15 Best Animation Apps to Make Animated Videos (Free & Paid)

Video content is an essential tool in any marketer’s toolbox. It has the highest engagement rates out there, and the biggest platforms are constantly pushing video as their favorite content format, for creators and marketers alike. Out of all the different video types available, animation sticks out as a fan favorite thanks to its immense versatility and engaging look, but what are the best animation apps for someone who can’t go all in yet and invest in the animation costs of a professional video company?

In this list, I’ve compiled both animation apps and software, and took care to not only choose the very best, but also have a variety of pricing (some are completely free!) and features to suit every possible need you may have.

Let’s dig in!

Quick Comparison: The Best Animation Apps for 2026

The Best Animation Apps to Start Creating Today

1. Pencil2D – A Free Animation App for 2D Video Creation

If you’re just getting started with video production, you may need an animation app that’s more targeted toward beginners.

Pencil 2D is an open-source, free program that allows you to easily create 2D animations. What makes it a great tool for beginners, besides its user-friendly interface and intuitive design, is the fact that it’s free, so you can give it a try and experiment with creating animations without investing any money.

Pencil 2D works with both raster and vector workflows, which gives you the flexibility to create hand-drawn animations made of pixels or vector drawings. With their drag-and-drop editor and the pre-setup animation layout they offer, this tool makes the animation process a piece of cake —with good-looking results.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pricing: Free.
• Best For: Small businesses who need a free tool to start their animated video marketing journey without compromising quality.

Yum Yum’s Take: This free app is an amazing place to start venturing into 2D animation, as it’s really intuitive and has an amazing forum and FAQ page for beginners to learn the basics of animation. However, it lacks more advanced tools such as texts and shapes, so it won’t be a good fit for someone who needs something beyond barebones animation.

2. Visme – Animation Software

Visme is a cloud-based design platform and a great animation app that helps you create animated graphics, videos, presentations, ads, and more. It’s packed with 20+ animated templates and powerful and interactive features to animate text, videos, images, or slides. You’ll also have access to illustrations, animated characters, and free stock photos and videos to make irresistible content. 

The animation timeline lets you control object order, transitions, and sync audio. With drag-and-drop tools and effects like fades or zooms, animating is simple. The 3D character creator and AI-powered tools add extra value for video projects. You can export your work in GIF, MP4, or video format.

• Supported platforms: Android, iPhone/iPad, Mac & Windows.
• Price: The free plan provides basic animation features. Access advanced features within Visme’s starter and pro plans at US$12.25/mo and US$24.75/mo respectively.
• Best For: Marketing teams and business professionals who need to create animated presentations and branded content quickly.

Yum Yum’s Take: We love how Visme bridges the gap between a design tool and an animation app. Its 3D character creator is a standout feature for businesses that want to add a human touch to their data-heavy presentations.

3. Linearity Move – A Great Animation App for Creative Projects

Linearity Move is a new and great animation app for motion graphics on Mac and iPad. It simplifies animation for all skill levels, letting you animate static designs or start from scratch. Features like Auto Animate, dual editing modes, and shape morphing make it one of the best animation apps for design-focused creators.

You can animate on the canvas, import videos, and export in GIF or MP4. Syncing with your Linearity account ensures a smooth workflow across devices.

• Platforms: macOS, iOS
• Pricing: Free plan available. Pro starts at $14.99/mo.
• Best For: Designers looking to transition static vector assets into motion graphics on iPad and Mac.

Yum Yum’s Take: This is a game-changer for mobile workflows. The “Auto Animate” feature is incredibly intuitive, making it a top pick for creators who find professional software like After Effects too intimidating.

4. FlipaClip – Free Animation App

Keeping up with the best animation apps for beginners, we have FlipaClip, a frame-by-frame program for portable devices. 

While, for obvious reasons, it can’t match what a 2D animation studio can do, it does offer brushes of various styles with pressure sensitivity that help you add depth to your work and a vast library of sound effects that can give your video a more professional touch. Moreover, their onion layering feature allows you to see the previous layers when drawing, which simplifies the animation process.

