Rive is a real-time interactive animation tool that enables designers and developers to create state-machine-based animations that respond to user interactions, data, and events in web and mobile applications. Unlike traditional animation tools that export video or GIF files, Rive animations are rendered in real-time on the device — enabling interactive animations that change based on input, game states, or live data. Used by leading companies for app onboarding, interactive buttons, game characters, and dynamic UI elements.
Interactive motion graphics for apps.
Best for: Designers who want app-grade interactive animations that developers can implement without hand-coding.
- Free plan
4.6/5 ratingEditorial score 91/100rive.app
Starts at
Free (3 files)
Get started free
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Editorial score91/100
The editorial note
What to know about Rive
Is it right for you?
Who Rive suits
Choose it if
- Designers who want app-grade interactive animations that developers can implement without hand-coding.
Look elsewhere if
- Designers needing simple one-shot animations for landing pages — Lottie (After Effects exports) or CSS animations are simpler for non-interactive animations without the state machine complexity
What you get
Key features
- Real-time interactive animations
- State machine editor
- Web, iOS, Android, and Flutter runtimes
- Vector and mesh animation
- Bones and skinning
- Event system for code integration
- Community file library
- Team collaboration
Works with
Integrations8
What it costs
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free (3 files)Billed monthly | Design and animate interactive graphics free up to 3 files |
| Pro | $42 / monthBilled monthly | Unlimited files, team collaboration, and faster export |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | SSO, advanced security, and priority support for large teams |
Prices are recorded from the vendor's public pricing page and can change. Check before you buy.
The trade-off
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real-time interactive animations that respond to input and state — not just static playback
- State machine editor enables building complex animation logic without code
- Lightweight runtime libraries for web, iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native
- Animations rendered on-device eliminate the bandwidth cost of video or large GIF files
- Growing library of community-created free Rive files for inspiration and learning
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simple CSS animations or Lottie for basic one-shot animations
- Runtime support requires developer implementation — not self-contained like a GIF or video
- Less suitable for cinematic or video-quality animations — optimized for interactive UI elements
- Pricing can be significant for teams needing multiple seats and advanced collaboration features
Quick read
At a glance
- Category
- Design & Creative
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Entry plan
- Free (3 files)
- Free plan
- Available
- Free trial
- Not listed
- Website
- rive.app
The verdict
Our take on Rive
Rive is the right choice for designers who want app-grade interactive animations that developers can implement without hand-coding. Tiny file sizes and real-time interactivity beyond what Lottie can do, making it one of the stronger options in its category. The main caveat: steeper learning curve than simpler animation tools. It is free to start with paid upgrades, so factor that into your evaluation.
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