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Video Production · head to head

HitFilm vs Maya

H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Maya logo

Maya

Entertainment

3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.; Maya complex interface that requires significant training and experience
  • They diverge on capability: HitFilm covers Composite shots, Maya covers 3D modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HitFilm and Maya actually diverge.

Attributes where HitFilm and Maya differ
AttributeHitFilmMaya
Pricing modelPer user per monthUnknown
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryVideo ProductionEntertainment
FoundedUnknown1982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

Only in Maya

  • 3D modeling
  • Character animation
  • Visual effects
  • Simulation
  • Rendering
  • Arnold renderer
  • Mental Ray
  • V-Ray

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot Maya
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot Maya
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot Maya
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot Maya

Maya

  • Film productionnot HitFilm
  • Game developmentnot HitFilm
  • TV animationnot HitFilm
  • VFX creationnot HitFilm
  • Architectural visualizationnot HitFilm

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

Maya

  • Complex interface that requires significant training and experience
  • Software crashes and stability issues reported by users
  • Heavy system requirements and resource-intensive processing

Pricing, plan by plan

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

Maya

Free
  • Monthly Subscription$245/month
    • Full features
  • Annual Subscription$1945/year
    • Full features
  • Indie License$305/year
    • Full features for revenue under $100k
  • Student LicenseFree
    • Free for 3 years (watermarked)

Which should you pick?

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Choose Maya if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want character animation.
Maya review

Questions people ask

Is HitFilm or Maya better?
Neither clearly leads. HitFilm starts at Free and Maya at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HitFilm or Maya?
HitFilm starts at Free and Maya at Free.
Does HitFilm or Maya run on more platforms?
HitFilm runs on Windows, macOS. Maya runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use HitFilm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HitFilm best used for?
HitFilm is most often used for cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor, producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription, learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects tool, adding tracked 3d elements to live footage in a one-person production. Of those, cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor and producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription are not what Maya is typically brought in for.
What can HitFilm do that Maya cannot?
HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying. Maya covers 3D modeling, Character animation, Visual effects, Simulation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

Maya: What is the cost of an annual Maya subscription?

A standard annual Maya subscription costs $1,945 per year, with a monthly option at $245 per month. Indie users with revenue under $100k USD qualify for $305 per year. Educational licenses are free for 3 years but watermark output.

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

Maya: Does Maya include rendering capabilities?

Yes. Maya includes Arnold, a high-quality rendering engine built into the software for producing photorealistic renders directly within Maya.

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

Maya: What platforms does Maya run on?

Maya runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Maya 2027 supports Windows 11, macOS versions 26.x through 14.x, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux with Rocky Linux.

Source
Maya: Can students use Maya for free?

Yes. Maya is free for students at registered educational institutions. The license lasts 3 years but is non-commercial only and watermarks exported files.

Source
Maya: Does Maya integrate with other software?

Maya supports many plugins including ZooTools Pro for rigging, RealFlow for simulation, ngSkinTools for character skinning, and MASH for motion graphics, extending its capabilities for production workflows.

Source
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