Besides being an easy-to-use and interactive platform, this animation app offers a tutorial for first-time users that goes over all the features it has to offer. It’s a great choice to learn the basics of animation if you’re just starting out, before investing in more advanced software.

• Supported Platforms: Android and iOS.
• Pricing: Free, but you can unlock premium features for $4.99.
• Best For: Students and digital artists who want to practice traditional frame-by-frame animation on a tablet.

Yum Yum’s Take: It brings back the nostalgia of flipbook drawing. While it’s a mobile app, its onion skinning and pressure-sensitive brush support make it a serious tool for learning the fundamentals of character animation, making it a perfect option for beginners.

5. Toon Boom Harmony

This one is a truly professional animation app —made by animators, for animators. Toon Boom Harmony has everything an expert animator could dream of: rigging and frame-by-frame animation tools, composting tools with awesome effects, and it’s even capable of storyboarding. It’s like the perfect mixture between drawing software and an animation app!

It’s the industry standard, used by the best explainer video companies and major animation studios alike, at least in the US and the UK, so it’s sort of a must-have if you plan on dedicating your career to 2D animation.

However, with great tools come great responsibility pricepoints. Recently, Toon Boom Harmony removed the option to buy a license for life, so the only way to access this is through monthly or yearly subscriptions (though they do offer a 14-day free trial), which are very expensive in comparison with other animation apps.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Pricing: There are three different subscription tiers, and you can choose between monthly or yearly plans. Harmony Essentials costs $22/mo, Harmony Advanced $54/mo, and Harmony Premium goes up to $97/mo.
• Best For: People who want to go pro and need the top contender for animation apps in their resume.

Yum Yum’s Take: Toon Boom is perhaps the animation app, one of the strongest and more capable tools in the market, and we certainly can’t get enough of its amazing features —but we are a professional animation company, so we’re aware that what works for us won’t be useful for beginners and those who just need simple assets for their business.

6. Jitter – A Simple Animation App for Motion Graphics

Jitter is a browser-based motion design tool designed to make creating simple animations quick and approachable. It’s especially useful for animating UI elements, text, and small graphics without needing advanced animation experience.
The interface works much like a standard design tool or animation app, with familiar layers, alignment tools, and keyframe-based animation. You can import assets from tools like Figma or start from built-in presets to create smooth transitions, micro-interactions, and short animated clips. Export options include GIF, MP4, and Lottie, making it practical for social posts, prototypes, or lightweight motion graphics.

• Supported Platforms: Web (works on Mac, Windows, and Linux via browser).
• Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans unlock additional export options and advanced features.
• Best For: UI/UX designers and social media managers needing quick, clean motion design for interfaces and text.

Yum Yum’s Take: Jitter is the “Figma of animation.” It’s our favorite for micro-interactions and sleek text animations. If you need a professional result in minutes rather than hours, this is the one.

7. Stop Motion Studio 

In animation, there are many techniques you can take advantage of to make awesome videos. If what you’re into is stop-motion capture, then Stop Motion Studio is for you (A tough guess, right?).

With its overlay mode, you can position your props in accordance with the previous frame, helping you make seamless transitions easier. At the same time, it offers a variety of filters and editing tools you can use, like a time interval mode that automatically captures images.

This is an excellent app for depicting real-life objects in your product videos, as you can inject liveness into them. While you don’t necessarily require an animation app to create videos in this style, Stop Motion Studio will certainly make your job easier.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
• Pricing: Most of its tools are completely free, but there is a Pro version available with a one-time purchase of $4.99. 
• Best For: Beginners and experienced animators alike who want to dive into the world of stop motion with a simple, intuitive app.

Yum Yum’s Take: When talking about stop motion in particular, Stop Motion Studio has hardly any better competitors —even the Pro version is dirt-cheap, and the whole production pipeline can be tackled within the app. It’s certainly worth a try!

