Live2D Cubism is the industry-standard software for rigging 2D VTuber avatars. It takes flat, layered artwork and adds the bones, deformers, and physics that allow a character to move — eyes blink, mouths open, hair sways, heads turn with parallax depth. Nearly every professional 2D VTuber model you see on Twitch or YouTube was rigged in Live2D Cubism.
This guide covers what Live2D costs, what you get in the free version vs Pro, and how the rigging process works.
Live2D Cubism Pricing
Live2D offers a permanent free version and a paid Pro tier. Pricing is based on annual revenue — the "indie" tier is for individuals and small enterprises earning under ¥10 million (~$67,000 USD) per year. Most VTubers fall into the indie category.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FREE | $0 (forever) | Learning, simple models, beginners |
| 42-Day Pro Trial | $0 (one-time) | Testing all Pro features before committing |
| Pro Indie (Monthly) | ~$15/month | Short-term or occasional use |
| Pro Indie (Annual) | ~$100/year | Best value for active creators |
| Pro Indie (3-Year) | ~$260/3 years (~$87/year) | Best long-term value |
| Pro Business | Higher pricing tier | Enterprises with >¥10M annual revenue |
| Student Discount | 76% off 3-Year plan | Students and faculty at educational institutions |
Pricing notes:
- Live2D bills in Japanese yen (JPY). USD equivalents shown above are approximate and may vary with exchange rates.
- Live2D runs 20% off sales multiple times per year (typically Holiday, May, Summer, and Autumn sales). If you're not in a rush, wait for a sale.
- The 42-day free trial gives you full Pro features — no credit card required. After it expires, the software automatically reverts to the Free version. Your work is preserved.
- A student discount of 76% off the 3-Year plan is available through the Live2D Student Discount Program.
Free vs Pro: What Do You Actually Get?
The Free version is a real, functional product — not a crippled demo. You can create, rig, and export models with it. The limitations only matter when your models become complex.
| Feature | FREE | PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Texture files per model | 1 (max 2048px) | Unlimited |
| ArtMesh objects | 100 | Unlimited |
| Motion parameters | 30 | Unlimited |
| Blend shape deformations | 3 | Unlimited |
| Parts (layers) | 30 | Unlimited |
| ArtPath | 3 | Unlimited |
| Warp Deformer divisions | Max 9x9 | Max 100x100 |
| Video/image export resolution | Max 1280x720 | Max ~9.4 megapixels |
| Model resizing | No | Yes |
| Multiview editing | No | Yes |
| Mesh copy/paste | No | Yes |
| Form animation editing | No | Yes |
| Commercial use | General users & small enterprises only | All users (indie or business tier) |
Can you make a VTuber model with the Free version? Yes — if your model is simple enough to stay within the limits (30 parameters, 30 parts, 100 ArtMesh objects). A basic model with head movement, eye blinking, mouth movement, and simple hair physics can fit within these constraints. More complex models with detailed expressions, body movement, multiple outfits, or physics-driven accessories will hit the limits quickly and require Pro.
What Live2D Actually Does
Live2D Cubism is a rigging tool, not a drawing tool or a face-tracking app. It sits in the middle of the VTuber pipeline:
- Draw your character in Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or any drawing software. Each movable part (left eye, right eye, mouth, hair front, hair back, etc.) goes on a separate layer. Export as a PSD file.
- Rig the character in Live2D Cubism. Import the PSD, create meshes over each part, add deformers and bones, define parameters (how far the head turns, how wide the mouth opens), and set up physics for hair and accessories.
- Export the model and load it into a face-tracking app like VTube Studio for live animation on stream.
Live2D does not track your face, and it doesn't create the original artwork. It specifically handles the rigging — turning flat art into a movable, animatable model.
How Long Does It Take to Learn?
Live2D has a genuine learning curve. Here's a realistic timeline:
- Basic model (head turns, eye blink, mouth movement): A few days of learning + 4-8 hours of rigging work for your first model
- Intermediate model (expressions, body movement, hair physics): A few weeks of practice. 10-20+ hours of rigging per model
- Professional-quality model (detailed expressions, accessories, outfit switching): Months of practice. Professional riggers spend 20-60+ hours per model
Most VTubers don't rig their own models. Instead, they commission a professional rigger on platforms like Fiverr, Skeb, or Twitter/X. A professional Live2D rig typically costs $100-800+ depending on complexity, on top of the original character art. If you want to learn rigging yourself, Live2D's official YouTube channel and community tutorials are the best starting resources.
Pros and Cons of Live2D
Pros
- Industry standard — The vast majority of 2D VTuber models are rigged in Live2D. This means the best tutorials, the most riggers for hire, and the widest compatibility with tracking apps
- Preserves original art style — Unlike 3D modeling which requires recreating the character, Live2D works directly from your 2D illustration
- Layered animation control — Every element (eyes, mouth, hair, accessories) can be animated independently with precise control
- Real-time physics — Hair, clothing, and accessories react to movement with configurable physics simulation
- Free version is functional — You can create and export complete models without paying
- Cross-platform — Runs on both Windows and macOS
Cons
- Steep learning curve — Rigging is a skill that takes real time to develop. The interface is dense with features
- No 360-degree rotation — Live2D characters can turn their heads about 30-40 degrees in each direction. Full rotation isn't possible because the model is built from flat 2D layers, not a 3D mesh
- Art must be prepared specifically — The original illustration needs every movable part on a separate layer. Art that wasn't drawn with Live2D in mind may need significant rework
- Resource-intensive — Complex models with many deformers and physics calculations can be CPU-heavy, particularly on lower-end systems
- Anime/stylized focus — Live2D excels at anime-style characters. Realistic or non-humanoid characters are harder to achieve
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Live2D cost?
The Free version is permanently free with feature limitations. Pro (indie) costs approximately $100/year or $15/month. A 3-year plan is available for about $260 ($87/year). Students get 76% off the 3-year plan. All new users get a 42-day free trial of Pro with no credit card required. See the full comparison on Live2D's site.
Is the Free version enough for VTubing?
For a simple model, yes. The Free version limits you to 30 parameters, 30 parts, and 100 ArtMesh objects. A basic VTuber model with head movement, eye tracking, mouth movement, and simple hair physics can fit within these limits. More detailed models will need Pro.
Do I need Live2D to be a VTuber?
Not necessarily. Live2D is the standard for 2D VTuber rigging, but there are alternatives: Inochi2D is a free open-source option (less polished), and 3D VTubers use completely different tools like VRoid Studio and VSeeFace. You can also start with PNGtubing — which requires no rigging at all.
Is Live2D open source?
No. Live2D Cubism is proprietary software developed by Live2D Inc. (a Japanese company). The Free version is free to use but not open source. Inochi2D is an open-source alternative if that matters to you.
Can I use the Free version commercially?
Yes, but only if you're a general user or a small-scale enterprise earning under ¥10 million (~$67,000 USD) per year. Above that threshold, you need the Pro Business tier. Most individual VTubers are well within the free commercial use limit.
Should I learn Live2D or hire a rigger?
If you enjoy technical creative work and want to offer rigging services yourself, learning Live2D is a worthwhile investment. If you primarily want to stream and don't want to spend weeks learning rigging, commissioning a professional is more practical. A typical commissioned rig costs $100-800+ depending on complexity — comparable to a year or two of Pro subscription costs.
