Playbook by MediaBistro | Tools & Software for Creative Professionals
Lottie and Spline take fundamentally different approaches to motion work. Lottie serves as a rendering engine that translates After Effects animations into lightweight JSON files for web and mobile apps. Spline functions as a complete 3D design and animation tool built for the browser, letting you create and export interactive experiences from scratch.
Lottie started at Airbnb as an open-source solution to a common problem: animations that look great but load slowly. The library parses After Effects animations exported through the Bodymovin plugin and renders them as scalable vector graphics in real time. This means animations stay crisp at any size while keeping file sizes dramatically smaller than traditional video or GIF formats.
The tool has become an industry standard for product designers and developers who need consistent animation across platforms. Lottie works natively on iOS, Android, Web, React Native, and Windows, with a single animation file working everywhere. The approach requires an existing After Effects workflow, but the payoff comes in performance and flexibility. You can programmatically control playback, change colors dynamically, and integrate animations into code without touching the original design files.
Spline brings 3D design capability directly into the browser without requiring desktop software or rendering farms. The tool provides modeling, animation, texturing, and interactive controls in a WebGL-based interface that feels closer to game engines than traditional design apps. You can build complete 3D scenes, animate objects along paths, add physics, and set up interactivity through a visual editor.
The platform targets designers who want to add dimensional elements to web projects without learning Blender or Cinema 4D. Spline exports to common web formats and provides embed codes for dropping 3D scenes directly into websites. The collaboration features let teams work simultaneously on the same file, and the browser-based approach means you can design on any machine with decent graphics capability. Recent updates have focused on performance optimization and expanded export options for game engines and AR applications.
Renders existing After Effects animations through JSON export
Native 3D modeling, animation, and interaction design in browser
Extremely lightweight JSON files, optimized for mobile and web
WebGL-based rendering with variable performance based on scene complexity
Limited to After Effects capabilities and Bodymovin-supported features
Full 3D environment with modeling, materials, lighting, and physics
Programmatic control through JavaScript API, requires coding
Built-in event system with visual interaction editor, code optional
Native libraries for iOS, Android, Web, React Native, Windows
Web-focused with exports for React, image sequences, and 3D formats
Requires After Effects knowledge plus integration implementation
3D design principles needed, but interface more accessible than pro tools
Lottie carries zero direct cost but assumes you already pay for After Effects or work with someone who does. Spline's free tier works for experimentation and small projects, while the Pro plan stays affordable for freelancers and small teams. Your real investment comes down to whether you're leveraging existing motion design skills or building 3D capability from scratch.
These tools occupy different parts of the animation workflow and rarely compete directly. Lottie solves the delivery problem for motion designers already working in After Effects, giving them a path to web and mobile that preserves quality while cutting file size. It requires buy-in to the Adobe ecosystem but delivers unmatched performance for 2D vector animation. Spline builds the entire pipeline in the browser for teams working in 3D space, offering creation and delivery in one package.
Choose Lottie if you're implementing animations designed in After Effects and need them to perform well across multiple platforms. The open-source nature and extensive platform support make it reliable for production applications where consistency matters. Choose Spline if you're designing 3D elements specifically for web use and want to iterate quickly without bouncing between desktop apps and browsers. The collaboration features and browser-native approach work well for teams comfortable with web-first workflows. Many studios use both: Lottie for UI animations and icons, Spline for hero sections and product showcases that benefit from dimensional depth.
