17 Best Animation Software for 2024 – Reviewed

If you are looking to get into animation creation, you need the best animation software to help you stand out. Animation is an exciting and ever-changing field. As technology advances, new possibilities are opened up for animators to explore. In recent years, animation software has become increasingly popular, offering a wide range of features and flexibility. 

According to a recent survey, nearly 60% of animators now use animation software as their primary tool, up from just 20% in 2009. As the demand for more realistic and lifelike animations grows, animation software will likely continue to evolve and become even more widely used.

What is an Animation Software?

In the simplest form, an animation software is a program that creates animated graphics or videos. There are many different types of animation software, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some programs focus on creating traditional 2D animations, while others specialize in 3D modeling or stop-motion animation. 

Many animation software programs also include various features, such as character customization, scene creation, and sound effects. When choosing an animation software, it is important to consider your needs and budget. If you are just starting out, you may want to choose a program with a low learning curve. For more experienced animators, more powerful software with more features may be worth the investment.

Best Animation Software 

1. Maya

Maya is a powerful animation software used by professionals in the film and gaming industries. It offers a wide range of features and tools, making it ideal for creating high-quality animations. Maya also offers various ways to control objects’ timing and motion, allowing animators to create smooth, fluid animations. In addition, Maya’s node-based architecture makes it easy to add complex effects and simulations to an animation. As a result, Maya is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used to create convincing and realistic animations.

Key Features

1. Maya is a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution used by film and video game studios worldwide.

2. Maya’s intuitive interface lets you quickly create rich characters, detailed environments, and sophisticated effects with minimal effort.

3. Maya’s advanced toolset enables you to achieve highly realistic results or create stunningly stylized images.

4. Maya is tightly integrated with other Autodesk solutions, such as MotionBuilder and Mudbox, making it easy to share data and collaborate with team members.

5. With Maya, you can render images or animations in a variety of formats, including HDRI and mental rays.

Maya Pricing

Maya’s subscription can be paid triannually, annually and monthly. With annual subscription, you save 34% of the monthly subscription. Maya’s subscription goes thus 

• 3 years subscription – $5085
• 1 year subscription – $1785 (Recommended)
• Monthly subscription – $225

• Maya has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use for beginners. 
• Maya has a wide range of features and tools that make it suitable for creating complex animations. 
• Maya can be used to create both 3D and 2D animations. 
• Maya has been used in the production of many popular films and video games.

• Maya can be expensive to purchase outright. 
• Maya requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. 
• Maya can be a bit challenging to learn for beginners. 
• Maya does not have as many features as some of the other animation software programs on the market.

2. Adobe Animate 

Adobe Animate is a powerful animation software that allows users to create stunning 2D and 3D animations. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of features, Adobe Animate is the perfect tool for both novice and experienced animators. One of the best things about Adobe Animate is its ease of use. The software is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, so even those with no prior experience can quickly create beautiful animations. 

• The software allows users to create vector graphics and animations with ease. 
• It has a wide range of features that make it a versatile tool for creating animations, including a timeline, keyframe animation, motion tweening, and more. 
• Adobe Animate also supports web standards such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. 
• The software is constantly being updated with new features and improvements. 
• Adobe Animate is available for both Windows and macOS. 

The standard edition of Adobe Animate costs $19.99 per month, with a discount if you pay for a year in advance. If you need more features, you can subscribe to the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, which gives you access to all of Adobe’s creative apps, including Animate, for $52.99 per month. 

Pros

• Allows you to create vector animations, which are small in file size and can be easily scaled up or down without losing quality.
• Has a wide range of features and capabilities, from simple frame-by-frame animation to complex tweening and Lip Sync.
• It can be used to create animations for both web and television projects.
• Integrates well with other Adobe products like Photoshop and After Effects.

Cons

• It is a bit pricey compared to some of the other options on the market.
• It can be challenging to learn if you’re not already familiar with animation software.
• Requires a powerful computer to run smoothly, especially when working with complex animations.

