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Head-to-head · 3D Character Animation Software

iClone vs Daz 3D

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score iClone #3 in 3D Character Animation Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit iClone
Daz 3D #8 in 3D Character Animation Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Daz 3D

iClone leads on 0 checks, Daz 3D on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiClone · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth

iClone scores higher on our rubric for 3d character animation software: 8.9 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

iClone is the better fit for real-time capture-driven character animation. Daz 3D is the better fit for character creation and asset-rich animation.

  • iClone fits best

    Real-time capture-driven character animation

  • Daz 3D fits best

    Character creation and asset-rich animation

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Side by side

Feature iClone 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Daz 3D 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.2
Ranking #3 in 3D Character Animation Software #8 in 3D Character Animation Software
Best for Real-time capture-driven character animation Character creation and asset-rich animation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Windows Web, Windows, macOS
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features iClone 0/6 · Daz 3D 0/6
Motion capture Not checked yet Not checked yet
Motion retargeting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Procedural motion Not checked yet Not checked yet
Facial animation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Crowd animation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Physics simulation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time body, face, and hand motion capture
  • Facial animation, lip sync, retargeting, and motion editing
  • Unreal Engine Live Link plus Unity, Blender, Maya, and Omniverse support
  • Free Daz Studio includes creation, posing, animation, and rendering tools.
  • Large catalog spans characters, clothing, hair, props, environments, and animations.
  • Bridges connect workflows with Maya, Blender, Unreal, Unity, and other tools.
Cons
  • Windows-only platform support
  • Personal limits 3D export to 30 exports
  • No cloud collaboration or 3D modeling tools
  • Animation depth is less comprehensive than full 3D suites.
  • Commercial, editorial, interactive, and 3D-print rights can differ.
  • The workflow is closely centered on Daz's marketplace and asset ecosystem.
Our verdict

iClone is Reallusion’s real-time 3D character animation software for filmmakers, game developers, previs artists, virtual production teams, and independent creators. It brings together body, face, and hand motion capture with facial…

Read the review →

Daz 3D combines free Daz Studio creation software with a marketplace for customizable 3D characters and related assets. It is aimed at digital artists, hobbyists, illustrators, animators, video creators, and game developers who need…

Read the review →
  1. iClone3D Character Animation Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Daz 3D3D Character Animation Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iClone — where it wins

    • Real-time body, face, and hand motion capture
    • Facial animation, lip sync, retargeting, and motion editing
    • Unreal Engine Live Link plus Unity, Blender, Maya, and Omniverse support

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform support
    • Personal limits 3D export to 30 exports
    • No cloud collaboration or 3D modeling tools

  • Daz 3D — where it wins

    • Free Daz Studio includes creation, posing, animation, and rendering tools.
    • Large catalog spans characters, clothing, hair, props, environments, and animations.
    • Bridges connect workflows with Maya, Blender, Unreal, Unity, and other tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Animation depth is less comprehensive than full 3D suites.
    • Commercial, editorial, interactive, and 3D-print rights can differ.
    • The workflow is closely centered on Daz's marketplace and asset ecosystem.
  • iClone8.9/10 · Free plan

    A capture-focused 3D animation suite with strong motion tools and Unreal workflows.

    Visit iCloneFull verdict →
  • Daz 3D8.2/10 · Free plan

    A character-focused 3D creation tool with free software and extensive asset-marketplace support.

    Visit Daz 3DFull verdict →

More comparisons

All 3D character animation software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update