21 Best Animation Apps for Every Creator (2025)

So, you’ve got all these ideas in your head, right? 

Maybe it’s a cartoon character you sketched on paper, maybe it’s a fun story you want to tell, or maybe you just need something simple for a school project or a TikTok. 

And you’re probably sitting there thinking, “Okay, which animation app is actually worth my time?”

Well, you don’t need to dig through dozens of random apps anymore. 

I went ahead and pulled together the 21 best animation apps for every kind of creator. 

And when I say every creator, I mean it — beginners, kids, pros, people who just want something free, or even someone who needs advanced stuff like rigs, tweening, keyframes, or AI-powered tools. 

Oh, and yep, we’ve got stop-motion, whiteboard apps, and even no-watermark picks in here too.

So yeah, whether you’re on Windows, iPad, or even an Amazon Fire tablet, this list has you covered. 

Let’s get into it.

1. Procreate Dreams

Why I Picked It: Honestly, it’s the smoothest way to animate on an iPad right now.

So, if you’ve ever used Procreate for drawing, Procreate Dreams is like its cooler sibling that just dropped with animation powers. 

It’s built for touch, so instead of messing around with clunky menus, you can literally pinch, swipe, and drag your way through keyframes and timelines. 

It supports things like tweening and gestures that feel super natural, almost like sketching in real life. 

And because it’s iPad-first, you get Apple Pencil support out of the box, which is a game changer for detail work. 

Whether you’re a beginner doodling or a pro layering complex scenes, this app makes animation actually fun — not frustrating.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Tweening

2. Blender

Why I Picked It: It’s free, insanely powerful, and just keeps getting better.

Blender is kind of the beast of animation software. 

You can do everything here — 2D with Grease Pencil, full 3D modeling, rigging, keyframes, you name it. 

It’s open-source, which means the community is always pushing out updates and plugins, so you’re never stuck with outdated tools. 

And yeah, it’s got a bit of a learning curve, but once you get into it, you’ll realize people use Blender for actual films and pro projects. 

The best part… Zero cost. 

If you’re on Windows, Mac, or Linux and want a tool that grows with you, Blender is the one app you should definitely try.

Also Read: 14 Best Animation Apps with Keyframes

3. Moho

Why I Picked It: Rigging and tweening made way less painful.

Moho is one of those apps that feels built for animators who actually care about efficiency. 

Instead of drawing frame by frame, you can rig your characters and reuse the skeleton to make movement smoother — and faster. 

Tweening is super clean here, which means you can get professional-looking results without spending forever on tiny details. 

A lot of indie creators swear by it because it bridges the gap between casual apps and industry software. 

If you’ve ever wanted to step up from beginner tools but not drown in complexity, Moho is like that perfect middle ground.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Rigs

4. Pencil2D

Why I Picked It: Because sometimes simple is all you need.

Pencil2D is a lightweight, open-source app that’s perfect for getting into animation without overwhelming menus or complicated features. 

It’s all about frame-by-frame drawing, so if you love that old-school hand-drawn vibe, this will feel natural. 

The interface is super clean, and because it’s free, you don’t have to stress about budgets while you’re learning. 

It runs smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, so basically anyone can try it. 

I like it because it doesn’t try to be everything at once — it just focuses on being a reliable sketch-to-animation tool. 

Great for beginners or anyone who just wants to practice the basics.

5. Krita

Why I Picked It: Free, powerful, and surprisingly good for animation.

Krita is mostly known as a digital art app, but its animation timeline is seriously underrated. 

You can draw, paint, and then bring those creations to life with keyframes and onion-skinning. 

It feels like a natural extension of drawing, which is why a lot of illustrators use it to dip into animation without switching to something super technical. 

Plus, it’s free and open-source, so updates and brushes from the community just keep expanding what it can do. 

If you’re the type who likes sketching detailed characters or environments, Krita lets you turn those static pieces into motion without much hassle.

6. OpenToonz

Why I Picked It: Studio-level power without the price tag.

OpenToonz is another open-source gem that professional studios have actually used. 

It’s built for serious 2D animation with features like bone rigging, tweening, and effects, but it’s still accessible if you’re learning. 

The cool part is that it comes from the same toolset used by Studio Ghibli (yep, that Ghibli), so you know it’s capable of high-quality work. 

It does take a little patience to get comfortable, but once you learn the basics, it opens up huge creative potential. 

And since it’s free, there’s zero risk in trying it out to see if it fits your style.

7. Synfig Studio

Why I Picked It: A free powerhouse for tweening and vector animation.

Synfig Studio is one of those apps that looks a little intimidating at first but is totally worth sticking with. 

