Side by side
Animation Desk vs Pencil2D
Both stand on 2d character animation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
Animation Desk supports several animation workflows and export formats across three platforms. Its stated maintenance plans and version-specific feature limits are worth considering.
Visit Animation Desk
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows
Pencil2D provides core drawing and timeline tools for hand-drawn 2D animation without a software fee. Note its unimplemented video, text, and shape tools when deciding whether it fits your workflow.
Visit Pencil2DThe facts
| Animation Desk | Pencil2D | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Animation Desk Pro iOS: $2.49 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Maker | Animation Desk | Not published |
| Website | kdan.com | pencil2d.org |
| On 2d character animation software | #4 of 48 | #1 of 48 |
Animation Desk: what it does well
- Available on iOS, Android, and Windows.
- Exports video, GIF, PDF, PSD, or image sequences.
- Editable projects exchange across supported platforms.
- Can start from clips, photos, or templates.
- Free plan is available.
What to know first
- Some features vary by app version.
- No proactive new feature development is planned.
- Routine version maintenance updates will not be provided.
Pencil2D: what it does well
- Free and open source, including for commercial use.
- Supports raster and vector workflows.
- Onion skin can show previous and next keyframes.
- Exports video, GIF, and image-sequence formats.
What to know first
- Video importing has not been implemented.
- Text and shape tools are not implemented.
- Legacy builds lack the latest security fixes.
Alternatives to Animation Desk Alternatives to Pencil2D The whole list