3. RenderForest

RenderForest is a cloud-based animation software that allows users to create professional-quality videos without any prior experience. The software includes a wide range of templates, which can be customized with text, images, and logos. Users can also add their own audio tracks or select from a library of royalty-free music. Depending on the plan you use, you can make HD720, HD1080, and 4k videos. Once the video is complete, it can be exported in HD quality for playback on any device. 

Key Features

• User-friendly interface;
• A wide range of video templates to choose from
• No need to download or install any software;
• RenderForest is a cloud-based platform, so you can access it from anywhere, at any time;
• Affordable pricing plans.

RenderForest Pricing

RenderForest offers a free plan and a wide range of animation video templates with prices starting at $9 per month when paid annually. The pricing plans go thus: 

• Lite – $9.99 per month
• Pro – $15.99 per month 
• Business – $15.99 per seat 

The most expensive video template is $299. You can also buy an annual subscription for $399, which gives you access to all video templates. 

• You can create a video for free 
• There is no need to download or install anything 
• The process is simple and straightforward 
• You have a wide selection of templates to choose from 
• The videos are of high quality

• The free version is limited in features
• The free version is watermarked. If you want to remove the RenderForest watermark, you need to upgrade to a paid plan 

4. Pencil2D

Pencil2D is a free and open-source software application that specializes in 2D hand-drawn animation. It is available for Mac and Windows operating systems. Despite its name, Pencil2D can be used to create digital animations with both pencil and brush tools. Pencil2D is cross-platform and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux & FreeBSD. Pencil2D is completely open-source and free to use.

Pencil2D’s main features include a frame-by-frame editor, onion skinning, layer blending, and audio syncing. Pencil2D animators can also create their own custom brushes. Pencil2D is a popular choice for beginner animators because it is fairly easy to use and provides a wide range of features. However, more experienced animators may find the software’s limited options to be a bit constricting.

Key Features

• A drawing interface that is easy to use and intuitive, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced animators.
• A variety of tools for creating both digital and traditional animations.
• Support for a wide range of file formats, making it easy to share your work with others.
• A community of users who are passionate about animation and who are always willing to help and support each other.

Pencil2D Pricing

The Standard Edition is free to download and use.

• Relatively easy to use
• Able to create both frame-by-frame and keyframe animations
• Draw directly onto the canvas
• A wide variety of tools are available

• The user interface can be a bit confusing and daunting at first
• Limited file format compatibility
• No audio support

 Cinema 4D is a powerful animation tool that can be used on both Mac and Windows computers. It offers a wide range of features, making it perfect for both 2D and 3D animation. It also has a user-friendly interface, making it an attractive environment for starters. One of the great things about Cinema 4D is that it is very versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you want to create simple animations or complex ones, Cinema 4D is up to the task. The renditioning quality is exceptional, making it perfect for creating high-quality animations. If you’re looking for a top-notch animation tool, Cinema 4D is definitely worth checking out.

Key Features

• Support for mac and windows operating systems.
• A wide range of modeling, lighting, and rendering tools.
• An intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started with 3D animation.
• Powerful character animation tools.
• A built-in library of ready-to-use 3D models and materials

Cinema 4D Pricing

Depending on what you want, pricing starts from $1.24 per month ($14.99 per year). The all-in-one Moxon bundle goes for $99.91 per month ($1199 per year). There are other bundles in between this range.

Pros 

• Cinema 4D is a very powerful and versatile animation software that can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating simple animations to complex 3D simulations.
• The software has a wide range of features and tools that allow users to create high-quality animations quickly and easily.
• Cinema 4D is also very user-friendly, making it a great choice for those who are new to 3D animation.
• The software is regularly updated with new features and improvements, so users can always keep up with the latest developments in the industry. 

