What do you need when animating your online video? Well, if this is your first venture with animation, you probably don’t know what free online animation software is out there and how to use it. That’s why we compiled this helpful guide on the best animation tools that won’t cost you a penny.
Video is a powerful marketing tool.
85 percent of internet users watch video content at least once a month. And people want more.
In fact, 54 percent of folks think brands should be putting more video content out there.
Putting out video content isn’t always easy. Maybe you’re running low on ideas. Or maybe you’re camera shy. Or you don’t have the necessary equipment — not to mention the budget to acquire it.
Luckily, there are some handy free tools you can use.
Yep, you can make animated videos for free (minus your time investment, of course).
Check out some of the best free animation software for beginners and experts, and everyone in between. 
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Animaker
Platforms: web browser-based
Animaker is a free animation software for beginners, with easy drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive interface to match. There are six core types of videos you can make with Animaker:
- 2D
- Infographics
- Handcraft
- Whiteboard
- 2.5D
- Typography
Including full HD support, both horizontal and vertical video layouts, and pre-made graphics to choose from, you can create fun, animated videos in no time.
Audio features include text-to-speech, the option to add background music and sound effects, and voiceover. You can choose from Animaker’s library of sounds or upload your own tunes.
If you want to pay for the pro version, you can also get advanced features: in-app camera, multimove, curves, transition effects, and enter/exit effects. It’s like all those PowerPoint animations except cool and not so cheesy.
Blender
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Use Blender if you’re looking for the best video animation software for pro editors and creators. The free open-source 3D animation tool supports the “modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing, and 2D animation pipeline.” The platform is a public project, and creatives from all over the world contribute to its ongoing maintenance.
Let’s talk features.
- Rendering: Cycles is Blender’s ray-trace based production render engine, FreeStyle is an edge- and line-based non-photorealistic (NPR) rendering engine, and real-time feedback speeds up the editing process.
- Modeling: Blender’s modeling tools include sculpting, retopology, modeling, curves, and more to help with editing models.
- Sculpting: Digital sculpting tools flexible for each stage of the digital production pipeline.
- Animation and rigging: These tools include a character animation pose editor, Non Linear Animation (NLA) for independent movements, IK forward/inverse kinematics for fast poses, and sound synchronization.
- Grease pencil: Draw directly in 3D and combine 2D/3D art.
- VFX: From camera and object motion tracking to masking and compositing, there are lots of fixes you can make in post-prod.
- Simulation: Create simulations for fog, smoke, rain, fire, liquid, and more.
- Pipeline: Choose from a long list of import/export options.
- Video editing: A built-in video editor allows for basic actions like video cuts and splicing and more complex tasks like video masking or color grading.
Yeah, that’s a lot. Blender is a comprehensive tool. And it’s all free.
Editor’s note: We also review Blender, along with 21 other video-editing tools, in this review.
K-3D
Platforms: Windows, Linux
K-3D is a free 3D animation software specializing in polygonal modeling, an approach to digital graphics that represents and approximates object surfaces using polygons. Designed for artists, the software combines plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture — it adapts to the look and feel of the tools you integrate it with.
Get started with their Wiki tutorials, showing you how to master features like texturing, shadows, and symmetric modeling.
One of its best features? Easy undo/redo functionality, so you can quickly fix a mistake. Most programs only offer the option to undo an action.
With both procedural and parametric workflows, you can make adjustments and see the change immediately. A node-based visualization pipeline means editors can create connections and combinations for different elements within the video. You can work on one side of a model and mirror the other side to see what it looks like welded together.
K-3D is an advanced tool for true creatives.
OpenToonz
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
OpenToonz is one of the top free animation software for 2D videos. The open-source software is free for both commercial and non-commercial use, so you can use it to create marketing videos for your brand.
