15 Best Animation Apps with Rigs (Popular in 2025)

If you’ve ever tried animating without rigs, you already know how painful it can get. 

You’re stuck redrawing the same frames over and over, and honestly, it just feels like way too much effort for something that should be smooth and simple. 

That’s where rigs come in. 

Think of them like the skeleton under your character’s skin — once you set them up, you can bend, stretch, or move your character around without having to redraw every little detail. 

Pretty cool, right?

Now, the best part is you don’t need some crazy expensive studio software to get started. 

There are tons of apps out there — from desktop heavyweights like Blender and Maya to lightweight mobile tools — that let you build rigs and bring your characters to life. 

And trust me, once you get used to rigging, you’ll wonder how you ever animated without it.

So, I went ahead and picked the best animation apps with rigs that are actually worth your time in 2025. 

Some are free, some are pro-level, but all of them will help you level up your animations big time.

1. Blender

Why I Picked It: Because it’s hands-down the best free rigging tool out there.

Blender is like the ultimate playground for animators. 

It’s open-source, totally free, and honestly packs more features than a lot of paid software. 

The rigging tools are crazy powerful — you can build complex skeletons, tweak weight painting, and even set up advanced IK/FK controls. 

And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about rigging. 

Blender gives you the full pipeline — modeling, texturing, animating, rendering — all in one place. 

Sure, the learning curve feels steep at first, but once you crack it, you’ll realize why studios and indie creators both swear by it. 

If you want professional-level rigging without paying a dime, Blender’s the way to go.

Also Read: 21 Best Animation Apps for Every Creator

2. OpenToonz

Why I Picked It: Because its Plastic Tool makes 2D rigging super beginner-friendly.

OpenToonz has become a fan favorite in the 2D space for one reason — it gives you serious rigging power without costing a cent. 

The Plastic Tool is where the magic happens. 

It lets you add bones to flat drawings so you can bend and animate them smoothly, almost like puppets. 

If you’ve ever felt stuck redrawing characters frame by frame, this tool will be a lifesaver. 

Plus, OpenToonz has that “open-source but professional” vibe, which means you’ll find tons of plugins and a solid community to lean on. 

It’s perfect if you want to dive into rigging but don’t want to empty your wallet.

3. Synfig Studio

Why I Picked It: Because it makes vector-based rigging actually simple.

Synfig Studio is another freebie that’s packed with rigging goodness. 

Unlike bitmap-based apps, Synfig works with vectors, so you can scale, tweak, and reshape your rigs without losing quality. 

Its bone system is surprisingly powerful for an open-source app — you can attach bones to vector artwork and control your characters with smooth motions. 

What I like most is that it makes rigging feel less intimidating, especially for beginners. 

You don’t need to be a pro to figure it out. 

And because it’s vector-based, your animations always look crisp, no matter how far you zoom in. 

If you’re dipping your toes into rigging, Synfig is definitely worth trying.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Tweening

4. Moho (Anime Studio)

Why I Picked It: Because its Smart Bones system is a total game-changer.

Moho is where rigging starts to feel pro-level but still fun to use.

The app is built around 2D animation, and the rigging tools are some of the most polished you’ll find. 

Smart Bones, for example, let you create natural movements without distortion — think bending elbows or turning heads smoothly. 

Add in advanced IK (inverse kinematics) and you’re basically set up for fluid, lifelike animations. 

Moho comes in two versions: Debut for beginners and Pro for those who want every feature unlocked. 

If you’re serious about 2D rigging but don’t want the heavy complexity of something like Maya, Moho strikes the perfect balance.

5. Adobe Animate

Why I Picked It: Because it makes rigging approachable for beginners while staying versatile.

Adobe Animate has been around forever, and it’s still one of the most accessible tools for anyone diving into 2D rigging. 

Its Asset Warp tool is what makes it shine — you can create rigs by adding bones directly to drawings or images, then just drag things around to animate. 

The interface feels super friendly, especially if you’re already used to Adobe’s ecosystem like Photoshop or Illustrator. 

Plus, the fact that it’s part of Creative Cloud means you can easily integrate it with After Effects for more advanced projects. 

Whether you’re animating for games, web content, or even simple character shorts, Animate makes rigging feel less overwhelming and more creative.

Also Read: 14 Best Animation Apps with Keyframes

6. Adobe Character Animator

Why I Picked It: Because it brings rigs to life in real time.

Adobe Character Animator is kinda wild. 

You take your artwork from Photoshop or Illustrator, set up a basic rig, and then it literally tracks your face and body to make the character move as you do. 

Like, blink your eyes and the puppet blinks back. Smile and it smiles. 

On top of that, you can build rigs with triggers and IK setups to handle limbs and expressions without needing to redraw anything. 

It’s more like puppeteering than traditional animating, and honestly, it feels magical the first time you see your rigged character mimic your movements. 

If you want to add instant life to your rigs, this is the one.

7. Toon Boom Harmony

Why I Picked It: Because it’s basically the gold standard for 2D rigs.

Toon Boom Harmony is what studios use when they want polished, broadcast-quality animation. 

And yeah, it’s not cheap, but the rigging tools here are next-level. 

You can set up advanced bone systems, deformers, and even create really detailed rigs that allow for subtle, expressive movements. 

It’s what big shows like Rick and Morty or The Simpsons rely on, so you know it’s solid. 

Sure, the learning curve is steep, but once you figure it out, you’re working with the same toolset as professional animators. 

If you’re aiming for a career or just want studio-level control over your rigs, Harmony is the big leagues.

Also Read: 11 Best Animation Apps with Audio

8. Rive

Why I Picked It: Because it mixes rigging with real-time interactivity.

Rive feels kinda different compared to traditional animation apps. 