Cons 

• Cinema 4D can be quite expensive, especially for those who are just starting out in 3D animation.
• The software can be quite complex and daunting for those who are new to 3D animation, which can make it difficult to get started.
• Cinema 4D requires a powerful computer in order to run smoothly, so users with older or slower machines may experience issues.

6. Animaker 

Animaker is a user-friendly animation software that is available for both Mac and Windows computers. The software allows users to create animated videos with ease, and it comes with a wide range of features that make the process simple and fun. 

Create truly custom and standout characters with over 15 facial features to customize and over 10 accessory slots, build the character you want, and spice up your videos. For example, Animaker includes a library of characters, props, and backgrounds that can be used to create animations. The software also offers a variety of choices for how the characters move and interact with over 20 facial expressions, making it easy to produce high-quality animations. 

Key Features

• Access to millions of royalty-free images, videos, and audio files
• Unique Characters – Build unique characters with varying facial expressions to spice up your video
• Smart Move – Animate complex animations using Smart Move that helps your characters move and interact easily 
• Voiceover Lip sync – Add voiceovers to your characters and watch them say it with auto lip-sync.
• Can export your creations in HD quality for social media, ads, and more

Animaker Pricing

Animaker has 3 distinct pricing plans. It is cheaper if you choose to subscribe annually. The plans go thus: 

• Basic – $10 per month 
• Starter – $19 per month 
• Pro – $49 per month 

• Ease of Use: One of the main advantages of using Animaker is that it is very easy to use. 
• Wide Range of Features: Animaker comes packed with a wide range of features, which means that you should be able to create just about any type of video that you want. 
• Affordable: Animaker is very affordable, especially when you compare it to other video creation software. 

• There is a learning curve associated with using the software. While it’s not overly complicated, it will take some time to get accustomed to the interface and features.
• Rendering videos could be sometimes buggy

Opentoonz is a great software for creating 2D animations. It’s very versatile and can be used for a wide range of projects. The best thing about Opentoonz is that it’s completely free to use. There are no licensing fees or subscription charges – you can download and use the software without paying a penny. As an open-source software, anyone can modify the source code freely. 

However, there are some drawbacks to using Opentoonz. Firstly, it can be quite complex to use and may require some time and effort to learn all the features. Secondly, the software is not as widely adopted as some of the other major animation programs, so you may have trouble finding support or tutorials if you run into problems. 

Key Features

• Dwango SDK effect – Dwango has developed a new SDK; a plug-in effect for image processing for OpenToonz. By using the SDK anyone can add effects to OpenToonz.
• Able to decompress files of various formats
• Supports a wide range of file formats
• Fast and efficient file compression
• File integrity is maintained during compression and decompression

Opentooz Pricing

Opentooz is free and open source

Pros 

• The software is constantly updated with new features and bug fixes
• The community is large and supportive – a google group 
• There is a wide range of tutorials available online
• The software is relatively easy to use compared to other 3D modeling software Opentooz. 

Cons

• The learning curve can be steep for newcomers 
• Modeling complex objects can be time-consuming 
• Rendering can be slow on lower-end computers 

8. Toontastic 3D 

Tootastic 3D is available for both Mac and Windows computers. Toontastic 3D offers a variety of features that make it easy to create 3D models and animations. The software includes a library of pre-made templates and shapes, or you can create your own designs from scratch. You can also add text, images, and videos to your models and export them in a variety of formats. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced 3D artist, Tootastic 3D is a great option for creating amazing 3D designs.

 Key Features

• Design Characters – Tootastic gives you the freedom to create characters of your own imagination. 
• Animate Characters – Define character movements to perfectly tell your story 
• Animate Pictures – Simply take a photo or choose one from your camera roll, then select an object to place in the foreground or background.
• You can even adjust the perspective of your image to make it look even more realistic.

Toontastic Pricing

Toontastic is completely free

• The colours are very vibrant, and the images are very clear
• It’s easy to use, and it doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge
• It’s very affordable compared to other 3D printers
• Once you’re happy with your creation, share it with your friends and family via social media or email.

