Live2D Cubism vs Spriter
Live2D Cubism
live2d.comSpriter
brashmonkey.comSide by side
| Figure | Live2D Cubism | Spriter |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5.65/mo | $59.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 20 | 4 |
| Spec score · 2D Game Animation Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.7 (#19) |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.0 (#11) | 8.1 (#49) |
| Spec score · 2D Character Animation Software | 8.8 (#6) | 7.9 (#24) |
| Spec score · Game Animation Software | 8.8 (#4) | 7.8 (#23) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Editor files are supported by nizima LIVE and various third-party applications, and Live2D provides an After Effects plug-in and Photoshop scripts. | The product page names built-in Papagayo support for lip-syncing; the maker also offers an engine for Construct 2 or 3 that requires Spriter Pro. |
| Purpose | Cubism Editor models and animates drawn illustrations to create dynamic 2D expressions. | Spriter Pro is a 2D game animation tool that creates animations from modular sprite pieces and skeletal animation. |
Plans
Live2D Cubism
- Cubism PRO for indie — Monthly$13.26 a month
- Cubism PRO for indie — Annual, year one$91.02 a year
- Cubism PRO for indie — Annual, year two$74.96 a year
- Cubism PRO for indie — Annual, year three and later$68.07 a year
- Cubism PRO for indie — 3-year plan$234.05 a month
- Cubism PRO for business — Monthly$61.32 a month
- Cubism PRO for business — Annual, year one$420.68 a year
- Cubism PRO for business — Annual, year two$380.91 a year
- Cubism PRO for business — Annual, year three and later$350.32 a year
- Cubism PRO for indie Monthly Plan$13.21 a month
Spriter
- Free VersionFree
- Spriter Pro$59.99 a month
- Spriter 2 Pre-Order$59.99, paid once
- Spriter Pro$59.99, paid once
In their own words
Live2D Cubism
Live2D Cubism Editor turns drawn illustrations into animated 2D models, with tools for shaping expressions through mesh deformation, physics, and lip sync. Live2D says its technology is used in mobile apps, console games, VTuber streaming, and animation. The editor runs on Windows and macOS, including Apple Silicon and Intel Mac versions, and exports PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4, WebM, MOV, MOC3, model3.json, and motion3.json files. Editor files are supported by nizima LIVE and other third-party applications; Live2D also provides an After Effects plug-in and Photoshop scripts. The PRO trial lasts 42 days, after which the Editor continues as the FREE version. FREE is limited to one 2048 px texture file, 100 ArtMesh, 30 motion parameters, 50 deformers, and 30 parts; exceeding those limits prevents saving. FREE commercial use is restricted to General Users and Small-Scale Enterprises with annual sales under 10 million yen. Cubism PRO for indie is listed at $13.26 a month.
Spriter
Spriter is a 2D game animation tool for building motion from modular sprite pieces and skeletal animation. On its timeline, pieces can be rotated, transformed, and tweened, with intermediate frames generated between keyframes. Its animation data can be used in games and manipulated through game events. Export options include spritesheets, animated GIFs, sequential images, and other formats. Features include pixel art mode, inverse kinematics, collision areas, sound effects, and Papagayo lip-sync support. Spriter Pro includes Essentials versions of BrashMonkey animated art packs for game projects. The maker lists a Free Version with a feature comparison against Pro. The Pro license covers one user and can be installed on that user's computers, but not used on multiple systems at once. The listed Free Version is free, and Spriter Pro is $59.99 a month. A separate Spriter 2 pre-order is $59.99, paid once and includes Spriter Pro immediately; Spriter 2's retail price is undecided. Listed platforms are Linux and Windows; Ubuntu 14 is the only officially supported Linux version, and Windows Vista or higher is required.