The Best Free Animation Software Has Become Incredibly Useful
Not only can it help 2D and 3D artists understand animation workflows, but some free animation software can be used for professional and commercial projects. Not everyone has the money to be able to afford the likes of Autodesk Maya or Maxon Cinema 4D, two animation apps that feature in our best animation software guide, but that shouldn’t be a stumbling block for creating great animations.
Best Overall: Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that covers not just animation but also modelling, rigging, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. As well as being a fantastic 3D animation platform, Blender also has excellent 2D animation tools, such as the Grease Pencil for creating hand-drawn 2D animation inside a 3D environment.
Best for 2D: Krita
Krita is not only free but also open-source, which means it has a fantastic community presence. This software is perfect for 2D animation thanks to its dedicated painting tools. Krita is a free-to-use digital art software that features onion skinning animation tools, making it easy to create simple animations.
Best for Beginners: Pencil2D
Not only is Pencil2D particularly beginner-friendly, but it’s also one of the best tools for creating simple traditional 2D animations. The free and open-source package is ideal for anyone new to the art form. Pencil2D is a simple and user-friendly animation software that is great for creating cartoon-style animations.
How to Choose the Best Free Animation Software
When choosing the best free animation software, you need to ask yourself questions about what you want to create, consider your skill level, and how complicated you want to get with your animation. Different animation apps have specific and unique uses, and it’s important to research which one is right for you. Take a closer look at the tools and features in each software, and decide if you need frame-by-frame or tweening, layer support, or rigging and bone systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do YouTubers use to animate?
Many YouTubers use Adobe After Effects and Animate to create simple effects and motion graphics, but these days, 3D apps like Character Animator are being used to create ‘puppets’ and VFX.
Is Adobe Animate completely free?
No, while you can get a free trial version to use for seven days, you’ll need a Creative Cloud membership to use the full version.
Can I animate in Krita?
Yes, Krita is a free-to-use digital art software that features onion skinning animation tools, making it easy to create simple animations.
Does Blender have 2D animation tools?
Yes, Blender also has excellent 2D animation tools, such as the Grease Pencil for creating hand-drawn 2D animation inside a 3D environment.
Is OpenToonz easy to use?
OpenToonz is not user-friendly. It’s a powerful yet free animation software used by Studio Ghibli, which means it can take some time to grasp. But if you’re familiar with professional animation software, you’ll be able to get more from it.
