New 2024 Approved The Ultimate List 10 Best Free and Paid 2D Animation Software

New 2024 Approved The Ultimate List 10 Best Free and Paid 2D Animation Software

Isabella Lv12

The Ultimate List: 10 Best Free and Paid 2D Animation Software

10 Best 2D Animation Software in 2024 [Free/Paid]

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

When you are trying to make funny cartoons within seven steps , explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.

Whether you are turning photos into cartoons , teaching a group of kids , showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.

If you are new to the world of 2D animation as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

Recommend free download animation maker Filmora

If you want to create a 2D animation video, we recommend using 2D animation software-Filmora.

It is a powerful and straightforward video maker for all levels from middle to advanced. With keyframing, you can make smooth 2D animation quickly. Auto color correction can save you a lot of time to make high-quality animation.

Now free download it on Windows and Mac to make 2D animated videos, and connect with other video creators in the Wondershare Video Community to get more creative ideas.

filmora logo

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

filmora-02

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

  • 100 Million+ Users
  • 150+ Countries and Regions
  • 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
  • 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

filmora12

Have a Quick Look at The Best 10 Free/Paid 2D Animation Software to Download

No. Product Name Supported OS Price Best for
1 Synfig Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
2 Opentoonz Windows and OSX Free Beginners
3 Maefloresta iPhone and Android Free Beginners
4 Pencil 2D Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
5 Toon Boom Harmony Windows, Linux, and OSX $109 per month Professionals
6 CelAction2D Windows, Linux, and OSX $1300 for one single license Professionals
7 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro Windows and OSX $399.99 for the full package Professionals
8 Stop Motion Studio Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS $59.99 for the full package Professionals
9 FlipBook Windows and OSX $19.99/$49.99/$149.99/$199.99 Professionals
10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator Windows and OSX $199 for the pipeline, $99 for pro Professionals

Part 1 Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners

01 Synfig - Open Source 2D Animation Software for Beginners

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don’t need to worry about its limitation though it is free to use.

Con: Few tutorials are available in the market to start making an animation for beginners.

Synfig Studio is an open-source, free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free download - stable and testing.

The testing version has some experimental features if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.

Features:

  • Supports multiple layers of content
  • The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
  • Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video

02 Opentoonz - Free-to-Use Effects for 2D Animation

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can use a plug-in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.

Con: The UI design is outdated compared with other animation software, but it won’t affect user experience.

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge, and download it.

And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.

Features:

  • GTS scanning tool
  • Ability to change picture styles
  • Add distortion and light effects
  • Compatible with black and white and colored scans

03 Maefloresta - Easy-to-Use 2D Animation Software on Phone

Price: Free

Compatibility: iPhone and Android

Pro: It is free to use with easy to start introduction, even for kids.

Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.

The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.

There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.

Features:

  • The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
  • Easy animation software with tutorials
  • Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

04 Pencil 2D - Cross-Platform Software with Intuitive Interface

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers English, Spanish, and Portuguese language tutorials to use.

Con: It doesn’t support the shapes tool. If you like to make shapes and draw something, you’d be disappointed.

Want an open-source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners.

You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.

Features:

  • Minimalist design to let you make animation easily
  • Raster and vector workflow switching
  • Cross-platform compatibility to free download

Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

05 Toon Boom Harmony - Leading Animation Software for Professional

Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation, both with models.

Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.

Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.

This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.

You can also check the Toon Boom Harmony Advanced Review from the TopTenReview website for more information.

Features:

  • Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
  • Advanced color palettes and paint options
  • 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
  • Cut-out animation tools
  • Traditional paperless animation.

06 CelAction2D - Low System Requirement for Professional 2D Animation

Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 for one single license

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It is fast to use with low system requirements.

Con: You can draw animation in itself, so you need to import all words from third-party software.

Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful and professional animations.

While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could need.

You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works.

It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.

Features:

  • Easy and fast to use for professional users
  • Features ergonomic controls
  • Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
  • Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
  • The multiplane camera features let you have more controls

07 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro - All-In-One Professional 2D Animation Software

Price: $399.99 for the full package.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: Its update is regular with advanced and newest features to use.

Con: It is not user-friendly for beginners as the functions are too advanced a little bit.

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 2D animation creation. It is affordable and designed for Flash-style animations.

While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.

There is an Anime Studio Debut - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.

Features:

  • Enhanced freehand drawing tools
  • Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
  • Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
  • Realistic motion blur
  • Animation for multiple layers at the same time

08 Stop Motion Studio - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.

Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS

Pro: You can use a built-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record voice and use it in the video.

Con: You can only use it to make 2D stop motion animation.

Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features?

Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.

You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure, or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high-end camera in conjunction with this professional software.

And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.

Features:

  • Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
  • Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
  • Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
  • DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings

09 FlipBook - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: From drawing, scanning to sound, this 2D animation software can make you powerful video.

Con: You can’t use it to make subtle changes as bone rigging is not available.

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cells, and more.

If you like to make a cartoon video like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free to download.

Features:

  • Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
  • You can use the shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
  • Ten layers in animation for adding extra touches
  • You can use a scanner to import images

10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator - Professional 2D Animation/Cartoon Software for Designers

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can always find the feature you like for beginners and professionals. You can control characters even in expression levels.

Con: It integrates with PhotoShop to import and export video.

CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don’t know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.

Features:

  • Capture real-time facial expression with precise changing
  • Black magic to turn the image into a moving cartoon
  • For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

You may also like: Best Free Animated Logo Makers >>

Part 3: How to Make 2D Animation

Step 1 Put forward an idea

A story ides is priceless. It is always important to build an essential story frame. Sometimes it is in a blink to have come up with an idea.

It will help if you decide the gist of your 2D animation because the whole process of making animation is evolving. You may need to add or cut some scenes, but the overall concept and story ideas are always the same.

Put forward an idea

Step 2 Make a storyboard

After all the ideas are fixed, you need to make a storyboard for animation . You don’t need to produce every scene, but it is suggested to make a storyboard in some crucial scenes. Storyboarding is probably the best way to show 2D animation to other people and get feedback.

Thus, it is a step that you should not neglect during the preliminary.

make storyboard

Step 3 Produce materials

At this stage, you need to prepare all the 2D animation materials, including characters, background, and props. One thing you need to know is all the preparations in steps 2 and 3 should be ready before proceeding to step 3.

Produce materials

Step 4 Animation

After all, materials are ready, and you need to make animation alive. In this step, you need to make sure all the movements are natural. Stiff moves are not liked by the audience, so you need to think about how to design gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

Animation

Step 5 Animation editing

In this step, the software is the key to relive the 2D animation. Background audio is essential and needs to be added to the video. Color correction and grading are also necessary. Besides, scene transition, voiceover, and even text credit need to be added.

Above are the five 2D animation steps. If you think there are extra steps, you are free to add them according to your needs.

Bonus tip: Create an Animation Video with Anireel

Anireel provides a faster and smoother animated video creation experience with customizable elements to bring anyone’s imagination to life. All you have to do is choose your script, input the content, and Anireel will instantly match your script to rich animation explainer scenes, convert the text into voice-over, and generate a vivid, complete animation video.

anireel animation software

Download Win Version

Part 3 FAQ about Professional 2D Animation Software

01 What is the best 2D animation software?

It is hard to directly give you an answer and tell you which is the best 2D animation software. However, we can give you some recommendations based on your needs. If you are a beginner, Pencil 2D is a great start. You can use it to make minimalist animation to give you a quick-to-start 2D animation experience. If you are in the middle level, Stop Motion Studio is what we recommend. The interface is intuitive with powerful features like voiceover and Chroma key.

02 What is the best 2D animation software for beginners?

For 2D animation software for beginners, Pencil 2D would come to mind for many people. It is an excellent animation software for beginners. If you also want to try other tools, Synfig and FlipBook are also great choices. It is your call for the final decision.

03 Is there any free animation software?

For beginners, free animation software includes Synfig, Opentoonz, Maefloresta, and Pencil 2D. For advanced users, you can use Blender and Maya.

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways.

If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animation software options for you. If anyone of the products above will serve you well, you could use Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

When you are trying to make funny cartoons within seven steps , explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.

Whether you are turning photos into cartoons , teaching a group of kids , showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.

If you are new to the world of 2D animation as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

Recommend free download animation maker Filmora

If you want to create a 2D animation video, we recommend using 2D animation software-Filmora.

It is a powerful and straightforward video maker for all levels from middle to advanced. With keyframing, you can make smooth 2D animation quickly. Auto color correction can save you a lot of time to make high-quality animation.

Now free download it on Windows and Mac to make 2D animated videos, and connect with other video creators in the Wondershare Video Community to get more creative ideas.

filmora logo

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

filmora-02

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

  • 100 Million+ Users
  • 150+ Countries and Regions
  • 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
  • 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

filmora12

Have a Quick Look at The Best 10 Free/Paid 2D Animation Software to Download

No. Product Name Supported OS Price Best for
1 Synfig Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
2 Opentoonz Windows and OSX Free Beginners
3 Maefloresta iPhone and Android Free Beginners
4 Pencil 2D Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
5 Toon Boom Harmony Windows, Linux, and OSX $109 per month Professionals
6 CelAction2D Windows, Linux, and OSX $1300 for one single license Professionals
7 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro Windows and OSX $399.99 for the full package Professionals
8 Stop Motion Studio Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS $59.99 for the full package Professionals
9 FlipBook Windows and OSX $19.99/$49.99/$149.99/$199.99 Professionals
10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator Windows and OSX $199 for the pipeline, $99 for pro Professionals

Part 1 Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners

01 Synfig - Open Source 2D Animation Software for Beginners

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don’t need to worry about its limitation though it is free to use.

Con: Few tutorials are available in the market to start making an animation for beginners.

Synfig Studio is an open-source, free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free download - stable and testing.

The testing version has some experimental features if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.

Features:

  • Supports multiple layers of content
  • The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
  • Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video

02 Opentoonz - Free-to-Use Effects for 2D Animation

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can use a plug-in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.

Con: The UI design is outdated compared with other animation software, but it won’t affect user experience.

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge, and download it.

And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.

Features:

  • GTS scanning tool
  • Ability to change picture styles
  • Add distortion and light effects
  • Compatible with black and white and colored scans

03 Maefloresta - Easy-to-Use 2D Animation Software on Phone

Price: Free

Compatibility: iPhone and Android

Pro: It is free to use with easy to start introduction, even for kids.

Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.

The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.

There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.

Features:

  • The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
  • Easy animation software with tutorials
  • Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

04 Pencil 2D - Cross-Platform Software with Intuitive Interface

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers English, Spanish, and Portuguese language tutorials to use.

Con: It doesn’t support the shapes tool. If you like to make shapes and draw something, you’d be disappointed.

Want an open-source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners.

You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.

Features:

  • Minimalist design to let you make animation easily
  • Raster and vector workflow switching
  • Cross-platform compatibility to free download

Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

05 Toon Boom Harmony - Leading Animation Software for Professional

Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation, both with models.

Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.

Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.

This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.

You can also check the Toon Boom Harmony Advanced Review from the TopTenReview website for more information.

Features:

  • Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
  • Advanced color palettes and paint options
  • 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
  • Cut-out animation tools
  • Traditional paperless animation.

06 CelAction2D - Low System Requirement for Professional 2D Animation

Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 for one single license

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It is fast to use with low system requirements.

Con: You can draw animation in itself, so you need to import all words from third-party software.

Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful and professional animations.

While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could need.

You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works.

It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.

