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FreeMoCap
What it is
FreeMoCap is research-grade software for recording and reconstructing full-body movement as 3D motion-capture data. It can use two or more standard webcams, GoPros, or smartphones, with a printed ChArUco board used to synchronize camera feeds and establish a 3D coordinate system. Users can also record video offline on mobile devices and import the files later for processing. Results can be exported in formats including CSV, FBX, and .blend files. A Blender add-on loads processed recordings as a rigged skeleton, and a backend server download supports headless machines, remote capture rigs, and API use. Processing happens locally; the homepage says video data does not leave the user's machine. FreeMoCap is open source under AGPL-3.0 and has a free plan at no cost. The download page identifies the current release as alpha. Optional anonymous usage pings may include IP address, timestamp, and camera information, and can be disabled in the GUI. The project identifies researchers, animators, athletes, and creators as its audience.
For and against
For
- Free plan at no cost
- Works with webcams, GoPros, or smartphones
- Imports offline mobile recordings
- Exports CSV, FBX, and .blend files
- Local processing keeps video on the user's machine
Against
- Current release is in alpha
- Optional usage pings may include IP and camera information
The verdict
FreeMoCap combines multiple camera inputs, local processing, and several export options for 3D motion capture. The current alpha status is worth considering before relying on it for established workflows.
Who it suits
It suits researchers, animators, athletes, and creators who need to capture and reconstruct full-body movement. It also offers headless and API options for remote capture setups.
Plans and prices
FreeMoCap
Markerless motion capture · local processing · desktop installers · AGPL-3.0
Read 15 Oct 2026 · freemocap.org
Free
No subscriptions · no licenses · no hidden fees
Read 30 Sep 2026 · freemocap.org
On the record
- API
- A local REST API exposes camera detection, recording, playback, calibration, mocap processing, realtime pipelines and Blender operations.docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Architecture
- FreeMoCap uses a React and TypeScript Electron frontend communicating with a Python backend over REST and WebSocket.docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project says it is built for researchers, animators, athletes, and creators worldwide.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Blender integration
- The application can install its Blender add-on, detect Blender, export recordings to .blend files and open them in Blender.docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Calibration
- A printed ChArUco board is waved through the camera views to synchronize feeds and establish the 3D coordinate system.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Camera inputs
- The official workflow supports two or more standard webcams, GoPros, smartphones used as cameras, and imported mobile video.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Camera support
- It supports two or more standard webcams, GoPros, or smartphones as cameras.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Company facts
- LinkedIn lists FreeMoCap Foundation as a nonprofit software-development organization founded in 2021, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with 2–10 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal status
- The project is managed by the FreeMoCap Foundation, a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The latest listed release is v2.0.0-alpha.25, published 24 September 2026, with CPU startup, Linux server, Blender export and hand-detection fixes.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- The privacy policy says collected data is not sold or distributed to third parties except as required by law and is protected with industry-standard security measures.docs.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation covers installation, camera setup, architecture, API endpoints, development builds and troubleshooting, but the API pages are marked AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- Results include CSV, FBX, and .blend files, among other formats.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Funding model
- The project says it is funded through external grants and donations, while labor-intensive setup, support, training and custom work are paid services.docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Headless use
- A backend server download is provided for headless machines, remote capture rigs, and API use.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Independent listing
- AlternativeTo lists FreeMoCap as free, open source under AGPL-3.0, supporting Linux, Windows, Mac and Python, with no comments or reviews on that listing.alternativeto.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The project is licensed under GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPL-3.0).docs.freemocap.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The download page identifies FreeMoCap as open source licensed under AGPL-3.0.freemocap.org · read 30 Sep 2026