• It’s not as fast as some of the more expensive 3D printers on the market
• Not suitable for high-end 3D productions
• Some people have reported issues with the software

9. Synfig 

Synfig is a free and open-source 2D vector graphics and animation program. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Synfig supports a wide range of features such as tweening, bones, bitmap/vector tracing, cel animation, keyframe animation, and more. It also renders faster than traditional frame-by-frame animation. Synfig’s vector capabilities mean that you can scale your animations without losing quality. Plus, the software is very user-friendly and easy to learn. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned animator, Synfig is a great option for creating beautiful 2D animations.

Key Features

• Synfig supports a wide variety of layer types for creating different kinds of animations.
• Synfig has a powerful vector-based drawing tool that lets you create your own artwork or import existing artwork from other programs.
• Synfig offers a vast array of features and settings for creating sophisticated animations.

Synfig Pricing

Synfig is absolutely free to use. You are encouraged to donate if you want to 

Pros 

• Synfig is free and open-source software, so anyone can use it without having to pay for a license.
• It has a very user-friendly interface that makes it easy to learn and use.
• Synfig supports a wide range of file formats, so you can easily export your animations to different file types for use in different software or platforms.
• It has a lot of features and tools that make it suitable for both simple and complex animation projects.
• Synfig is constantly being updated and improved by its developers, so you can always be sure that you’re using the latest and greatest version.

Cons 

• Synfig is not as widely used as some other animation software, so you may have trouble finding support or tutorials if you run into problems.
• It can be a bit slow and resource-intensive, so it may not be the best choice for animations that need to be rendered in real time.
• The user interface can be a bit confusing and overwhelming at first, but it’s something you’ll get used to with time.

10. Keyshot

Keyshot Animation is a powerful 3D rendering and animation software that is available for both Mac and Windows. The software has a wide range of features, including the ability to create realistic lighting, materials, and textures. Keyshot Animation also supports GPU rendering, which can dramatically improve rendering speed.

Key Features

• Streamlined interface for faster workflows
• Real-time rendering for instant feedback
• Physical lighting and materials for accurate visuals
• Interactive rendering for creative exploration
• Powerful tools for creating animations
• Multi-materials and advanced textures for detailed scenes

keyshot Pricing

Pricing for Keyshot Animation starts at $99 per month ($1188 per year) for Keyshot Pro Subscription. There are other add-on subscriptions that can be added for even better results

Pros 

• Adds visual interest
• Can make complex concepts easier to understand
• Can add a touch of fun and playfulness
• It can be used to showcase features in a product

Cons

• Pricing is not beginner-friendly for Keyshot Pro Subscription

11. Clara.io

Clara.io is a free, online 3D animation application that runs on both Mac and Windows computers. The software is based on the Blender open-source project and offers a wide range of features for creating animate objects and scenes. There is no charge for using Clara.io, and users can create an unlimited number of animations. Clara.io is a full-featured cloud-based 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software tool that runs in your web browser. With Clara.io you can create beautiful photorealistic renderings, and share them without installing any software programs

Key Features

• Clara.io is a powerful, cloud-based 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application. 
• Its user interface is intuitive and easy to use, yet it is packed with advanced features. 
• Clara.io also has a huge online library of free 3D models and textures, which you can use in your own projects. 

Clara.io Pricing

Clara.io has a free plan that offers 1 hour of rendering time per month. Paid plans include

• Standard – $10 per month
• Advanced – $100 per month
• Enterprise – Contact the sales team 

Pros

• Robust free plan
• Create high-quality 3D models and animations
• Wide range of built-in tools and features
• User-friendly interface

• Lack of offline access

12. Stykz 

Stykz is a free animation program that works on both Mac and Windows computers. There are no monthly fees or subscription charges, making it an affordable option for budding animators. The software is fairly intuitive and easy to use, even for those without animation experience. However, it is somewhat limited in terms of features and functionality. For more complex animations, you may need to look elsewhere. But for simple projects, Stykz is a great choice.

