Cavalry

Cavalry is desktop software for 2D animation and motion graphics, aimed at motion designers who need procedural animation, compositing and data-driven sequences. Its free individual plan is a strong starting point, but Canva sign-in and the lack of mobile support may rule it out for some workflows.

Overview

Cavalry combines 2D animation and character rigging with node-based compositing, keying, simulation and 3D camera tracking. That gives motion designers a wider toolkit than animation alone, while keeping 2D work at its center. Its hybrid render engine and full-speed real-time viewport are intended to keep iteration responsive; this is an appealing combination for building and refining animated visuals, but does not make Cavalry a fit for every kind of visual-effects project.

Procedural rigs and data-driven sequences help users create repeatable motion, and spreadsheet connections support animation at scale. Those capabilities are most useful when graphics need to adapt across datasets or variations, rather than for projects built as one-off animations.

Key features

Animation and compositing

Character rigging, motion graphics and 2D animation cover core motion-design work. Node-based compositing, keying tools, simulation and 3D camera tracking extend the range of effects work possible in the same application. This breadth is valuable for designers who need those tools alongside 2D animation; users focused on another discipline may not benefit from the additional capabilities.

Procedural work and exports

Procedural rigs and spreadsheet-driven animation offer a practical route to reusable, data-led sequences. Exports include APNG, GIF, JPEG, Lottie, MP4, PNG, QuickTime, SVG, Sprite Sheet, WebM and WebP, covering both animated and still-image formats. Lottie support is particularly relevant when that format is part of a delivery workflow.

Learning and support

Getting-started material, feature guides, tips, tutorials and community content give new users several ways into the software. Documentation and a support link are also available, which is useful when learning a broad toolset.

Pricing

Free for Individuals: free. Individuals can download and use Cavalry without payment or usage restrictions, with 2D animation software, professional features, procedural rigs, a real-time viewport and data-driven sequences. This makes the individual plan suitable for both exploration and ongoing personal work without a stated usage cap.

Enterprise: custom pricing. Organizations can get organization-wide access and SSO through Canva Enterprise or Canva Education. This is the relevant option for teams that need centrally managed access; it is not a priced self-service tier.

Cavalry is brought to users by Canva and requires a Canva account. A legacy subscription refund removes access to Pro features in Cavalry 2.6.1 and earlier, a point to consider for anyone relying on that version and subscription history.

Platforms

Cavalry is available on macOS and Windows, not mobile devices. It suits desktop animation workflows, but not users who need to work on phones or tablets.

Who it's for

Cavalry is best suited to individual motion designers and animators who want a no-cost desktop tool with procedural rigs, data-driven animation, broad export choices and compositing features. It is also worth considering for organizations that can use Canva Enterprise or Canva Education for SSO. It is a poor fit for mobile-first work or teams unable to use Canva accounts.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Free individual use has no stated usage restrictions, making it viable beyond a short trial or limited demo.
• Pro: Spreadsheet connections and procedural rigs support repeatable animation of changing data at scale.
• Pro: A broad set of animation, compositing and effects tools pairs with exports ranging from Lottie to video, image and sprite-sheet formats.
• Con: A Canva account is required, which may not suit users or organizations that cannot adopt that sign-in.
• Con: No mobile availability excludes phone- and tablet-based workflows.
• Con: Enterprise access is custom pricing, so organizations must seek a quote rather than compare a published per-seat price.

Alternatives

Animation Software is a useful place to compare other tools if Cavalry's desktop-only, Canva-linked setup does not fit. For a wider effects-oriented shortlist, see Visual Effects Software.

• PopcornFX is another freemium option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows; its Personal Learning Edition is free for non-commercial or educational use.
• Houdini offers a free plan and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, making it worth comparing if cross-platform availability matters. Its listed Houdini Core workstation plan is $1,995 a month.
• Terragen is a paid option with a free plan and trial across Linux, macOS and Windows; its Professional license subscription for the Indie 50 eligibility tier is $10 a month.
• DaVinci Resolve has a free plan for Linux, macOS and Windows, with a Studio edition priced at $295, paid once. Compare it when its Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 and 60 fps plan details are relevant to your choice.
• Natron is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows, released under the GNU GPL license for use, modification and sharing.
• EbSynth is a freemium alternative available on the web and Windows.
• Gaea runs on Windows and offers a Community Edition for non-commercial use with a 1,024 × 1,024 single-build resolution.
• Gaffer is free for use at home or in a studio, runs on Linux and Windows, and is released under the BSD License.

Verdict

Choose Cavalry if you want a free desktop environment for 2D animation, procedural motion and spreadsheet-driven sequences, with compositing tools and broad export support in the same application. Look elsewhere if mobile access or a non-Canva account workflow is essential; organizations should also weigh the custom-priced Enterprise route before standardizing it for a team.