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

Animation apps have become go-to tools for creating standout video content—whether for marketing, social media, or business. But with so many available, finding the best animation app can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll explore the top options out there, from free animation apps to user-friendly tools for beginners and advanced solutions for professionals.

Quick Comparison: The 17 Best Animation Apps for 2026

The Best Animation Apps to Start Creating Today

Whether you’re a beginner exploring your first animation app or a seasoned creator looking for something more powerful, here’s our curated list of the best animation apps available right now. From simple drag-and-drop tools to full-featured animation software, there’s something here for every need and budget.

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

If you’re just starting out, Pencil2D is one of the best free animation apps to try. This open-source tool lets you create 2D animations easily, thanks to its intuitive interface and lightweight setup.

Unlike many entry-level tools, Pencil2D supports both raster and vector workflows—giving you flexibility whether you want pixel-based drawings or scalable graphics. Its drag-and-drop editor and built-in animation layout help simplify the process, making it one of the best animation apps for beginners and budget-conscious creators.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
• Pricing: Free.
• Best For: Students and hobbyists looking for a clean, traditional drawing experience.

Yum Yum’s Take: It’s the perfect “blank canvas.” While it lacks advanced rigging, its simplicity is its biggest strength for those learning the basics of timing and spacing.

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, FlipaClip is a frame-by-frame tool built for mobile devices. While it can’t match the output of a 2D animation studio, it offers pressure-sensitive brushes, sound effects, and an onion layering feature that simplifies the animation process.

This free animation app is easy to use, interactive, and comes with a built-in tutorial for first-time users.

• Supported Platforms: Android and iOS
• Pricing: Free, with premium features available 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.

5. Alight Motion – One of the Best Animation Apps

Keeping with mobile tools, Alight Motion makes content creation easier than ever. As the first motion graphics design app for smartphones and tablets, it combines video editing, animation, and motion graphics in one place.

This animation video app features over 100 effects, smooth keyframe animation, and a wide range of visual tools—making it one of the best animation apps for creators on the go. While it may feel overwhelming at first, the app offers tutorials to help users master transitions and develop high-quality animated content with a professional look.

• Platforms: macOS, Android, iOS
• Pricing: $4.99/month
• Best For: Social media creators and YouTubers who need professional-grade motion graphics on the go.

Yum Yum’s Take: Being the first pro-level motion graphics app for smartphones, it’s impressive. The keyframe animation is smooth, and we often recommend it to creators who need to edit high-quality visual effects without a desktop.

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. Vista Create – A Good Animation App for Beginners and Professionals

Vista Create is a very good animation app that allows you to create motion graphics you can use to make attractive posts and stories, develop moving ads, logos, Facebook banners, product animations, and more.

You can add pieces of video to edit or simply lay out your images to easily add fantastic effects, like zoom-in and fade-in. If you want to change your graphics a bit before animating them, VistaCreate allows you to do it directly from the app, offering editing tools like removing the background and adding text, images, music, and brand elements. 

I believe that this is one of the best animation apps for beginners because it offers more than 50,000 professionally pre-designed templates and a library of royalty-free creative assets you can take advantage of.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
• Pricing: A free starter plan with limited design downloads per month. The Pro plan is $7.99 per month and allows unlimited projects and acres to the royalty-free files.
• Best For: Small business owners needing easy-to-use templates for animated social media ads and banners.

Yum Yum’s Take: With over 50,000 templates, it’s a lifesaver for non-designers. It’s a great entry point for brands that want to start experimenting with motion without a steep learning curve.

8. 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 though guess, right?).

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

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.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS.
• Pricing: Free trial available, the premium option starts at $4.99 one-time payment. It’s free for Android and iOS, offering in-app payments.
• Best For: Hobbyists and educators interested in the tactile art of stop-motion photography.

Yum Yum’s Take: Stop-motion is all about precision, and this app’s overlay mode is brilliant for maintaining consistency between frames. It’s the most accessible way to bring physical products to life.

9. LottieFiles

Have you ever heard of Lotties? They’re lightweight, vector-based animation files that scale without losing quality—perfect for fast-loading websites.

LottieFiles is an animation video app that lets you create, edit, and export Lottie animations with ease. It’s especially useful for UX designers and developers, offering a library of free animations and an editor to tweak colors or add backgrounds. You can even set animation triggers based on clicks, scrolls, or hovers—bringing your content to life.

• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
• Pricing: Free
• Best For: Web and app developers who need lightweight, scalable animations that won’t slow down their platforms.

Yum Yum’s Take: Lotties are the future of web design. This app is essential for any modern workflow where performance and vector quality are top priorities.

10. Adobe Animate – One of the Best Animation Apps Available

It should be no surprise that an Adobe program had to be included on this list.

Adobe Animate is one of the most versatile and a really good animation app available. You can use it to design vector graphics and interactive animations for websites, banner ads, movie animations, animated GIFs, and virtually any sequence of moving images you can imagine.

This vector-based 2D animation software has many tools you can use and a great number of plugins. You can draw each frame by hand using bitmap layers or reuse elements from frame to frame. It even offers automated lip-sync tools, so you can quickly animate speech as well.

Because of the great number of features they offer, it can be a challenging program at the beginning. But don’t worry because there are tons of tutorials, courses, and other aids you can use to take proper advantage of all that Adobe Animate has to offer!

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS.
• Pricing: Starts at 20.99 dollars per month, but you get a free trial for seven days.
• Best For: Professional 2D animators creating interactive cartoons, web banners, and character-driven stories.