It’s also packed with features, such as:
- Digital drawing tools: vector and bitmap drawing tools
- Indexed color palettes: quick paint and color changing
- Effects and compositing: animated special effects and composite scenes — choose from blurs, lighting, keys, masks, warps, and more than 100 other effects
- Scripting: automations via ECMA-compatible scripting engine
- Motion tracking: combine your animation with video footage
- Scan and cleanup: create vectors from paper drawings
- Frame-by-frame animation: with configurable onionskin
- Motion tweening: link objects or use motion paths to execute complex movements
- Bones character animation: with IK support and mesh deformations
- Particle systems: for rain, dust, and similar effects
You can make some pretty advanced animations with this tool.
COULD MAYBE EMBED AN EXAMPLE HERE https://twitter.com/hashtag/opentoonz some ideas:
- https://twitter.com/tonygaddisart/status/1087045058417684480
- https://twitter.com/DarrenTAnims/status/1176928091811254272
- https://twitter.com/Ghostiesfm/status/1176645497240588288
If you run into issues using the free animation software, you can always turn to the user community or developer forum.
Pencil2D Animation
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pencil2D is a simple animation software you can use to create hand-drawn 2D videos. The open-source software is free for both personal and commercial use, so you can use it just for fun or to create videos to promote your products.
The interface is simple and easy to use. That, along with tons of tutorials on the website and forums you can join, makes it a great option to start with.
Other features:
- Image and audio import
- Switch between raster and vector workflows so you can sketch, ink, and paint
- Adjust frame rate
- Add distortion and lighting effects
- Onion skinning
- Toolbar customizations
- Pressure sensitivity
- Multiple export formats
Plastic Animation Paper
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is a free animation software for PC, Mac, and Linux. Though its interface is outdated, the software is completely free to download and use. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?
With PAP, you can create hand-drawn 2D animations, while seeing your edits in real time. The editing experience itself can be clunky, but it’s easy for beginners to learn and become familiar with. It’s a sufficient tool for basic animated videos.
Feature highlights include basic drawing tools, zoom, rotation, cutouts, layers, and more.
Soon, PAP’s creator will release a new, more advanced program for $79, Animation Paper.
Best suited for skilled animators, Animation Paper will help animators create 2D graphics from hand-drawn illustrations, along with a long list of features:
- Small and large format frames
- Real-time, smooth rotation and zoom, along with multiple options for flipping
- Advanced and customizable onion skinning
- Layers and lasso
- High-quality lines and stabilization
- Coloring and paint
- Real-time full frame reference on a second monitor for quick editing
When you’re done creating your animated video, export options include .mp4, .mov, and .png or .svg frame stacks.
Powtoon
Platforms: web browser-based
The next video animation software that’s free is Powtoon, meant for dynamic video presentations. While there are paid options with advanced features, Powtoon also has a stripped-down free tool for videos up to three minutes long.
In addition to what’s listed above, Powtoon’s free software also has:
- Custom styles
- Change aspect ratios and sizes
- YouTube, Facebook, Wistia, Vimeo, PowerPoint, and PDF export
- Full video, animation, GIF, and image file implementation
It’s a great tool for beginners, with several professional-looking templates to choose from, including animated explainer and infographic-style videos, as well as templates built specifically for product promotion. You can also start from scratch or import a theme from PowerPoint.
Stykz
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Stykz is one of the easiest animation software to use. With it, you can make basic 2D stick figure animated videos, like this one:
And this one:
Pretty basic, but totally free.
Stykz is frame-based, meaning you work on one individual frame at a time. It uses onionskins so you can see the previous frame and how to two flow together.
All edits are done within the “Stage” — in other words, you make your edits and view your changes within the same window. No toggling between views needed.
Edit one or multiple stick objects, fill shapes, and import your own stick figures. Everything will auto-save as you go, so you don’t need to worry about losing all your hard work.
Synfig Studio
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
The next free video animation online is Synfig Studio, an open-source platform for creating 2D animated videos. With it, you use vector graphics to create timeline-based animations.
Like OpenToonz, it offers a bone system for animation controls so you can create natural movements. Create cutout animation using bitmap images or control your vector artwork, and use the additional Skeleton Distortion layer for complex deformations to bitmap artwork.
