Rive makes 2D animations with rigging, motion graphics and shared cloud projects on web, desktop and mobile.
Free plan From $9 a month, billed yearly AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux
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Best Animation Software 2026
Animation software covers tools for drawing, 3D work, character rigging and motion graphics. This list helps buyers compare free plans, paid starting prices, trials, collaboration, export formats and device support.
It is ordered by release recency, using figures the makers publish, with no score. Check the current listing details when comparing options.
02
Live2D Cubism
Live2D Cubism creates Live2D animations through apps and a browser on supported devices.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Record8.5 Visit
03
Cascadeur
Animation software with character rigging for Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+3 Record8.5 Visit
04
Rokoko Studio
Animation software available on web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and API platforms.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record8.1 Visit
05
Houdini
Houdini suits 3D artists and production teams working in areas such as film, games, motion graphics, or virtual reality.
WindowsMacLinux Record8.0 Visit
6
Animaker
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 $15 a month, billed yearly Record8.0 Visit Animation software available on the web, Android, iOS and API platforms.
7
Adobe Character Animator
WindowsMac Free plan Record7.9 Visit Adobe Character Animator makes character animations on macOS and Windows.
8
iClone
iPhone & iPadWindowsAPI Free plan Record7.9 Visit 3D animation software for creating and directing animated scenes on Windows, iOS and API platforms.
9
Blender
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.8 Visit Blender suits people creating 3D models, animations, visual effects, or game assets, as well as users combining 2D drawing with 3D work.
10
Powtoon
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 $8 a month, billed yearly Record7.7 Visit Powtoon may suit educators, trainers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and organizations creating presentations, ads, explainers, or training materials.
12
Pencil2D
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.5 Visit It suits animators making hand-drawn 2D work who want raster and vector workflows, onion skin, keyframes, and multiple export formats.
13
Animation Desk
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+1 $2.49 a month, billed yearly Record7.5 Visit Animation Desk lets you draw animations on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.
14
OpenToonz
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.4 Visit OpenToonz suits professional and amateur animators, as well as school education.
15
Plask Motion
WebMacBrowser extension+1 $18 a month, billed yearly Record7.4 Visit Plask Motion is web and macOS animation software with API and extension access.
17
Notch
WindowsMac $279 a year Record7.2 Visit Notch may suit motion-design creators who need real-time 3D graphics, compositing and interactive integrations.
18
Fusion
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.1 Visit Fusion links image-processing nodes for compositing, effects and 3D work on Windows, macOS and Linux.
20
Synfig Studio
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.0 Visit It suits animators who want free, open-source 2D tools on Windows, Linux, or macOS.
21
Callipeg
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+2 $5 one-time Record7.0 Visit Callipeg suits animators creating hand-drawn or keyframe work on tablets and desktop computers.
Before you choose
Separate free plans from trials
A free plan and a free trial are different labels. Check which one a tool offers before you plan a workflow or budget.
Rive lists a free plan and paid plans from $9 per user each month on annual billing. Cascadeur lists a free plan, paid plans from $8 per month on annual billing and a 14-day trial.
Match the platform to your devices
The list compares Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android support. Check the platform field before choosing a desktop, browser or mobile workflow.
Android availability can matter if you work on a Galaxy phone or tablet. Confirm that the tool supports the device you plan to use.
Choose the animation features you need
Compare the fields for 2D animation, 3D modeling, character rigging and motion graphics. A tool that fits one type of project may not fit another.
Use the feature fields to narrow the list before comparing price or platform support.
Check collaboration and exports
Cloud collaboration can affect how you share projects with other people. Export formats can affect how your work moves into another app or service.
Review both fields alongside the platform requirements before committing to a workflow.
Review the licence
If you need to read or change the code, check whether the tool is open source and read its licence terms before you choose it.
Questions
Does a free plan include a free trial?
The list records free plans and free trials as separate fields. Check the individual listing to see which option applies.
Which platforms does the list compare?
It compares Windows, macOS, Linux, web, iOS and Android support.
Can I use these tools on a Galaxy device?
Android availability is a comparison field. Check the listing for Android support before choosing a tool for a Galaxy phone or tablet.
How can I find 3D animation tools?
Use the 3D modeling comparison field, then check the tool's supported platforms, pricing and export formats.
Why do export formats matter?
Export formats affect how your animation moves into another app or service. Compare the listed formats with your planned workflow.
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