It’s built around vector animation, so instead of redrawing every frame, you can just set your keyframes and let the software handle the in-betweens. 

That means smoother motion and way less time spent grinding over tiny movements. 

It also has bone systems for rigging characters, which makes animating complex designs easier. 

And since it’s open-source, you don’t have to pay a cent. 

If you’re ready to move beyond basic frame-by-frame drawing and want more control without dropping money, Synfig is a great next step.

8. FlipaClip

Why I Picked It: Because every beginner animator has probably started here.

FlipaClip has this sweet spot where it’s simple enough for kids and beginners but still fun for anyone who loves frame-by-frame animation. 

The interface is clean, playful, and doesn’t overwhelm you with options. 

You can draw, add layers, bring in audio, and even use onion-skinning to keep track of your frames. 

It’s especially popular on mobile, which makes it super easy to doodle animations on the go. 

While it’s not a pro tool, FlipaClip shines because it makes animation accessible and fun. 

Honestly, if you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into animation without overthinking, this app makes the whole process feel like playtime.

Also Read: 11 Best Animation Apps with Audio

9. Toonsquid

Why I Picked It: A hidden gem for iPad animators.

Toonsquid isn’t as famous as Procreate Dreams or FlipaClip, but trust me, it deserves way more attention. 

It’s a one-time purchase (no subscription nonsense) and packs in a surprisingly robust set of animation tools. 

You get layers, keyframes, and smooth controls that feel perfectly optimized for iPad and Apple Pencil. 

The workflow is streamlined, so you don’t get bogged down with menus — you can just start drawing and animating right away. 

I love that it balances power with simplicity, making it perfect for indie creators or anyone who wants to get serious on iPad without paying Adobe prices. 

If you’re an iPad-first creator, this one’s worth checking out.

10. Adobe Character Animator

Why I Picked It: Real-time animation that actually feels like magic.

This app is wild — instead of animating frame by frame, Adobe Character Animator lets you bring characters to life using your webcam and mic. 

You talk, you blink, you move your head, and your character copies you in real-time. 

It’s perfect for streamers, YouTubers, or anyone who wants to create animated content fast. 

The puppeting system is insanely fun to play with, and you can also refine things later with keyframes if you want more polish. 

It’s not a “traditional” animation app, but for live performance and quick storytelling, nothing else feels quite like it. 

Honestly, it’s like motion capture but simplified for everyday creators.

11. Adobe After Effects

Why I Picked It: The king of motion graphics.

If you’ve seen any slick intro, title animation, or crazy effects in videos, chances are After Effects was behind it. 

This is the industry standard for motion graphics and advanced animation. 

It supports everything — keyframes, plugins, expressions, and integrations with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator. 

Yeah, it’s complex and has a steep learning curve, but once you get into it, there’s basically no limit to what you can make. 

It’s not the kind of app you casually open to doodle, but if your goal is professional-level motion graphics or VFX, After Effects is the go-to. 

Think of it as the heavyweight champ of digital animation.

12. Stop Motion Studio

Why I Picked It: Because stop-motion has never been this easy.

Stop Motion Studio is one of those apps that makes you feel like a filmmaker with just your phone or tablet. 

You set up your shots, take photos frame by frame, and the app stitches them into a movie. 

It’s super beginner-friendly but also has tools like onion skinning, frame adjustment, and even sound editing if you want to get fancy. 

Whether you’re animating clay figures, Lego builds, or just messing around with objects on your desk, this app makes the process way less intimidating. 

It’s also great for kids who want to experiment with storytelling without having to draw every frame.

13. Explain Everything

Why I Picked It: The go-to for whiteboard animations.

This app is perfect if you’re teaching, presenting, or just love that whiteboard doodle style. 

Explain Everything lets you record your drawings, add voiceovers, and instantly turn them into explainer videos. 

It’s super popular in classrooms but also great for content creators who want to make engaging tutorials or social media content. 

The interface is clean, collaborative, and designed for people who want results without diving into pro-level complexity. 

Honestly, if you’ve ever watched a smooth whiteboard animation online and thought, “I could do that,” this is the app that makes it possible — no studio required.

Also Read: 13 Best Animation Apps with Voiceovers

14. Animaker

Why I Picked It: Drag-and-drop animation for non-designers.

Animaker is a web-based tool that’s made for people who want polished animations without learning traditional animation skills. 

You get pre-built templates, characters, and assets, so you can basically assemble your video like a Lego set. 

Add text, drop in a voiceover, tweak some motion, and you’re done. 

It’s great for social media, marketing, and explainer videos. 

Sure, it’s not the app for hand-drawn purists, but if your goal is to make content fast and professional-looking, Animaker really nails it. 