Advanced features include linking parameters for layers, allowing you to build character puppets and other advanced dynamic structures. It’s certainly not made for beginners, so turn to an easier option to get started before upgrading to Synfig’s advanced feature set. There are plenty of video tutorials to help you get used to the program.
Here’s an example of a fun animated short created with Synfig Studio:
Toontastic 3D
Platforms: Android, iOS
Google’s own free animation software for Android, Toontastic 3D is meant for kids, but brands can also use it to make animated 3D videos. Ideal for storytelling, you get started with Toontastic by creating your own characters, either from scratch or based off an uploaded photo. Then it’s time to insert your characters into a story.
Toontastic is meant to encourage budding storytellers to get create with their narratives, and brands can do the same. Plan your storyline, animate, add narration and music, and then export it to share it with the world.
Your storyline is based on Toontastic templates, each with a different number of scenes. Toontastic also has premade scenes to choose from, so the only “drawing” you need to do is when it comes to the characters.
If it sounds like a lot of steps, Google says you can create a one-minute video with up to six scenes in just a minute — though that doesn’t include the time it takes to create your characters upfront. It also works offline so you can create videos on your daily commute or when the WiFi’s out.
If you’re looking for more control and creative flexibility, Toontastic isn’t the best option. It’s best-suited for those who are very new to the world of animated videos. Soon you’ll graduate to one of the others on this list!
Free Online Animation Maker
1. Renderforest
Pros
- Various pricing plan for you to choose: free, $9.99/month, $24.99/month and more
- Used by authoritative media including BBC, Sony, and Bose
- Offer many icon resources to use
Cons
- You can’t visualize the final video on different device and size
Renderforest is an online animation maker that will let you create promotional content, fun animations, explainer videos, and much more.
Whether you want to create something that is 3D and CG realistic, or you want to come up with a fun 2D animation, this animated video maker will be very helpful to you.
Features:
- With around 200 video templates, you can start your video very easily.
- Cloud-based tools let you adjust scenes, modify the text, and create great animated content.
- There is an explainer video toolkit that small businesses will find very useful.
2. Moovly
Pros
- It has four different animated video online solution for you: small business, large enterprise, education and parters
- Drag and drop to create animation
- Share video to YouTube directly
Cons
- The interface could be clunky sometimes due to Internet speed
Moovly is one of the only online animators that has full integration of the nearly 175 million digital assets that are found at Shutterstock. Whether you want to create sales, marketing, business or education videos, you can do so easily.
Features:
- Select from different templates before you start your video.
- Use 175 million pictures, video clips, sound effects and music in your videos. Integration with Shutterstock is smooth.
- Customize content easily using the built-in toolkit.
3. Animaker
Pros
- Various animation style are available to choose
- Once won Startup Award
- Super easy to make animation video
Cons
- Users need more video style to select
There are six different video styles available to you if you decide to use Animaker. The best part is that you can create a fully-customized video for business or pleasure with ease.
Features:
- Video styles include 2D, 2.5D, handcraft, infographics, typography, and whiteboard animation.
- One of the easiest online programs to use if you want to create animated content. Even with no experience, you can come up with a fun and professional-looking video for your business.
4. Animatron
Pros
- Include 500K royalty-free video clips
- Import your own voiceover to make video personal online
- Keyframing gives you more control on making character move
Cons
- Advanced features make many users feel difficult to use
Want an online program that will help you create explainer videos, whiteboard-style animation, or HTML5 banners? Animatron gets the job done and then some!
You can even create HTML5 animations and incredible presentations with this program. It is easy to use and it features support from some of the top companies in the world.
The likes of Google, Disney, and the New York Times have used this program.
Features:
- Create animated banner ads.
- Educate people with explainer videos.
- A library that has more than 500,000 royalty-free video clips, photos, and audio files for you to incorporate into your content.
- Whiteboard animation style.
- It helps you save money on expensive video creation software.
