIVE Face. |
| Rating on Capterra | 5.0 out of 5 from 1 review | 4.4 out of 5 from 10 reviews |
| Rating on G2 | 0 out of 5 from 0 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 13 reviews |
| Security and privacy | Nekki's privacy policy says it follows GDPR principles and uses safeguards including firewalls, antivirus controls and SSL encryption. | The EULA says Reallusion applies protections against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction and links use to its privacy policy. |
| What it does | Cascadeur is software for making character animation without motion capture, using physics-based methods and machine-learning assistance. | iClone is Reallusion's real-time 3D animation environment for character performance, scene design and cinematic storytelling. |
Plans
Cascadeur
- FreeFree
- Indie$19 a month
- Pro$49 a month
- Teams$49 a month
- Educational$49, paid once
- Indie$96 a year
- Pro$396 a year
- Teams$396 a year
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
Cascadeur
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.
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.