7 Best Free Software for Animation!

Table of Contents

Whether it’s 2D or 3D, animation has become one of the most famous media to capture the attention of the audience. That’s why the demand for good animators is constantly rising. However, without a great tool, no one can walk on the path to greatness in the animation industry.

Table of Contents

That’s why for your initial steps, you need to start humbly with these best free software! Read on to learn more about the top animation applications!

Top 7 Best Free Software for Animation

1. Blender

Our Rating – 9.5/10

Time and time again, Blender has proven its core strength in delivering industry-standard 3D animation by a long shot. It is free software that you can download and start your animation journey without giving a second thought.

It is also open-source, which makes it flexible and customizable. The support for Blender does not stop at 3D animation, but you can do 3D modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing, 2D animation pipeline, and more!

However, the interface is not beginner-friendly, as it offers all the tools you can think of.

Key Features –

Best for 2D and 3D animation
Video editing on the go
Tons of tools and customizations
Open-source

2. Animaker

Our Rating – 8.25/10

Take a look at Animaker if you find Blender tough at first. Because Animaker is all about creativity with simplicity. The interface and tools are easy to understand, so you can hop into the animation process right off the bat.

Animaker is great for 2D, typography, infographics, and much more. You can view your animation in both horizontal and vertical layouts and customize the interface to your liking.

However, the free version limits you to certain functions, while more advanced features are reserved for the pro version.

Key Features –

Universal split
New and improved timeline
Sound Editor
Collaboration feature

3. Pencil2D

Our Rating – 8.75/10

Pencil2D is one of the best applications if you are into 2D animation. It retains the great qualities of a simple design application while handling complex vector and 2D animation. The best part is all the animation effects and templates are free, so you can use them for both your personal and commercial purposes.

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.

Key Features –

Minimalistic UI with a great toolkit
Raster and vector designing
Cross-platform connectivity
Open-source and customizable

4. OpenToonz

Our Rating – 9/10

Anime fans unite! Because OpenToonz is the perfect gateway to learn all the tantalizing animation that you watch in popular Ghibli movies. However, don’t think that the application is only restricted to those types of animation. You can easily do vector animation and other 2D animation without any issues.

However, the free version can sometimes be filled with bugs and glitches. So, you can check out the communities for details.

Key Features –

Tons of free templates
Easy to use
Motion tracking and scan feature
Open-source

5. K-3D

Our Rating – 8/10

As the name says, you can do 3D modeling plus animation with this software, similar to Blender. However, what differentiates K-3D from Blender is that K-3D is fully open-source, so you can customize and mod this application as much as you want.

With that customizability also comes awesome plugin support which can help you to visualize the animation more productively. It also provides an undo button so that you can quickly go back one step to erase your mistake.

Key Features –

Powerful and flexible
Fully customizable
Plug-ins support
Open-source

6. Powtoon

Our Rating – 7/10

Compared to the before-listed software, this one is unique in a sense. You will get awesome presentations that are not only dynamic but eye-pleasing as well. While being a small software for 2D animation, it does a great job in handling long-format videos with custom styles and everything.

This application is perfect for beginners and intermediate-level animators who are still honing their animation skills. However, if you have already gone past these levels, then the above-mentioned applications are better for you.

Key Features –

Customized video styles
High-quality video output
Huge library of templates
Best for presentations and GIFs

7. Renderforest

Our Rating – 7.5/10

If you are into an animation video that can be made in seconds and proves to be enough for regular usage, then Renderforest is definitely worth a look. It offers tons of built-in templates, design tools, and customization that will surely make you satisfied.

However, the free version of this software pops up an ad every time you launch, which can be annoying at times. Other than that, there is not much to hate about this solid lightwork animation application.

Key Features –

All design tools in one place
AI-based interface
Easy editing and rendering process
Great community

FAQs

Can I create 3D animations with free software?

Yes, many free animation software options support 3D animation creation. Blender, for example, is a powerful free, and open-source software that provides comprehensive 3D animation capabilities.

Can I use free animation software for commercial purposes?

In most cases, you can use open-source animation software for commercial purposes. Some software may allow commercial use, while others may have restrictions. It’s important to review the licensing terms of the specific software you plan to use to ensure it aligns with your intended purpose.

Can I collaborate with others using free animation software?

Collaboration features may vary among different software packages. However, some free animation software options offer functionality for collaborating with others, such as the ability to import and export project files, work on shared projects, or share animations online.

Check out other best software listed by us:

Conclusion

There you have it! All the best free animation tools and software are in one place. Now, go ahead and choose your favorite pick and start your animation journey with a bang!

Comments

Let us know about your thoughts

Loading Comments