7 Best Free Software for 2D Animation You Can Use in 2023!
Table of Contents
2D animation has never been more popular compared to this day and age where you can be as creative as you want. However, the creativity you radiate is linearly dependent on what software you use. If you pay a premium for 2D Animation software, you’ll obviously get better results.
Table of Contents
Still, there are many great free software that you can easily use and get stunning results. By the end of this blog, you will know about 7 amazing animation applications that you will absolutely adore!
Our Top 3 Picks from the Best Free Software List
- Best Overall – Pencil2D
- Best for Low-end PCs – OpenToonz
- Best for Advanced Features – Anime Studio Pro
How Did We Choose the Apps in the List?
The whole best free software for 2D animation list is carefully curated with all kinds of users in mind. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, you will find something that suits your style.
The first thing to consider was performance and animation quality. If the renders and models are not up to the mark, then there’s no point in using a free application. Then come the features and functionalities. We tested all the key features to find something that sets each apart from one another.
Then lastly, the compatibility and development of the software. Some great 2D animation applications have now become a relic of the past just because they were not customer-driven and community friendly enough. So, that aspect is another crucial factor to be added to this great list.
7 Best Free Software for 2D Animation
1. Pencil2D
Our Rating – 9/10
The best finding from our end was Pencil2D just because of how versatile this software is. It retains the great qualities of a simple design application while handling complex vector and 2D animation. On top of that, you can use the added toolkit to enhance and visualize your art in a vivid way that everyone will look at twice.
One downside is that it has some limitations when it comes to heavy rendering as it does not have tons of functions because of its lightweight size. Still, it’s a solid application for 2D animation enthusiasts nonetheless.
Key Features –
- Minimalistic UI with a great toolkit
- Raster and vector designing
- Cross-platform connectivity
- Open-source and customizable
2. OpenToonz
Our Rating – 8.5/10
Another fully modifiable and customizable open-source 2D animation application is OpenToonz, formerly known as Toonz. It has been a great animation studio from the start and continued to support a lot of indie and high-profile animators.
The software features proprietary technology that can process SDK images. Furthermore, you can get TWAIN standards with great scanning technologies. For anyone who wants to take a leap in 2D animation, OpenToonz can be the stepping stone without a doubt.
The major downside is that you can’t use this software on Mac systems. So, you are stuck with Windows and Linux systems.
Key Features –
- Available for both free and commercial usage
- Plug-ins support better customizability
- Four different scanning types
- Compatible with Windows and Linux systems
- Supports TWAIN standard
3. Synfig Studio
Our Rating – 8/10
The most amazing feature of Synfig is definitely the development version which gives up access to the tools and features that are still in the beta version or development phase. While this feature might not be compelling to many, for those niche demographic, this experimental feature is surely welcoming.
Apart from that, you can enjoy your regular smooth workflow of the whole application without any stutters or bugs. It has all the great 2D animation tools, vector art implementation, and so on that you will surely love.
Key Features –
- More than 50 layers of animation panes
- Vector art tweaking and personalization
- Automatic appending keyframes
- Advanced features that allow users to create dynamic structures
4. Animaker
Our Rating – 7/10
The main wow factor of Animaker is that it is a fully automatic and on-the-go type animation application. It mainly was developed as a website and later on, they released an application for better control and performance.
You can literally make your animation videos with just a few clicks which is pretty awesome when you don’t have enough time in hand. However, that’s also a downside as the animation does not look very refined or appealing. Still, you can customize and polish the animation as much as you want with the free tools.
Key Features –
- One-key animation
- Customizable and flexible UI
- Gradient background compatibility
- More than 100 visual and audio effects
- Personal recording feature
5. Anime Studio Pro
Our Rating – 7/10
Anyone with some experience in frame-by-frame animation has definitely heard of Anime Studio Pro. Apart from making your typical 2D animation, it can even make your 2D animation integrate smoothly with 3D animation. Even the vector-based drawing is absolutely stunning to look at.
You can layer your animation, manage them and export them to other file formats for future use. However, you get limited compatibility on the system support side.
Key Features –
- 2D and 3D animation editing
- Vector drawings with added toolkits
- Bone rigging system
- Built-in character wizard
6. Krita
Our Rating – 6.5/10
Krita is surely one of the best 2D animation software which has good features and compatibility. It has tons of productivity features such as drawing assistants, layer management, HDR painting, and much more.
What sets it apart is its clean and flexible interface which will make you feel right at home. So, you don’t have to be accustomed to the UI for a long period of time.
However, if you want many advanced features, you will be disappointed as the features are a bit limited and restrictive.
Key Features –
- More than 30 dockers for added functionality
- Easy-to-use UI
- Brushes and stabilizers to add more balance to your art
- Simple conversion feature
- Open-source
7. Stop Motion Studio
Our Rating – 6.5/10
Stop Motion Studio is one of the best applications to render anything frame-by-frame. The application is uniquely made to make your stop-motion animation come to life.
One of the standout features of Stop Motion Studio is its ease of use. The app provides a straightforward and well-organized layout, making it simple to navigate and understand. The intuitive controls allow you to capture frames easily, adjust settings, and preview your animation in real-time.
The major downside of this application is that not all features are free. Some need to be purchased.
Key Features –
- Frame-by-Frame editing
- Time-lapse and slow-motion editing
- Audio Integration
- Plugins and effects
FAQs
How to make 2D animation free?
To make 2D animation for free, select a free software like Pencil2D or Synfig Studio. Plan your animation, create assets, arrange frames, and add motion using the software’s tools.
Is Blender 2D animation free?
Yes, Blender, a popular 3D modeling and animation software, includes 2D animation capabilities and is available for free. While Blender is primarily known for its 3D capabilities, it also offers a robust set of tools for 2D animation.
Is Adobe Animate free?
No, Adobe Animate is not available for free. It is professional-grade software developed by Adobe and is part of their Creative Cloud suite.
Check out other best software listed by us:
- Best free software for Architecture
- Best free software for Animation
- Best free software for Video Editing
- Best free software for Graphic Design
- Best free software for Logo Design
- Best free software for Making Music
- Best free software for Photo Editing
- Best free software for Music Production
- Best free software for 3D Printing
Conclusion
Out of the 7, which one is your ideal choice? Do let us know about it and start your 2D animation journey or enhance the look and feel of your artwork in a contrasting manner with the advanced application listed here.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your 2D animation adventure now!