14 Best Animation Apps for iPad (Popular in 2025)

If you’ve got an iPad lying around, you’re kinda sitting on this crazy, powerful little animation studio, and maybe you don’t even realize it yet. 

Like, people usually think, “oh yeah, iPad is just for Netflix or maybe sketching,” but nah, with the right apps, it literally turns into this portable drawing + animating beast. 

And trust me, when you add the Apple Pencil into the mix, it’s a whole other level.

You don’t need to be some Pixar-level animator either—seriously, even if you’re just messing around with doodles or trying out your first flipbook, there’s an app that’ll make it feel easy. 

And if you are the type who wants smooth keyframes, layered projects, audio sync, all that professional stuff… yeah, the iPad can handle that too.

So I went ahead and pulled together 14 apps that, honestly, just work super well on iPads. 

Some are super chill and beginner-friendly, others are full-blown pro tools, but all of them? They’re actually worth your time.

1. Procreate Dreams

Why I Picked It: Because it’s literally made for animation on iPad, and it feels crazy smooth with Apple Pencil.

So, Procreate Dreams is kinda the “big new kid” in the iPad animation world. 

If you already know Procreate for drawing, this is like its cooler cousin that’s all about motion. 

The timeline feels super touch-friendly—you’re not stuck with clunky menus like desktop software. 

You can draw, scrub, and move things around with your finger or Pencil, and it just feels… natural. 

It’s awesome for frame-by-frame stuff, but also for adding transitions and edits like a mini film project. 

And yeah, it’s not free, but honestly, it’s one of those apps where once you play with it, you’ll get why everyone’s hyped. 

Perfect for people who want a pro setup but still wanna keep it on iPad.

Also Read: 21 Best Animation Apps for Every Creator

2. Procreate (Animation Assist)

Why I Picked It: Because tons of iPad artists already use Procreate, and Animation Assist makes it dead simple to animate.

Procreate itself isn’t technically an animation app—it’s the go-to drawing app. 

But with the built-in Animation Assist tool, you can easily turn your sketches into short animations without learning a whole new program. 

It’s got onion-skinning, simple frame controls, and export options that actually make sense (GIFs, MP4s, whatever you need). 

The vibe is very “keep it simple,” so if you’re already comfortable in Procreate, you don’t need to download anything new. 

It’s great for looping animations, little character walks, or even those artsy social media posts you see all over Instagram. 

Not crazy advanced, but honestly, that’s the charm—it lowers the barrier so anyone can jump in.

Also Read: 17 Best AI Animation Generators

3. Clip Studio Paint

Why I Picked It: Because it’s still the most feature-packed illustration + animation tool that actually runs well on iPad.

If you’ve ever seen manga artists or pro illustrators on YouTube, chances are they’re using Clip Studio Paint. 

On iPad, it gives you nearly everything you’d expect from the desktop version—including multi-layer animation, vector brushes, and advanced timeline tools. 

It’s not lightweight like FlipaClip or Looom, but that’s the point—it’s for people who want a serious setup. 

You can storyboard, draw, animate, and even work with 3D references, all inside one app. 

Yeah, the subscription thing might turn some people off, but if you’re the type who wants “desktop power in a tablet,” this is it. 

It feels like a pro workstation that just happens to fit in your backpack.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps for Windows

4. RoughAnimator

Why I Picked It: Because it’s a no-nonsense frame-by-frame tool that just works.

RoughAnimator has been around forever, and honestly, that’s a good thing. 

It’s like this old-school traditional animation desk, but on your iPad. 

The timeline is straightforward, you get onion skinning, audio syncing, and exports that work with After Effects or Premiere if you’re into editing later. 

What I like is how little it tries to “hold your hand”—you get the tools, and it’s up to you to make magic with them. 

That makes it perfect for animators who don’t want fluff, just control. 

It’s not flashy, but if you want to practice fundamentals and really learn animation basics, RoughAnimator is the one.

5. Callipeg

Why I Picked It: Because it’s built specifically for iPad + Apple Pencil and feels like drawing on real paper.

Callipeg doesn’t try to be everything—it’s focused on 2D hand-drawn animation, and it nails that vibe. 

The brushes are buttery smooth with Pencil, you can flip between frames quickly, and the interface is super touch-friendly. 

It supports multiple layers, onion-skinning, and even audio tracks if you’re syncing dialogue or sound effects. 

What makes it stand out is how “natural” it feels—it’s not intimidating like Clip Studio, but it’s also not too basic. 

A sweet spot for people who want to take their doodles a bit further into polished animation. 

And since it’s iPad-only, it feels optimized in a way that some cross-platform apps just don’t.

Also Read: 14 Best Animation Apps with Keyframes

6. FlipaClip

Why I Picked It: Because it’s the most beginner-friendly animation app that still feels legit.

FlipaClip is one of those apps that almost everyone starts with, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. 

The timeline is super simple, onion-skinning is right there, and the whole vibe feels like you’re making cartoons in your notebook—just digital. 

It’s crazy popular for meme animations, short looping clips, or just learning the basics. 

But don’t think it’s only for kids—it’s got enough features to actually make polished work if you put the time in. 

The fact that it’s so accessible but still powerful makes it one of those must-have iPad animation apps, especially if you’re dipping your toes in.

7. Animation Desk

Why I Picked It: Because it’s a classic flipbook app that brings that old-school sketch vibe to the iPad.

Animation Desk is literally built for people who love the feel of flipbook-style animation. 

The whole UI looks like a sketchbook, and it’s got the core tools—onion skin, multiple layers, brushes, and easy exporting. 

