# What is the difference between Rive, Lottie, and ExodeUI?

> Lottie is a JSON animation format, usually exported from After Effects, that plays a fixed animation. Rive is a design tool and runtime for interactive vector animation with state machines. ExodeUI is a design tool and runtimes for interactive product UI, with layout, states, spring physics and logic in one open JSON file. We make ExodeUI.

Updated October 2026. Source: https://www.exodeui.com/questions/difference-between-rive-lottie-exodeui/

## Key takeaways

- Lottie: a playback format and players; authoring happens elsewhere, often After Effects
- Rive: its own editor, state machines and runtimes; strong for vector illustration
- ExodeUI: its own editor, state machines, layout, springs and runtimes; aimed at app UI
- Lottie is the most widely supported for simple playback
- Choose by whether the animation only plays or must respond to the user

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lottie interactive?

A standard Lottie file only plays. You can control playback from code, and dotLottie adds state machines, but authoring interaction is easier in Rive or ExodeUI.

### Which is easiest to start with?

Lottie, if you already use After Effects or download ready-made files. Rive and ExodeUI take more learning but give interactive results.

### Can I use them together?

Yes. Many apps use Lottie for illustrations and a state-machine tool for interactive components.

### Which file format is open?

Lottie and ExodeUI files are JSON. Rive uses its own binary .riv format, with open source runtimes.

## Related

- [Rive vs Lottie](https://www.exodeui.com/compare/rive-vs-lottie)
- [Lottie alternatives](https://www.exodeui.com/alternatives/lottie)
- [Is ExodeUI better than Rive?](https://www.exodeui.com/questions/is-exode-better-than-rive)
- [Best Rive alternatives](https://www.exodeui.com/best-rive-alternatives)