Features:

  • Easy and fast to use for professional users
  • Features ergonomic controls
  • Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
  • Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
  • The multiplane camera features let you have more controls

07 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro - All-In-One Professional 2D Animation Software

Price: $399.99 for the full package.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: Its update is regular with advanced and newest features to use.

Con: It is not user-friendly for beginners as the functions are too advanced a little bit.

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 2D animation creation. It is affordable and designed for Flash-style animations.

While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.

There is an Anime Studio Debut - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.

Features:

  • Enhanced freehand drawing tools
  • Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
  • Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
  • Realistic motion blur
  • Animation for multiple layers at the same time

08 Stop Motion Studio - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.

Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS

Pro: You can use a built-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record voice and use it in the video.

Con: You can only use it to make 2D stop motion animation.

Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features?

Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.

You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure, or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high-end camera in conjunction with this professional software.

And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.

Features:

  • Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
  • Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
  • Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
  • DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings

09 FlipBook - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: From drawing, scanning to sound, this 2D animation software can make you powerful video.

Con: You can’t use it to make subtle changes as bone rigging is not available.

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cells, and more.

If you like to make a cartoon video like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free to download.

Features:

  • Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
  • You can use the shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
  • Ten layers in animation for adding extra touches
  • You can use a scanner to import images

10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator - Professional 2D Animation/Cartoon Software for Designers

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can always find the feature you like for beginners and professionals. You can control characters even in expression levels.

Con: It integrates with PhotoShop to import and export video.

CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don’t know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.

Features:

  • Capture real-time facial expression with precise changing
  • Black magic to turn the image into a moving cartoon
  • For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

You may also like: Best Free Animated Logo Makers >>

Part 3: How to Make 2D Animation

Step 1 Put forward an idea

A story ides is priceless. It is always important to build an essential story frame. Sometimes it is in a blink to have come up with an idea.

It will help if you decide the gist of your 2D animation because the whole process of making animation is evolving. You may need to add or cut some scenes, but the overall concept and story ideas are always the same.

Put forward an idea

Step 2 Make a storyboard

After all the ideas are fixed, you need to make a storyboard for animation . You don’t need to produce every scene, but it is suggested to make a storyboard in some crucial scenes. Storyboarding is probably the best way to show 2D animation to other people and get feedback.

Thus, it is a step that you should not neglect during the preliminary.

make storyboard

Step 3 Produce materials

At this stage, you need to prepare all the 2D animation materials, including characters, background, and props. One thing you need to know is all the preparations in steps 2 and 3 should be ready before proceeding to step 3.

Produce materials

Step 4 Animation

After all, materials are ready, and you need to make animation alive. In this step, you need to make sure all the movements are natural. Stiff moves are not liked by the audience, so you need to think about how to design gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

Animation

Step 5 Animation editing

In this step, the software is the key to relive the 2D animation. Background audio is essential and needs to be added to the video. Color correction and grading are also necessary. Besides, scene transition, voiceover, and even text credit need to be added.

Above are the five 2D animation steps. If you think there are extra steps, you are free to add them according to your needs.

Bonus tip: Create an Animation Video with Anireel

Anireel provides a faster and smoother animated video creation experience with customizable elements to bring anyone’s imagination to life. All you have to do is choose your script, input the content, and Anireel will instantly match your script to rich animation explainer scenes, convert the text into voice-over, and generate a vivid, complete animation video.

anireel animation software

Download Win Version

Part 3 FAQ about Professional 2D Animation Software

01 What is the best 2D animation software?

It is hard to directly give you an answer and tell you which is the best 2D animation software. However, we can give you some recommendations based on your needs. If you are a beginner, Pencil 2D is a great start. You can use it to make minimalist animation to give you a quick-to-start 2D animation experience. If you are in the middle level, Stop Motion Studio is what we recommend. The interface is intuitive with powerful features like voiceover and Chroma key.

02 What is the best 2D animation software for beginners?

For 2D animation software for beginners, Pencil 2D would come to mind for many people. It is an excellent animation software for beginners. If you also want to try other tools, Synfig and FlipBook are also great choices. It is your call for the final decision.

03 Is there any free animation software?

For beginners, free animation software includes Synfig, Opentoonz, Maefloresta, and Pencil 2D. For advanced users, you can use Blender and Maya.

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways.

If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animation software options for you. If anyone of the products above will serve you well, you could use Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

When you are trying to make funny cartoons within seven steps , explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.

Whether you are turning photos into cartoons , teaching a group of kids , showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.

If you are new to the world of 2D animation as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

Recommend free download animation maker Filmora

If you want to create a 2D animation video, we recommend using 2D animation software-Filmora.

It is a powerful and straightforward video maker for all levels from middle to advanced. With keyframing, you can make smooth 2D animation quickly. Auto color correction can save you a lot of time to make high-quality animation.

Now free download it on Windows and Mac to make 2D animated videos, and connect with other video creators in the Wondershare Video Community to get more creative ideas.

filmora logo

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

filmora-02

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

  • 100 Million+ Users
  • 150+ Countries and Regions
  • 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
  • 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

filmora12

Have a Quick Look at The Best 10 Free/Paid 2D Animation Software to Download

No. Product Name Supported OS Price Best for
1 Synfig Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
2 Opentoonz Windows and OSX Free Beginners
3 Maefloresta iPhone and Android Free Beginners
4 Pencil 2D Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
5 Toon Boom Harmony Windows, Linux, and OSX $109 per month Professionals
6 CelAction2D Windows, Linux, and OSX $1300 for one single license Professionals
7 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro Windows and OSX $399.99 for the full package Professionals
8 Stop Motion Studio Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS $59.99 for the full package Professionals
9 FlipBook Windows and OSX $19.99/$49.99/$149.99/$199.99 Professionals
10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator Windows and OSX $199 for the pipeline, $99 for pro Professionals

Part 1 Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners

01 Synfig - Open Source 2D Animation Software for Beginners

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don’t need to worry about its limitation though it is free to use.

Con: Few tutorials are available in the market to start making an animation for beginners.

Synfig Studio is an open-source, free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free download - stable and testing.

The testing version has some experimental features if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.

Features:

  • Supports multiple layers of content
  • The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
  • Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video

02 Opentoonz - Free-to-Use Effects for 2D Animation

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can use a plug-in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.

Con: The UI design is outdated compared with other animation software, but it won’t affect user experience.

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge, and download it.

And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.

Features:

  • GTS scanning tool
  • Ability to change picture styles
  • Add distortion and light effects
  • Compatible with black and white and colored scans

03 Maefloresta - Easy-to-Use 2D Animation Software on Phone

Price: Free

Compatibility: iPhone and Android

Pro: It is free to use with easy to start introduction, even for kids.

Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.

The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.

There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.

Features:

  • The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
  • Easy animation software with tutorials
  • Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

04 Pencil 2D - Cross-Platform Software with Intuitive Interface

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers English, Spanish, and Portuguese language tutorials to use.

Con: It doesn’t support the shapes tool. If you like to make shapes and draw something, you’d be disappointed.

Want an open-source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners.

You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.

Features:

  • Minimalist design to let you make animation easily
  • Raster and vector workflow switching
  • Cross-platform compatibility to free download

Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

05 Toon Boom Harmony - Leading Animation Software for Professional

Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation, both with models.

Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.

Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.

This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.

You can also check the Toon Boom Harmony Advanced Review from the TopTenReview website for more information.

Features:

  • Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
  • Advanced color palettes and paint options
  • 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
  • Cut-out animation tools
  • Traditional paperless animation.

06 CelAction2D - Low System Requirement for Professional 2D Animation

Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 for one single license

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It is fast to use with low system requirements.

Con: You can draw animation in itself, so you need to import all words from third-party software.

Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful and professional animations.

While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could need.

You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works.

It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.

Features:

  • Easy and fast to use for professional users
  • Features ergonomic controls
  • Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
  • Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
  • The multiplane camera features let you have more controls

07 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro - All-In-One Professional 2D Animation Software

Price: $399.99 for the full package.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: Its update is regular with advanced and newest features to use.

Con: It is not user-friendly for beginners as the functions are too advanced a little bit.

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 2D animation creation. It is affordable and designed for Flash-style animations.

While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.

There is an Anime Studio Debut - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.

Features:

  • Enhanced freehand drawing tools
  • Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
  • Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
  • Realistic motion blur
  • Animation for multiple layers at the same time

08 Stop Motion Studio - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.

Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS

Pro: You can use a built-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record voice and use it in the video.

Con: You can only use it to make 2D stop motion animation.

Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features?

Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.

You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure, or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high-end camera in conjunction with this professional software.

And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.

Features:

  • Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
  • Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
  • Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
  • DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings

09 FlipBook - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: From drawing, scanning to sound, this 2D animation software can make you powerful video.

Con: You can’t use it to make subtle changes as bone rigging is not available.

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cells, and more.

If you like to make a cartoon video like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free to download.

Features:

  • Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
  • You can use the shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
  • Ten layers in animation for adding extra touches
  • You can use a scanner to import images

10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator - Professional 2D Animation/Cartoon Software for Designers

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can always find the feature you like for beginners and professionals. You can control characters even in expression levels.

Con: It integrates with PhotoShop to import and export video.

CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don’t know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.

Features:

  • Capture real-time facial expression with precise changing
  • Black magic to turn the image into a moving cartoon
  • For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

You may also like: Best Free Animated Logo Makers >>

Part 3: How to Make 2D Animation

Step 1 Put forward an idea

A story ides is priceless. It is always important to build an essential story frame. Sometimes it is in a blink to have come up with an idea.

It will help if you decide the gist of your 2D animation because the whole process of making animation is evolving. You may need to add or cut some scenes, but the overall concept and story ideas are always the same.

Put forward an idea

Step 2 Make a storyboard

After all the ideas are fixed, you need to make a storyboard for animation . You don’t need to produce every scene, but it is suggested to make a storyboard in some crucial scenes. Storyboarding is probably the best way to show 2D animation to other people and get feedback.

Thus, it is a step that you should not neglect during the preliminary.

make storyboard

Step 3 Produce materials

At this stage, you need to prepare all the 2D animation materials, including characters, background, and props. One thing you need to know is all the preparations in steps 2 and 3 should be ready before proceeding to step 3.

Produce materials

Step 4 Animation

After all, materials are ready, and you need to make animation alive. In this step, you need to make sure all the movements are natural. Stiff moves are not liked by the audience, so you need to think about how to design gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

Animation

Step 5 Animation editing

In this step, the software is the key to relive the 2D animation. Background audio is essential and needs to be added to the video. Color correction and grading are also necessary. Besides, scene transition, voiceover, and even text credit need to be added.

Above are the five 2D animation steps. If you think there are extra steps, you are free to add them according to your needs.

Bonus tip: Create an Animation Video with Anireel

Anireel provides a faster and smoother animated video creation experience with customizable elements to bring anyone’s imagination to life. All you have to do is choose your script, input the content, and Anireel will instantly match your script to rich animation explainer scenes, convert the text into voice-over, and generate a vivid, complete animation video.

anireel animation software

Download Win Version

Part 3 FAQ about Professional 2D Animation Software

01 What is the best 2D animation software?

It is hard to directly give you an answer and tell you which is the best 2D animation software. However, we can give you some recommendations based on your needs. If you are a beginner, Pencil 2D is a great start. You can use it to make minimalist animation to give you a quick-to-start 2D animation experience. If you are in the middle level, Stop Motion Studio is what we recommend. The interface is intuitive with powerful features like voiceover and Chroma key.

02 What is the best 2D animation software for beginners?

For 2D animation software for beginners, Pencil 2D would come to mind for many people. It is an excellent animation software for beginners. If you also want to try other tools, Synfig and FlipBook are also great choices. It is your call for the final decision.

