14 Best Animation Apps with Keyframes (Popular in 2025)

So, you know how animation kinda comes alive when you can really control the motion? 

Yeah, that’s where keyframes step in. 

Think of them as those little anchors that tell your animation exactly when and how something should move, change, or transform. 

Without keyframes, you’re pretty much just stuck with static movement, and honestly… that gets boring real quick.

Now, the cool part is — you don’t need to be sitting in a fancy studio with expensive gear to play with keyframes. 

Nope. 

Whether you’re on your iPhone, iPad, Android, or even your laptop, there are tons of apps right now in 2025 that let you mess around with keyframes like a pro. 

Some are super beginner-friendly, others are full-blown professional tools, but all of them give you that creative freedom to make your animations flow smoothly.

So in this guide, I’m rounding up 14 of the best animation apps with keyframes — the ones that are actually popular in 2025.

1. Alight Motion

If you’ve ever wanted a full-on motion graphics tool right on your phone, Alight Motion is the one. 

It’s kinda crazy how much you can do with it — keyframes, multiple layers, blending modes, effects, the whole deal. 

What I really like is that it doesn’t just stop at simple animations; you can go deep into professional-level edits and still handle it all on a mobile screen. 

The keyframe system is super smooth too, so whether you’re animating text, logos, or transitions, everything feels natural. 

And because it’s popular on both iOS and Android, you’ll find tons of tutorials floating around. 

Perfect if you’re serious about making stuff look polished without firing up a desktop app.

Also Read: 21 Best Animation Apps for Every Creator

2. Callipeg

If you’re an iPad user who loves drawing frame by frame, Callipeg feels like a dream. 

It’s designed specifically for animators, and the way it handles keyframes and traditional drawing tools is really neat. 

You’ve got onion skinning, customizable brushes, and an easy-to-use timeline where you can drop in keyframes to smooth out motion. 

What’s nice is that it’s a one-time purchase, so no worrying about monthly subscriptions. 

A lot of animators say it’s the closest thing to having a real animation desk on a tablet. 

It’s definitely more for people who enjoy hand-drawn work, but once you get the hang of it, the level of control and fluidity you get is just next level.

3. Adobe Animate CC

This one’s been around forever, and honestly, there’s a reason it’s still considered an industry standard. 

Adobe Animate CC gives you every possible way to control keyframes, timelines, and motion tweens, whether you’re working on character animation, interactive projects, or web cartoons. 

It can feel a little overwhelming at first because of all the tools packed inside, but once you get into it, you realize it’s built for serious creators. 

The best part… It integrates with other Adobe apps, so pulling in assets from Photoshop or Illustrator is super easy. 

It’s not cheap, but if you’re serious about animation and want total flexibility with keyframes, Animate CC is one of those apps you just can’t ignore.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Tweening

4. OpenToonz

Here’s a gem that doesn’t cost you a penny but still feels surprisingly powerful. 

OpenToonz is open-source, which means it’s totally free, and it comes loaded with tools for frame-by-frame as well as keyframe animation. 

A lot of indie creators and even some studios have used it for real projects, which says a lot about its quality. 

The timeline is flexible, and once you get used to the interface, you can animate pretty much anything — from hand-drawn sequences to effects-heavy scenes. 

Since it’s free, there’s a bit of a learning curve and not much hand-holding, but the community around it is super supportive. 

Definitely worth checking out if you want pro-level tools without breaking your budget.

5. Toon Boom Harmony

When people talk about professional 2D animation, Toon Boom Harmony is usually the first name that pops up. 

It’s the kind of software studios rely on, and the keyframe control is insanely detailed. 

You can do cut-out style animation, traditional frame-by-frame, or even complex rigs with bones and nodes. 

The flexibility here is unmatched — like, you can literally create broadcast-level animations with it. 

Of course, the price tag is high and the learning curve is steep, but if you’re aiming for pro-quality work, this is the gold standard. 

Harmony’s timeline and graph editor give you precise control over every motion, making it one of the most advanced keyframe-based tools out there.

Also Read: 11 Best Animation Apps with Audio

6. FlipaClip

So, if you’re just starting out or you want something that feels fun and simple, FlipaClip is kinda perfect. 

It’s super popular among beginners and younger animators because the whole setup feels less intimidating. 

You’ve got onion skinning, layers, and yeah, you can drop in keyframes to make your animations smoother without overcomplicating things. 

A lot of people use it for short loops, doodles, or even little story projects, and honestly, it works really well. 

The best part is you don’t need some fancy computer — just your phone or tablet is enough. 

It may not be the most advanced app on the list, but for practicing and building confidence, it’s an absolute go-to.

7. RoughAnimator

Now this one, RoughAnimator, is kinda legendary among indie animators. 

It’s got that no-nonsense vibe — you pay once, and that’s it, no subscriptions hanging over your head. 

The timeline is straightforward, you can set keyframes exactly where you want, and the onion skinning is really smooth. 

