Best Open-Source Animation Software for Beginners and Pros

If you're an aspiring animator or a seasoned professional, the right software can make all the difference in creating your animations. Fortunately, several open-source animation tools cater to both beginner and professional animators.

Here are some of the best open-source animation software to help you create stunning animations without breaking the bank.

Free Animation Tools for Beginners

For those just starting out in animation, there are several free animation tools for beginners that are simple yet powerful. Software like Pencil2D and TupiTube allow newcomers to explore the basics of 2D animation with intuitive interfaces and minimal learning curves. These tools provide all the essential features to get started on your animation journey without any costs involved.

Professional Animation Software

For professional animators, the need for advanced tools and features is essential. Professional animation software like OpenToonz and Blender provides high-end capabilities for complex projects. With support for 2D and 3D animation, sophisticated rigging, and visual effects, these programs are designed to meet the demands of professional animators while remaining open-source and free to use.

2D and 3D Animation Software

The best 2D and 3D animation software offers versatile features that cater to a wide range of animation styles and needs. Whether you're crafting traditional hand-drawn 2D animations or diving into 3D modelling and animation, open-source tools like Blender and Synfig Studio allow you to experiment with both. These programs provide all the necessary tools to create stunning animations, from basic character design to full-fledged visual effects, making them perfect for animators who want to explore both dimensions.

OpenToonz – Professional 2D Animation Software

Best for: Frame-by-frame and cutout animation (Used by Studio Ghibli)
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: OpenToonz

OpenToonz is a powerful 2D animation tool used in professional studios, including Studio Ghibli. It supports both vector and raster animation, bone rigging, and advanced special effects like lighting and blur. While it has a bit of a learning curve, it’s ideal for animators who want to create high-quality animations using free software.

Key Features:

✔ Advanced frame-by-frame animation tools
✔ Bone rigging for character animation
✔ Customizable FX system for lighting, blur, and distortions
✔ Compatible with scanned hand-drawn frames
✔ Completely free & open-source

opentoonz animation

Pencil2D – Simple 2D Animation Software

Best for: Traditional hand-drawn animations
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Pencil2D

Pencil2D offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface for animators who want to focus on traditional, hand-drawn animation. It's perfect for beginners who want a simple tool to start creating 2D animations. With support for both raster and vector graphics, you can create flexible animations with ease.

Key Features:

✔ Simple frame-by-frame animation
✔ Supports raster and vector graphics
✔ Lightweight and easy to use for beginners
✔ Completely free & open-source
✔ Multi-platform support

pencil2d animation software

Synfig Studio – Advanced 2D Animation Software

Best for: High-quality vector-based animations
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Synfig Studio

Synfig Studio is a professional-grade animation software that excels in vector-based 2D animation. It offers a robust set of tools, including automatic tweening, which makes it easier for animators to create smooth transitions without drawing every frame. It's ideal for those looking to create complex animations with a high degree of control.

Key Features:

✔ Vector-based animation with scalable graphics
✔ Automatic tweening for smoother transitions
✔ Advanced drawing and path animation tools
✔ Multi-platform support
✔ Completely free & open-source

synfig studio advanced 2d animation

Blender – 3D Animation and Visual Effects Software

Best for: 2D and 3D animation (Complete animation suite)
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Blender

Blender is a versatile, open-source tool that’s widely known for its 3D modelling capabilities. However, with the Grease Pencil feature, Blender also offers robust 2D animation tools, making it an excellent choice for animators who want to create both 2D and 3D animations in one place.

Key Features:

✔ Powerful 3D modeling and animation tools
✔ Grease Pencil for 2D animation
✔ Animation rigging and character design tools
✔ Support for visual effects and compositing
✔ Completely free & open-source

blender 3d animation software

Natron – Compositing and VFX Software

Best for: Compositing and visual effects in animation
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Natron

While Natron is primarily known for compositing and visual effects (VFX), it’s also an excellent choice for animators who need to integrate VFX into their animations. Its node-based interface gives professionals the flexibility to create complex compositions, while its open-source nature makes it accessible to beginners.

Key Features:

✔ Node-based compositing system
✔ Support for various visual effects and motion graphics
✔ OpenFX plugin support for added functionality
✔ Multi-platform support
✔ Completely free & open-source

natron composition vfx software

Krita – Digital Painting with Animation Tools

Best for: Hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Krita

Krita is widely known for its digital painting features, but it also includes powerful animation tools. It’s perfect for animators who specialize in hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation and is ideal for artists who want to combine painting with animation.

