Motile cells typically have cilia restricted to the ventral surface, or some part thereof, arising from monokinetids with a characteristic ultrastructure.

Chonotrichs, found mainly on crustaceans, are vase-shaped, with cilia restricted to a funnel leading down into the mouth.

Mature suctorians lack cilia altogether, and initially were not classified as ciliates.

Nematodesmata, rods found in several other classes of ciliates, occur among the subclass Phyllopharyngia, most of which are free-living.

In others, the mouth is often modified to form an extensible tentacle, with toxic extrusomes at the tip.