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Types of VTuber Models at Every Price Point

0h 06m video Published Oct 28, 2024 Transcribed Aug 6, 2026 Z Zekoz
Beginner 4 min read For: Aspiring VTubers and content creators who want to understand the different types of VTuber models and their costs.
AI Trust Score 70/100
⚠️ Average / Some Fluff

"Delivers a solid breakdown of VTuber model types and costs, though the title slightly oversells the 'every price point' claim."

AI Summary

This video provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of VTuber models available, ranging from expensive custom 3D and Live2D models to budget-friendly PNG models and free options. The creator, Zeke, explains the costs, customization options, and technical requirements for each type, offering practical advice for aspiring VTubers at various budget levels.

[00:01]
Custom 3D Models: High Cost, High Flexibility

Custom 3D models offer great customization but cost $1,000-$2,000+ for the model itself. Additional costs include a full VR kit (~$2,000) and a powerful PC (~$1,000-$2,000). Cheaper alternatives for tracking include webcam with VC Face for head/face tracking and Slime VR for full body tracking.

[01:09]
Custom Live2D Models: The Standard Choice

Custom Live2D models are the most common type, costing $1,000-$2,000+. They offer similar customization to 3D but are flat. They can work with a sub-$100 webcam and decent lighting, but higher quality requires a better webcam and an iPhone X or above for tracking. Additional expressions, outfits, and animations increase costs.

[02:17]
PNG Models: Budget-Friendly Entry Point

PNG models are recommended for beginners. Complex PNGs (like PNG Tuber Plus) cost $200-$300 for a full cut, full-body, full-color PNG, or $100-$200 for animated GIFs. Simple PNGs are just flat images that can be used with the Fugi web app, costing $20-$50. A customizable PNG Tuber Plus model with over 9,000 assets is available on Kofi for $10.

[03:53]
Pre-Made Models: Cheap and Customizable

Pre-made Live2D models are available on Kofi or Booth for around $20 on average. They offer some customization options, and some are even free. Pre-made 3D models can also be found with effort.

[04:34]
Free Models: VTuber Kit and Vroid Studio

VTuber Kit is a free Live2D model with customizable parts and expressions, available on Cupid's itch page. Vroid Studio is a free program for creating 3D VTuber avatars without prior 3D modeling knowledge, with powerful tools and easy export to tracking software like VC Face.

[05:52]
Why Models Cost So Much

The cost of VTuber models reflects the time, experience, skills, and expertise of the creators, not just the final product. The creator recommends watching a video where he attempts to make a Live2D model himself to understand the difficulty.

The video concludes that VTuber models range from free to thousands of dollars, with the choice depending on budget, customization needs, and commitment level. It emphasizes that the cost is justified by the creator's skill and effort, and encourages viewers to start with cheaper options if unsure about long-term Vtubing.

Mentioned in this Video

Study Flashcards (10)

What is the typical cost range for a custom 3D VTuber model?

easy Click to reveal answer

$1,000 to $2,000 or more.

00:13

What additional costs are associated with using a 3D VTuber model?

medium Click to reveal answer

A full VR kit (~$2,000) and a powerful PC (~$1,000-$2,000).

00:26

What is the main difference between 3D and Live2D VTuber models?

easy Click to reveal answer

Live2D models are flat (2D) and restricted to a flat rigging, while 3D models are fully three-dimensional.

01:21

What is the cost range for a custom Live2D model?

easy Click to reveal answer

About $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

01:36

What is the cost range for a complex PNG model (e.g., PNG Tuber Plus)?

medium Click to reveal answer

Around $200 to $300 for a fully cut, full-body, full-color PNG.

02:46

What is the cost range for a simple PNG model?

easy Click to reveal answer

Around $20 to $50.

03:53

What is the average cost of a pre-made Live2D model?

easy Click to reveal answer

Around $20 on average.

04:06

What is VTuber Kit?

medium Click to reveal answer

A free Live2D model with customizable parts and expressions, available on Cupid's itch page.

04:34

What is Vroid Studio?

medium Click to reveal answer

A free program that allows you to create your own 3D VTuber avatar without prior 3D modeling knowledge.

05:15

Why do VTuber models cost so much?

medium Click to reveal answer

Because you're paying for the time, experience, skills, and expertise of the creators, not just the final product.

05:52

💡 Key Takeaways

📊

Custom 3D models cost $1,000-$2,000+

Establishes the high-end price point for VTuber models, setting the stage for cheaper alternatives.

00:13
💡

PNG models are a budget-friendly entry point

Provides a practical recommendation for beginners who are unsure about long-term Vtubing.

02:17
📊

Free models like VTuber Kit and Vroid Studio exist

Shows that high-quality VTubing is possible without spending money, democratizing the hobby.

04:34
⚖️

Model cost reflects creator expertise

Explains the rationale behind high prices, emphasizing the value of skilled artists and riggers.