03 Is there any free animation software?

For beginners, free animation software includes Synfig, Opentoonz, Maefloresta, and Pencil 2D. For advanced users, you can use Blender and Maya.

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways.

If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animation software options for you. If anyone of the products above will serve you well, you could use Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

When you are trying to make funny cartoons within seven steps , explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.

Whether you are turning photos into cartoons , teaching a group of kids , showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.

If you are new to the world of 2D animation as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.

Recommend free download animation maker Filmora

If you want to create a 2D animation video, we recommend using 2D animation software-Filmora.

It is a powerful and straightforward video maker for all levels from middle to advanced. With keyframing, you can make smooth 2D animation quickly. Auto color correction can save you a lot of time to make high-quality animation.

Now free download it on Windows and Mac to make 2D animated videos, and connect with other video creators in the Wondershare Video Community to get more creative ideas.

filmora logo

A cross-platform for making videos anywhere for all creators

filmora-02

Why your video editing isn’t good enough? How about some creative inspo?

  • 100 Million+ Users
  • 150+ Countries and Regions
  • 4 Million+ Social Media Followers
  • 5 Million+ Stock Media for Use

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

Try It Free

* Secure Download

filmora12

Have a Quick Look at The Best 10 Free/Paid 2D Animation Software to Download

No. Product Name Supported OS Price Best for
1 Synfig Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
2 Opentoonz Windows and OSX Free Beginners
3 Maefloresta iPhone and Android Free Beginners
4 Pencil 2D Windows, Linux, and OSX Free Beginners
5 Toon Boom Harmony Windows, Linux, and OSX $109 per month Professionals
6 CelAction2D Windows, Linux, and OSX $1300 for one single license Professionals
7 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro Windows and OSX $399.99 for the full package Professionals
8 Stop Motion Studio Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS $59.99 for the full package Professionals
9 FlipBook Windows and OSX $19.99/$49.99/$149.99/$199.99 Professionals
10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator Windows and OSX $199 for the pipeline, $99 for pro Professionals

Part 1 Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners

01 Synfig - Open Source 2D Animation Software for Beginners

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don’t need to worry about its limitation though it is free to use.

Con: Few tutorials are available in the market to start making an animation for beginners.

Synfig Studio is an open-source, free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free download - stable and testing.

The testing version has some experimental features if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.

Features:

  • Supports multiple layers of content
  • The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
  • Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video

02 Opentoonz - Free-to-Use Effects for 2D Animation

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can use a plug-in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.

Con: The UI design is outdated compared with other animation software, but it won’t affect user experience.

Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge, and download it.

And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.

Features:

  • GTS scanning tool
  • Ability to change picture styles
  • Add distortion and light effects
  • Compatible with black and white and colored scans

03 Maefloresta - Easy-to-Use 2D Animation Software on Phone

Price: Free

Compatibility: iPhone and Android

Pro: It is free to use with easy to start introduction, even for kids.

Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.

The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.

There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.

Features:

  • The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
  • Easy animation software with tutorials
  • Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease

04 Pencil 2D - Cross-Platform Software with Intuitive Interface

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It offers English, Spanish, and Portuguese language tutorials to use.

Con: It doesn’t support the shapes tool. If you like to make shapes and draw something, you’d be disappointed.

Want an open-source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners.

You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.

Features:

  • Minimalist design to let you make animation easily
  • Raster and vector workflow switching
  • Cross-platform compatibility to free download

Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software

05 Toon Boom Harmony - Leading Animation Software for Professional

Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation, both with models.

Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.

Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.

This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.

You can also check the Toon Boom Harmony Advanced Review from the TopTenReview website for more information.

Features:

  • Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
  • Advanced color palettes and paint options
  • 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
  • Cut-out animation tools
  • Traditional paperless animation.

06 CelAction2D - Low System Requirement for Professional 2D Animation

Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 for one single license

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Pro: It is fast to use with low system requirements.

Con: You can draw animation in itself, so you need to import all words from third-party software.

Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful and professional animations.

While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could need.

You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works.

It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.

Features:

  • Easy and fast to use for professional users
  • Features ergonomic controls
  • Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
  • Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
  • The multiplane camera features let you have more controls

07 Moho (Anime Studio) Pro - All-In-One Professional 2D Animation Software

Price: $399.99 for the full package.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: Its update is regular with advanced and newest features to use.

Con: It is not user-friendly for beginners as the functions are too advanced a little bit.

Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 2D animation creation. It is affordable and designed for Flash-style animations.

While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.

There is an Anime Studio Debut - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.

Features:

  • Enhanced freehand drawing tools
  • Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
  • Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
  • Realistic motion blur
  • Animation for multiple layers at the same time

08 Stop Motion Studio - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.

Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS

Pro: You can use a built-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record voice and use it in the video.

Con: You can only use it to make 2D stop motion animation.

Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features?

Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.

You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure, or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high-end camera in conjunction with this professional software.

And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.

Features:

  • Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
  • Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
  • Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
  • DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings

09 FlipBook - Fun and Well Designed 2D Animation Software

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: From drawing, scanning to sound, this 2D animation software can make you powerful video.

Con: You can’t use it to make subtle changes as bone rigging is not available.

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cells, and more.

If you like to make a cartoon video like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free to download.

Features:

  • Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
  • You can use the shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
  • Ten layers in animation for adding extra touches
  • You can use a scanner to import images

10 Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator - Professional 2D Animation/Cartoon Software for Designers

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Pro: You can always find the feature you like for beginners and professionals. You can control characters even in expression levels.

Con: It integrates with PhotoShop to import and export video.

CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don’t know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.

Features:

  • Capture real-time facial expression with precise changing
  • Black magic to turn the image into a moving cartoon
  • For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects

Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.

You may also like: Best Free Animated Logo Makers >>

Part 3: How to Make 2D Animation

Step 1 Put forward an idea

A story ides is priceless. It is always important to build an essential story frame. Sometimes it is in a blink to have come up with an idea.

It will help if you decide the gist of your 2D animation because the whole process of making animation is evolving. You may need to add or cut some scenes, but the overall concept and story ideas are always the same.

Put forward an idea

Step 2 Make a storyboard

After all the ideas are fixed, you need to make a storyboard for animation . You don’t need to produce every scene, but it is suggested to make a storyboard in some crucial scenes. Storyboarding is probably the best way to show 2D animation to other people and get feedback.

Thus, it is a step that you should not neglect during the preliminary.

make storyboard

Step 3 Produce materials

At this stage, you need to prepare all the 2D animation materials, including characters, background, and props. One thing you need to know is all the preparations in steps 2 and 3 should be ready before proceeding to step 3.

Produce materials

Step 4 Animation

After all, materials are ready, and you need to make animation alive. In this step, you need to make sure all the movements are natural. Stiff moves are not liked by the audience, so you need to think about how to design gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

Animation

Step 5 Animation editing

In this step, the software is the key to relive the 2D animation. Background audio is essential and needs to be added to the video. Color correction and grading are also necessary. Besides, scene transition, voiceover, and even text credit need to be added.

Above are the five 2D animation steps. If you think there are extra steps, you are free to add them according to your needs.

Bonus tip: Create an Animation Video with Anireel

Anireel provides a faster and smoother animated video creation experience with customizable elements to bring anyone’s imagination to life. All you have to do is choose your script, input the content, and Anireel will instantly match your script to rich animation explainer scenes, convert the text into voice-over, and generate a vivid, complete animation video.

anireel animation software

Download Win Version

Part 3 FAQ about Professional 2D Animation Software

01 What is the best 2D animation software?

It is hard to directly give you an answer and tell you which is the best 2D animation software. However, we can give you some recommendations based on your needs. If you are a beginner, Pencil 2D is a great start. You can use it to make minimalist animation to give you a quick-to-start 2D animation experience. If you are in the middle level, Stop Motion Studio is what we recommend. The interface is intuitive with powerful features like voiceover and Chroma key.

02 What is the best 2D animation software for beginners?

For 2D animation software for beginners, Pencil 2D would come to mind for many people. It is an excellent animation software for beginners. If you also want to try other tools, Synfig and FlipBook are also great choices. It is your call for the final decision.

03 Is there any free animation software?

For beginners, free animation software includes Synfig, Opentoonz, Maefloresta, and Pencil 2D. For advanced users, you can use Blender and Maya.

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways.

If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animation software options for you. If anyone of the products above will serve you well, you could use Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Lightweight Champions: 8 Video Editing Tools for Any Computer

If you are new to video editing and you simply want to do basic editing to your video, you need a light video editor. There is no need for a heavyweight video editor that is generally used by professionals. Besides, an industry-grade video editor demands high-end computer as they put pressure on your system resources for video processing and rendering.

Therefore, if you do not have a high-end computer for video editing, a lightweight video editor is perfect for you. There are so many lightweight video editing software applications available to choose from for video editing. We have picked the best light video editing software for smooth and satisfying video editing work.

Part 1. The Features for Light Video Editor

Here are the main features of a good lightweight video editor that you should be aware of.

Small File Size – A light video editor comes in a small size file, and you will understand the file size when you download it on your computer. Ideally, a light video editor should not be above a couple of hundred MBs in size.

Wide OS Compatibility – A good light video editor should not only be compatible with the latest version of computer operating system but also with older versions. This is because older operating systems fail to run a heavyweight video editor smoothly.

Low System Requirements – Every video editor lists out their system requirements starting from processor version to RAM capacity and free disk space. A light video editor should have low system requirements such as 4GB RAM, 5GB free disk space, Intel i3 or likewise.

Low CPU Usage – How much CPU resource a video editor uses determines whether the video editor is truly lightweight. You can monitor how much CPU resource an application is using from Task Manager. For a light video editor, it should never be more than 33% of the total CPU usage at any given time.

Faster Processing – A lightweight video editor is generally faster in processing and rendering videos. They use different techniques such as compression, background processing and proxy workflow to boost processing speed without affecting system performance.

Part 2. Best Light Video Editors

Here is the list of the best light video editing software with complete review so that you can pick the best one for your video editing purposes.

1. Filmora

Best for: beginners as well as advanced users.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files from your hard drive.
  • Robust timeline to arrange photos, videos, and audio files.
  • Wide categories of transitions, effects and graphical elements.
  • Take screenshot from videos and instant preview of the changes.
  • Export in different file formats with adjusted video parameters.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Create Cartoons Like a Pro: Top 10 Tools for Beginners

10 Best PC and Online Cartoon Video Makers Easily [Easy to Use]

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Animated videos offer solutions to some of the issues that are common during the video production process. You won’t have to scout for locations, rent the pricey equipment or go through a seemingly endless casting process.

On the other hand, there are certain limitations you’ll need to take into account before you decide to use online, Windows, Mac and PC-based cartoon video makers to promote the products or services your company offers.

Using animation templates can impact the structure of a video’s plot, and more complex templates may cost more.

Despite the restrictions, cartoon video makers still offer a sea of possibilities to their users. So in this article, we will share with you about the top 10 best cartoon video makers online and PC that you can use before diving into the magical world of animated video.

Part 1: Best Cartoon Video Makers Online

Using most of the online animation platforms featured in this article doesn’t require you to have a lot of previous experience, but the animation software products for Mac and PC computers can be overwhelming for young and inexperienced animators. Let’s check out the top ten cartoon video makers in 2020.

