Top 15 2D Animation Software Free That Worth to Try
An easy yet powerful editor
Numerous effects to choose from
Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel
When you are trying to create a funny cartoon, explainer videos, or other short informative content to post online, 2D animation software is a breeze to use.
With access to the best 2D animation software, you can create compelling and intricate stories that will help you sync with the audience.
01Wondershare Filmora
Price: Free, $99.99 (Perpetual); $59.99 (1-Year)
Pros
Numerous preset options
Both for beginners and professionals
Quick video trim/edits
Cons
Straightforward user interface
Lacks various shortcuts
May need high system requirements
What are users saying?
"I am solving the problem of getting an easy-to-use, all-in-one video editor. In addition, the editor gives you the ability to command over your audio files, whereas other editors just give you the basic audio editing capabilities. Lastly, the fully editable text effects and the vast numbers too."
Key Features
Unlimited Video Tracks.
Audio Noise Reduction.
Automatic Audio Sync.
Motion Graphics animation support.
Auto color correction.
Available for Mac and Windows.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
02Opentoonz
Price: Free
Pros
Accessible plugin to automatically create animation effects
Unique Xsheets & Timelines features
Audio/Soundtrack Implementer
Cons
Somewhat Limited drawing capabilities
Intricate setup
A bit outdated UI design
What are users saying?
"Not a very self-explanatory 2D animation software. I had to look up some help, but it worked out in the end (youtube tutorials)."
Key Features
GTS scanning tool
Easy to modify picture styles
Add light and distortion effects
Works with black and white and colored scans
03Pencil 2D
Price: Free
Pros
Easy to use
Open sources
Supports multiple languages
Cons
It doesn't support shape tools
Only for beginners
It doesn't support 3D animation
What are users saying?
"The main thing against Pencil2d is the lack of complicated tools. Some tools are not there to bring better color effects, curves, drawing tools, etc. But honestly, this is not a big problem, the intention to be the most robust in the world but to be a tool that provides you a great introduction to animation with vector drawing."
Key Features
Simplistic design to let you make animation easily
Raster and vector workflow switching
Cross-platform compatibility to free download
04Maefloresta/TupiTube
Price: Free
Pros
Great for beginners
Effective tools management
Friendly price plan
Cons
Differences in color correction
Certain confusing tools
Unable to erase unwanted frames
What are users saying?
"Honestly, I love the app, but I wish there were an eraser, but other than that, it is great for everything from experimental clips to my YT videos that will be coming out in a few months."
Key Features
A free downloadable app that assists on tablets and smartphones
Simple software with tutorials
Interactive user interface that beginners can use with ease
05Synfig
Price: Free
Pros
Offers 50+ layers
Easy to use layout
Lots of technical tools and functions
Cons
Difficult layout
Hard learning curve
Only a few tutorials available
What are users saying?
"It is cumbersome. You will look for tutorials to understand it, even if you have the best 2D animation software Background. - Though, it's not famous so you may not wander for information about it as easily. - You do need high PC requirements to operate it, it is heavy. - You have to Constantly save because there are a few operations that make it crash."
Key Features
Compatible with multiple content layers
The bone system assists for the cutout animations creation from bitmap images
Consistent with sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and music to the video
06CelAction 2D
Price: $1300 Studio Edition (Single License Use)
Pros
Fast to use
Low system requirements
Add-ons available
Cons
Less dynamic
Less in demand
Time-Consuming to learn
What are users saying?
"I found the software pretty responsive and may not be good for beginners. Being a beginner, I need easy-to-use free download 2D animation software with low learning, and it didn't fit my needs entirely."
Key Features
Quick and straightforward to use professionally
Features ergonomic controls
Simply manages complicated projects with different layers
Compatible with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also runs with Macs through Boot Camp
The multiplane camera helps you have more excellent controls
07Moho (Anime Studio) Pro
Price: $399 (Full Pack)
Pros
Regular updates available
Advanced features
Also good for beginners
Cons
Doesn't automatically sync
Some functions are highly advanced
Lacks flexibility
What are users saying?
"I am freelance, and Moho12 has allowed me to give more character to animated characters that I can use for some clients. The compatibility that I get with Adobe Illustrator and the speed of the render makes it one of my central tools when it comes to working with character animations."
Key Features
Improved freehand drawing tools
Beizer manages to make it simpler for you to design your videos
Brilliant warp feature assists in creating custom meshes to twist and bend your animations
Realistic motion blur
Best 2D Animation software for different layers at the same time
08FlipBook
Price: $19.99 (FlipBook Lite); $49.99 (FlipBook Studio); $149.99 (FlipBook Pro); $199.99 (FlipBook Pro HD)
Pros
Simple to draw
Easy to import from a scanner
Quick uploads
Cons
No free version
Challenging to make subtle changes
May not be user-friendly features
What are users saying?
"FlipBook does not contain a steep learning curve, and even first-time animators will be able to produce creative projects."
Key Features
Modifications will be active while you draw the animation, so FlipBook is pretty quick
Easy to use the shift key to make speed painting
Ten animation layers for adding extra touches
Simple to use a scanner to import images
09Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Price: $199 (Pipeline); $99 (Pro)
Pros
Large library of appealing templates
Both for beginners and professionals
Easy to control characters
Cons
No drawing tools
A bit high learning curve
Hard to sync voice
What are users saying?
