This article focuses on free animation software for commercial use. There is a plethora of animation software packages out there, some of them very expensive and others so cheap as to be dubious as to their true value. Here we will give you some kind of overview of those software packages, which feature the most suitable feature set for producing commercial work and which license options are available.
Most animation software on the market today is expensive. However, there are some free animation software programs available for commercial use. If you are an independent artist or are financially struggling to make your own independent animated film, these free animation software programs can help you get started.
K-3D.
K-3D is another incredible 3D animation and modeling software on this list. Packed with flexible plugins, it is a potent tool for designers and artists. On top of that, it has been described to be intuitive, easy-to-use, and easy-to-learn.
Compatible with both Mac and Windows, it also offers a vast range of additional possibilities as compared to traditional modifier stacks for visualization. It also provides 2D animation for the basic user requirements. It is, however, not a free software tool.
Best for:
It is best suited for professional artists, web designers, and animation specialists. It is also perfect for creating films and documentaries, designing jewelry and toys, and more.
Key Features:
- Very flexible and comes with the power of a node-based visualization pipeline
- Creates multiple combinations of your choice
- Advanced undo/redo system
- Can combine flexible plugins to provide you with numerous solutions (robust, object-oriented plugin architecture)
- Designed to provide motion-picture quality animation from the ground-up (render engines)
- Procedural and parametric workflows
- Modification of start of a workflow propagates to the end (intuitive)
Pros:
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Free software and can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes
- Can offer users both 2D animation and 3D animation
- Can be useful for low-budget animation artists
- Complex workflows are easy to create, understand, and decipher
Cons:
- Lacks proper tutorials about how to animate and use the product
- Can be difficult for beginners to use without appropriate guidance
Pricing:
It is entirely free of cost and is open to use by any person. All you need is an internet connection.
PowToon.
Founded in 2012, PowToon creates and sells SaaS software to create animations. It is a web-based animation software that offers a wide range of services, specializing in 2D.
From creating educational tutorials to personal interaction – PowToon comes in handy for everything related to animation.
Best for:
PowToon provides lots of templates and royalty-free images. Plus, it is great for professionals who deal extensively with presentations.
Key Features:
- No watermarks
- Downloadable as mp4
- Full HD video (1080 p)
- You have complete control over the privacy of your account
- Directly export to various social media sites like YouTube
- Detailed videos walkthroughs and tutorials available to help you get started
- Multiple character animations and cartoons to choose from
Pros:
- Animations are clever and well-detailed
- 24/7 priority customer support
- Has a free plan but with limited qualities
Cons:
- Can sometimes become slow (while editing)
- No offline editing options
- A bit expensive
- Does not offer 3D animation
Pricing:
PowToon comes with four pricing plans:
- The ‘Starter’ plan costs $79 per month.
- The ‘Pro’ plan is $89 per month.
- The ‘Pro+’ plan costs $197 per month (save 69% on annual billing).
- The ‘agency’ plan is priced at $99 per month and is offered only on an annual subscription.
If paid annually, you can save up to 79% for both “Starter” and “Pro” plans.
It also offers a freemium plan with limited attributes for users with basic requirements.
Pencil2D
Use on: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Best for: Beginners
A more traditional 2D animation software, Pencil2D allows users to create hand-drawn, animated scenes. Pencil2D is an open-source platform, so multiple users—even you—can contribute to its capabilities and features. As a result, it’s one of the best free animation software options out there.
The software boasts the ability for users to seamlessly switch between raster (also known as bitmap) and vector workflows, as well as add layers. Overall, the software is fairly minimal and easy to use, so you can focus primarily on your animating. However, advanced animators may not find that the features are robust enough for their preferences.
Houdini
Pros:
- Time-space motion path handles
- Support import and export to a range of formats
- Robust built-in rendering solution
Developed by the Toronto based Side Effects Software, Houdini covers every major part that a 3D animation software should do. This 3D animation maker was adapted by the PRISMS group of procedural generation software tools. The keen focus on the procedural generation by Houdini differentiates it from other 3D animation creators. The features of this 3D animation software are:
Features:
- Powerful and accessible 3D animation experience
- Rigging animate characters
- Add Character FX like fur, hair, etc.
After Effects
Use on: Windows, Mac OS
Best for: Everyone, beginner to pro
After Effects, an addition to Adobe Creative Cloud, can bring your animations to the next level. Considered the industry standard for motion graphics and visual effects, After Effects integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud apps and other software/hardware providers to offer you complex animation capabilities.
Although not ideal for frame-by-frame animation, this powerful tool can be used to create 2D and 3D animations, as well as real-life motion graphics.
This software is available starting at about $21 per month for an annual subscription.
Whatever your experience level or goals, there are plenty of animation software options to choose from. These tools can help bring your characters and ideas to life—and you’ll have fun along the way.
Conclusion
There are several popular animation software programs, but if you’re looking for free ones, there are quite a few available. These programs can be used for any purpose, including commercial use, and can make your projects stand out thanks to the unique style. Many of these animation programs support full HD output, multiple video formats, and industry-standard compositing options.