1. Animaker

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $12 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker

The amount of options Animaker offers is staggering, as you can choose from hundreds of animated characters, backgrounds or maps. There are six video styles available such as Infographic, Typography or 2D that can be used for different types of projects. The Whiteboard feature lets you select the board style that best fits the cartoon you’re working on, while features such a Multimove, Curve or Enter/Exit Effects enable you to animate your videos at a professional level. More than fifty background music tracks, nearly two hundred sound effects, and Direct Voice Recording option make this cartoon video maker one of the best online animation apps.

Pros:

  • Superb animation tools
  • A rich selection of templates
  • Excellent audio editing options

Cons:

  • Creating an account is mandatory, even if you opt to use the free version of the platform
  • Pricy monthly fee
  • Animated videos created with the free version of the app contain a watermark.

2. Moovly

Price: Free 30-day trial, $24.92 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

Before you can start working on your new cartoon, you must first log in to the Moovly platform. There’s no need to create a new account as you can use your Google or LinkedIn account to sign in quickly. Moovly lets you create your own content libraries or use Clip, Clean or Motion Graphics libraries in your projects. The properties of the ‘Stage’ or the work area can be controlled by adjusting the Size, Project Mode or Background-color options. All the visual objects you add to your project are going to be displayed the timeline and you can edit them from the Properties menu, located on the right side of the screen.

Moovly Cartoon Video maker online

Pros:

  • Lets you import content from online sources like Shutterstock or Storyblock
  • Voiceovers or music of your own choosing can be easily added to animations
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • All videos created during the free trial are watermarked
  • Exporting videos in HD 1080p quality requires you to purchase one of the available plans

3. Powtoon

Price: Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

Producing infographic, business or explainer videos with Powtoon is easy because you just have to select a template you like and customize it. Both visual and textual elements of templates can be adjusted in accordance with the demands of the project you’re currently working on. In addition, Powtoon’s users can freely select props, characters or music they add to their cartoons. However, changing a template’s duration isn’t an option, this online cartoon video maker offers. The rich selection of powerful animation tools makes Powtoon a great choice for businesses in need of a reliable way of producing captivating visual content.

 Powtoon online Cartoon maker

Pros

  • Fully customizable templates
  • Free image and music sources
  • Great file sharing capabilities

Cons:

  • No voiceover recording feature
  • The maximum duration of a cartoon depends on the pricing plan
  • Storage space is limited to 100MB on the Free version of the platform

4. Renderforest

Price: Free version available. Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

This popular online cartoon video maker can be used for a wide array of purposes. Logo animations, 3D explainer videos or professional presentations are among numerous options the Renderforest platform offers to its users. Each template you select is customizable, which enables you to control the process of creating a cartoon entirely. You can add text overlays, change the colors of the backgrounds or use some of the royalty free music provided by the platform. Renderforest lets you create fun, but professional cartoons and animations of all sorts and its beautifully designed interface doesn’t take too long to get used to.

 Renderforest cartoon maker

Pros

  • A large library of templates is available
  • The maximum duration of a video is 120 minutes
  • Offers up to 250GB of online storage space

Cons:

  • Modest export options
  • A relatively limited amount of commercial music tracks

5. Biteable

Price: Free, $23 per month, billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

The seemingly endless list of template categories Biteable provides will cater for all your online media marketing needs. Besides offering entertaining cartoon templates, the platform also lets you create Facebook covers, motion graphics or content for your social media channels. The best part is that the Biteable is completely free, although the number of watermarked videos you can produce in a month is limited to just five. Opting for one of the available monthly subscription plans will remove the watermarks from your cartoons, enable you to upload your media files, and enjoy the unlimited storage space.

Pros

  • Create entertaining cartoons quickly
  • Easily customizable templates
  • A perfect option for social media managers

Cons

  • Registration is mandatory.
  • The Download option is disabled on the free version of the platform
  • No audio editing options
  • File sharing capabilities are limited to Facebook and YouTube

6. Explee

Price: Subscription plans start at $7 per month

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker Explee

All of your ideas can be turned into professional-looking animations with the tools supplied by the Explee app. The platform utilizes the Bringlife technology to animate all images, which means that you can easily upload your pictures and bring them to life. There are over 6000 thousand images in the Explee’s image library that are organized by categories and keywords to simplify the search. All the sounds you use in your whiteboard animations can be edited in any way you want using the platform’s Softcut audio editor. Newcomers to the world of animation may need some time to learn how to use this powerful cartoon video maker, as some of its features are aimed at skilled animators.

Pros

  • High-end text to speech system
  • Excellent audio editing options
  • Lots of cloud storage space

Cons

  • Limited file sharing options
  • No Free subscription plan
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of animation effects

7. Vyond

Price: Subscription plans start from $39 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online-based platform

This is probably one of the oldest online cartoon video makers on the World Wide Web, as the platform was launched in 2007 under the name Go!Animate. A decade later it is still one of the most popular online destinations for anyone who wants to create an animated video quickly. The impressive list of assets is constantly being updated and new features are added frequently to improve the user experience. There are thousands of templates and animated assets available, while features like Shape Opacity Control enable you to be in charge of every step of the cartoon video production process.

Pros

  • Automatic character lip syncing
  • Fully customizable templates
  • High-end character and object animation features

Cons

  • The amount of available options depends on the subscription model
  • Expensive
  • Not the best option for inexperienced animators

Part 2: Best Cartoon Video Makers for PC

8. Animiz

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start from $29 per month

Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10

 Best Cartoon Video maker

Diversity is the word that best describes this platform, because its users can create cartoons in a wide range of styles, in only a couple of minutes. More than 300 scene templates, as well as assets such as shapes, roles, or audios, enable you to unleash your creativity and produce breathtaking animations.

This cartoon video maker is also equipped with animation effects that can ensure smooth transitions between scenes or make your animations even more compelling. The maximum number of scenes and cameras you can use in a video, as well as the size of the videos you export, depends on your current subscription plan.

Pros:

  • An impressive library of templates and royalty-free vector images
  • Powerful Voiceover and Subtitling features
  • Zooming, Panning and Rotating Camera effects

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Videos can be exported in only six different file formats
  • The quality of cartoon videos depends on the subscription plan

9. Adobe Animate CC

Price: $26 per month if purchased as a single app or $66 per month if purchased as a part of All Apps subscription plan.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Adobe Animate has been one of the most powerful animation software products on the market for decades. You can use it to animate images you want to use for games, film or online and produce HTML 5, WebGL or Flash content. The Bone tool that makes the character movement fluid or Sound Synchronization feature that syncs the music with images are only a few among numerous options that enable Adobe Animate’s users to create perfect animated videos. If you are not familiar with this software, or animation learning how to create cartoons with it, will take a lot of dedication and effort.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for complex animations
  • Puppeting features
  • Freehand drawing capability

Cons

  • It takes years to master the software
  • You may require other Adobe’s software while working on a project
  • Ill-suited for non-professional users

10. Toonboom Harmony

Price: Subscription plans start at $19 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

This software lets you create 2D animations for video games, TV and Film in a wide range of styles. It also enables you to integrate other software in the production pipeline, so you can use PSD, PDF, bitmaps or audio files in all your projects. The Premium version of this cartoon video maker offers the option to animate 3D models that can be later integrated with 2D characters. Universal Studios, Ubisoft, Lucas Film or Fox are just a few entertainment industry giants that use this software to create movies, TV shows or video games.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for the creation of the Cut-Out or Paperless animations
  • A wide range of drawing tools
  • Extensive library of special effects

Cons

  • Not the quickest option to create a cartoon video
  • Inexperienced animators may have to overcome a steep learning curve

Part 3: FAQ about Best Cartoon Video Makers

1. What is the best animated video maker?

The best-animated video maker is the one that offers you all the features for creating the kind of videos you always wanted to make. Some animated video maker software are specially made for cartoon video maker.

Moovly, PowToon, and Animaker are a few of the popular animated cartoon video maker software. You can download them on your PC and start to design your world with fantastic tools and your designs.

Apart from that, a top animated video maker software will come with pre-made templates to help you in creating cartoons quickly. If the software will ask you to buy a license, then first check if the trial is available or not.

2. Where can I animate for free?

The online world is full of such platforms where you can animate anything without paying for it.

Blender is one such tool that allows you to do 3D designing. It comes with plenty of features and using them. You can animate whatever you want.

Opentoonz and K-3D are sufficiently compact tools for the animation artists and cartoon video maker.

Whatever you are imagining can be put into visual design and animation with these kinds of freeware.

If you still have doubts, then try one of them, and you will recognize which tool fits your need. Once you find out what tools you require, creating animated videos will become effortless.

3. How can I make my own cartoon video?

This is something we appreciate because many people enjoy watching cartoons only and never try to make one on their own.

Creating a cartoon is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many have failed in this journey, but with some patience and persistence, you can succeed in making a funny or emotional cartoon as well.

The most talented cartoon video maker has the idea of handy tools and tricks to design animations in a short period.

Please create your cartoon by installing cartoon maker software and share it with the world. Your effort will be valued.


Conclusion

Animated videos have become widely popular in the last couple of years and a growing number of companies use them for promotional purposes. The online cartoon video makers offer a quick and easy way to produce explainer, infographic or tutorial videos, that may help you lead a more successful online marketing strategy. If you want to make cartoon video easily, why don’t try Filmora ? It is a video editor that you will can make cartoon like a pro. Do you use cartoon video makers? Share your experiences with us in the comments.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Animated videos offer solutions to some of the issues that are common during the video production process. You won’t have to scout for locations, rent the pricey equipment or go through a seemingly endless casting process.

On the other hand, there are certain limitations you’ll need to take into account before you decide to use online, Windows, Mac and PC-based cartoon video makers to promote the products or services your company offers.

Using animation templates can impact the structure of a video’s plot, and more complex templates may cost more.

Despite the restrictions, cartoon video makers still offer a sea of possibilities to their users. So in this article, we will share with you about the top 10 best cartoon video makers online and PC that you can use before diving into the magical world of animated video.

Part 1: Best Cartoon Video Makers Online

Using most of the online animation platforms featured in this article doesn’t require you to have a lot of previous experience, but the animation software products for Mac and PC computers can be overwhelming for young and inexperienced animators. Let’s check out the top ten cartoon video makers in 2020.

1. Animaker

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $12 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker

The amount of options Animaker offers is staggering, as you can choose from hundreds of animated characters, backgrounds or maps. There are six video styles available such as Infographic, Typography or 2D that can be used for different types of projects. The Whiteboard feature lets you select the board style that best fits the cartoon you’re working on, while features such a Multimove, Curve or Enter/Exit Effects enable you to animate your videos at a professional level. More than fifty background music tracks, nearly two hundred sound effects, and Direct Voice Recording option make this cartoon video maker one of the best online animation apps.

Pros:

  • Superb animation tools
  • A rich selection of templates
  • Excellent audio editing options

Cons:

  • Creating an account is mandatory, even if you opt to use the free version of the platform
  • Pricy monthly fee
  • Animated videos created with the free version of the app contain a watermark.

2. Moovly

Price: Free 30-day trial, $24.92 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

Before you can start working on your new cartoon, you must first log in to the Moovly platform. There’s no need to create a new account as you can use your Google or LinkedIn account to sign in quickly. Moovly lets you create your own content libraries or use Clip, Clean or Motion Graphics libraries in your projects. The properties of the ‘Stage’ or the work area can be controlled by adjusting the Size, Project Mode or Background-color options. All the visual objects you add to your project are going to be displayed the timeline and you can edit them from the Properties menu, located on the right side of the screen.

