13 Best Animation Software Applications for 2024

Video marketing has become an essential tool in today’s digital landscape. Research shows that video marketers see a 66% increase in qualified leads annually. However, creating compelling video content can be challenging, especially when you’re looking for new ideas. If high engagement is your goal, consider promoting your business with animated videos.

Contrary to popular belief, creating graphical content does not require expensive software. Of course, you can make these videos for free. We’ve put together a list of the best free animation software suitable for beginners, experts, and everyone in between.

Top 13 free animation software for beginners and pros

1. Toontastic 3D

• – Operating systems: Android, iOS
• – Toontastic 3D, designed for children, allows users to create 3D animated videos. It provides a predetermined template and scenes, making it easier to create stories and characters.

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features:

• Available for Android and iOS
• It is designed for storytelling and is ideal for children
• Create characters and put them into stories
• Simple story templates and premade scenes
• Creating a quick one-minute video

Pros

• Great for introducing kids to animation
• Easy to use templates and premade views
• Offline functionality

Cons

• Limited creative flexibility
• may not be suitable for advanced users

2. Synfig Studio

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – Synfig Studio is an open source 2D animation platform using vector graphics. Support skeletal structures in natural motion, cutout animations with bitmap images, and dynamic structures. More suitable for experienced users.

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• 2D animation software using vector graphics
• Skeletal structure in natural movement
• It supports bitmap images and advanced color management
• There is a wide range of courses

Pros

• Advanced vector-based graphics
• Skeletal structure in concrete behaviors
• Lots of tutorials to guide you

Cons

Not recommended for beginners

The learning curve of complex animation

3. Stykz

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Stykz is a user-friendly 2D animation software that simplifies stick figure animation. It handles frame-by-frame, uses onion skinning for smooth transitions, and allows you to edit in the same window.

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Frame-based 2D animation software
• It focuses on tree-figure animation
• Onion skinning makes for a smooth transition
• Automatic protection of the work

Pros

• User-friendly and good for beginners
• Frame-by-frame simplified animation
• Stick figure animation made it easy

Cons

• Command for stick figure animation
• Do not give details

4. Powtoon 

• – The platform is web-based
• – Poutoon is good for dynamic video presentation. The free version allows the creation of three-minute videos and offers custom processes, customizable parts, export options, and professional templates.

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features:

• web-browser-based platform
• Designed for dynamic video projection
• Free version for three minute videos
• Conventional methods, aspect ratio changes, and export types
• Easy to use concepts and themes

Pros 

• Great for creating short presentations or infographic videos
• Professional looking templates available
• It’s easy to get started with a template

Cons

• The free version only includes three-minute videos
• may not be suitable for long fluid images

5. Plastic Animation Paper 

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is a free software for hand drawn 2D animation. While its interface may be dated, it does offer basic tools for drawing, zooming, rotation, cutouts, layers and more. Animation Paper, more advanced, is available for $79.

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• It focuses on hand-drawn 2D animation
• It provides basic drawing tools, layers and editing features
• Real-time editing and frame-by-frame animation
• The upcoming Advanced Edition “Animation Paper” is $79

• Suitable for animators with hand drawn characters included
• It offers basic animation capabilities
• It offers several export options

Cons

• The old interface
• The details are not free

6. Pencil2D Animation

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – Pencil2D is a simple open-source animation software for hand-drawn 2D video. It offers image and audio import, raster and vector workflows, frame rate conversion, distortion and lighting effects, onion skinning, toolbar optimization, pressure sensitivity, and many export formats

 

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Simple and user-friendly 2D animation software
• Supports image and audio import
• Provides raster and vector operating systems
• frame rate changes and distortion effects

Pros 

• Ideal for hand drawn 2D animation
• Classes are available for beginners
• Several export formats are supported

Cons

• Some may lack details

7. OpenToonz

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – OpenToonz is a top-of-the-line 2D animation software, suitable for professionals and non-professionals alike. It offers digital graphics tools, colors, effects and compositions, textures, motion backgrounds, clean scanning, frame-by-frame animation, motion tweening, skeletal behavior animation, and particle settings

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Powerful 2D animation software
• It supports digital imaging tools, motion tracking and frame-by-frame animation
• It provides different effects, scripting and motion tweening
• Best for creating complex animations

Pros 

• Advanced features for experienced or experienced users
• It deserves detailed photos
• Supports vector and bitmap graphics tools

Cons

• There should be a learning curve for beginners

8. K-3D

• – Operating systems: Windows, Linux
• – K-3D is a free 3D animation software that focuses on polygon modeling. This visualization pipeline architecture provides simple undo/redo operations. K-3D supports systematic and parametric operations, and enables real-time integration and node-based visualization pipelines.

