8 Best 2D Animation Software for Beginners 2018

When you are trying to make funny cartoons, explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.

Whether you are teaching a group of kids, showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.

If you are new to the world of 2D animation, you will be interested in our review of the top 8 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

Part1: Best 2D Animation Software
Part2: Best Open Source 2D Animation Software

Part1: Best 2D Animation Software

1. Toon Boom Harmony

Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely. The software has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.

Features:

Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
Advanced color palettes and painting options
2D and 3D integration
Cut-out animation tools
Traditional paperless animation.

Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.

Toon Boom Harmony

2. CelAction2D

Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful animations. While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could possibly need.

You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works. It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.

Features:

Easy and fast to use
Features ergonomic controls
Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
Multiplane camera features.

Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 USD for one single license

CelAction2D

3. Moho (Anime Studio) Pro

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into 2D animation creation. It is affordable, and designed for Flash-style animations. While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.

There is an Anime Studio Debut, which is targeted towards the beginner user. But if you want all the features of a high end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.

Features:

Enhanced freehand drawing tools
Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
Realistic motion blur
Animation for multiple layers at the same time

Price: $399.99 for the full package.

Moho

4. Stop Motion Studio

Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features? Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.

You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high end camera in conjunction with this software.

And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the end result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.

Features:

Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings

Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.

Stop Motion Studio

Part2: Best Open Source 2D Animation Software

1. Synfig

Synfig Studio is an open-source 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for download - stable and testing. The testing version has some experimental features, if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.

Features:

Supports multiple layers of content
The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video

Price: Free

Synfig

2. Opentoonz

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is an open-source and free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge. And users can modify the source code to add specific features to the program.

Features:

GTS scanning tool
Ability to change picture styles
Add distortion and light effects
Compatible with black and white and colored scans

Price: Free

Opentoonz

3. Tupi

The beauty of the Tupitube app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create 2D animated videos. There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends.

Features:

Downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
Easy animation tutorials
Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

Price: Free

tupi

4. Pencil 2D

Want an open source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners. You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.

Features:

Minimalist design
Raster and vector workflow switching
Cross-platform compatibility

Price: Free

Pencil 2d

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways. Any one of the products above will serve you well. If you want to edit 2D animation, you could use Filmora.