12 TOP Free 2D and 3D Animation Software

Animation software is a category of computer programs capable of creating 2D (two-dimensional) as well as 3D (three-dimensional) motion pictures. Even though the field is moving toward 3D animations with increasing frequency, 2D animation still features at a number of locations for applications in which there is a need for low bandwidth.

Animation Software Review

The market for software that can be used to create animation is as wide as it gets. If you are looking at Animation Software, you can discover a variety of choices including high-end software utilized to produce award-winning animation and free applications that is used by amateurs and people who are new to animation.

This article lists the most popular Animation Software applications, as well as Comparison of Prices and Features that will aid you in making the right selection.

Facts: According to the studies conducted by Markets and Markets, the 3D animation industry has seen a significant expansion of 11.9 percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate). The market will be worth 21,050 million in 2022. This is due to the growing use of visual effects within the industry of entertainment, among other factors.

Pro TIP:Start with a free open-source software that lets users to gain knowledge without having to spend cash. In contrast it is a good idea to be experienced in designing animations select a software which will be of use for the future. In the end, it only requires time to master how to use the application.

Most Frequently asked questions

Q#1) What is the most effective Animation Software for beginners?

Answer: There are several Animation Software solutions available - Some are focused on beginner users, while the other are targeted at more experienced users. If you're only beginning to learn with animation, take a look at Moho as well as FlipBook and you'll be provided with an excellent beginning to the fascinating realm of animation.

Q 2) What is the cost of Animation Software cost?

Answer: Prices for animation software range from zero to hundreds of dollars. If you're new using animation software, we would suggest using an open-source applications that will assist you in understanding animation's mechanics without spending a fortune.

Question #3) Do I have purchase a brand new computer for running Animation Software?

Answer: The answer to the question is based on two factors i.e. your system and the program that you wish to run. Many companies provide the minimum requirements for their site, which allows users to check if their PC is powerful enough to run the program.

Certain companies also provide Android as well as iOS version of the programs, that you could be interested in checking out.

Q4) Which is the top Animation Software?

Answer: There isn't a straightforward answer to this query. The ideal tool for a task is always the one which can finish the task. Certain software applications are made to be used by beginners, and are at handling tasks of a small size.

Other software, like Maya Autodesk are able to tackle much larger tasks that software like Moho and FlipBook may not be equipped to manage.

A list of the Top Animation Software

Let's take a look at the best software for animation on the marketplace at present.

1. Maya Autodesk

2. Blender

3. Maxon Cinema 4D

4. Moho

5. Synfig Studio

6. Pencil 2D

7. Dragonframe

8. iStopMotion

9. Toon Boom Harmony

10. FlipBook

11. Open Toonz

12. TupiTube

Comparative Evaluation of Top Animation Tools

#1) Maya Autodesk

The best choice for3D users looking for 3D software that can be used for modeling, animation, simulation and rendering.
Pricing:$1,545 per year

Maya Autodesk is an industry-leading 3D computer animation modeling, simulation and rendering program. It's utilized by companies like Disney which has been awarded numerous Academy Awards thanks to using Maya Autodesk.

It is equipped with technologies, such as Bifrost and Arnold which allow users to make complicated procedural effects as well as render projects, respectively.

Features

• Pipeline integration Utilizes MEL (Maya embedded language) as well as Python to write scripts as well as plug-ins.

• Arnold: Uses Arnold to create previews that are much more similar to the final item like never before. Together with the ability to render in real time and a streamlined color management, can allow you achieve more results within a shorter period of time.

Evaluation:Maya Autodesk is at the very top of the line software used by large corporations for top-quality graphics for big name productions.

Website: Maya Autodesk

#2) Maxon Cinema 4D

Ideal for3D designers searching for a software program that will produce amazing results quickly and without hassle.
Pricing:Starts from Eur 61.49/month. You can try it for free for 14 days.

Cinema 4D is a 3D software by Maxon that isn't just simple to use, but highly efficient. Its interface is extremely simple and easy for the user. Cinema 4D is a perfect instrument for those who are new to gaming since it comes with a wealth of instructional videos as well as an outstanding assistance software.

The companies that use it have chosen Cinema 4D for its reliability and ability to create fast and quality results.

Features

• There are many tools available to assist with 3D creation include modeling, animation, texturing and rendering.

• Pipeline has many different formats available for export and import.

• Template library featuring top-quality textures and objects.

Evaluation:Maxon Cinema 4D is the ideal choice for novice graphic designers and professionals alike. It's the perfect option for both smaller and larger businesses since it's both simple to operate and powerful enough to deliver jaw-dropping results in a short amount of time.

Site: Maxon Cinema 4D

#3) Moho

The best choice forBeginners and professionals who are looking for an inexpensive tool for creating animations.

