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If you are a beginner 2D animator and wondering which 2D animation software is best to use, you are in the right place. While the price may play a determining role in the animation tool you choose, a decent 2D animation program does not need to come at a hefty price.
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned animator, a wide variety of free 2D animation programs are available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Table of Contents
Why 2D Animations
Static pictures are old fashioned. Modern-day audiences prefer interactive visuals to consume information. A 2D animation allows you to convey your message in a more impactful and entertaining way. You can even use 2D animations to train employees, educate students or use them as digital marketing material.
Therefore, as a 2D animation service provider or animator, you must familiarize yourself with the best 2D animation software in the market. This will help you pick the right solution for your needs within a pocket-friendly budget or even for free.
So, let us dive in and explore the top software for 2D animations.
5 Top 2D Animation Software
If you are shopping for 2D animation software, here are the five best solutions worth looking into.
Animaker
As a novice 2D animator, it is always a good idea to pick software with a simplistic user interface. This helps you learn to navigate the features without confusing lists and menus. Animaker is not only easy to use but also allows you to bring your animation concept to life. A couple of drags and drops, and voila! Your 2D animation is ready.
Regardless of your membership status, a wide range of templates is available for you to use. You can be a free member on a 7-day trial period or a fully subscribed user; you will be able to use thousands of animation templates.
You can install Animaker on a macOS or Windows device to create 4K quality animations for free. The software is ideal for educators, digital marketers, and businesses on a global scale, as it comes with support for 50 languages.
Adobe Character Animate
As the name suggests, this 2D animation software comes from the Adobe suite and is an excellent choice if you are into real-time motion capture. Adobe Character Animate is available for both macOS and Windows operating systems.
On the pricing front, you can either try it for free for 7 days or get a paid plan. The software allows you to capture gestures and motions in real time. If you want to add a wow factor to your animations, this tool is a good choice. You can even use a webcam and microphone for action animations.
You do not need a lot of experience to start using this software. Your character will be your puppet, and you will be able to animate it as you like. From choosing a character and importing work to making the character perform, Adobe Character Animate will allow you to do that and more.
Pencil 2D
Hand-drawn animations are still in demand. Therefore, Pencil 2D is one of the most powerful 2D animation software for this purpose. You can create fun bitmap and vector animations using a pen or pencil tool.
This is a perfect tool for beginners and comes with a user-friendly interface. Pencil 2D is easy to learn, and you can create your own animation experience using this software with a customizable toolbar. You will also get support for multiple export formats, including MP4, GIF, WEBM, AVI, and more.
Being an open-source 2D animation production tool, you will enjoy 100% control over the source code of your animation. There are no membership charges, and you can install Pencil 2D for free on Linux, Mac OSX, Windows, and Free BSD.
OpenToonz
Probably one of the best 2D animation solutions available for creating awesome anime. If you want to pursue an animation career in the highly-hyped anime industry, OpenToonz is your go-to software. The best part is that it is completely free of cost.
OpenToonz is feature-rich and allows you to create 2D animations on a budget. It is an open-source animation software with advanced tools and an easy-to-use interface. Apart from its customization options, you will also have access to a wide range of lighting effects. You can get a version of this software for Windows as well as macOS.
Synfig
If you are looking for an open-source and free-of-cost 2D animation tool, Synfig is a perfect candidate. Moreover, it is a good tool for new animators starting the journey. As a beginner, you can improve your animation skills by using the free 2D animation maker.
The software is compatible with Linux, OSX, and Windows operating systems. As an open-source solution, it allows you to view the source code. On top of that, it packs a myriad of user-friendly features that you will pick up quickly.
The interface is quite simple, and you will be able to import or draw any object per your requirements. You do not need a frame-by-frame animation, and there are 50 layers available for you to select the right one and animate.
Pick Your 2D Animation Software
There is a wide range of animation software available in the market. However, the above-mentioned solutions for 2D animators are good enough for both novices and intermediates. The best part is that you can learn to use these tools via numerous tutorials available on the World Wide Web.
However, if you are a company thinking about hiring an in-house team of 2D animators and buying software, it is best to outsource your 2D animation project. Companies like Prolific Studio create 4K quality 2D animations at a pocket-friendly price.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick a software or hire a 2D animation agency and start your 2D animation project.