Manim vs Manim
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
Python engine for precise programmatic math animations, built for explanatory videos.
Open source · MIT
A Python engine for writing programmatic animations, mainly for explanatory math videos.
The short answer
Choose Manim if you need…
- Programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos with precise, code-controlled animation
- Educators comfortable with Python who need repeatable, scripted diagrams
- People who want to study or reuse the code behind 3Blue1Brown videos
- Developers who want an interactive preview window while building scenes
Choose Manim if you need…
- Programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos
- Educators who prefer scripting animations over manual video editing
- People comfortable with Python who want precise, repeatable animations
- Anyone who wants to try it first in the online Jupyter environment linked in the README
Side-by-side
| Manim | Manim | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 96k | 42.1k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | Python | Python |
| Last code update | 58 days ago | 5 days ago |
What each one is
Manim
Manim is a Python engine where you write code describing objects and how they move, and it renders those scenes as animated videos. It was built by the creator of 3Blue1Brown to make explanatory math videos. This repository is the original "ManimGL" version; a separate community fork also exists.
Manim
Manim is an animation engine for explanatory math videos. You write Python code that describes objects and how they move or change, and it renders them into video. It is the community-maintained fork of the tool used to make 3Blue1Brown videos.
Best for
Manim
- Programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos with precise, code-controlled animation
- Educators comfortable with Python who need repeatable, scripted diagrams
- People who want to study or reuse the code behind 3Blue1Brown videos
- Developers who want an interactive preview window while building scenes
Manim
- Programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos
- Educators who prefer scripting animations over manual video editing
- People comfortable with Python who want precise, repeatable animations
- Anyone who wants to try it first in the online Jupyter environment linked in the README
Strengths
Manim
- MIT licensed and open source
- Scenes are plain Python code, so animations are reproducible and version-controlled
- Large community with a Discord, subreddit and a Chinese-language documentation mirror
Manim
- Animations are defined in code, so they are precise and repeatable
- Has an active community with Discord and Reddit channels for help
- Available via PyPI and Docker, with an online Jupyter option to try it first
Not ideal for
Manim
- Non-programmers wanting a drag-and-drop video editor, since scenes are written in Python
- People who need the more stable, well-tested version; the README points to the Manim Community edition for that
- Anyone unwilling to install FFmpeg, OpenGL and optionally LaTeX, since setup has several system dependencies
Manim
- People who need a point-and-click video editor, since Manim is driven by code
- Users who want to follow 3b1b's own repository instructions, because the README warns that the two versions are incompatible for installation
- Anyone looking for finished, detailed documentation, since the README says documentation is still in progress
Trade-offs
Manim
- The README says documentation is still in progress
- Installation requires system tools (FFmpeg, OpenGL, optionally LaTeX and Pango) and can be fiddly
- Code from older 3b1b videos may not work with the latest version, per the README
Manim
- The README says the project is undergoing a major refactor, and new feature contributions are not being accepted during this period
- Documentation is described as in progress, so some setup details must be found on the external docs site
- Requires Python programming knowledge to make anything
Getting started
Manim
Install ManimGL from PyPI
pip install manimglTry it out
manimglManim
Try it online without installing
https://try.manim.community/Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Manim and Manim?
Manim: Python engine for precise programmatic math animations, built for explanatory videos. Manim: A Python engine for writing programmatic animations, mainly for explanatory math videos. Manim suits programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos with precise, code-controlled animation, while Manim suits programmers who want to make math or science explainer videos.
Are Manim and Manim free?
Manim: Free and open source. Manim: Free and open source.
Is Manim or Manim more popular?
Manim has more GitHub stars (96k) than Manim (42.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Manim and Manim?
Other options people compare them with include GPU.js.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.