Plus, it works right in your browser, which means no heavy downloads or complicated setups.

Also Read: 17 Best AI Animation Generators

15. Powtoon

Why I Picked It: Quick animated presentations that actually look good.

Powtoon is another online tool, but it leans more toward business and education. 

Think animated slideshows that are way more engaging than PowerPoint. 

You can build characters, add transitions, and sync up audio or narration without spending hours. 

It’s super popular with marketers, teachers, and small businesses that need content fast. 

The best part is that you don’t need animation skills to use it — the templates do a lot of the heavy lifting. 

If you’ve ever wanted to make a professional animated pitch or training video without hiring someone, Powtoon has you covered.

16. Glaxnimate

Why I Picked It: A free hidden gem with vector animation.

Glaxnimate isn’t as famous as some of the big names, but it’s a powerful open-source tool worth checking out. 

It specializes in vector-based animation, and you can even export directly to formats like Lottie, which is huge for web and app developers. 

The interface is lightweight and straightforward, so you won’t feel overwhelmed starting out. 

While it doesn’t have the flash of After Effects or the community of Blender, it does the essentials really well — keyframes, tweening, and clean exports. 

If you want something free, modern, and focused, Glaxnimate is one of those apps you’ll be glad you discovered early.

17. TupiTube

Why I Picked It: A free app that makes animation fun for beginners and kids.

TupiTube is all about accessibility — it’s simple, lightweight, and designed for younger creators or anyone new to animation. 

The interface is playful and easy to navigate, so you can start animating without getting lost in menus. 

It runs on desktop and even has an Android version, which makes it super versatile. 

While it doesn’t have the deep pro-level features of Blender or Moho, it’s a fantastic stepping stone if you’re just starting out. 

Schools and educators love it because it gets students animating quickly without a big learning curve.

18. Adobe Animate

Why I Picked It: A classic tool that still delivers.

Adobe Animate has been around forever, and it’s still one of the most versatile 2D animation apps out there. 

It supports traditional frame-by-frame, but also vector-based animations, making it a solid choice for cartoons, games, and web content. 

Integration with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator is a huge plus, especially if you’re already in that ecosystem. 

The interface feels familiar if you’ve used Adobe before, and while it’s not the cheapest option, it’s reliable and constantly updated. 

If you want an industry-tested app that can handle a bit of everything, Adobe Animate still holds its ground.

19. Autodesk MotionBuilder

Why I Picked It: For serious 3D animation and rigging work.

MotionBuilder is definitely not for casual users, but if you’re diving into professional 3D animation, it’s a beast. 

It specializes in motion capture and rig-based animation, which makes it perfect for realistic character movement. 

Big studios use it for film, TV, and game development, so you know it’s powerful. 

The real-time playback is super smooth, and the tools are designed to handle complex animations without lag. 

Sure, it’s pricey and technical, but if you’re aiming for studio-level results, this is the kind of app that can get you there.

20. Alight Motion

Why I Picked It: The best mobile app for motion graphics.

Alight Motion is like After Effects, but in your pocket. It’s built for mobile creators who want smooth keyframe animation, motion graphics, and effects without needing a desktop. 

You can add text, layers, transitions, and even vector graphics, all from your phone. 

It’s especially popular among TikTok and Instagram creators who want their edits to stand out. 

While the free version has watermarks, the paid upgrade unlocks everything and is still affordable compared to desktop tools. 

If you love making content on the go, Alight Motion is one of the most capable apps out there right now.

21. Toontastic

Why I Picked It: The ultimate storytelling app for kids.

Toontastic, made by Google, is designed to help kids create animated stories with ease. 

It’s super simple — you pick characters, set the scene, record your voice, and the app animates everything into a short cartoon. 

It’s playful, colorful, and perfect for sparking creativity without needing any animation knowledge. 

Parents and teachers love it because it mixes fun with storytelling skills, and kids love it because it feels like making their own mini movie. 

While it won’t replace Pro Tools, it’s easily one of the best apps to introduce young creators to the world of animation.

My Final Take

So yeah, that’s the full lineup. 

And honestly, the cool part is there’s something here for everyone. 

If you’re just starting out, apps like FlipaClip or Pencil2D make animation feel fun instead of overwhelming. 

If you’re on iPad, Procreate Dreams or Toonsquid are total game changers. 

Want to go pro? Blender, Moho, or After Effects will keep you busy for years. And even kids have Toontastic to spark their first animated stories.

At the end of the day, the “best” app is really just the one that makes you excited to keep creating. 

So pick one, dive in, and don’t overthink it — animation is meant to be fun.

FAQs