Yum Yum’s Take: A powerhouse in the industry for a reason. While it has a steeper learning curve than basic apps, its rigging tools and automated lip-sync features are unmatched for high-quality 2D production. It is our top recommendation for anyone looking to create professional, interactive content that works seamlessly across web and mobile platforms.

11. Blender

Among the best animation apps for free, 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. Although it has a steep learning curve, there are tons of resources you can reach out to, like tutorials, FAQs, and support groups, that’ll help you get the hang of this app.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
• Pricing: Free allows you to use it for any purpose, including educational and commercial content.
• Best For: Aspiring 3D artists and indie filmmakers who want a professional, all-in-one 3D suite for free.

Yum Yum’s Take: Blender is a powerhouse that rivals paid industry giants. While the learning curve is steep, the global community and constant updates make it the best investment of time for any serious 3D animator.

12. SideFX (Houdini) – A Great Animation App for Professionals

Side FX is a great animation app designed to help users create more advanced productions, including things like virtual reality, motion graphics, and even films.

Houdini stands out because it provides a node-based workflow that enables you to easily create sets of actions that you can later reuse and rearrange. This program’s visual effects are one of its strongest features, with a suite of VFX tools that includes simulations of fire, fluids, and particles.

There are plenty of tutorials to help you learn how to best use Houdini because the community around this app is strong. Moreover, the many automated functions in this app, like its drag-and-drop editor, make it quite user-friendly.

• Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
• Pricing: It offers six subscription tiers, with prices depending on whether you’re a student, an independent artist, a company, etc.
• Best For: Professional VFX artists focusing on complex simulations like fire, fluids, and destruction.

Yum Yum’s Take: Houdini is the gold standard for procedural animation. It’s a specialized tool for high-end film production, offering a level of control that is simply unmatched in the industry.

13. 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, for example. On top of that, the 3D modeling features allow you to design real-life-like animated characters.

Autodesk Maya provides a complete 3D package, so users don’t need to purchase any other tools inside the program. 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, Mac OS, and Linux.
• Pricing: 30-day free trial. A Standard plan enables single-user access and is $215/month.
• Best For: Professional 3D artists, large-scale film productions, AAA game development, and complex character rigging.

Yum Yum’s Take: Maya is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the 3D world. Its rigging capabilities and Graph Editor are legendary among professionals, allowing for a level of nuance and performance that is hard to match. While it has a notoriously steep learning curve and can be prone to crashes in complex scenes, it remains the “must-know” software for anyone aiming for a career in top-tier animation studios.

14. Toon Boom Harmony

Toon Boom Harmony is often considered what is the best animation app for professional 2D animation, offering powerful tools and capabilities to create high-quality content. Whether you’re working on cartoons, TV shows, films, or ads, this great animation app has everything you need for stunning results.

With Toon Boom Harmony, you can create traditional frame-by-frame animations, rigging, cut-out animation, and even integrate 3D elements for hybrid projects. Its feature set includes bitmap and vector tools, advanced compositing, and a vast library of special effects to bring your animations to life, making it a good animation app for professionals.

This software is designed to handle detailed character rigging and seamless motion with tools like onion skinning, timelines, and layers. While it’s ideal for experienced animators, beginners might find the learning curve a bit challenging. However, mastering this app will allow you to produce industry-grade animations that stand out.

• Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS.
• Pricing: Offers a free trial. Subscription plans start at $25/month for the Essentials package.
• Best For: Professional 2D studios and animators working on high-quality TV shows and feature films.

Yum Yum’s Take: There is a reason why the world’s biggest studios use Toon Boom. Its rigging and compositing tools are the best in the business for traditional 2D animation.

15. 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.

16. OpenToonz

OpenToonz is a popular choice when considering what is the best animation app for beginners and professionals alike. As a good animation app that’s also free and open-source, it’s perfect for animators looking for a versatile tool without breaking the bank.

This great animation app is based on the software used by Studio Ghibli, making it a reliable choice for creating 2D animations with a professional touch. OpenToonz includes a wide range of features, such as frame-by-frame animation, digital drawing tools, and a variety of effects that can be customized through its unique plug-in system.

One standout feature is its ability to scan and clean up hand-drawn animations, allowing traditional animators to digitize their work seamlessly. Additionally, its robust timeline and layering tools make it suitable for complex projects.

While OpenToonz is powerful, beginners might find its interface a bit challenging at first. However, for those willing to invest time in learning, it’s a fantastic option for producing professional-grade 2D animations.

• Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac OS.
• Pricing: Completely free and open-source.
• Best For: Intermediate animators who want professional-grade 2D features in an open-source format.

Yum Yum’s Take: Famous for its use by Studio Ghibli, this tool is fantastic for those who want a mix of digital and traditional hand-drawn styles without the price tag of Harmony.

17. 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.

The 2026 Outlook: How AI is Changing Animation Apps

As we look toward 2026, the boundary between traditional animation and AI is blurring. Tools like VideoGen and the AI features within Adobe Animate are not replacing animators but empowering them to handle repetitive tasks like lip-syncing and background generation faster than ever. At Yum Yum Videos, we believe the best results come from combining these high-tech tools with professional storytelling.

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. Which animation app is best for businesses?

For businesses, Animaker is a good animation app designed for creating animated videos, ads, and presentations. Its intuitive interface and cloud-based functionality make it perfect for marketing teams looking for quick results.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

How We Chose 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.

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!