Moovly Cartoon Video maker online

Pros:

  • Lets you import content from online sources like Shutterstock or Storyblock
  • Voiceovers or music of your own choosing can be easily added to animations
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • All videos created during the free trial are watermarked
  • Exporting videos in HD 1080p quality requires you to purchase one of the available plans

3. Powtoon

Price: Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

Producing infographic, business or explainer videos with Powtoon is easy because you just have to select a template you like and customize it. Both visual and textual elements of templates can be adjusted in accordance with the demands of the project you’re currently working on. In addition, Powtoon’s users can freely select props, characters or music they add to their cartoons. However, changing a template’s duration isn’t an option, this online cartoon video maker offers. The rich selection of powerful animation tools makes Powtoon a great choice for businesses in need of a reliable way of producing captivating visual content.

 Powtoon online Cartoon maker

Pros

  • Fully customizable templates
  • Free image and music sources
  • Great file sharing capabilities

Cons:

  • No voiceover recording feature
  • The maximum duration of a cartoon depends on the pricing plan
  • Storage space is limited to 100MB on the Free version of the platform

4. Renderforest

Price: Free version available. Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

This popular online cartoon video maker can be used for a wide array of purposes. Logo animations, 3D explainer videos or professional presentations are among numerous options the Renderforest platform offers to its users. Each template you select is customizable, which enables you to control the process of creating a cartoon entirely. You can add text overlays, change the colors of the backgrounds or use some of the royalty free music provided by the platform. Renderforest lets you create fun, but professional cartoons and animations of all sorts and its beautifully designed interface doesn’t take too long to get used to.

 Renderforest cartoon maker

Pros

  • A large library of templates is available
  • The maximum duration of a video is 120 minutes
  • Offers up to 250GB of online storage space

Cons:

  • Modest export options
  • A relatively limited amount of commercial music tracks

5. Biteable

Price: Free, $23 per month, billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

The seemingly endless list of template categories Biteable provides will cater for all your online media marketing needs. Besides offering entertaining cartoon templates, the platform also lets you create Facebook covers, motion graphics or content for your social media channels. The best part is that the Biteable is completely free, although the number of watermarked videos you can produce in a month is limited to just five. Opting for one of the available monthly subscription plans will remove the watermarks from your cartoons, enable you to upload your media files, and enjoy the unlimited storage space.

Pros

  • Create entertaining cartoons quickly
  • Easily customizable templates
  • A perfect option for social media managers

Cons

  • Registration is mandatory.
  • The Download option is disabled on the free version of the platform
  • No audio editing options
  • File sharing capabilities are limited to Facebook and YouTube

6. Explee

Price: Subscription plans start at $7 per month

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker Explee

All of your ideas can be turned into professional-looking animations with the tools supplied by the Explee app. The platform utilizes the Bringlife technology to animate all images, which means that you can easily upload your pictures and bring them to life. There are over 6000 thousand images in the Explee’s image library that are organized by categories and keywords to simplify the search. All the sounds you use in your whiteboard animations can be edited in any way you want using the platform’s Softcut audio editor. Newcomers to the world of animation may need some time to learn how to use this powerful cartoon video maker, as some of its features are aimed at skilled animators.

Pros

  • High-end text to speech system
  • Excellent audio editing options
  • Lots of cloud storage space

Cons

  • Limited file sharing options
  • No Free subscription plan
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of animation effects

7. Vyond

Price: Subscription plans start from $39 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online-based platform

This is probably one of the oldest online cartoon video makers on the World Wide Web, as the platform was launched in 2007 under the name Go!Animate. A decade later it is still one of the most popular online destinations for anyone who wants to create an animated video quickly. The impressive list of assets is constantly being updated and new features are added frequently to improve the user experience. There are thousands of templates and animated assets available, while features like Shape Opacity Control enable you to be in charge of every step of the cartoon video production process.

Pros

  • Automatic character lip syncing
  • Fully customizable templates
  • High-end character and object animation features

Cons

  • The amount of available options depends on the subscription model
  • Expensive
  • Not the best option for inexperienced animators

Part 2: Best Cartoon Video Makers for PC

8. Animiz

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start from $29 per month

Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10

 Best Cartoon Video maker

Diversity is the word that best describes this platform, because its users can create cartoons in a wide range of styles, in only a couple of minutes. More than 300 scene templates, as well as assets such as shapes, roles, or audios, enable you to unleash your creativity and produce breathtaking animations.

This cartoon video maker is also equipped with animation effects that can ensure smooth transitions between scenes or make your animations even more compelling. The maximum number of scenes and cameras you can use in a video, as well as the size of the videos you export, depends on your current subscription plan.

Pros:

  • An impressive library of templates and royalty-free vector images
  • Powerful Voiceover and Subtitling features
  • Zooming, Panning and Rotating Camera effects

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Videos can be exported in only six different file formats
  • The quality of cartoon videos depends on the subscription plan

9. Adobe Animate CC

Price: $26 per month if purchased as a single app or $66 per month if purchased as a part of All Apps subscription plan.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Adobe Animate has been one of the most powerful animation software products on the market for decades. You can use it to animate images you want to use for games, film or online and produce HTML 5, WebGL or Flash content. The Bone tool that makes the character movement fluid or Sound Synchronization feature that syncs the music with images are only a few among numerous options that enable Adobe Animate’s users to create perfect animated videos. If you are not familiar with this software, or animation learning how to create cartoons with it, will take a lot of dedication and effort.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for complex animations
  • Puppeting features
  • Freehand drawing capability

Cons

  • It takes years to master the software
  • You may require other Adobe’s software while working on a project
  • Ill-suited for non-professional users

10. Toonboom Harmony

Price: Subscription plans start at $19 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

This software lets you create 2D animations for video games, TV and Film in a wide range of styles. It also enables you to integrate other software in the production pipeline, so you can use PSD, PDF, bitmaps or audio files in all your projects. The Premium version of this cartoon video maker offers the option to animate 3D models that can be later integrated with 2D characters. Universal Studios, Ubisoft, Lucas Film or Fox are just a few entertainment industry giants that use this software to create movies, TV shows or video games.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for the creation of the Cut-Out or Paperless animations
  • A wide range of drawing tools
  • Extensive library of special effects

Cons

  • Not the quickest option to create a cartoon video
  • Inexperienced animators may have to overcome a steep learning curve

Part 3: FAQ about Best Cartoon Video Makers

1. What is the best animated video maker?

The best-animated video maker is the one that offers you all the features for creating the kind of videos you always wanted to make. Some animated video maker software are specially made for cartoon video maker.

Moovly, PowToon, and Animaker are a few of the popular animated cartoon video maker software. You can download them on your PC and start to design your world with fantastic tools and your designs.

Apart from that, a top animated video maker software will come with pre-made templates to help you in creating cartoons quickly. If the software will ask you to buy a license, then first check if the trial is available or not.

2. Where can I animate for free?

The online world is full of such platforms where you can animate anything without paying for it.

Blender is one such tool that allows you to do 3D designing. It comes with plenty of features and using them. You can animate whatever you want.

Opentoonz and K-3D are sufficiently compact tools for the animation artists and cartoon video maker.

Whatever you are imagining can be put into visual design and animation with these kinds of freeware.

If you still have doubts, then try one of them, and you will recognize which tool fits your need. Once you find out what tools you require, creating animated videos will become effortless.

3. How can I make my own cartoon video?

This is something we appreciate because many people enjoy watching cartoons only and never try to make one on their own.

Creating a cartoon is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many have failed in this journey, but with some patience and persistence, you can succeed in making a funny or emotional cartoon as well.

The most talented cartoon video maker has the idea of handy tools and tricks to design animations in a short period.

Please create your cartoon by installing cartoon maker software and share it with the world. Your effort will be valued.


Conclusion

Animated videos have become widely popular in the last couple of years and a growing number of companies use them for promotional purposes. The online cartoon video makers offer a quick and easy way to produce explainer, infographic or tutorial videos, that may help you lead a more successful online marketing strategy. If you want to make cartoon video easily, why don’t try Filmora ? It is a video editor that you will can make cartoon like a pro. Do you use cartoon video makers? Share your experiences with us in the comments.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Animated videos offer solutions to some of the issues that are common during the video production process. You won’t have to scout for locations, rent the pricey equipment or go through a seemingly endless casting process.

On the other hand, there are certain limitations you’ll need to take into account before you decide to use online, Windows, Mac and PC-based cartoon video makers to promote the products or services your company offers.

Using animation templates can impact the structure of a video’s plot, and more complex templates may cost more.

Despite the restrictions, cartoon video makers still offer a sea of possibilities to their users. So in this article, we will share with you about the top 10 best cartoon video makers online and PC that you can use before diving into the magical world of animated video.

Part 1: Best Cartoon Video Makers Online

Using most of the online animation platforms featured in this article doesn’t require you to have a lot of previous experience, but the animation software products for Mac and PC computers can be overwhelming for young and inexperienced animators. Let’s check out the top ten cartoon video makers in 2020.

1. Animaker

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $12 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker

The amount of options Animaker offers is staggering, as you can choose from hundreds of animated characters, backgrounds or maps. There are six video styles available such as Infographic, Typography or 2D that can be used for different types of projects. The Whiteboard feature lets you select the board style that best fits the cartoon you’re working on, while features such a Multimove, Curve or Enter/Exit Effects enable you to animate your videos at a professional level. More than fifty background music tracks, nearly two hundred sound effects, and Direct Voice Recording option make this cartoon video maker one of the best online animation apps.

Pros:

  • Superb animation tools
  • A rich selection of templates
  • Excellent audio editing options

Cons:

  • Creating an account is mandatory, even if you opt to use the free version of the platform
  • Pricy monthly fee
  • Animated videos created with the free version of the app contain a watermark.

2. Moovly

Price: Free 30-day trial, $24.92 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

Before you can start working on your new cartoon, you must first log in to the Moovly platform. There’s no need to create a new account as you can use your Google or LinkedIn account to sign in quickly. Moovly lets you create your own content libraries or use Clip, Clean or Motion Graphics libraries in your projects. The properties of the ‘Stage’ or the work area can be controlled by adjusting the Size, Project Mode or Background-color options. All the visual objects you add to your project are going to be displayed the timeline and you can edit them from the Properties menu, located on the right side of the screen.

Moovly Cartoon Video maker online

Pros:

  • Lets you import content from online sources like Shutterstock or Storyblock
  • Voiceovers or music of your own choosing can be easily added to animations
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • All videos created during the free trial are watermarked
  • Exporting videos in HD 1080p quality requires you to purchase one of the available plans

3. Powtoon

Price: Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

Producing infographic, business or explainer videos with Powtoon is easy because you just have to select a template you like and customize it. Both visual and textual elements of templates can be adjusted in accordance with the demands of the project you’re currently working on. In addition, Powtoon’s users can freely select props, characters or music they add to their cartoons. However, changing a template’s duration isn’t an option, this online cartoon video maker offers. The rich selection of powerful animation tools makes Powtoon a great choice for businesses in need of a reliable way of producing captivating visual content.

 Powtoon online Cartoon maker

Pros

  • Fully customizable templates
  • Free image and music sources
  • Great file sharing capabilities

Cons:

  • No voiceover recording feature
  • The maximum duration of a cartoon depends on the pricing plan
  • Storage space is limited to 100MB on the Free version of the platform

4. Renderforest

Price: Free version available. Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

This popular online cartoon video maker can be used for a wide array of purposes. Logo animations, 3D explainer videos or professional presentations are among numerous options the Renderforest platform offers to its users. Each template you select is customizable, which enables you to control the process of creating a cartoon entirely. You can add text overlays, change the colors of the backgrounds or use some of the royalty free music provided by the platform. Renderforest lets you create fun, but professional cartoons and animations of all sorts and its beautifully designed interface doesn’t take too long to get used to.