 

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features:

• Available for Windows and Linux
• Polygon modeling is expert
• Visualization pipeline configuration with plug-ins
• Easy undo/redo functionality
• operating systems and parametric operating systems

Pros

• Be careful on the polygonal model
• Visualization pipeline for flexible transformation
• Workflow process for rapid integration

Cons

may not be appropriate for non-artists

9. Blender

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – Blender is a versatile open-source 3D animation tool used by professional editors and creators. It supports modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation. Features include rendering engines, sculpting tools, animation and rigging tools, grease pencils for 2D/3D artwork, VFX capabilities, simulation and video editing.

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Advanced 3D animation tool with lots of features
• Assist with modeling, rigging, animation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking
• Engine Power Reference (Cycles) .
• Art tools, painting, and rigging

Pros

• Suitable for professional video producers
• Detailed listings
• Community driven open-source project
• The downside:
• Steep learning curve for beginners

10. Animaker

• – The platform is web-based
• – Animaker is an easy to use animation software for beginners. It offers a drag-and-drop interface with six major video formats, including 2D, infographics, crafts, whiteboard, 2.5D, and typography. Animaker supports Full HD and offers programs, animations, text-to-speech, and audio features such as background music and sound overlays. The Pro version unlocks advanced features like in-app camera and transition effects.

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features:

• web-browser-based platform
• User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
• It supports a variety of video formats including 2D, infographics, crafts, whiteboards, 2.5D, and typography
• Full HD support and premade graphics
• Audio features including text-speech, background music and voice recording

Pros

• Easy for beginners to use
• It offers a wide range of videos
• Full HD support

Cons

• Some advanced features require paid availability

11. TubeTube

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
• – TubiTube is a good choice for animation beginners, offering basic 2D animation tools with simple user interfaces. It’s budget-friendly, supports formats, and has an active animator team.

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features:

• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Simple animation software for beginners
• Basic 2D animation tools, drawing and painting
• And a social networking community to support advice
• Budget options

Pros

• Easy for hobbyists and beginners
• Several 2D animation solutions
• Social network community for collaboration

Cons

• It may lack details
• Not suitable for commercial use

12. 4D Movie 

• – Operating systems: Windows, Mac
• – Cinema 4D is a versatile animation software suitable for beginners and advanced users. It supports modeling, texturing, visual effects, lighting, and textile simulation, all in an intuitive interface.

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features:

• Available for Windows and Mac
• Versatile software for modeling, texturing and animation
• customizable layout and intuitive user interface
• Mographs for complex sequences
• Costume designs and other details

Pros

• Suitable for beginners and advanced animators
• Intuitive user interface
• Wide range of modeling, simulation and other features

Cons

• It may be too much for complete beginners

13. Clear.io 

• – Platforms: Web, Mac, Windows, and Linux
• – Clara.io is a web-based 3D animation application for professionals. It offers powerful tools, cloud rendering, compositing features, and support for a variety of 3D file formats.

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features:

• Available on web browsers, Windows, Mac and Linux
• Cloud based 3D animation application
• Powerful tools, sub-object editing, and VRay cloud rendering
• integration and automated cloud security
• It supports a variety of 3D file formats

Pros

• Web-based for easy access
• collaboration and cloud saving capabilities
• Extensive 3D files supported

Cons

• Don’t offer all the features in the free version
• The learning curve of complex animation

Conclusion

In summary, these 13 free animation software packages cater to a variety of skills and needs. The choice will depend on your skills, hardware, and the type of video you intend to make. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced animator, these tools allow you to bring your creative visions to life.