Overview

Cubism Editor builds motion into illustrated artwork through mesh deformation and puppet-style animation. Physics and lip-sync tools extend that workflow with movement and expression. Live2D says its technology is used in mobile apps, console games, VTuber streaming and animation, so the tool is aimed at character-based work rather than general-purpose video production.

The Editor’s files work with nizima LIVE and various third-party applications. An After Effects plug-in, Photoshop scripts and external-app integration support connected workflows; the integration can let other applications set and retrieve model parameter values. Live2D warns that enabling remote external connections may expose users to malicious attacks over the Internet, so that capability warrants caution.

Key features

Illustration modeling and animation: Mesh deformation and puppet-style animation let artists make drawn models move while retaining the illustration as their basis.
Expression tools: Physics and lip-sync can add motion and responsiveness to a character.
Export formats: Outputs include PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4, WebM, MOV, MOC3, model3.json and motion3.json, covering both common media formats and Cubism model and motion files.
Developer ecosystem: SDKs are listed for Unity, Native, Web, Java, Unreal Engine and Cocos Creator, with platform support varying by SDK across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and WebGL. Downloading the Cubism SDK has no initial cost, but release licensing is separate and is not included with PRO for business.
Learning and file safety: Manuals, tutorials, sample data and Live2D Help provide learning resources. Live2D also reports a vulnerability that could crash older Editor or Viewer versions when malformed MOC3 files are loaded, and provides a consistency checker for checking files.

Pricing

Cubism is freemium. The PRO trial lasts 42 days, then the Editor continues as FREE. That makes it possible to begin without an ongoing charge, but the free tier is not an unrestricted production option.

FREE allows one texture file up to 2048 px, 100 ArtMesh, 30 motion parameters, 50 deformers and 30 parts. Exceeding those limits prevents saving, a consequential constraint for anyone whose model grows beyond the caps. Commercial use is permitted only for General Users and Small-Scale Enterprises with annual sales under 10 million yen; other users are limited to non-commercial or supervision purposes.

For eligible indie users, Cubism PRO for indie — Monthly is 13.26 USD per month, while the annual plan costs 91.02 USD per year in year one, 74.96 USD per year in year two and 68.07 USD per year from year three onward. Annual subscriptions cannot be cancelled during the subscription year, so the lower recurring annual rates trade flexibility for commitment. The 3-year plan is 234.05 USD per month and is non-renewable. A separate indie monthly option is 13.21 USD per month; the indie Annual Plan — Year Three onward is 67.85 USD per year and likewise cannot be cancelled during the subscription year.

For medium or large businesses, PRO for business — Monthly costs 61.32 USD per month; annual pricing is 420.68 USD per year in year one, 380.91 USD per year in year two and 350.32 USD per year from year three onward. Annual terms cannot be cancelled mid-year. A separate business monthly plan is 61.11 USD per month for businesses with annual revenue of JPY 10M or more; its SDK Release License is not included. The business plans are the relevant route for larger organizations, but SDK release licensing still needs separate consideration. Plans without a published price have custom pricing.

Platforms

Cubism Editor downloads are offered for Windows and macOS, including Apple Silicon and Intel Mac versions. Although Cubism-related SDKs cover additional platforms depending on the SDK, that does not make the Editor itself an Android, iOS or web application.

Who it's for

Cubism is a strong fit for illustrators, character animators and studios that need to turn artwork into expressive 2D models, particularly for games, apps or VTuber workflows. The integrations and SDK ecosystem make it more relevant to projects that need models to move beyond the Editor. It is a weaker choice for users seeking a broadly platform-native editor, or for businesses whose commercial eligibility and SDK release needs do not align with the plan terms.

Pros and cons

Pros: Mesh deformation, puppet animation, physics and lip-sync focus on expressive illustrated characters rather than generic animation; multiple image, video and model export formats support varied handoffs; manuals, tutorials and sample data support learning.
Cons: FREE has tight model caps and prevents saving when they are exceeded; its commercial-use permission excludes larger enterprises and other users; Windows and macOS are the only Editor download platforms; annual PRO plans lock users in for the subscription year.

Alternatives

Animaker is a freemium alternative with Android, iOS, API and web platforms; consider it when browser or mobile access matters more than Cubism’s illustration-model workflow.
Callipeg is a paid option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, with one-time-purchase plans; choose it if that platform coverage and purchase model better fit.
Animation Desk offers a free plan on Android, iOS and Windows; consider it for those platforms and its listed sketch-layer and sequence-based plans.
OpenToonz is free and open source for commercial and non-commercial projects on Linux, macOS and Windows; it suits readers prioritizing that licensing and platform combination.
RoughAnimator is a paid hand-drawn animation application for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.
Tahoma2D is free, open-source 2D and stop-motion animation software for Linux, macOS and Windows; consider it for that broader animation scope.
Vyond is a paid option on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows, with per-user monthly credits and video-download limits in its Starter plan; consider it if those outputs and limits suit your needs.
Toon Boom Harmony is a paid Linux, macOS and Windows alternative whose Essentials plan includes vector drawing, HD/2K camera resolution, pressure-sensitive brush, onion skinning and ink and paint tools.

Browse more 2D Character Animation Software, 2D Game Animation Software, Game Animation Software, Cartoon Maker Software and Animation Software.

Verdict

Choose Live2D Cubism if your work depends on bringing illustrated characters to life with deformation, expressive motion and connected model workflows. Its specialized tools and export ecosystem are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if the FREE caps or commercial terms constrain your project, or if you need an editor on platforms beyond Windows and macOS.

	Live2D Cubism	Vyond
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$5.65/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	No
Paid from	13.26 /mo	—

Live2D Cubism vs Vyond

Live2D Cubism

Vyond