05:52

[00:01] prices higher than Barcelona's average rent? Well, you're in luck because in this video, I'll be telling you how to get a model in different ways with each method being cheaper than the last. So, be sure to watch to the end. Let's start

[00:13] off with highquality custom 3D models. That's right, not live 2D models, and you'll know why in a bit. These models offer great freedom with customization, but can set you back around $1 to $2,000 or more. If you want to take full

[00:26] advantage of the capabilities a 3D model gives you, you're looking into an additional $2,000 for a full VR kit plus accessories. And on top of all that, everything, which would cost your poor wallet another,000 or two. So, while the

[00:41] model itself is priced similarly to Life 2D models, the operational costs can quickly add up. However, this does not mean you have to get these things. You can very well just use a webcam with VC Phase for head and face tracking. And if

[00:54] you want full body tracking, there is a much cheaper alternative in Slime VR. allows for full body tracking through a camera input. 3D models offer a lot of your price ceiling ultimately depends on how far you want to take it and for what

[01:09] things you'd want to achieve with it. Next up, we have the most common type of VTuber model, the custom live 2D models. This is usually what people think of when they think VTuber. The models offer almost an equal amount of customization

[01:21] as 3D models. The only major difference being the restriction to a flat riggers are getting so cracked at what they do nowadays that this is not much of a restriction as it once was. These models normally cost about $1 to $2,000

[01:36] or more. Similar to the custom 3D models. However, they have much less realistically get away with just a sub $100 webcam and decent room lighting. If quality, however, you're looking at a higher model cost to incorporate a more

[01:52] bridger alongside an upgrade to an iPhone X or above for compatibility and better tracking capabilities. And if you add in more expressions, outfit changes, and animations, the costs start to

[02:04] quickly add up in the hundreds, if not thousands. Similarly to the 3D model, want to take it. But what doesn't usually cost thousands is something I personally recommend to those who are just starting out but aren't 100% sure

[02:17] if Vtubing is something they'll pursue long term and that is PNG models. There are two types of PNG models, complex and simple. A complex PNG is something akin to PNG Tuber Plus models or animated PGs. The former is quite new in the

[02:32] be hard to come by an artist who is willing or has experience doing it. It requires cutting similar to live 2D models, but to a much simpler scale. It does require rigging as well, but again on a much simpler and smaller scale

[02:46] using a different system to live 2D that is built into PNG Tuber Plus. Prices are hard to judge, but it could cost you around $200 to $300 for a fully cut full body fullcolor PNG. Animated GIFs can be cheaper, but depending on the artist, it

[03:01] could cost you around $100 to $200 plus dollars. The benefit here is that you still get some motion to help your model feel alive while still keeping customization options to suit your design and minimizing costs. Bonus for

[03:13] those who don't mind using their exact VTuber design. Tur Draws has kindly created a customizable PNG tuber plus model over on Kofi. It's got a bunch of stuff including over 9,000 assets to help create your ideal PNG Tuber without

[03:26] the need for art expertise for only $10. It's pretty awesome. And thank you Suru for making it. I app A simple PNG is just as it's described. It's simply a flat 2D PNG image that you can plug into a web application called

[03:41] Fugi where it then lights up and or bounces in response to voice inputs. And you can take the link Fugi gives you and just paste it into OBS. That simple. Again, this highly depends on the artist and what kind of PNG you want, but you

[03:53] could go as low as the $ 20 to $50 range. We're getting real cheap now with pre-made live 2D models. You can typically find these on Kofi or Booth. site for these and has a lot more

[04:06] onetime purchase for about $20 on average. And whilst you can't make your own model from scratch, you have options to choose from to make your version of suited to you. Bonus tip, if you look hard enough, some pre-made models are

[04:20] also completely free, saving you some cash. You may also find pre-made 3D look hard enough. If you made it this far, thank you. I encourage you to please like and subscribe to support the channel. and appease the algorithm gods.

[04:34] Cheers. All right, this is the part you've all been waiting for. Free models. Starting off with VTuber kit. Similar to other Live 2D pre-made models, this one allows you to move, customize, and even toggle different

[04:46] facial expressions, all for the grand total of $0. Damn good deal. Additionally, it has a variety of preset parts to choose from. It has physics and your typical anime style art that you see with most VTuber avatars, which

[05:01] keep in mind for your own preferences. You can download it on Cupid's itch page over here. Last, but certainly not least, is good old Void Studio. This program allows you to create your own 3D Vtubing avatar without any prior

[05:15] knowledge of 3D modeling whatsoever. Think of it as a really in-depth and flexible character creator that you find in video games. Its tools are powerful whatever model you want, restricted mainly by a human-like physique. I

[05:28] personally don't have a whole lot of experience with the Void Studio, but I was still able to make my original character Fay with relative ease using only the default functions you get right out of the box. The way it exports your

[05:40] model also allows it to be used in tracking software like VC Face almost seamlessly, so you don't have to worry much about rigging. So now you might be asking yourself, Zeke, forget all that. Why does a moving picture cost so much

[05:52] that you're paying for the time, experience, skills, and expertise of those who are creating the model more so than the actual model itself. If you recommend you go watch this video where I try to make a live 2D model myself for

[06:07] the first time and find out. It wasn't easy. Thanks for watching. Ciao.

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