Rive vs Lottie: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Rive and Lottie comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rive
Interactive animations for apps and games
Best for you if:
- • Rive is an animation tool for creating interactive graphics for apps and games
- • It builds real-time animations that respond to user input
Lottie
Lightweight animations for web and mobile
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Lottie is an animation format and library for web and mobile apps
- • It renders After Effects animations as lightweight, scalable JSON files
| At a Glance |  Rive |  Lottie |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Animation | Animation |
Rating | 85/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Rive | Lottie |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AnimationUI/UX Design | AnimationUI/UX Design |
How Rive and Lottie Compare
Rive
Interactive animations for apps and games
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Lottie
Lightweight animations for web and mobile
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Rive
Want the highest-rated option?
Rive: 85/100. Lottie: 88/100.
Go with: Lottie
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Lottie
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are animation tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Lottie scores higher: 88/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Lottie
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 85
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Rive
The Bottom Line
Lottie (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rive or Lottie better?
Lottie scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Rive and Lottie used for?
Rive: Interactive animations for apps and games. Lottie: Lightweight animations for web and mobile.
What does Rive cost vs Lottie?
Rive is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Lottie is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.