Best 2D Character Animation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Animaker is ranked #1 of 46 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Animaze and Animation Desk. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Animaze. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Animaze at $1.67/mo.
2D character animation software supports different ways to create movement, from animation workflows to rigs and mesh deformation. Compare bone rigging and lip sync alongside the workflow each tool offers, and consider export formats when you know how your animation needs to be delivered. Supported platforms, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing add practical points to weigh. Animaker, Animaze, and Animation Desk are among the options, alongside VTube Studio and Live2D Cubism. Consider the kind of character motion you want to make and which parts of the process matter most to you; the listed criteria can help you assess the tools’ approaches without assuming every option works the same way.
46 2D character animation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Animaker iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free
- 2 Animaze iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$1.67/mo
- 3 Animation Desk iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 4 VTube Studio iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 5 Stick Nodes iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5Free Animation workflow: hybridMesh deformation: Yes
- 6 Live2D Cubism iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4$5.65/mo Animation workflow: puppetMesh deformation: Yes
- 7 Plotagon iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Animation workflow: puppet
- 8 RoughAnimator iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0$7.99/mo Animation workflow: frame-by-frame
- 9 Callipeg iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9$5/mo Animation workflow: hybrid
- 10 Vyond iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9
- 11 FlipaClip iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Animation workflow: frame-by-frame
- 12 TupiTube Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8
- 13 ToonSquid iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Animation workflow: hybridBone rigging: YesMesh deformation: Yes
- 14 Procreate iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6
- 15 Mango Animate Whiteboard Animation Maker No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$99/mo
- 16 Spriter No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$59.99/mo
- 17 Tahoma2D No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Animation workflow: hybridBone rigging: YesMesh deformation: Yes
- 18 OpenToonz No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 19 Pencil2D No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free
- 20 SkelForm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Mesh deformation: Yes
- 21 SpineBones No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Mesh deformation: Yes
- 22 veadotube No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1$8/mo
- 23 E-mote No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0Free Animation workflow: hybridMesh deformation: Yes
- 24 PNGTuber Plus No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7Free
- 25 Stretchy Studio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7Free
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 Samsung Mobile US Press?
Animaker is ranked #1 of 46 with a score of 7.8. Animaze is second and Animation Desk 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 mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.