8. Blender

Speaking of free animation apps, Blender is an excellent option. This program is based on open-source 3D animation software that contributors from all around the globe are constantly improving with new plug-ins and handy tools. 

So, if you’re looking for an accessible program to start learning 3D animation, Blender is one of the best animation apps for you. It offers almost everything you’ll need to make great 3D animations: modeling, rigging, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, and video editing.

You can use Blender to create 3D-printed models, visual effects, incredible motion graphics, virtual reality, interactive 3D applications, and even games. Recently, they added the Grease Pencil tool, making it possible to animate in 2D! Although it has a steep learning curve, there are tons of resources you can check out, like tutorials, FAQs, and support groups.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pricing: Free and open-source, forever; you can use it for any purpose, including educational and commercial content.
• Best For: Individuals and businesses who want to dive into the entire pipeline of 3D animation without spending money right out of the gate.

Yum Yum’s Take: It’s hard to find a better option for 3D enthusiasts —Blender is a free animation app that supports the whole production pipeline, and the community is constantly coming out with new features and updates, available for everyone.

9. Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is one of the best 3D animation programs, known for its ability to produce realistic characters, convincing worlds, and stunning special effects. You can use this app for 3D modeling, 3D animation, rendering and shading, character creation, developing realistic effects, motion graphics, and more.

This tool is designed to create highly accurate and detailed environments thanks to the prebuilt graphs that make it easy to develop visually impressive effects, like snow and dust storms. On top of that, the 3D modeling features allow you to design lifelike animated characters.

Autodesk Maya provides a complete 3D package, so users don’t need to purchase any other tools inside the program. Bear in mind that this animation app is not recommended for beginners, as it is very complex and requires some previous knowledge to use it effectively, but the result of mastering it will be professional, high-quality, and realistic 3D animations.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Pricing: 30-day free trial. A monthly subscription costs $255/mo, but there’s also an annual and a daily plan available.
• Best For: Professionally tackling the whole 3D animation workflow using advanced features.

Yum Yum’s Take: As the industry standard for 3D animation, Maya is an excellent recommendation for anyone who wants to explore this world. Although it’s bulky and complex, the realistic character animation and powerful features make learning the ropes around it worth it for anyone who wants to become a pro 3D animator.

10. Vyond

Entering the territory of AI animation apps, we have Vyond. In their own words, they’re “the only enterprise-ready, all-in-one, AI video creation platform for business.” Vyond offers a video maker, a video editor, and a mobile app for creating animated content wherever you are without needing a computer.

This animation app was specifically created for businesses, so it’s perfect for creating promotional videos, training videos, explainers, and more —you can either choose from the premade templates, or use their text-to-video AI generator to bring your ideas to life. The assets are not 100% customizable, but it’s a great place to start experimenting and creating.

• Supported Platforms: Entirely web based (works on all major desktop browsers). Vyond mobile is available for iOS and Android.
• Pricing: Plans are billed monthly or annually. The Starter plan is $99/mo; the Professional plan is $199/mo; the Enterprise, Government and Agency subscriptions are only available as annual subscriptions, at $1,649, $2,450, and $1,999, respectively.
• Best For: Businesses that can’t afford to have an in-house video production team, and need to create their own assets from scratch without compromising quality or performance.

Yum Yum’s Take: Vyond’s business-specific templates and features make it an incredible tool to kickstart any company’s marketing strategy with some well-thought-out scripts and videos; even if the end result isn’t completely customizable.

11. Runway – Animation APP

This all-in-one tool is a leading company in the generative AI world, with a dedicated research team to bring about new developments and product launches. Although it’s a general video generation software, Runway’s animation capabilities stand out thanks to its complex motion tracking and special effects, creating cinema-like assets that remind you of beloved movies from the past.

Due to its wide variety of features and the possibilities they offer, Runway has a more difficult learning curve to completely master it and get great animated videos —it’s marketed to creatives and people from the movie industry, so don’t fret if you feel overwhelmed when trying out the free version.

