Xsens Animate
Xsens Animate: A mature inertial capture suite for live production, offline export, and complex scenes. Ranked #2 of 64 in Motion Capture Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for professional inertial capture pipelines.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingPricing on request
- Best forProfessional inertial capture pipelines
- Founded2000 · Enschede, Netherlands
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Full-body inertial capture with real-time streaming and offline processing
- Exports FBX, BVH, C3D, and MVNX motion data
- Plugins and integrations span major 3D and virtual production tools
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is handled through contact or configuration-based quotes
- Advanced cleanup tools and complex multi-actor workflows require Animate Pro
- Platform support is limited to Windows 11 64-bit and Linux Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS
Our verdict on Xsens Animate
Xsens Animate is motion capture software for animation, games, film, VFX, virtual production, live entertainment, and streaming. It works with Xsens Link, Awinda, and Awinda Starter hardware to capture body movement, process motion data, and stream or export it to 3D production software. The three editions target distinct workflows: Animate Live covers real-time performance and virtual production, Animate Export focuses on offline single-actor capture, and Animate Pro addresses multi-actor shoots and complex scenes. It is best suited to professional teams building inertial capture pipelines across live and offline production.
The plan structure maps clearly to production needs. Animate Live supports live performance, real-time virtual production, live streaming, and broadcast. Animate Export supports offline capture workflows and the capture, processing, and export of motion data for one actor. Animate Pro adds high-performance processing and advanced cleanup tools for multi-actor shoots and complex scenes. According to the vendor's pricing information, subscriptions are handled through contact or configuration-based quotes rather than a published price list, so buyers should evaluate the required edition and workflow before requesting a quote.
Platform and ecosystem fit are major strengths. Xsens Animate supports Windows and Linux, with documented support for Windows 11 64-bit and Linux Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS. Its plugins cover Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya, MotionBuilder, and Unity, while listed integrations extend to tools and systems including Houdini, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, iClone, Notch, and Mo-Sys. Export support includes FBX, BVH, C3D, and MVNX, and the software includes female and male anatomy models, improved spine dynamics and proportions, and Auto Sensor Mapping for Awinda users. Choose Xsens Animate when a production needs full-body inertial capture across live streaming, offline export, or complex scenes; smaller teams seeking simple, self-serve pricing should look elsewhere.
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Xsens Animate pricing
All 3 Xsens Animate plans and prices →
Xsens Animate fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Body tracking | Yes |
| Face and hand tracking | Yes |
| Character retargeting | Not verified |
| Cleanup tools | Yes |
| Export formats | FBX, BVH, C3D, MVNX |
| Real-time output | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Windows 11 64-bit; Linux Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 15 integrations: Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Maya, MotionBuilder, Manus … See all → |
| Pricing | Pricing on request (source) |
| Website | xsens.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Xsens Animate integrations
Xsens Animate lists 15 integrations on its own site.
- Unreal Engine
- Unity
- Blender
- Maya
- MotionBuilder
- Manus
- Faceware
- Houdini
- StretchSense
- Pixotope
- iClone
- Notch
- Mo-Sys
- Cinema 4D
- 3ds Max
See all Xsens Animate integrations →
Alternatives to Xsens Animate
- Vicon ShogunA mature Windows suite for detailed optical, markerless, and finger motion capture.8.9
- Autodesk MotionBuilderA character-animation workspace with mocap retargeting, control rigs and FBX exchange.8.7
- Autodesk Flow StudioA broad web-based mocap and virtual production platform with a capable free tier.8.6
See all Xsens Animate alternatives →
Xsens Animate vs the competition
- Xsens Animate vs Vicon Shogun
- Xsens Animate vs Autodesk MotionBuilder
- Xsens Animate vs Autodesk Flow Studio
- Xsens Animate vs Rokoko Studio
- Xsens Animate vs Xsens MVN Analyze
- Xsens Animate vs DeepMotion Animate 3D
Compare Xsens Animate with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Xsens Animate is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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