 Renderforest cartoon maker

Pros

  • A large library of templates is available
  • The maximum duration of a video is 120 minutes
  • Offers up to 250GB of online storage space

Cons:

  • Modest export options
  • A relatively limited amount of commercial music tracks

5. Biteable

Price: Free, $23 per month, billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

The seemingly endless list of template categories Biteable provides will cater for all your online media marketing needs. Besides offering entertaining cartoon templates, the platform also lets you create Facebook covers, motion graphics or content for your social media channels. The best part is that the Biteable is completely free, although the number of watermarked videos you can produce in a month is limited to just five. Opting for one of the available monthly subscription plans will remove the watermarks from your cartoons, enable you to upload your media files, and enjoy the unlimited storage space.

Pros

  • Create entertaining cartoons quickly
  • Easily customizable templates
  • A perfect option for social media managers

Cons

  • Registration is mandatory.
  • The Download option is disabled on the free version of the platform
  • No audio editing options
  • File sharing capabilities are limited to Facebook and YouTube

6. Explee

Price: Subscription plans start at $7 per month

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker Explee

All of your ideas can be turned into professional-looking animations with the tools supplied by the Explee app. The platform utilizes the Bringlife technology to animate all images, which means that you can easily upload your pictures and bring them to life. There are over 6000 thousand images in the Explee’s image library that are organized by categories and keywords to simplify the search. All the sounds you use in your whiteboard animations can be edited in any way you want using the platform’s Softcut audio editor. Newcomers to the world of animation may need some time to learn how to use this powerful cartoon video maker, as some of its features are aimed at skilled animators.

Pros

  • High-end text to speech system
  • Excellent audio editing options
  • Lots of cloud storage space

Cons

  • Limited file sharing options
  • No Free subscription plan
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of animation effects

7. Vyond

Price: Subscription plans start from $39 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online-based platform

This is probably one of the oldest online cartoon video makers on the World Wide Web, as the platform was launched in 2007 under the name Go!Animate. A decade later it is still one of the most popular online destinations for anyone who wants to create an animated video quickly. The impressive list of assets is constantly being updated and new features are added frequently to improve the user experience. There are thousands of templates and animated assets available, while features like Shape Opacity Control enable you to be in charge of every step of the cartoon video production process.

Pros

  • Automatic character lip syncing
  • Fully customizable templates
  • High-end character and object animation features

Cons

  • The amount of available options depends on the subscription model
  • Expensive
  • Not the best option for inexperienced animators

Part 2: Best Cartoon Video Makers for PC

8. Animiz

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start from $29 per month

Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10

 Best Cartoon Video maker

Diversity is the word that best describes this platform, because its users can create cartoons in a wide range of styles, in only a couple of minutes. More than 300 scene templates, as well as assets such as shapes, roles, or audios, enable you to unleash your creativity and produce breathtaking animations.

This cartoon video maker is also equipped with animation effects that can ensure smooth transitions between scenes or make your animations even more compelling. The maximum number of scenes and cameras you can use in a video, as well as the size of the videos you export, depends on your current subscription plan.

Pros:

  • An impressive library of templates and royalty-free vector images
  • Powerful Voiceover and Subtitling features
  • Zooming, Panning and Rotating Camera effects

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Videos can be exported in only six different file formats
  • The quality of cartoon videos depends on the subscription plan

9. Adobe Animate CC

Price: $26 per month if purchased as a single app or $66 per month if purchased as a part of All Apps subscription plan.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Adobe Animate has been one of the most powerful animation software products on the market for decades. You can use it to animate images you want to use for games, film or online and produce HTML 5, WebGL or Flash content. The Bone tool that makes the character movement fluid or Sound Synchronization feature that syncs the music with images are only a few among numerous options that enable Adobe Animate’s users to create perfect animated videos. If you are not familiar with this software, or animation learning how to create cartoons with it, will take a lot of dedication and effort.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for complex animations
  • Puppeting features
  • Freehand drawing capability

Cons

  • It takes years to master the software
  • You may require other Adobe’s software while working on a project
  • Ill-suited for non-professional users

10. Toonboom Harmony

Price: Subscription plans start at $19 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

This software lets you create 2D animations for video games, TV and Film in a wide range of styles. It also enables you to integrate other software in the production pipeline, so you can use PSD, PDF, bitmaps or audio files in all your projects. The Premium version of this cartoon video maker offers the option to animate 3D models that can be later integrated with 2D characters. Universal Studios, Ubisoft, Lucas Film or Fox are just a few entertainment industry giants that use this software to create movies, TV shows or video games.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for the creation of the Cut-Out or Paperless animations
  • A wide range of drawing tools
  • Extensive library of special effects

Cons

  • Not the quickest option to create a cartoon video
  • Inexperienced animators may have to overcome a steep learning curve

Part 3: FAQ about Best Cartoon Video Makers

1. What is the best animated video maker?

The best-animated video maker is the one that offers you all the features for creating the kind of videos you always wanted to make. Some animated video maker software are specially made for cartoon video maker.

Moovly, PowToon, and Animaker are a few of the popular animated cartoon video maker software. You can download them on your PC and start to design your world with fantastic tools and your designs.

Apart from that, a top animated video maker software will come with pre-made templates to help you in creating cartoons quickly. If the software will ask you to buy a license, then first check if the trial is available or not.

2. Where can I animate for free?

The online world is full of such platforms where you can animate anything without paying for it.

Blender is one such tool that allows you to do 3D designing. It comes with plenty of features and using them. You can animate whatever you want.

Opentoonz and K-3D are sufficiently compact tools for the animation artists and cartoon video maker.

Whatever you are imagining can be put into visual design and animation with these kinds of freeware.

If you still have doubts, then try one of them, and you will recognize which tool fits your need. Once you find out what tools you require, creating animated videos will become effortless.

3. How can I make my own cartoon video?

This is something we appreciate because many people enjoy watching cartoons only and never try to make one on their own.

Creating a cartoon is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many have failed in this journey, but with some patience and persistence, you can succeed in making a funny or emotional cartoon as well.

The most talented cartoon video maker has the idea of handy tools and tricks to design animations in a short period.

Please create your cartoon by installing cartoon maker software and share it with the world. Your effort will be valued.


Conclusion

Animated videos have become widely popular in the last couple of years and a growing number of companies use them for promotional purposes. The online cartoon video makers offer a quick and easy way to produce explainer, infographic or tutorial videos, that may help you lead a more successful online marketing strategy. If you want to make cartoon video easily, why don’t try Filmora ? It is a video editor that you will can make cartoon like a pro. Do you use cartoon video makers? Share your experiences with us in the comments.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Animated videos offer solutions to some of the issues that are common during the video production process. You won’t have to scout for locations, rent the pricey equipment or go through a seemingly endless casting process.

On the other hand, there are certain limitations you’ll need to take into account before you decide to use online, Windows, Mac and PC-based cartoon video makers to promote the products or services your company offers.

Using animation templates can impact the structure of a video’s plot, and more complex templates may cost more.

Despite the restrictions, cartoon video makers still offer a sea of possibilities to their users. So in this article, we will share with you about the top 10 best cartoon video makers online and PC that you can use before diving into the magical world of animated video.

Part 1: Best Cartoon Video Makers Online

Using most of the online animation platforms featured in this article doesn’t require you to have a lot of previous experience, but the animation software products for Mac and PC computers can be overwhelming for young and inexperienced animators. Let’s check out the top ten cartoon video makers in 2020.

1. Animaker

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $12 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker

The amount of options Animaker offers is staggering, as you can choose from hundreds of animated characters, backgrounds or maps. There are six video styles available such as Infographic, Typography or 2D that can be used for different types of projects. The Whiteboard feature lets you select the board style that best fits the cartoon you’re working on, while features such a Multimove, Curve or Enter/Exit Effects enable you to animate your videos at a professional level. More than fifty background music tracks, nearly two hundred sound effects, and Direct Voice Recording option make this cartoon video maker one of the best online animation apps.

Pros:

  • Superb animation tools
  • A rich selection of templates
  • Excellent audio editing options

Cons:

  • Creating an account is mandatory, even if you opt to use the free version of the platform
  • Pricy monthly fee
  • Animated videos created with the free version of the app contain a watermark.

2. Moovly

Price: Free 30-day trial, $24.92 per month billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

Before you can start working on your new cartoon, you must first log in to the Moovly platform. There’s no need to create a new account as you can use your Google or LinkedIn account to sign in quickly. Moovly lets you create your own content libraries or use Clip, Clean or Motion Graphics libraries in your projects. The properties of the ‘Stage’ or the work area can be controlled by adjusting the Size, Project Mode or Background-color options. All the visual objects you add to your project are going to be displayed the timeline and you can edit them from the Properties menu, located on the right side of the screen.

Moovly Cartoon Video maker online

Pros:

  • Lets you import content from online sources like Shutterstock or Storyblock
  • Voiceovers or music of your own choosing can be easily added to animations
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • All videos created during the free trial are watermarked
  • Exporting videos in HD 1080p quality requires you to purchase one of the available plans

3. Powtoon

Price: Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

Producing infographic, business or explainer videos with Powtoon is easy because you just have to select a template you like and customize it. Both visual and textual elements of templates can be adjusted in accordance with the demands of the project you’re currently working on. In addition, Powtoon’s users can freely select props, characters or music they add to their cartoons. However, changing a template’s duration isn’t an option, this online cartoon video maker offers. The rich selection of powerful animation tools makes Powtoon a great choice for businesses in need of a reliable way of producing captivating visual content.

 Powtoon online Cartoon maker

Pros

  • Fully customizable templates
  • Free image and music sources
  • Great file sharing capabilities

Cons:

  • No voiceover recording feature
  • The maximum duration of a cartoon depends on the pricing plan
  • Storage space is limited to 100MB on the Free version of the platform

4. Renderforest

Price: Free version available. Subscription plans start at $16 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online based-platform

This popular online cartoon video maker can be used for a wide array of purposes. Logo animations, 3D explainer videos or professional presentations are among numerous options the Renderforest platform offers to its users. Each template you select is customizable, which enables you to control the process of creating a cartoon entirely. You can add text overlays, change the colors of the backgrounds or use some of the royalty free music provided by the platform. Renderforest lets you create fun, but professional cartoons and animations of all sorts and its beautifully designed interface doesn’t take too long to get used to.

 Renderforest cartoon maker

Pros

  • A large library of templates is available
  • The maximum duration of a video is 120 minutes
  • Offers up to 250GB of online storage space

Cons:

  • Modest export options
  • A relatively limited amount of commercial music tracks

5. Biteable

Price: Free, $23 per month, billed annually.

Compatibility: Online-based platform

The seemingly endless list of template categories Biteable provides will cater for all your online media marketing needs. Besides offering entertaining cartoon templates, the platform also lets you create Facebook covers, motion graphics or content for your social media channels. The best part is that the Biteable is completely free, although the number of watermarked videos you can produce in a month is limited to just five. Opting for one of the available monthly subscription plans will remove the watermarks from your cartoons, enable you to upload your media files, and enjoy the unlimited storage space.