Instead of just building rigs for cartoons or shorts, you’re setting up interactive rigs for apps, games, and UI elements. 

Think buttons that bounce, logos that come alive, or characters that respond in real time. 

It uses a state machine system, which makes animations smooth and reactive. 

The rigging is bone-based, but with an extra layer of flexibility because everything can be tweaked on the fly. 

If you’re into design, game dev, or just want to explore something fresh, Rive gives you a super modern take on rigging that’s really fun to play with.

9. Inochi Creator

Why I Picked It: Because it’s tailor-made for live 2D puppets and VTubing.

Now this one’s a little niche but super cool. 

Inochi Creator is an open-source tool for making 2D puppet rigs — perfect if you’re into VTubing or streaming. 

You build a rig with bones, physics, and deformations, then hook it up to live tracking so your digital avatar moves with you. 

It feels like a lightweight, free alternative to pricier Live2D Cubism setups. 

The rigs can get surprisingly expressive, and because it’s real time, it works perfectly for creators who want to animate themselves on screen without doing frame-by-frame work. 

It’s definitely not for everyone, but if “live rigs” are your jam, Inochi Creator is worth checking out.

Also Read: 13 Best Animation Apps with Voiceovers

10. Mixamo

Why I Picked It: Because it makes auto-rigging insanely easy.

Okay, so not everyone wants to spend hours setting up bones manually. 

That’s where Mixamo comes in. 

You just upload a 3D model, hit the auto-rigging button, and it generates a working skeleton with proper weight painting. 

It even has a library of animations you can slap on right away, like walking, dancing, or fighting. 

For indie devs or hobbyists, this is a lifesaver because it cuts out the tedious setup work. 

And since it’s free with an Adobe account, there’s really no barrier to entry. 

If you want to rig characters fast without diving into pro-level complexity, Mixamo is pure magic.

11. Akeytsu

Why I Picked It: Because it makes 3D rigging way less intimidating.

Akeytsu is kind of a hidden gem in the 3D animation world. 

Unlike Maya or Blender, which can feel overwhelming with all their menus and settings, Akeytsu keeps things clean and simple. 

The whole app is designed around rigging and animation, so you’re not bogged down by extra stuff you don’t need. 

You get fast IK/FK switching, one-click reverse foot setups, and onion-skinning that makes timing easier. 

It’s honestly built with game developers in mind, but even if you’re just learning rigs, it’s so much less stressful to use compared to the bigger software. 

If you want pro features without the learning nightmare, Akeytsu nails it.

Also Read: 17 Best Animation Apps with AI

12. Autodesk Maya

Why I Picked It: Because it’s the industry standard for rigging.

Maya is like the heavyweight champ of 3D animation. 

If you’ve ever wondered what the big studios use to rig characters in movies or AAA games, this is it. 

The rigging tools are ridiculously powerful — you can build advanced skeletons, control rigs, facial rigs, blend shapes, the whole deal. 

The downside… Yeah, it’s pricey, and the learning curve can be brutal. 

But once you get comfortable, there’s literally nothing you can’t do with it. 

From mocap integration to super-realistic rigs, Maya is what professionals swear by. 

If you’re aiming for Hollywood-level quality, this is the software that’ll get you there.

13. MotionBuilder

Why I Picked It: Because it’s perfect for mocap and performance rigs.

So, MotionBuilder is kinda Maya’s partner in crime. 

Also made by Autodesk, it’s specialized for motion capture editing and character rigging. 

Think of it like a sandbox for taking raw mocap data and cleaning it up with proper rigs. 

It’s insanely good for animators working in film or game pipelines because it handles complex rigs with ease, especially when syncing body and facial animations. 

It’s not really for beginners since it’s more of a niche pro tool, but if your focus is mocap and live performance rigs, MotionBuilder is one of the most powerful tools you can get your hands on.

14. DragonBones

Why I Picked It: Because it’s a free rigging alternative for 2D creators.

DragonBones doesn’t get as much hype as Moho or OpenToonz, but honestly, it deserves more attention. 

It’s completely free and gives you solid bone-based rigging tools for 2D animation. 

You can set up skeletons, bind them to your artwork, and then animate with smooth IK controls. 

It’s lightweight, fast, and super practical if you’re making mobile games or indie projects. 

Some devs even use it as an alternative to Spine (which is paid). 

It may not have all the bells and whistles, but if you want a no-cost way to learn rigging and make your characters move naturally, DragonBones is a solid pick.

15. Krita (with Rigging Plugins)

Why I Picked It: Because it lets illustrators dip into rigging without switching apps.

Krita is mainly known as a digital painting app, but with the right plugins, you can actually rig and animate characters directly in it. 

It’s not as advanced as something like Moho or Toon Boom, but if you already use Krita for art, this is a handy way to add life to your drawings. 

The rigging is plugin-driven, so you can create simple bones, attach them to parts of your artwork, and then test out movements without redrawing frames. 

It feels more experimental than professional, but for hobbyists and artists who just want to bring their characters to life, Krita with rigs is a fun starting point.

My Final Take

So yeah, rigs are kinda the unsung heroes of animation. 

Without them, you’re basically stuck redrawing the same stuff over and over, and honestly, that gets old real quick. 

The apps we just walked through cover the whole spectrum — from free beginner-friendly tools like OpenToonz and Synfig to heavyweight champs like Maya and MotionBuilder. 

What I really love is that you don’t need to spend a fortune just to get started with rigging. 

Even something like Blender or DragonBones can give you the same “wow, my character is actually moving” moment as the pro software. 

At the end of the day, the “best” app is really just the one that matches your workflow. 

Whether you’re animating for fun, streaming as a VTuber, or chasing a studio career, there’s a rigging app out there ready to back you up.

FAQs