• Supported Platforms: Browser based, and iOS for iPhone.
• Pricing: There is a free version available, and three paid subscription plans: $15/mo for Standard, $35/mo for Pro, and $95/mo for Unlimited.
• Best For: Professional creatives who want to produce cinematic sequences and have prior experience with prompting and video editing.

Yum Yum’s Take: It’s hard to get such high-quality looking videos with other AI tools, so we encourage you to at least try the free version and see what you can come up with; try to not get discouraged by its marketing to professionals.

12. Moho (Anime Studio) Pro – One of the Best Animation Apps

Moho (Anime Studio) Pro is often mentioned when discussing what is the best animation app for creating professional 2D animations. This great animation app is packed with advanced features, making it a top choice for animators looking to produce high-quality content for TV shows, films, or even personal projects.

With Moho Pro, users can take advantage of powerful rigging tools, vector animation, and Smart Bones™, which allow for precise character movement and realistic animations. The software also supports physics simulation and frame-by-frame animation, making it a good animation app for both experienced animators and those working on complex projects.

This animation app is designed to simplify workflows while offering advanced tools for creating detailed and dynamic animations. Its intuitive interface and wide range of features make it suitable for users who want a balance of efficiency and creative control.

While Moho Pro is more suited for intermediate and advanced animators, it’s an excellent choice for those serious about taking their 2D animation skills to the next level.

• Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS.
• Pricing: Free trial available. The full version starts at $399 for a one-time purchase.
• Best For: Independent animators, small studios, and creators who want professional-grade character rigging without a monthly subscription.

Yum Yum’s Take: We often call Moho the “secret weapon” of the 2D world. Its Smart Bones system is arguably the best in the industry, allowing you to create complex character turns and facial expressions that look hand-drawn but are controlled by a digital skeleton. While it has a steeper learning curve than basic tools, it’s a far more efficient alternative to After Effects for dedicated character work, and the fact that it’s a one-time purchase makes it a favorite for “indy” creators.

13. Adobe Firefly

No animation app article would be complete without an Adobe product. Firefly is their latest AI addition to the Adobe ecosystem, allowing users to generate 2D and 3D animations with both text and image prompts, which can then be used for commercial reasons with 0 issues.

What makes Firefly stand out from other AI animation apps is that it’s integrated with a ton of other models, such as Nano Banana and Runway, giving you access to a virtually unlimited pool of content generation. Everything you create is yours and yours only: nothing gets used to train Firefly or the other AI models if you use them within the Adobe ecosystem.

One feature that is worth mentioning is Firefly Boards, a tool for ideation and moodboarding with both pre-existent and generated assets, which can later be used to generate videos inspired by them.

• Supported Platforms: You can access through a browser or Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Pricing: There is a limited free trial; paid subscription plans range from $9.99/mo to $199.99/mo.
• Best For: Businesses who already work with the Adobe ecosystem, facilitating seamless integration and distribution of assets.

Yum Yum’s Take: Firefly is an excellent tool for beginners —simple text and image prompts are all it takes to start creating in both 2D and 3D. Additionally, you can create videos in both horizontal and vertical formats (and repurpose one for the other), making platform-specific content creation a piece of cake.

14. Envato’s VideoGen

VideoGen from Envato is the answer to all your video generation-related prayers. It’s an exclusive, intuitive platform powered by Google’s Veo 2 that can make your crazily creative video ideas come true. 

There are a couple of cool ways to use it:

• One way is with its Text-to-Video technology. Just type in your prompt (the more specific, the better the results).
• Alternatively, you can play with the Image-to-Video option. Grab an image (from Envato’s library, Envato’s AI-powered ImageGen), choose the aspect ratio, and in one click see the pictures come to life.

