Cascadeur vs MikuMikuDance
Cascadeur
cascadeur.comMikuMikuDance
sites.google.comSide by side
| Figure | Cascadeur | MikuMikuDance |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 0 |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.2 (#2) | 7.0 (#26) |
| Purpose | Cascadeur is physics-based 3D animation software for creating character animation without motion capture. | The Vocaloid Promotion Video Project describes its tools as being for making promotion videos of the Vocaloid series. |
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
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.
MikuMikuDance
MikuMikuDance is a tool for choreographing a 3D Miku model and exporting AVI files, described by the Vocaloid Promotion Video Project as part of its tools for making Vocaloid-series promotion videos. The Multi Model Edition can move two or more models and use the Bullet physics engine, though the site identifies it as an older edition for Windows XP machines. Separate DirectX 9 and 64-bit versions are described for PCs running Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 10; the 64-bit edition is for 64-bit systems. If those Windows versions fail to run, the site advises installing Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable packages and the DirectX End-User Runtime. For Kinect motion capture, the DxOpenNI driver reads joint positions and can be used as a MikuMikuDance plug-in. MoggDxOpenNI can capture neck, wrist, upper-body, lower-body, and ankle motion. The site links an English tutorial document and operation tutorial videos. Pricing is listed as a free plan with paid access from 7.99 one-time.