Price:

• Moho Debut13 $59.99. Free trial not available.

• Moho Pro13 $399.99. A free trial period of 30 days.

Moho is a software for animation solution available in two different packages i.e. Moho Pro13 and Moho Debut13.

Moho Debut13 is a 2D animation program that's fun and simple to use and Moho Pro 13 is a higher-end version that supports 3D animation. Moho is utilized in schools as well as professional studios and houses around the globe.

Features

• Animation in 3D and 2D tools, with an easy-to-use interface.

• There are many add-ons for content can be purchased.

• Moho Pro can be personalized by utilizing scripting capabilities.

Evaluation:Moho offers two products i.e. that are designed for novices and professionals. It comes with all the essential tools needed to create quality animations. This is an excellent option for both individuals and medium-sized to large companies.

Web site: Moho

#4) Synfig Studio

Ideal forArtists searching for a no-cost and open-source animation tool for creating vector graphics as well as animated timelines.

Cost:Free

Synfig Studio is an open-source and free 2D animation product. By using this application allows you to make high-quality 2D animations by using vector and bitmap artwork. The program is straightforward to learn and use, as well as numerous tutorials available online to guide you with the process.

Features

• The entire range of 2D animation tools. vector transformations, layers & filters, bones and many more.

• Full customization via open source.

• Online tutorials

Review:Synfig is a great and free Animation Software application. It is easy and speedy to make basic 2D animations. This is why it's a great tool for small companies.

Website: Synfig Studio

#5) Pencil 2D

The best choice forArtists searching for an easy 2D animation program to make manually drawn animations.
Cost:Free

Pencil 2D is a user-friendly and extremely intuitive tool to create drawing hand-drawn 2D animations. It's open source and, therefore, is accessible to everyone for free. It makes use of bitmaps as well as vector art. The user can also add audio or video files by using Pencil 2D.

Features

• Produces vector and bitmap artwork.

• Tools that are easy to use, such as pencils, brushes, and even shapes.

• It is open source and simple to personalize.

Review:Pencil 2D is a extremely simple and free 2D animation software. It's best for creating traditional hand-drawn animations swiftly.

Website: Pencil 2D

#6) Blender

Ideal forArtists as well as small teams searching to use a non-cost and open source 3D design pipeline.
Cost:Free

Blender is a completely free open-source 3D animation software for creating 3D models. Blender supports modeling, animation as well as simulation, rigging rendering and all the other aspects parts of the 3D pipeline.

Because it's open-source Users can modify Blender by through Python scripting, and also create their own tools. Users' updates are frequently part of new versions of Blender.

Features

• An array of different tools that include rendering, modeling sculpting, animation 7, rigging and grease pencil and videos editing tools as well as simulation and VFX.

• Pipeline is a Blender program that allows export and import with a variety of formats.

• Blender's interface has been designed to be completely customizable as is the Python API lets you script and additional personalization.

Review:Blender is the perfect program for freelancers or smaller groups. It's free, flexible and user-friendly. It comes with a variety of high-quality software that support a range of types of export and import formats.

Website: Blender

#7) Dragonframe

The best choice forStudios as well as independent filmmakers searching for professional stop motion software.
Cost:Starts from $295. There is no trial period for free.

Dragonframe is a stop-motion animation program. Dragonframe is packed with features that enable users to make high-quality stop-motion animations more quickly. Apart from the program, Dragonframe also offers keypad controllers and lighting as well as motion control as well as additional products that elevate stop-motion animation to a new step.

Features

• Animation tools include timeline, drawing tools guide layers, and more.

• Controls for the camera and lightning.

• Onion Skin is a layer that overlays an opaque layer over the previous photo.

Evaluation:Dragonframe is a great alternative for large and medium companies. It is capable of producing quality stop motion animation that is high-end and is very user-friendly. Because it's reasonably priced, it's an excellent choice for solo creators and smaller firms.

Site: Dragonframe

#8) iStopMotion

Ideal forArtists who want to create a narrative using stop-motion.
Price: $21.99. Free trials are also accessible.

iStopMotion is a stop-motion and time-lapse application that works on Mac as well as iOS. The software is simple to use and user-friendly yet it's robust also. It works on Mac computers, iPads as well as iPhones. iStopMotion is utilized by teachers across all fields and also by artists who are beginning their careers as well as small businesses.

Features

• animated GIF permits users to make GIFs with up to 200 frames.

• Onion Skin will show you the prior shot in a layer that is transparent.

• Chroma Keying lets you blend animation with actual movies.

Review:iStopMotion is very easy to operate and is priced small also. Due to its absence of features, it's only an choice for beginners as well as small businesses which do not need intricate animations.