5. MotionDen
Pros
- You can use many different text style in your video
- Animation templates are extensive with regular update
It is an online animator to make animation by adding templates. If you want to have more controls on your work, you can also customize animation by adjusting settings. You can add text, change music, and import your own video clips.
Features:
- Weekly updated animation templates to use.
- Totally free to use make animation online.
- Trusted by many users who love making animation.
Part 2: Paid Online Animation Maker
6. Biteable
Price: $15/month. $29/month. $49/month.
Pros
- Different animation type you can use explainer video or social media video
- Directly use template to make animation online
- The interface is easy to use and the video is professional
Cons
- You need to log in first to make an animation video
Fast, fun, and easy to use, Biteable is an animated video maker that you can use online. Do you not have a powerful computer to run the software? You can use this toolkit with ease.
Features:
- Come up with fun and informative product videos and updates.
- Share animated content that will let others know about your business.
- Hundreds of animated and live-action scenes that you can adjust to your liking.
- Add your own text, photos, colors, and sounds to customize content even further.
7. Toonator
Pros
- The easy and funny animation style is loved by many users
- Users can upload thire work to here
Cons
- Lack of advanced features
Toonator is a very niche online animator that will allow you to create cartoons to your liking. Say you want to create a funny cartoon from scratch, or edit some graphics that others have created – you can do it with Toonator.
And the best part is that it features fill integration with tablets. You can open up a window and start drawing with your fingers or a pen immediately!
Features:
- A library of popular and recently-added cartoon clips made by other users of the program.
- Easy to create your own cartoons, edit others, or enhance ones that you have created in the past!
- The ability to draw right onto the program when you are using a tablet is very helpful.
8. Powtoon
Price: $19/month. $29/month. $99/month.
Pros
- Making prensention online is what Powtoon focus
- Business users give a high rate
Cons
- It doesn’t suport 3D animation and keyframing
Hoping to create professional videos or animated content that you can showcase to customers or clients? With Powtoon you do not have to pay tons of money for expensive software.
In fact, you do not even need a powerful computer to get these videos made. You can use this cloud-based animated video maker to create professional animated content.
Features:
- Powtoon has integration with some of the top sites, apps, and content providers out there.
- There is a vast collection of media files that you can use for free within your own content.
- Customizing the templates and graphics you have chosen is very easy. Your video will look unique by the end.
9. Vyond
Price: $299/year. $649/year. $999/year.
Pros
- Use storytelling to let animation interesting
- It is easy and afforable to for everyone
- Offer a comprehensive business solution service
Cons
- The pricing plan is more expensive compared with other online solutions
Wanting to create professional animated videos that will impress your bosses? Hoping to promote your personal brand through a social media video? You can create such content using Vyond.
You can try the program for free before you choose whether you want to purchase the full version.
Features:
- There are options for video marketing, training videos, whiteboard animations, sales videos, and video presentations.
- Many templates available to help you get your animated video made quickly.
- Many royalty-free images and videos you can use to enhance your content.
- Three subscription plan options after the free trial run out: GoPublish, GoPremium, and GoTeam.
10. FlipAnim
Pros
- The UI interface is interesting and lovely
- Make animated online video easily
Cons
- Limited functions are available
FlipAnim is fun and easy to make online animators. You can use it to quickly make animation by changing the pen tool, size, and color. You can also add more pages if you want to make more than one animation. The best part is you can change animation speed by dragging the slider.
Features:
- You can make a transparent animation.
- Set animation speed from 5 options.
- Zoom in/out animation online to make it better.
10. MotionDen
Pros
- You can use a much different text style in your video
- Animation templates are extensive with regular update
It is an online animator to make animation by adding templates. If you want to have more controls on your work, you can also customize animation by adjusting settings. You can add text, change music, and import your own video clips.
Features:
- Weekly updated animation templates to use.
- Totally free to use make animation online.
- Trusted by many users who love making animation.
Conclusion
If you are looking for free animation tools to create your own cartoons or comics, there are so many options out there today. Some are even online which makes it very convenient if you are looking for an easy way to animate drawings without spending a lot of money.