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 as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

• Part 1: Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners
• Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

Recommend free download animation maker FilmoraPro

If you want to create animation video, we recommend using 2D animation maker FilmoraPro. Why you need to use FilmoraPro?

• Keyframing helps you quickly make animation
• Auto color correction to make animation video perfect
• You can make smooth 2D animation

FilmoraPro is a powerful and straightforward animation video editor to make 2D animation video. You can customize the workplace to make it comfortable while editing. If you want to look for animation service, here are 10 best video animation services. Free download it to have a try!

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Here is a comparison table of 10 best 2D animation editor

	Price	Supported system	Features	Pros	Cons
Toon Boom Harmony	$109/month after free trail	Windows/Mac	Combine 2D and 3D;Built-in cut out tools	Vector tools to use for beginner	May take some time to learn
CelAction2D	$1,300	Windows/Mac	Easy to use; Great compatibility	Totally free to use	Crash some time
Moho (Anime Studio) Pro	$399.99	Windows/Mac	Freehand drawing tools; Various motion blur tools	You can make professional animation	Learning curve is steep
Stop Motion Studio	$59.99	Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android	Chroma key; DSLR camera supported	Is great in stop motion industry	Functions are limited
Synfig	Free	Windows, Linux and OSX	Multiple layers	Make any vector shape into animation	The UI is not trendy
Opentoonz	Free	Windows/Mac	GTS scanning tool; Distortion tool	Offer many effects to use	It's complex to use
Tupi	Free	Windows/Mac/Linux	Easy animation tutorials; Intuitive interface	Totally free to use	It crashes sometimes
Pencil 2D	Free	Windows/Mac/Linux	Minimalist design	It is lightweight to have	The color correction is not precise
FlipBook	$19.99/$49.99/$149.99/$199.99	Windows/Mac	Fast time animation editing with real time changing	Easy to use for beginners	Need to manually make animation
CrazyTalk	$99/$199	Windows/Mac	Suitable both for beginners and pros	Supports facial motion capture feature	Limited export choices for you

Part1: Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners

1. Synfig

Synfig Studio is an open-source free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free 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

2. Opentoonz

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge and download. And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.

Features:

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

Price: Free

3. Tupi

The beauty of the Tupitube app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 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:

• Free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
• Easy animation software wiht tutorials
• Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

Price: Free

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 to let you make animation easily
• Raster and vector workflow switching
• Cross-platform compatibility to free download

Price: Free

Part2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

5. 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. This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth of using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth. For more information in Top 10 review.

Features:

• Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
• Advanced color palettes and painting options
• 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
• 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.

6. 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 and professional 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 for professional users
• 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 to let you have more controls

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

7. Moho (Anime Studio) Pro

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 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 - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. 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.

8. 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 professional 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.

9. FlipBook

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cels and more. If you like to make cartoon video like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free download to use it.

Features:

• Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
• You can use shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
• 10 layers in an animation for adding extra touches
• You can use scanner to import images

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD

10. Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator

CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don't know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.

Features:

• Capture real time facical expression with precise changing
• Black magic to turn image to a moving cartoon
• For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects

Price: USD199 for pipeline, USD99 for pro.

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. If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animaiton software options for you. Any one of the products above will serve you well. If you want to edit 2D animation, you could use FilmoraPro.