Web site: iStopMotion

#9) Toon Boom Harmony

Ideal forStudents and Freelancers. Artists as well as professional animators searching for animation in 2D and complete capability for production.

Cost:Starts from $410 or $17/month. Free trial available for up to 21 days.

Toon Boom Harmony is an software for animation that comes with three different packages i.e. Essentials, Advanced and Premium. This makes it an ideal option for anyone, for freelancers to huge animation studios. The majority of it is used in 2D games, but also for television and film.

Features

• Supports bitmap and vector drawing.

• Cut-out animation using special tools for creating rigs and various looks.

• Pipeline integration lets you use a variety of formats such as bitmaps, pdf, illustrator as well as audio.

Review:Toon Boom Harmony is ideal for animations in 2D. The wide range of tools allows for flexibility and ease of use when making traditional cartoons. It is regarded as the most popular solution among several animation studios and artists as well.

Web site: Toon Boom Harmony

#10) FlipBook

The best choice forArtists seeking user-friendly, yet robust 2D animation tool.
Cost:Starts from $19.99. Demo versions for free are accessible.

FlipBook is an intuitive 2D animation program, but it's powerful enough to be utilized by novices as well as professionals.

FlipBook is the company behind it. FlipBook provides numerous tutorials as well as unlimited technical assistance to all customers. FlipBook offers all the tools needed to produce top-quality 2D animations with a low cost.

Features

• The tools are diverse, such as drawing, shooting, scanning and painting instruments.

• In the process of creating 2D animations with FlipBook You can also add backgrounds, cels as well as overlays and films.

• It is also possible to add music in a wide variety of formats including MP3, WAV or AIF.

Evaluation:FlipBook is probably easy to operate 2-D animated software. It has all the tools needed by a person and offers a simple interface for users.

Website: FlipBook

#11) OpenToonz

Ideal forArtists searching for an open source animation software.
Cost:Free

OpenToonz is, as its name implies, is an open source and free software for 2D animation. It is a robust suite of applications that includes all the features that animators require. Additionally, it has unique tools that were developed based on the input of users as well as the production team.

One of these includes GTS which is a scanner tool. It's even more interesting is that OpenToonz is the free version of Toonz, the software for animation that is used by the Ghibli studios.

Features

• It includes a variety of animation tools, such as scanning, digital painting films, scanning, and more.

• It works with bitmap as well as vector images. Works with both bitmap and vector.

• Open source allows anybody to modify and update it.

Evaluation:Based on the reviews, OpenToonz might not be an easy program to use, and requires a lot of getting knack of it. But once you've mastered it and you're ready, there's no limit to what it can do and the cost isn't too high.

Site: OpenToonz

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#12) TupiTube

Ideal to use forAmateur kids and artists searching for a 2D user-friendly animation tool.
Pricing:Free

TupiTube is a software free solution, which is accessible for Desktop as well as Android. Its TupiTube App is designed specifically especially for teens and children. TupiTube Desk is ideal for kids and amateur artist. It is a great tool for classes and for students who want to begin making animations.

Features

• Transition and animation tools.

• Game creation and modeling.

• Tools for collaboration

Review:TupiTube is a great 2D animation program that is free intended for children. It's very basic and it's not equipped with the most advanced features and isn't widely utilized by professional.

Web site: TupiTube

#13) D5 Render

The best choice for the architects and 3D artists who utilize animation to show their work.
Cost: D5 Render Community version is free, and the The Pro D5 version costs $360 annually.

D5 Render is an GPU tool for rendering ray-tracing which works together with Archicad, Blender, Cinema 4D, Revit, Rhino SketchUp, 3Ds Max. Real-time rendering features allow 3D designers to see instantly the way their designs will appear.

Anyone can make quality animation using D5 Render since it's user-friendly and doesn't require a great deal of expertise.

Features:

• Animations with speedy speeds

• A special Outline render mode used to make 2D animation.

• A user-friendly system for texturing

• Built-in asset library

Evaluation: D5 Render is the best rendering software to architects and designers. With a cost-free version, small and individual enterprises can quickly get going. Studio owners and professionals can look into many possibilities using D5 Render in addition.

Conclusion

Like different software options, Animation software also comes in various sizes and shapes. There are some clearly winners, the primary factor is to determine the goals you intend to achieve and select the one that will best suit your requirements and budget.

For you to get going to get started, we've picked our top picks for the most effective overall approach and the most effective option for novices.

The Best Overall: Maya Autodesk

If you are looking for power and performance, Maya Autodesk is the most effective overall winner. Although the price may be the top of all software we reviewed, for the technical capabilities, nothing can beat Maya Autodesk.

Ideal for Beginning Users: Moho

Although there are some animation software applications which are completely free and be a great choice for novices, Moho offers something that develops as you use it. Moho is fun and simple to use, thereby making the time spent comfortable.