A lot of people love how it feels like drawing straight into your sketchbook, except digital. 

And the fact that it works on both mobile and desktop just adds to the flexibility. 

Sure, it’s not as “polished” as some big studio tools, but the freedom it gives you is honestly refreshing. 

If you like keeping things raw and hands-on, this is one you’ll end up using a lot.

8. Pencil2D

Here’s one of those apps that’s perfect if you just wanna focus on the basics without drowning in features. 

Pencil2D is free, open-source, and designed to keep things light. 

You can animate frame by frame, add keyframes to refine motion, and switch between raster and vector workflows depending on your style. 

It’s not going to replace Pro Tools, but honestly, that’s not the point — it’s more about getting you into the flow of animation without all the extra noise. 

A lot of beginners start here and then move on to heavier apps later. 

If you’re just testing the waters or learning what keyframes can do, this one’s a safe and easy pick.

Also Read: 13 Best Animation Apps with Voiceovers

9. Krita

So Krita is mainly known as a digital painting app, but honestly, the animation timeline it has is pretty underrated. 

You can create frame-by-frame animations, manage layers, and of course, drop in keyframes to give your motion that extra control. 

Since it’s open-source, it’s totally free, and the amount of brushes and tools you get makes it feel like a professional setup without the price tag. 

The cool part is, if you’re already someone who loves digital art, it’s super easy to just slide into animation without switching apps. 

The learning curve can feel a little steep at first, but once you get it, Krita becomes this powerful all-in-one creative hub.

10. Synfig Studio

Now, if you’re into vector-style animation, Synfig Studio is kinda built for you. 

It uses a bone system along with keyframes, which means you can create smooth motion without redrawing every single frame. 

That alone makes it a time-saver compared to traditional frame-by-frame apps. 

And since it’s free and open-source, it’s also really accessible if you don’t wanna drop money right away. 

The interface might feel a little overwhelming at first, but once you start playing with the timeline and keyframes, you’ll realize it can actually handle pretty complex projects. 

It’s definitely more on the technical side, but for anyone who loves clean, scalable animation, Synfig is worth digging into.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Rigs

11. SVGator

So, SVGator is one of those apps that feels like it was made for anyone who loves clean, vector-style animations. 

It runs right in your browser, which is kinda wild, and the way it handles keyframes is super intuitive. 

You just drag things around on the timeline, set your keyframes, and boom — smooth motion. 

It’s especially handy if you’re into web design or creating little animated logos and icons. 

The coolest part is that it exports directly as SVG or video, so you can throw your work online without any extra hassle. 

It’s not really built for frame-by-frame animation, but for motion graphics and slick transitions, SVGator is honestly a hidden gem.

Also Read: 17 Best AI Animation Generators

12. Animation Desk

If you’re the type who likes to sketch ideas quickly and then build on them, Animation Desk is a really fun app. 

It works across iOS, Android, and even desktop, so you can kinda pick up wherever you left off. 

You’ve got onion skinning, multiple layers, and of course, keyframe support to polish everything. 

What I like about it is that it feels less “serious” than something like Toon Boom, but still gives you enough tools to make your projects look professional. 

A lot of people use it for storyboards or rough concepts before moving into bigger software, but honestly, you can finish full projects here, too. 

It’s versatile, simple, and just plain enjoyable to use.

13. Moho

Moho, which used to be called Anime Studio, is a beast when it comes to rigging and keyframe animation. 

Like, if you’re into creating full characters with bones, joints, and smooth motion, this app has your back. 

The timeline is powerful, and the graph editor lets you really fine-tune every single move. 

A lot of indie studios and serious animators swear by it because it bridges that gap between frame-by-frame and more automated animation. 

Sure, it’s not the cheapest option out there, but the features make up for it big time. 

If you’re someone who loves building detailed animations with pro-level control, Moho is definitely one to keep on your radar.

14. LumaFusion

Now, I know LumaFusion is technically more of a video editor, but hear me out — the keyframe system in this app is ridiculously good. 

You can animate text, effects, transitions, and even fine-tune color adjustments with full keyframe control. 

For mobile motion graphics, it honestly feels like having Premiere Pro in your pocket. 

And because it’s designed for iOS and now Android too, it’s perfect if you like working on the go. 

A lot of creators use it for social media edits, YouTube videos, and even short films, which says a lot about how versatile it is. 

If you want video editing and keyframe animation wrapped into one, LumaFusion is a no-brainer.

My Final Take

So yeah, keyframes are kinda the secret sauce that makes your animations feel alive instead of stiff, and honestly, the apps we just went through are the best ones you can get your hands on right now in 2025. 

From lightweight tools like FlipaClip and Pencil2D to full-on studio beasts like Toon Boom Harmony and Moho, there’s something here no matter where you’re at in your animation journey. 

And the cool part is, you don’t need to lock yourself into just one app — a lot of animators actually mix and match depending on the project. 

My advice… Start with the one that feels the easiest for you, play around with keyframes, and let your creativity kinda flow from there.

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