Key Features

• Frame-based animation system
• Vector-based graphics: Stykz uses vector-based graphics, so your animations will look great at any resolution and can be easily exported to different file formats (including SVG).
• Layers: Layers let you keep your animation organized and make it easy to add/remove/reorder elements without affecting other parts of the animation.
• Onion skinning: Onion skinning lets you see multiple frames at once so you can better plan your animations.

Stykz Pricing

While the program is free to download and use, it lacks the support of a commercial company. This can be problematic for users who encounter errors or bugs while using the program.

Pros 

• Easy-to-use interface
• Lots of helpful tutorials
• Wide variety of stick figures and props
• Can create complex animations
• Can export animations as GIFs or movie files

Cons

• Limited animation options
• Cannot create frame-by-frame animations
• It May be difficult to create realistic movements

13. K-3D

K-3D is a great option for those looking for an affordable and professional way to create 3D animations. K-3D pricing is very reasonable, especially when compared to other mac and windows animation software programs. In addition, K-3D offers free updates and technical support for all users. As a result, K-3D is an excellent value for anyone looking to create mac or windows 3D animations.

Key Features

• NURBS curve and surface modeling
• Polygon mesh modeling
• Subdivision surface modeling
• Skeleton-based character animation
• Physics-based animation
• Particle system simulation
• Image and signal processing filters

K-3D Pricing

K-3D is Free Software. Run it on your choice of platform. Adapt it for any purpose. All of the K-3D source code is available under the GNU General Public License.

Pros

• Ease of use
• Flexibility
• Free and open source

 Cons 

• Limited features
• Unstable/prone to crashing

14. Blender 

Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software. It is used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications, and video games. Blender is one of the most powerful pieces of 3D software around, but it’s also free to download for anyone with access to a computer running Mac OS X or Windows.

Key Features

• Blender is suitable for 3D simulations and capable of delivering awesome visuals effects like crumbling buildings, rain, fire, smoke, fluid, cloth, or full-on destruction
• It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, and even video editing and game creation.
• Advanced users employ Blender’s API for Python scripting to customize the application and write specialized tools; often, these are included in Blender’s release archives.
• Blender is suitable for video editing built-in video sequence editor allows you to perform basic actions like video cuts and splicing, as well as more complex tasks like video masking or color grading.

Blender Pricing

Blender is free to use. Users are encouraged to donate in other to improve the features of the software and fix bugs quickly

Pros 

• Blender is a free and open-source 3D animation suite.
• Blender is well suited to individuals and small studios who benefit from its unified pipeline and responsive development process.
• It is also relatively easy to use, which makes it a good choice for those who are new to animating.

Cons 

• Blender is one of the best free 3D software in the market.

15. Powtoon 

Powtoon is an animation software that can be used on both Mac and Windows computers. One of the features of Powtoon is creating animation videos. Powtoon can be used for whiteboard doodling for creating explainer videos. It is also suitable for creating presentations, custom characters, screen recording,s and videos. Powtoon’s animation features are excellent. 

Key Features

• Create – Create animated videos for your business or educational purposes
• Premade template – Choose from a wide variety of templates, or start from scratch
• Audio – Add your own voiceover, or use one of our professional voiceovers
• Animate your characters and add visual effects

Powtoon Pricing

An annual subscription is way cheaper than a monthly subscription so I recommend it. Pricing plans for Powtoon subscription when paid annually goes thus 

• Lite – $10 per month 
• Professional – $60 per month 
• Business – $100 per month

Pros 

• Can make the content more engaging and lively
• Add audio to make it more interactive
• Easy-to-use tools and interface

Cons

• The quality of the animation may not be as high as some professional animators
• It can be time-consuming to create a Powtoon animation

