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Head-to-head · Motion Capture Software

Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Xsens MVN Animate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Autodesk MotionBuilder #3 in Motion Capture Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Autodesk
Xsens MVN Animate #6 in Motion Capture Software 8.4/10 From $3,790/yr ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Xsens

Autodesk MotionBuilder leads on 0 checks, Xsens MVN Animate on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAutodesk MotionBuilder · 8.7/10
  • Free trialonly Autodesk MotionBuilder
  • Most featuresAutodesk MotionBuilder · 1 of 5

Autodesk MotionBuilder scores higher on our rubric for motion capture software: 8.7 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Autodesk MotionBuilder is the better fit for animation teams focused on character retargeting. Xsens MVN Animate is the better fit for studios producing with Xsens inertial capture.

  • Autodesk MotionBuilder fits best

    Animation teams focused on character retargeting

  • Xsens MVN Animate fits best

    Studios producing with Xsens inertial capture

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Side by side

Feature Autodesk MotionBuilder 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Xsens MVN Animate 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.4
Ranking #3 in Motion Capture Software #6 in Motion Capture Software
Best for Animation teams focused on character retargeting Studios producing with Xsens inertial capture
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — From $3,790/yr
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Support Community, Docs · 24/7 Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Autodesk MotionBuilder 1/5 · Xsens MVN Animate 0/5
Body tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Face and hand tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Character retargeting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cleanup tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Real-time output Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Export formats Not checked yet FBX, BVH, C3D, MVNX, MP4
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Retargets motion between characters and supports mocap-driven animation
  • Combines control rigs, keyframes, plotting and facial animation
  • Exchanges FBX with Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max
  • Streams motion live to Unreal Engine, Unity and other production tools
  • Animate Pro supports multi-actor capture and finger-tracking integrations
  • Captures offline and exports in FBX, BVH, C3D, MVNX and MP4
Cons
  • Its listed capabilities emphasize animation more than capture
  • There is no free plan
  • The product is a desktop application for Windows and Linux
  • Requires Xsens Link or Awinda hardware
  • Subscriptions start at $3,790 per year, with tier pricing not itemized
  • Documentation is the listed support channel
Our verdict

Autodesk MotionBuilder is desktop 3D character animation software for professional animation and game studios. It supports capturing, editing, previewing and exporting character animation in an interactive real-time environment. Its focus…

Read the review →

Xsens MVN Animate is inertial motion-capture software for animators, game developers, VFX teams and virtual- or live-production crews working with Xsens Link or Awinda hardware. It captures, visualizes, processes, streams and exports body…

Read the review →
  1. Autodesk MotionBuilderMotion Capture Software 8.730-day trial
  2. Xsens MVN AnimateMotion Capture Software 8.4From $3,790/yr

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Autodesk MotionBuilder — where it wins

    • Retargets motion between characters and supports mocap-driven animation
    • Combines control rigs, keyframes, plotting and facial animation
    • Exchanges FBX with Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max

    Where it doesn't

    • Its listed capabilities emphasize animation more than capture
    • There is no free plan
    • The product is a desktop application for Windows and Linux

  • Xsens MVN Animate — where it wins

    • Streams motion live to Unreal Engine, Unity and other production tools
    • Animate Pro supports multi-actor capture and finger-tracking integrations
    • Captures offline and exports in FBX, BVH, C3D, MVNX and MP4

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires Xsens Link or Awinda hardware
    • Subscriptions start at $3,790 per year, with tier pricing not itemized
    • Documentation is the listed support channel
  • Autodesk MotionBuilder8.7/10 · 30-day trial

    A character-animation workspace with mocap retargeting, control rigs and FBX exchange.

    Visit AutodeskFull verdict →
  • Xsens MVN Animate8.4/10 · From $3,790/yr

    High-end inertial capture with live streaming, multi-actor workflows and broad pipeline support.

    Visit XsensFull verdict →

More comparisons

All motion capture software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update