Another awesome thing about using VideoGen is that you can access Envato’s unlimited library of premium digital assets. This includes millions of high-quality video templates, add-ons, sound effects, graphics, and more that can take your AI-generated videos to the next level. In a few clicks, you’ll put together a unique creative project.

• Supported Platforms: N/A, it’s a website.
• Price: This exclusive beta program is included with a subscription to Envato, which starts at $16.50 a month.
• Best For: Content creators and marketers who need to generate high-quality videos quickly using AI and premium stock assets.

Yum Yum’s Take: VideoGen is a fantastic example of how AI is streamlining the production process. By combining text-to-video technology with Envato’s massive library of professional assets, it allows you to create polished content in a fraction of the time. It’s an excellent tool for those who need to maintain a high output on social media without a massive production budget.

Our Criteria for Choosing These Animation Apps

Our selection isn’t based on theory alone; it’s backed by over a decade of high-stakes production. We’ve leveraged these tools and our proprietary workflows to help clients achieve massive milestones, such as Accelerant’s $6.4B IPO, MedVector’s $3.5M funding round, and BrightInsight’s 400% revenue growth. We know which apps deliver because we’ve used that same expertise to serve world-class brands like Amazon, Google, and American Express.

Operating from our headquarters in Miami and our creative hub in Buenos Aires, we combine global trends with local expertise to create videos that don’t just look good—they perform.

Why Our Perspective Matters

At Yum Yum Videos, we’ve spent 12+ years simplifying complex ideas for over 1,000 projects worldwide. Our strategic approach to animation has supported:

• Unicorn Status Growth: Aided companies like Chargebee and BetterUp in reaching multi-billion dollar valuations.

• Digital Transformation: Achieved a 95% instructor adoption rate for McGraw Hill.

• Global Authority: Trusted by the world’s most recognized Fortune 500 companies.

FAQs

1. What is the best animation app?

While there are many great options, Toon Boom Harmony often tops the list as the best animation app for professional 2D animation. Its advanced tools, like rigging and frame-by-frame animation, make it ideal for creating high-quality TV shows, films, and ads.

2. Are there any good animation apps for beginners?

Yes! OpenToonz and Pencil2D are popular choices for beginners. These good animation apps offer simple interfaces and essential tools to help you start creating animations without needing extensive experience.

3. What makes a great animation app?

A great animation app should provide powerful features, ease of use, and flexibility. Apps like Moho Pro and Adobe Animate stand out for their ability to create professional-grade animations while remaining user-friendly for both beginners and experts.

4. What are the best animation apps for iPad?

For iPad users, Linearity Move is one of the top choices specifically designed for motion graphics on iOS. If you prefer frame-by-frame drawing, FlipaClip offers an intuitive tablet experience with pressure-sensitive brush support. Other powerful mobile options available for iPad include Alight Motion, LottieFiles, and Stop Motion Studio.

5. Are there any free animation apps without watermarks?

Yes, open-source animation apps are the best way to avoid watermarks for free. Blender is a professional-grade 3D suite that allows you to create and export content for any purpose, including commercial use, without watermarks. Similarly, Pencil2D and OpenToonz are open-source tools that provide a clean, free experience for 2D animators.

6. Which animation apps are best for animating logos?

For animating logos and UI elements, Jitter is highly recommended due to its focus on sleek motion design and micro-interactions. Visme and Vista Create also stand out for this task, as they offer dedicated templates for animated logos and moving social media ads. For web-based logos, LottieFiles is the ideal choice for creating lightweight, scalable animations.

Wrapping Up

The world of animation has never been more accessible, thanks to a wide variety of tools designed to fit every need—from crafting engaging social media videos to producing films with lifelike special effects.

With the help of great animation apps, even small businesses or nonprofits can take advantage of video marketing without breaking the bank. A good animation app can simplify the process, making it easy to create high-quality, captivating content.

Don’t get lost in the options—find what is the best animation app for your goals, and start adding dynamic videos to your strategy. With the right app, you’ll not only streamline your production process but also see your marketing results soar!