Best 2D Character Animation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Animaker is ranked #1 of 46 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Animation Desk and Animaze. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Animation Desk. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Animaze at $1.67/mo.
2D character animation tools support different approaches to building movement, from rigging to lip sync and deformation. Compared on animation workflow, bone rigging, mesh deformation, and lip sync, these entries also give you export formats and supported platforms to consider. Check free-plan availability and paid starting prices as part of the fit. Animaker, Animation Desk, and Animaze are among the software names shown, alongside OpenToonz and Pencil2D. Compare the listed capabilities with the kind of character motion you want to create and the platforms and output formats you need.
46 2D character animation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
16 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AnimakerWeb · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 2 | Animation DeskWindows · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | AnimazeWindows · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $1.67/mo | 6.5 | |
| 4 | OpenToonzWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | Pencil2DWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | SkelFormWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | Tahoma2DWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | VTube StudioWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | SpriterWindows · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $59.99/mo | 6.4 | |
| 10 | veadotubeWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $8/mo | 6.4 | |
| 11 | E-moteWeb · Windows | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 12 | Mango Animate Whiteboard Animation MakerWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $99/mo | 6.3 | |
| 13 | SpineBonesWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 14 | Stick NodesAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 15 | PNGTuber PlusWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 16 | Stretchy StudioWeb | One bar | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.1 | |
| 17 | Live2D CubismWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | $5.65/mo | 5.8 |
| 18 | PlotagonWindows · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 19 | Animation PaperWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $79/mo | 5.4 |
| 20 | TupiTubeWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 21 | CallipegWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | $5/mo | 5.3 |
| 22 | DragonBonesWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 23 | FlipaClipMac · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 24 | Kage StudioWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 25 | Synfig StudioWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which 2D character animation software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Animaker is ranked #1 of 46 with a score of 6.5. Animation Desk is second and Animaze third.
How many of these have a free plan?
16 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Animaze has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.67/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.