Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is the industry-standard 3D software for film, TV, and game development, renowned for its powerful animation and rigging tools. Key features include the Bifrost visual programming environment for FX, advanced character creation tools, and robust dynamics for cloth and fluids.

It targets professional studios and artists in high-end production. Pricing is via subscription. It ranks highly due to its deep, proven toolset for complex animation pipelines, extensive third-party plugin ecosystem, and its entrenched position as a reliability and compatibility benchmark in professional workflows.