List Of Best 2D Animation Software for PC
For 11 years I have been drawing cartoons on a computer and during this time I have tried a lot of programs. Both paid and free. Today I will talk about the best of them and how to choose from this rather big list.
2D animations a famous for their attention catching ability, in fact I recommend it for advertisement placement over 3D in terms of character animation. Many Youtube Content creators make use of 2D animation for Illustrations, intro and Outro of their Videos.
If you’re looking for an animation program both free and paid in other for you to become a verified cartoonist, this page is for you. We listed 12 Different animation Programs for you to start your career with.
Table of Contents
How to choose a program for animation on a PC
Just go from top to bottom through the diagram and answer the questions. The answer will lead you to the program of your dreams. Remember her logo. You will need it later.
A Brief Review of the Best Programs
Now let’s go through my favorite programs. I will tell you the pros and cons, as well as the interface features: how convenient it is to use each of them.
Adobe Animate
The successor to the legendary Flash and the most popular animation software. Includes all the features you need to create cartoons, animate games and even websites.
Works great with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premiere. If you have worked with one of these programs, you will quickly get used to the interface. All the same panels, the same buttons, plus some new ones.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
Toon Boom
The progenitor of an incredible number of cartoons: The Simpsons, Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Rick and Morty, SpongeBob, South Park and many others.
The true power of Tun Boom is revealed in process automation. Scenes, effects, and even character parts can be linked by the program once, and then simply moved around in the preview window.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
TVPaint
A program for real fans of frame-by-frame animation. Beautiful brushes, flexible timeline and convenient settings for Onion Skin (display previous and next frames).
She gave us such masterpieces as Song of the Sea, Isle of Dogs (2D scenes), Simon’s Cat YouTube series and many others.
Of the minuses: unlike its predecessors, it was not possible to bring the object out of the canvas frame. Anything drawn “outside the preview screen” is automatically erased.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Vector Graphics: No
Bone Animation: No
Blender
The most powerful and completely free pipeline for not only 2D, but also 3D graphics. Although Blender is more focused on 3D graphics, many animators have successfully done 2D animation in Blender as well.
The interface is complex, but having mastered it once you get an almost unlimited set of functions: Animation, rigging, modeling, sculpture, scripts, effects… What is not put here.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Vector Graphics: No
Bone Animation: No
Krita
Free program with a huge set of beautiful brushes. Previously actively used by illustrators, now a panel for animation has been brought into it.
As with most free programs, you will encounter crashes and glitches. I recommend setting up “autosave” of your project in advance.
The interface is quite simple, but it would still be nice to get help with mastering.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: No
Bone Animation: No
Moho
A storehouse of lovers of automation and programming. The main feature of the program (imho) is to speed up the process of creating a cartoon. Suitable for people with a technical mindset.
The interface is complex, in the style of zero years programs. However, in skillful hands, the program can work wonders.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
Adobe After Effects
The program is more for creating effects than a full-fledged cartoon. Ideal as an addition to one of your favorite programs. However, if you do not know how to draw, it is quite possible to “move” ready-made characters in it.
The interface, to put it mildly, is not easy. But it will endow your cartoon with an abundance of all kinds of transitions, smooth departures and effects in production.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
open toonz
The free successor to the famous Toonz program, in which Studio Ghibli, led by Hayao Miyazaki himself, created their masterpieces. The program code is open, you can contribute.
The interface is complex, but it pays off with almost all professional features including bone animation, vector graphics, and a basic set of effects.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
ClipStudioPaint
A program with an insanely complex interface for an animator. Each frame is duplicated by a new layer in the adjacent panel. It was also intended more for illustrators than for animators.
Two big pluses made me try this application: a bunch of supported platforms (including tablets and phones) and a free trial period of as much as three months.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS and Android tablets and phones
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
Animation Paper
The beta version of the new Pap4 (Plastic Animation Paper) has been released. And unlike the fiercely clumsy (albeit free) predecessor, it has the simplest interface of the above programs. It is a pleasure to work in it.
Of the minuses: Not a large number of layers in the beta version yet and a narrow set of brushes. Actually, the program is only for animation. Painting and post-production is not the right place.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Vector Graphics: No
Bone Animation: No
Synfig Studio
A free and merciless program for lovers of old Paint. Actually, all the functions are lapped up from the Flash of the 2000s. Therefore, if you want to experience itchy nostalgia around the equator, forward to the past.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Vector Graphics: Yes
Bone animation: yes
Pencil 2D
The only program from the list in which I did not work. Since after downloading I opened it, I was horrified and immediately closed it. If you’re using Pencil 2D, chances are you’re under the age of 15.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
Vector graphics: They say there is. But not easy
Bone Animation: No
Download Links
- Adobe Animate (formerly Flash) — from ~$26 per month. 7 days free
- Toon Boom Harmony (formerly Animate) – from ~$30 per month. 21 days free
- TVPaint – from ~ $593 one-time. 30 days free + watermark when exporting a video
- Blender – Completely Free
- Krita – Completely free
- Moho (formerly Anime Studio Pro) — ~$471 one-time. 30 days free
- OpenToons – Completely Free
- ClipStudioPaint – from ~$58 one-time. 3 months (!) is free
- Animation Paper (beta) – ~$92 one-time. The old version is free
- Adobe After Effects – from ~#26 per month. 7 days free.
- Pencil 2D – Completely Free
- Synfig – Completely free
Agree, even from an incomplete list, eyes run wide. To collect them back and decide on the program, I suggest you take a simple test.
Crib
Thesis 1. In a word, if you want a professional tool, I recommend choosing from the first three from the list. If it’s free: then Kritu or Blender. If you need automation, then TunBoom is the best for you.
Thesis 2. It’s not about the program at all. If you draw cool and animate decently, you can create a popular cartoon even in Toonator (such an online service). The program is secondary. Skills are everything!
And that’s all for today.
Great animations!