It’s not packed with pro-level effects, but that’s not really the point—it’s supposed to feel like you’re animating frame by frame, just like drawing on paper. 

A lot of beginners love it, but even more experienced animators use it as a “sketch pad” before refining projects elsewhere. 

It’s fun, straightforward, and perfect if you just want to get ideas down quickly without overthinking.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Tweening

8. Alight Motion

Why I Picked It: Because it’s motion graphics on the go, and that’s kinda rare on iPad.

Most iPad animation apps focus on hand-drawn stuff, but Alight Motion is more about text animation, keyframes, and effects. 

Think of it as After Effects lite—but on a tablet. You can animate shapes, texts, logos, or even video clips with smooth transitions. 

It’s super popular with social media creators because you can make those trendy edits that blow up on TikTok and Instagram. 

If you’re more into graphic animation than frame-by-frame drawing, this is the one that’s gonna save you. 

It’s not perfect for every use case, but for motion graphics on iPad? It’s a solid pick.

9. Stop Motion Studio

Why I Picked It: Because it makes stop-motion animation actually fun and not a headache.

Stop-motion sounds cool until you realize how much effort goes into it—frames, timing, lighting, all that. 

But Stop Motion Studio takes away a lot of the pain. 

You can capture frames directly with your iPad camera (or even your iPhone and sync it), then adjust timing, add audio, and export. 

Onion-skinning helps you line up shots perfectly, and the app is just… smooth. 

It’s amazing for creative school projects, little claymation experiments, or even professional shorts if you’re patient enough. 

The fact that it’s all packaged in one easy app makes it perfect for both hobbyists and aspiring filmmakers.

Also Read: 13 Best Animation Apps with Voiceovers

10. Adobe Fresco

Why I Picked It: Because it’s a drawing app first, but with sneaky good animation tools built in.

Fresco is Adobe’s big drawing app for iPad, and it’s super slick if you’re into brushes and painting. 

But here’s the thing most people don’t realize—it’s also got a solid animation feature set. 

Frame-by-frame layers, onion skin, and the ability to export GIFs or MP4s right from your canvas. 

It doesn’t try to compete with Clip Studio or Procreate Dreams in depth, but it’s perfect if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem. 

Plus, if you’ve got Creative Cloud, your files sync across devices, which is just convenient. 

It’s a bit underrated in the animation space, but honestly, it’s worth checking out.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Rigs

11. ToonSquid

Why I Picked It: Because it feels like a modern, polished animation studio built just for iPad.

ToonSquid doesn’t get as much hype as Procreate or FlipaClip, but man, it deserves more attention. 

The interface is super clean, you’ve got keyframes, layers, audio syncing, and vector brushes that feel sharp with the Apple Pencil. 

What I really like is how “touch-native” it feels—you can literally pinch, swipe, and drag things around without feeling like you’re fighting a desktop app crammed into a tablet. 

It’s powerful enough for pro-level 2D projects, but not intimidating if you’re just learning. 

Feels like one of those hidden gems that once you try, you’ll be hooked.

Also Read: 14 Animation Apps Without Watermark

12. Looom

Why I Picked It: Because it’s just pure fun, playful, and totally unique compared to everything else.

Looom is not your typical animation app—it’s more like a musical instrument for drawing loops. 

The interface looks wild at first, but once you get it, it’s addictive. 

You create animations on looping tracks, almost like you’re layering beats, except with drawings. 

It’s super experimental, super creative, and honestly one of the most “iPad-y” apps out there—it just wouldn’t work the same way on desktop. 

If you’re the type who likes breaking the rules and making quirky looping animations, this one will eat hours of your time in the best way.

13. Pixaki 4

Why I Picked It: Because it’s hands-down the best pixel art + animation app made for iPad.

If pixel art is your jam, Pixaki is basically your dream app. 

It’s not just about drawing little sprites—it’s built with animation in mind. 

You can do frame-by-frame, work with layers, import sprite sheets, and even design game-ready characters. 

The Pencil support makes detailing way easier than fiddling with a mouse on a desktop.

A lot of indie game devs actually use it for creating assets directly on iPad. 

It’s super polished, feels native, and is easily the best option if you’re into pixel-based animation.

Also Read: 11 Best Animation Apps with Audio

14. MotionBook

Why I Picked It: Because sometimes you just want a lightweight, quick flipbook tool.

MotionBook is like that sketchpad you carry around—it’s not overloaded with pro features, but that’s the beauty of it. 

You open it, draw, flip through frames, and boom—you’ve got a simple animation. 

It’s perfect for quick ideas, testing out storyboards, or just messing around when you’re bored. 

Exports are straightforward, and the interface doesn’t get in your way. 

It won’t replace something like Procreate Dreams or Clip Studio, but if you want a lightweight flipbook-style app to capture ideas fast, MotionBook gets the job done.

My Final Take

iPad animation is honestly wild right now. 

Like, a few years back, you’d need a chunky desktop, some expensive software, and probably a drawing tablet just to get started. 

Now? You can literally be on your couch, Apple Pencil in hand, animating stuff that looks crazy professional.

And the best part is, there isn’t just one “best” app—it really depends on what vibe you’re going for. 

If you’re serious and want that full pro studio feel, Procreate Dreams or Clip Studio Paint are gonna feel like home. 

If you’re just messing around, FlipaClip or Animation Desk are so easy to pick up. 

Wanna get weird and playful? Looom will scratch that itch. Into pixel art? Pixaki’s your best friend.

Bottom line—you’ve got options. 

Tons of them. 

Whether you’re doodling, storyboarding, making TikTok edits, or building an actual animated short, your iPad can handle it. 

So, download a couple, play around, and see which one clicks for you.

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