Pros

  • Create entertaining cartoons quickly
  • Easily customizable templates
  • A perfect option for social media managers

Cons

  • Registration is mandatory.
  • The Download option is disabled on the free version of the platform
  • No audio editing options
  • File sharing capabilities are limited to Facebook and YouTube

6. Explee

Price: Subscription plans start at $7 per month

Compatibility: Online-based platform

 Best Cartoon Video maker Explee

All of your ideas can be turned into professional-looking animations with the tools supplied by the Explee app. The platform utilizes the Bringlife technology to animate all images, which means that you can easily upload your pictures and bring them to life. There are over 6000 thousand images in the Explee’s image library that are organized by categories and keywords to simplify the search. All the sounds you use in your whiteboard animations can be edited in any way you want using the platform’s Softcut audio editor. Newcomers to the world of animation may need some time to learn how to use this powerful cartoon video maker, as some of its features are aimed at skilled animators.

Pros

  • High-end text to speech system
  • Excellent audio editing options
  • Lots of cloud storage space

Cons

  • Limited file sharing options
  • No Free subscription plan
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of animation effects

7. Vyond

Price: Subscription plans start from $39 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Online-based platform

This is probably one of the oldest online cartoon video makers on the World Wide Web, as the platform was launched in 2007 under the name Go!Animate. A decade later it is still one of the most popular online destinations for anyone who wants to create an animated video quickly. The impressive list of assets is constantly being updated and new features are added frequently to improve the user experience. There are thousands of templates and animated assets available, while features like Shape Opacity Control enable you to be in charge of every step of the cartoon video production process.

Pros

  • Automatic character lip syncing
  • Fully customizable templates
  • High-end character and object animation features

Cons

  • The amount of available options depends on the subscription model
  • Expensive
  • Not the best option for inexperienced animators

Part 2: Best Cartoon Video Makers for PC

8. Animiz

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start from $29 per month

Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10

 Best Cartoon Video maker

Diversity is the word that best describes this platform, because its users can create cartoons in a wide range of styles, in only a couple of minutes. More than 300 scene templates, as well as assets such as shapes, roles, or audios, enable you to unleash your creativity and produce breathtaking animations.

This cartoon video maker is also equipped with animation effects that can ensure smooth transitions between scenes or make your animations even more compelling. The maximum number of scenes and cameras you can use in a video, as well as the size of the videos you export, depends on your current subscription plan.

Pros:

  • An impressive library of templates and royalty-free vector images
  • Powerful Voiceover and Subtitling features
  • Zooming, Panning and Rotating Camera effects

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Videos can be exported in only six different file formats
  • The quality of cartoon videos depends on the subscription plan

9. Adobe Animate CC

Price: $26 per month if purchased as a single app or $66 per month if purchased as a part of All Apps subscription plan.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Adobe Animate has been one of the most powerful animation software products on the market for decades. You can use it to animate images you want to use for games, film or online and produce HTML 5, WebGL or Flash content. The Bone tool that makes the character movement fluid or Sound Synchronization feature that syncs the music with images are only a few among numerous options that enable Adobe Animate’s users to create perfect animated videos. If you are not familiar with this software, or animation learning how to create cartoons with it, will take a lot of dedication and effort.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for complex animations
  • Puppeting features
  • Freehand drawing capability

Cons

  • It takes years to master the software
  • You may require other Adobe’s software while working on a project
  • Ill-suited for non-professional users

10. Toonboom Harmony

Price: Subscription plans start at $19 per month, billed annually

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

This software lets you create 2D animations for video games, TV and Film in a wide range of styles. It also enables you to integrate other software in the production pipeline, so you can use PSD, PDF, bitmaps or audio files in all your projects. The Premium version of this cartoon video maker offers the option to animate 3D models that can be later integrated with 2D characters. Universal Studios, Ubisoft, Lucas Film or Fox are just a few entertainment industry giants that use this software to create movies, TV shows or video games.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for the creation of the Cut-Out or Paperless animations
  • A wide range of drawing tools
  • Extensive library of special effects

Cons

  • Not the quickest option to create a cartoon video
  • Inexperienced animators may have to overcome a steep learning curve

Part 3: FAQ about Best Cartoon Video Makers

1. What is the best animated video maker?

The best-animated video maker is the one that offers you all the features for creating the kind of videos you always wanted to make. Some animated video maker software are specially made for cartoon video maker.

Moovly, PowToon, and Animaker are a few of the popular animated cartoon video maker software. You can download them on your PC and start to design your world with fantastic tools and your designs.

Apart from that, a top animated video maker software will come with pre-made templates to help you in creating cartoons quickly. If the software will ask you to buy a license, then first check if the trial is available or not.

2. Where can I animate for free?

The online world is full of such platforms where you can animate anything without paying for it.

Blender is one such tool that allows you to do 3D designing. It comes with plenty of features and using them. You can animate whatever you want.

Opentoonz and K-3D are sufficiently compact tools for the animation artists and cartoon video maker.

Whatever you are imagining can be put into visual design and animation with these kinds of freeware.

If you still have doubts, then try one of them, and you will recognize which tool fits your need. Once you find out what tools you require, creating animated videos will become effortless.

3. How can I make my own cartoon video?

This is something we appreciate because many people enjoy watching cartoons only and never try to make one on their own.

Creating a cartoon is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many have failed in this journey, but with some patience and persistence, you can succeed in making a funny or emotional cartoon as well.

The most talented cartoon video maker has the idea of handy tools and tricks to design animations in a short period.

Please create your cartoon by installing cartoon maker software and share it with the world. Your effort will be valued.


Conclusion

Animated videos have become widely popular in the last couple of years and a growing number of companies use them for promotional purposes. The online cartoon video makers offer a quick and easy way to produce explainer, infographic or tutorial videos, that may help you lead a more successful online marketing strategy. If you want to make cartoon video easily, why don’t try Filmora ? It is a video editor that you will can make cartoon like a pro. Do you use cartoon video makers? Share your experiences with us in the comments.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Best Stop Motion Animation Tools for Mac and PC

8 Best Stop Motion Animation Software for Mac and Windows

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Stop motion animation is becoming more and more popular by the year, and it’s not surprising. This style of making animated films is done by taking objects, either dolls with joints or soft clay items, and manipulating them. The physical manipulations and changes are then photographed. Each photograph acts as a frame, and when you play the frames together quickly, it looks like the objects have been animated.

If you want to make this type of animation, then you want to find the best stop motion animation software that you can find. Some options out there are even free! In this article, we’re going to share the 8 best options for stop motion animation software, separating them by whether they are for Mac or PC.

1 - Wondershare Filmora [Video] 2 - Dragonframe 3 - Stop Motion Studio 4 - Boinx iStopMotion
5 - Stop Motion Pro 6 - Frames 7 - iKITMovie 8 - MonkeyJam

Make Stop Motion Video

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Make Stop Motion Video

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

1. Filmora

Filmora is one of the most well-known options for stop motion animation and other types of filmmaking. This video-making software has easy-to-use tools for any type of animation project that you may be sorting out. It also offers an option called keyframing , which helps your stop-motion animation to look a lot smoother. You can use this for free if you are okay with Filmora’s watermark. They have perpetual and yearly packages, too.

Video Tutorial - How to Make Stop Motion Video on Mobile - Also Offers Win & Mac Versions

Best Stop Motion Software

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Best Stop Motion Software

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

2. Dragonframe

Dragonframe has been built especially for stop-motion animation, so it’s handy if that’s all that you plan on doing. If you’re looking to do any other type of filmmaking, you may want to consider some of the other options on this list. Dragonframe has a number of simple-to-use tools and has been used for top stop motion animation features like Kubo & The Two Strings and Isle of Dogs.

Dragonframe

3. Stop Motion Studio

Stop Motion Studio is, perhaps, the most versatile of all of these selections. It’s not just for Mac – you can also use it on your smartphone or your tablet if you’re editing on the go. The Stop Motion Studio does everything from helping you to take great pictures to making a live green screen while you’re out and about. There’s a free trial, and the prices are reasonable.

Stop Motion Studio

4. Boinx iStopMotion

iStopMotion from Boinx has everything that you need in order to learn how to do stop motion animation on your own. They have easy-to-use settings and many schools are using iStopMotion to teach their students about video editing because of its simple, yet complete, system. It’s got the most affordable licensing cost out of all of these choices, and they can work with you if you need to get multiple licenses for classrooms.

Boinx iStopMotion

5. Eclipse - Stop Motion Pro

Stop Motion Pro has some of the top software in the world for making animated films of all types, and it’s easy to connect it to your webcam or digital camera. Not only can it make and edit videos, but, when you connect it to your camera, you can control angles, zoom, and more. It even has lip-syncing capabilities and a multi-track editor, which makes it easy to add music and voices.

Stop Motion Pro

6. Frames

Frames is an animation powerhouse when it comes to offering the necessary tools for every sort of animation. From traditional cartoons to stop-motion animation options, Frames has it all and it’s really easy to navigate and learn the software quickly. Frames have won a number of awards and are available in multiple languages. It does have a one-time licensing fee (which is fairly reasonable for what is included), so keep that in mind when you’re considering it as an option.

Frames

7. iKITMovie

iKITMovie runs pretty well on Windows 7/8/10. It has more than 2000 music effects to use. You can use HD-quality images to start making stop motion videos. You can also use green-screen effects to unleash more imagination if you are an advanced user. The system requirement is low with only 2GB RAM. After making the stop motion animation, directly upload it to YouTube.

iKITMovie

8. MonkeyJam

MonkeyJam is an open-source, free option for people who are looking to dip their toes into stop-motion animation for the first time. While it doesn’t have quite as many features as what you may find in the other options we have in this article, you’ll find that it can be a great start for people that aren’t completely sure as to whether or not they want to dive head-first into it. It’s really easy to navigate and it takes next to no time to go from taking your pictures to putting together that first glance at your new and unique stop-motion animation.

MonkeyJam

Conclusion

Stop-motion animation is an art, and with all of the access we have to such technology via our computers, it really is a big deal to get started with all of it. That’s why you want to be sure that you look at everything in depth and see what you like. Determine which products are going to be best for your purposes and see why it makes such a big difference for you and everything that you want to accomplish in the long run.

You may be also interested in Creative Ideas for Stop Motion Lighting Tips .

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Stop motion animation is becoming more and more popular by the year, and it’s not surprising. This style of making animated films is done by taking objects, either dolls with joints or soft clay items, and manipulating them. The physical manipulations and changes are then photographed. Each photograph acts as a frame, and when you play the frames together quickly, it looks like the objects have been animated.

If you want to make this type of animation, then you want to find the best stop motion animation software that you can find. Some options out there are even free! In this article, we’re going to share the 8 best options for stop motion animation software, separating them by whether they are for Mac or PC.

1 - Wondershare Filmora [Video] 2 - Dragonframe 3 - Stop Motion Studio 4 - Boinx iStopMotion
5 - Stop Motion Pro 6 - Frames 7 - iKITMovie 8 - MonkeyJam

Make Stop Motion Video

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Make Stop Motion Video

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

1. Filmora

Filmora is one of the most well-known options for stop motion animation and other types of filmmaking. This video-making software has easy-to-use tools for any type of animation project that you may be sorting out. It also offers an option called keyframing , which helps your stop-motion animation to look a lot smoother. You can use this for free if you are okay with Filmora’s watermark. They have perpetual and yearly packages, too.

Video Tutorial - How to Make Stop Motion Video on Mobile - Also Offers Win & Mac Versions

Best Stop Motion Software

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Best Stop Motion Software

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

2. Dragonframe

Dragonframe has been built especially for stop-motion animation, so it’s handy if that’s all that you plan on doing. If you’re looking to do any other type of filmmaking, you may want to consider some of the other options on this list. Dragonframe has a number of simple-to-use tools and has been used for top stop motion animation features like Kubo & The Two Strings and Isle of Dogs.

