LightWave 3D vs Rive

LightWave 3D plans

• New LightWave 2025 Licence£795 a month
• LightWave 2025 Upgrade - LightWave 2024 users£450 a month
• LightWave 2025 Upgrade - LightWave 2023 or earlier users£550 a month
• 30-day trialFree
• LightWave 2025 Upgrade — LightWave 2024 users£450, paid once
• LightWave 2026 upgrade from 2025£450, paid once

Rive plans

• FreeFree
• Cadet$9 a month
• Voyager$32 a month
• Enterprise$120 a month

Pick LightWave 3D if…

LightWave 3D is aimed at professionals in television, film effects, games, print graphics, and visualization. It may also suit users who need its modeling, animation, rendering, or Unreal Engine Bridge workflows.

Pick Rive if…

Rive suits designers and developers creating animated graphics or rigged characters for apps, products, games, and other supported platforms. Its plans range from a free editor to paid options with expanded file and seat limits.