Key Features:

✔ Powerful digital painting tools for animation
✔ Frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation
✔ Supports onion skinning and timeline editing
✔ Customizable brushes and drawing tools
✔ Completely free & open-source

krita digital painting animation tools

TupiTube – Simple Animation for Beginners

Best for: Young animators and beginners
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: TupiTube

TupiTube is an excellent tool for beginners, especially young animators. It offers a simple interface and basic 2D animation tools, including frame-by-frame drawing and vector-based graphics. It’s an ideal entry-level program to start learning the basics of animation.

Key Features:

✔ Simple and easy-to-use interface
✔ Frame-by-frame and vector-based animation
✔ Ideal for young animators and beginners
✔ Multi-platform support
✔ Completely free & open-source

tupitube simple animation for beginners

Enve – Frame-by-Frame Animation Software

Best for: Quick and efficient frame-by-frame animation
Platform: Windows, Linux
Download: Enve

Enve is a straightforward, open-source animation tool focused on frame-by-frame animation. It offers a clean, intuitive interface and a set of basic drawing tools for animators who want to create animations without the complexity of other software.

Key Features:

✔ Frame-by-frame animation
✔ Simple and intuitive interface
✔ Ideal for quick animations
✔ Multi-platform support
✔ Completely free & open-source

maurycyliebner enve animation software

DragonBones – 2D Skeletal Animation Software

Best for: Skeletal animation and rigging
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: DragonBones

DragonBones is an excellent tool for animators who want to create character animations using a skeletal rigging system. Its intuitive interface and inverse kinematics (IK) support make it easy to animate complex character movements with minimal effort.

Key Features:

✔ Skeletal rigging and animation
✔ Inverse kinematics support
✔ Easy-to-use interface
✔ Multi-platform support
✔ Completely free & open-source

dragonbonesgithub 3d skeletal animation software

Toonloop – Live Stop-Motion Animation Software

Best for: Live stop-motion and pixilation animation
Platform: Linux, Unix-based systems
Download: Toonloop on GitHub

Toonloop is a unique open-source animation tool that specializes in live stop-motion and pixilation techniques. Developed by Alexandre Quessy, it allows animators to instantly preview their stop-motion sequences and make real-time adjustments during the animation process. This feature makes it particularly useful for those working with physical models or real-world objects. Toonloop’s simple interface and free availability make it a great choice for both beginner and advanced animators interested in exploring stop-motion animation in a digital environment.

Key Features:

✔ Real-time playback of stop-motion sequences
✔ Ideal for pixilation and stop-motion animation
✔ Supports instant feedback and editing
✔ Free and open-source software
✔ Works on Unix-based systems

toonloop livestop animation software

Cascadeur – AI-Assisted 3D Animation Software

Best for: 3D character animation with AI assistance
Platform: Windows, macOS
Download: Cascadeur

Cascadeur is an innovative 3D animation software that incorporates AI-assisted tools to help animators create realistic character movements and animations. With its powerful physics-based simulation, Cascadeur automatically adjusts keyframes to ensure natural-looking motion, making it an ideal choice for animators who want to focus on fine-tuning rather than manually adjusting every detail. Whether you’re working on game animation, movies, or virtual reality projects, Cascadeur’s intuitive interface and AI-powered features can streamline your workflow and help you achieve high-quality animations faster.

Key Features:

✔ AI-assisted animation tools for realistic character movement
✔ Physics-based simulations for lifelike animations
✔ Easy-to-use keyframe manipulation and cleanup tools
✔ Supports industry-standard file formats like .FBX and .DAE
✔ Completely free for personal use

cascadeur ai assisted 3d animation software

Which Animation Software Should You Choose?

Whether you're a beginner looking for something simple like Pencil2D or a pro in need of advanced features like OpenToonz or Blender, there’s an open-source animation tool for everyone. These free options give you the power to create professional-quality animations without the need for expensive software. Explore these tools, and start animating your ideas today!
By choosing one of these best free animation software, you can bring your creative ideas to life without investing in expensive tools.

Start animating today! Try out the software that suits your needs and let your imagination run wild. If you found this information helpful, please share this article with other aspiring animators!