"This is a 2D animation maker online that makes sense. CTA makes sense in everything it does. One will find the tools exactly where they are supposed to be, and things work exactly the way one expects them to work."
Key Features
Assists real-time facial expression with precise modification
Black magic to transform the image into a moving cartoon
You can make 2D visual effects for professionals
10Stop Motion Studio
Price: $59.99
Pros
Inbuilt sound editor
Easy to schedule
Not free
Cons
Certain hoops
No bone ringing tools or template designs
Only for 2D stop motion, 2D animation online
What are users saying?
"So I am in high school, Considering an animation class. Currently, we use this to make a claymation. I have noticed a few complexities with it. The camera does not aim well, which is a big hassle. It also Consists of a glitch where sometimes, if you hit the undo frame, it will delete all your other projects. When that happened to me, I was not happy. Now, this last part may just be nitpicking, but when I saw the official company's animation, I saw their fingers in it, and the animation was not smooth."
Key Features
Onionskin helps you to view previous frames via a transparent overlay
Audio recording and Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects
Simple
one-click upload to Facebook and YouTube
DSLR camera assistance for creating perfect 1080p recordings
11Harmony
Price: $25.50/month (Harmony Essentials); $64.50/month (Harmony Advanced); $117.50/month (Harmony Premium)
Pros
Lots of animation and drawing tools
Offers various color controls
Flexible 2D animation
Cons
Complicated to learn
High system requirements
Not free
What are users saying?
"I have created really powerful 2D animations with Harmony; it offers almost every tool to be precise and creative in the artworks and the advanced tools for paperless animations, which they helped me a lot."
Key Features
Smooth lines
Stabilizer
It offers 3, 4, and 5-point guides for curved perspectives.
It helps create cut-out animation.
Easy integration with software available in the production pipeline.
It offers 2D or 3D integration.
12Krita
Price: Free
Pros
Completely free
Easy to use
High compatibility
Cons
No dedicated support
Use only on desktop
Outdated UI
What are users saying?
"Krita helps me with my advertising videos as well as logos and other image editing use cases. I mainly use it to make thumbnails for my youtube channel and featured images for the articles on my website. I also use it to make some quick logos for my youtube channel and website."
Key Features
This online 2D animation maker software allows you to add a stabilizer to the brush to smooth it.
Personalized brush with nine different brush engines.
Create comic panels with built-in vector drawing tools.
Create seamless patterns and textures by making image reference on the x and y-axis.
Import brush packs and texture from other artists.
You can flatten, combine, or order layers to organize your artwork.
13Animaker
Price: $10/mo (Basic); $19/mo (Starter); $49/mo (Pro); Custom Pricing (Enterprise)
Pros
Helpful app
Able to make beautiful videos
Tons of features
Cons
May not work on specific systems
Chunky UI
Time-Consuming
What are users saying?
"Firstly, it displays that you are limited to the materials that you can use. If you want it, you can go for its paid version, which I think is ideal for a company but still hard. Secondly, I am trying to execute a project for my science class, and so far, I've had three days to work on it."
Key Features
Create animated videos in 6 unique video styles like 2D, handcraft, infographics, whiteboard, 2.5 D, and typography.
Beginners can create videos and use them as both animation and animated presentations.
Best free download 2D animation software has 200 sound effects to choose from.
It offers 100 background music tracks.
It helps you to record direct voice recordings.
Animaker allows the team to collaborate.
Export video in full HD quality.
14SketchBook
Price: Free
Pros
Many options of pencils, brushes etc.
Various color options
Ideal for quick inspirations
Cons
It may be hard to enlarge projects
Lack of usability in some features
Some functions are confusing
What are users saying?
"Sketchbook has helped us in mobility. Since it is also available for tablets like iPad, it can be used to create quick artworks and concept arts and be used as a notebook to take notes. The different features also come in real handy, and the artwork created can be used to display professionally with a good amount of details."
Key Features
It helps you draw basic shapes like circles, triangles, rectangles, etc.
Adjust the rules as per your desire.
Fill color into your artwork.
Also, import or export the layer as PSD.
15Animate CC
Price: $20.99/mo
Pros
Helpful user interface
Various essential modules
Extremely smooth
Cons
High battery utilization
Steep learning curve
Lack some tools for handling sound
What are users saying?
"We use Animate to make educational videos, but we also use some of the drawing tools to create vector-based illustrations, and we can export them out from Animate to use them in printed products."
Key Features
Create new poses for vector images or figures.
It helps you to arrange your layers in a parent-child hierarchy.
● Automatically matches mouth poses to voice inflections.
● Easy to export 360 VR animations.
● Create ads directly with Animate.
● Export images with the correct resolution by bypassing the image optimization and using image settings.
● Key Takeaways from This Episode →
● Using 2D animation software is simpler when you have the right software. You already have a storyboard and a script in mind, but now you can realize your vision in unique and intricate ways.
● So, if you want to make 3D animation, various 3D animation software options are also for you. If any of the products above will serve you well, you could use Filmora, which comes first in the series of 2D animation software.