Dragonframe

3. Stop Motion Studio

Stop Motion Studio is, perhaps, the most versatile of all of these selections. It’s not just for Mac – you can also use it on your smartphone or your tablet if you’re editing on the go. The Stop Motion Studio does everything from helping you to take great pictures to making a live green screen while you’re out and about. There’s a free trial, and the prices are reasonable.

Stop Motion Studio

4. Boinx iStopMotion

iStopMotion from Boinx has everything that you need in order to learn how to do stop motion animation on your own. They have easy-to-use settings and many schools are using iStopMotion to teach their students about video editing because of its simple, yet complete, system. It’s got the most affordable licensing cost out of all of these choices, and they can work with you if you need to get multiple licenses for classrooms.

Boinx iStopMotion

5. Eclipse - Stop Motion Pro

Stop Motion Pro has some of the top software in the world for making animated films of all types, and it’s easy to connect it to your webcam or digital camera. Not only can it make and edit videos, but, when you connect it to your camera, you can control angles, zoom, and more. It even has lip-syncing capabilities and a multi-track editor, which makes it easy to add music and voices.

Stop Motion Pro

6. Frames

Frames is an animation powerhouse when it comes to offering the necessary tools for every sort of animation. From traditional cartoons to stop-motion animation options, Frames has it all and it’s really easy to navigate and learn the software quickly. Frames have won a number of awards and are available in multiple languages. It does have a one-time licensing fee (which is fairly reasonable for what is included), so keep that in mind when you’re considering it as an option.

Frames

7. iKITMovie

iKITMovie runs pretty well on Windows 7/8/10. It has more than 2000 music effects to use. You can use HD-quality images to start making stop motion videos. You can also use green-screen effects to unleash more imagination if you are an advanced user. The system requirement is low with only 2GB RAM. After making the stop motion animation, directly upload it to YouTube.

iKITMovie

8. MonkeyJam

MonkeyJam is an open-source, free option for people who are looking to dip their toes into stop-motion animation for the first time. While it doesn’t have quite as many features as what you may find in the other options we have in this article, you’ll find that it can be a great start for people that aren’t completely sure as to whether or not they want to dive head-first into it. It’s really easy to navigate and it takes next to no time to go from taking your pictures to putting together that first glance at your new and unique stop-motion animation.

MonkeyJam

Conclusion

Stop-motion animation is an art, and with all of the access we have to such technology via our computers, it really is a big deal to get started with all of it. That’s why you want to be sure that you look at everything in depth and see what you like. Determine which products are going to be best for your purposes and see why it makes such a big difference for you and everything that you want to accomplish in the long run.

You may be also interested in Creative Ideas for Stop Motion Lighting Tips .

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Stop motion animation is becoming more and more popular by the year, and it’s not surprising. This style of making animated films is done by taking objects, either dolls with joints or soft clay items, and manipulating them. The physical manipulations and changes are then photographed. Each photograph acts as a frame, and when you play the frames together quickly, it looks like the objects have been animated.

If you want to make this type of animation, then you want to find the best stop motion animation software that you can find. Some options out there are even free! In this article, we’re going to share the 8 best options for stop motion animation software, separating them by whether they are for Mac or PC.

1 - Wondershare Filmora [Video] 2 - Dragonframe 3 - Stop Motion Studio 4 - Boinx iStopMotion
5 - Stop Motion Pro 6 - Frames 7 - iKITMovie 8 - MonkeyJam

Make Stop Motion Video

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Make Stop Motion Video

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

1. Filmora

Filmora is one of the most well-known options for stop motion animation and other types of filmmaking. This video-making software has easy-to-use tools for any type of animation project that you may be sorting out. It also offers an option called keyframing , which helps your stop-motion animation to look a lot smoother. You can use this for free if you are okay with Filmora’s watermark. They have perpetual and yearly packages, too.

Video Tutorial - How to Make Stop Motion Video on Mobile - Also Offers Win & Mac Versions

Best Stop Motion Software

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Best Stop Motion Software

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

2. Dragonframe

Dragonframe has been built especially for stop-motion animation, so it’s handy if that’s all that you plan on doing. If you’re looking to do any other type of filmmaking, you may want to consider some of the other options on this list. Dragonframe has a number of simple-to-use tools and has been used for top stop motion animation features like Kubo & The Two Strings and Isle of Dogs.

Dragonframe

3. Stop Motion Studio

Stop Motion Studio is, perhaps, the most versatile of all of these selections. It’s not just for Mac – you can also use it on your smartphone or your tablet if you’re editing on the go. The Stop Motion Studio does everything from helping you to take great pictures to making a live green screen while you’re out and about. There’s a free trial, and the prices are reasonable.

Stop Motion Studio

4. Boinx iStopMotion

iStopMotion from Boinx has everything that you need in order to learn how to do stop motion animation on your own. They have easy-to-use settings and many schools are using iStopMotion to teach their students about video editing because of its simple, yet complete, system. It’s got the most affordable licensing cost out of all of these choices, and they can work with you if you need to get multiple licenses for classrooms.

Boinx iStopMotion

5. Eclipse - Stop Motion Pro

Stop Motion Pro has some of the top software in the world for making animated films of all types, and it’s easy to connect it to your webcam or digital camera. Not only can it make and edit videos, but, when you connect it to your camera, you can control angles, zoom, and more. It even has lip-syncing capabilities and a multi-track editor, which makes it easy to add music and voices.

Stop Motion Pro

6. Frames

Frames is an animation powerhouse when it comes to offering the necessary tools for every sort of animation. From traditional cartoons to stop-motion animation options, Frames has it all and it’s really easy to navigate and learn the software quickly. Frames have won a number of awards and are available in multiple languages. It does have a one-time licensing fee (which is fairly reasonable for what is included), so keep that in mind when you’re considering it as an option.

Frames

7. iKITMovie

iKITMovie runs pretty well on Windows 7/8/10. It has more than 2000 music effects to use. You can use HD-quality images to start making stop motion videos. You can also use green-screen effects to unleash more imagination if you are an advanced user. The system requirement is low with only 2GB RAM. After making the stop motion animation, directly upload it to YouTube.

iKITMovie

8. MonkeyJam

MonkeyJam is an open-source, free option for people who are looking to dip their toes into stop-motion animation for the first time. While it doesn’t have quite as many features as what you may find in the other options we have in this article, you’ll find that it can be a great start for people that aren’t completely sure as to whether or not they want to dive head-first into it. It’s really easy to navigate and it takes next to no time to go from taking your pictures to putting together that first glance at your new and unique stop-motion animation.

MonkeyJam

Conclusion

Stop-motion animation is an art, and with all of the access we have to such technology via our computers, it really is a big deal to get started with all of it. That’s why you want to be sure that you look at everything in depth and see what you like. Determine which products are going to be best for your purposes and see why it makes such a big difference for you and everything that you want to accomplish in the long run.

You may be also interested in Creative Ideas for Stop Motion Lighting Tips .

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Stop motion animation is becoming more and more popular by the year, and it’s not surprising. This style of making animated films is done by taking objects, either dolls with joints or soft clay items, and manipulating them. The physical manipulations and changes are then photographed. Each photograph acts as a frame, and when you play the frames together quickly, it looks like the objects have been animated.

If you want to make this type of animation, then you want to find the best stop motion animation software that you can find. Some options out there are even free! In this article, we’re going to share the 8 best options for stop motion animation software, separating them by whether they are for Mac or PC.

1 - Wondershare Filmora [Video] 2 - Dragonframe 3 - Stop Motion Studio 4 - Boinx iStopMotion
5 - Stop Motion Pro 6 - Frames 7 - iKITMovie 8 - MonkeyJam

Make Stop Motion Video

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Make Stop Motion Video

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

1. Filmora

Filmora is one of the most well-known options for stop motion animation and other types of filmmaking. This video-making software has easy-to-use tools for any type of animation project that you may be sorting out. It also offers an option called keyframing , which helps your stop-motion animation to look a lot smoother. You can use this for free if you are okay with Filmora’s watermark. They have perpetual and yearly packages, too.

Video Tutorial - How to Make Stop Motion Video on Mobile - Also Offers Win & Mac Versions

Best Stop Motion Software

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Best Stop Motion Software

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

2. Dragonframe

Dragonframe has been built especially for stop-motion animation, so it’s handy if that’s all that you plan on doing. If you’re looking to do any other type of filmmaking, you may want to consider some of the other options on this list. Dragonframe has a number of simple-to-use tools and has been used for top stop motion animation features like Kubo & The Two Strings and Isle of Dogs.

Dragonframe

3. Stop Motion Studio

Stop Motion Studio is, perhaps, the most versatile of all of these selections. It’s not just for Mac – you can also use it on your smartphone or your tablet if you’re editing on the go. The Stop Motion Studio does everything from helping you to take great pictures to making a live green screen while you’re out and about. There’s a free trial, and the prices are reasonable.

Stop Motion Studio

4. Boinx iStopMotion

iStopMotion from Boinx has everything that you need in order to learn how to do stop motion animation on your own. They have easy-to-use settings and many schools are using iStopMotion to teach their students about video editing because of its simple, yet complete, system. It’s got the most affordable licensing cost out of all of these choices, and they can work with you if you need to get multiple licenses for classrooms.

Boinx iStopMotion

5. Eclipse - Stop Motion Pro

Stop Motion Pro has some of the top software in the world for making animated films of all types, and it’s easy to connect it to your webcam or digital camera. Not only can it make and edit videos, but, when you connect it to your camera, you can control angles, zoom, and more. It even has lip-syncing capabilities and a multi-track editor, which makes it easy to add music and voices.

Stop Motion Pro

6. Frames

Frames is an animation powerhouse when it comes to offering the necessary tools for every sort of animation. From traditional cartoons to stop-motion animation options, Frames has it all and it’s really easy to navigate and learn the software quickly. Frames have won a number of awards and are available in multiple languages. It does have a one-time licensing fee (which is fairly reasonable for what is included), so keep that in mind when you’re considering it as an option.

Frames

7. iKITMovie

iKITMovie runs pretty well on Windows 7/8/10. It has more than 2000 music effects to use. You can use HD-quality images to start making stop motion videos. You can also use green-screen effects to unleash more imagination if you are an advanced user. The system requirement is low with only 2GB RAM. After making the stop motion animation, directly upload it to YouTube.

iKITMovie

8. MonkeyJam

MonkeyJam is an open-source, free option for people who are looking to dip their toes into stop-motion animation for the first time. While it doesn’t have quite as many features as what you may find in the other options we have in this article, you’ll find that it can be a great start for people that aren’t completely sure as to whether or not they want to dive head-first into it. It’s really easy to navigate and it takes next to no time to go from taking your pictures to putting together that first glance at your new and unique stop-motion animation.

MonkeyJam

Conclusion

Stop-motion animation is an art, and with all of the access we have to such technology via our computers, it really is a big deal to get started with all of it. That’s why you want to be sure that you look at everything in depth and see what you like. Determine which products are going to be best for your purposes and see why it makes such a big difference for you and everything that you want to accomplish in the long run.

You may be also interested in Creative Ideas for Stop Motion Lighting Tips .

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

iOS Android

Try It Free >>

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Also read:

  • Title: New 2024 Approved The Ultimate List 10 Best Free and Paid 2D Animation Software
  • Author: Isabella
  • Created at : 2024-04-29 12:49:34
  • Updated at : 2024-04-30 12:49:34
  • Link: https://video-creation-software.techidaily.com/new-2024-approved-the-ultimate-list-10-best-free-and-paid-2d-animation-software/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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New 2024 Approved The Ultimate List 10 Best Free and Paid 2D Animation Software