16. Animation Paper 

Animation paper seeks to give its user the creative power of drawing on paper. Only the pre-release is available at the moment. It is easy to use and the tutorial videos are available on Youtube. You can easily create characters, animate them with movements and create something unique. With its easy-to-learn interface, Pro animators, students, filmmakers, and game developers will love the ease and speed of working in Animation Paper on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems

Key Features

• High-quality lines – Lines drawn on animation paper do not degrade when transformed or the resolution is changed
• Enjoy many alternative ways of flipping created characters(keys, wheel, return flip, etc)
• Export mp4, mov or frame-stacks as png, svg, etc – including alpha and X-Sheet timing data
• The Animation paper app has a customizable toolbar and speed dial for reaching favorite functions with a flick

Animation Paper Pricing

Animation paper is free. Download the pre-release version and give the developers feedback if you have any recommendation

Pros 

• Animation paper is free 
• It is beginner friendly 

• Animation paper is in its pre-release stage. I won’t recommend it for high-end animation projects

How Do You Choose the Best Animation Software 

If you’re thinking about becoming an animator, you’re probably wondering what software you should use. There are a lot of different animation programs out there, and it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best animation software for you

Your Budget – Some animation programs are very expensive, while others are more affordable. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start looking at options.

Your experience level – Are you a beginner or a more experienced animator? Some software are easier to use than others, so it’s important to choose something that’s appropriate for your skill level.

The features you need – What kind of animations do you want to create? Make sure the software you choose has the tools and features you need to create the type of animations you’re interested in.

The “best” animation software is the one that perfectly meets your needs – it all depends on your individual needs and preferences. Take some time to research your options and see what sounds like the best fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions on Animation Software

1. What is the best free 2D animation software?

There are a few free 2D animation programs that are popular among animators, such as Pencil2D, Synfig, and TupiTube. While they all have their own strengths and weaknesses, they are all capable of creating high-quality animations. 

2. What is the best 3D animation software?

The answer to this question depends on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a high-end program with a lot of features, then Autodesk Maya or 3ds Max would be a good choice. However, if you are just starting out or need a more affordable option, Blender or Cinema 4D would be a better fit.

3. What are some good stop motion animation software?

Stop motion animation is a technique where each frame is captured individually and then played back in succession to create the illusion of movement. Some popular stop motion software programs include Claymation Studio, Stop Motion Pro, and iStopMotion.

4. What is the best 2D vector animation software?

Adobe After Effects and Moho Pro (formerly Anime Studio Pro) are both great choices for vector-based 2D animation. After Effects is more widely used in the industry, but Moho Pro has a less steep learning curve and is more affordable.

5. What’s the difference between raster and vector graphics?

Raster graphics are made up of pixels, while vector graphics are made up of paths. Vector graphics can be scaled up or down without losing quality, whereas raster graphics will become pixelated when they are scaled up. Vector graphics are better suited for line art and logos, while raster graphics are better for photos and complex illustrations.

6. What is rotoscoping in animation?

Rotoscoping is a technique where an animator traces over live-action footage to create an animated version of it. This can be done manually or with the help of software like Rotobrush (for Adobe After Effects) or RotoStab (for Moho).

Final Thoughts

Animation software refers to a computer program that is used to create animated images and videos. There are a variety of animation software programs available, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some of the most popular animation software programs include Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Blender.

Each of these programs has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to choose the right program for the job at hand. For instance, Adobe After Effects is very popular for creating motion graphics and visual effects, while Autodesk Maya is ideal for creating 3D animations. No matter which program you choose, animation software can be a powerful tool for bringing your creative vision to life.

Conclusion

Animation is a rapidly growing field with plenty of opportunities for those with the right skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for animators and multimedia artists is expected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. And with the ever-increasing popularity of video streaming services, there’s no shortage of demand for animated content.

If you’re considering a career in animation, it’s important to have a strong foundation in the basics of animation software. After all, Animation is a highly technical field, and being able to use the latest software is essential for success. Fortunately, there are plenty of great software programs available, each with its own unique set of features.