Would you like to know more about top-ranking alternatives to Adobe Animate? It is no secret that Adobe Animate is considered to be the best software in the sphere of professional animation creating.
Read on to discover the best alternatives that are user-friendly and feature different powerful tools for creating computer animation.
Verdict: Wick Editor is a flash-based online tool designed for developing engaging projects. It allows you to create digital illustrations, animations and other interactive things. This Adobe Animate free alternative operates in the browser and is compatible with a variety of desktop devices and screens.
Wick Editor includes a combination of an animation system and a programming environment, emulating such tools as HyperCard, Flashand Scratch. Apart from being a full-featured programming and animation tool, this editor is available absolutely for free.
The beginners will appreciate its usability and helpful guide system that will take you through the steps of creating top-notch stuff.
Verdict: This cross-platform Adobe Animate free alternative allows you to simplify the process of producing top-notch 2D animation. It works with vector graphics, so you can create both simple animated objects and film-quality animation.
Synfig Studio has a professional interface with a convenient workspace. All the tools are logically organized into several kits. This animation system is designed to mainly work with vector objects, so you won't experience such a problem as pixelation.
The strong feature of the program is the ability to interpolate between the key frames. Apart from creating smooth transitions between the frames, this considerably facilitates the workflow since you don’t need to draw each frame manually.
Verdict: OpenToonz is a free version of the popular professional program for creating animations – Toonz. It is an open-source Adobe Animate alternative, which means that you can develop the program, adding new features and improving the graphical interface.
OpenToonz includes tools for creating the so-called skeletal animation and supports the traditional animation drawing. Being compatible with the TWAIN standards, the program can capture images from scanners and digital cameras.
OpenToonz has a variety of palettes, paints, inks, custom brushes and other useful tools. Moreover, it features 100+ special effects. For example, you can change the style of an image, create an incident light effect, add a Distortion Wave, etc.
Verdict: Despite being open-source software, Pencil 2D boasts powerful tools for producing vector and bitmap animation. If you want to create a color project using a pencil, pen or brush, this Animate CC alternative will allow you to do this without any hassle.
Due to a clear and intuitive interface, even a beginner can quickly figure out all features of the software. Pencil 2D enables you to work with layers, manipulate key frames in the timeline, use onion skin feature, adjust colors and pressure sensitivity, as well as rearrange workspace toolbars and panels according to your preferences.
The distinctive feature of this program is an uncluttered timeline where you can duplicate multiple frames, change the frame rate and create first-class animations without much effort. If you are a professional, you can do magic using even the basic tools.
Verdict: Plastic Animation Paper is considered to be one of the best software for traditional 2D animations. This is an indie project created by talented animators. Unfortunately, their other unfinished Animation Paper program has not been released yet. PAP 4.0 will allow you to remember those good old days when hand-drawn sketches were bundled to create impressive animations.
Besides the common drawing tools, light setup, onion skinning and layers, this free Adobe Animate alternative features blue and red pens to easily plan and draft poses and scenes.
Plastic Animation Paper has a relatively modest interface. But it has all the necessary tools for creating traditional animation. If you feel like you need instructions to get a hang of the program’s features, you can find the tutorials on their website.
Verdict: Blender is an open-source 3D animation program that is sought-after among digital artists, game developers and animation lovers all over the globe. It has a steep learning curve, which means that it will be a bit difficult for beginners to figure out all the functions and capabilities of the software.
Blender has a collection of tools for modeling, lighting and even more. You can work with dynamic simulations and create such things as fabric, pouring liquids, etc. It is also possible to use Blender as a non-linear video editor.
This animation software offers powerful assets for the digital artists’ toolbox. So it’s not surprising that professionals choose this program for important projects.
Verdict: CreaToon is a powerful software to create 2D animations in a cut-out style. What makes this program stand out from other free alternatives to Adobe Animate is an array of first-class special effects that allow you to create professional-looking projects.
CreaToon features a Preview panel where you can play with animations. This allows you to edit media without adding keyframes with different values manually. To achieve the desired result, just drag the keyframe sliders across the timeline and change the elements right on the Preview panel.
The program automatically creates individual keyframes to give elements smooth transition. It also supports the in-betweening of frames. CreaToon has a straightforward interface, but it is impossible to change the location of panels and interface menus to speed up the workflow. Nevertheless, you will be blown away by stylish special effects that you can add to your animation.
Verdict: Toon Boom Harmony is the worldwide-recognized 2D animation software that is designed for professional use. From popular animation companies to small studios, Toon Boom Harmonyhas been used to produce the best animated TV shows and games.
With this Adobe Animate alternative, you can easily create a unique and interesting animated character using sprites and puppeteering. Toon Boom Harmony is packed with advanced features and tools that allow you to customize every aspect of your projects.
Due to a steep learning curve, the software is suitable mostly for experienced users rather than beginners. The bone-rigging feature lets you make the characters’ movements natural-looking or give them unnatural gait.
With the onion skinning feature, you can get greater control over the action you want to create by displaying a series of snapshots of animated objects underneath the next sketch. This lets you improve the motion. Also, it is possible to choose either frame-by-frame or keyframe animation to automatically animate the steps between two points.
Verdict: If you are looking for Adobe Animate alternative for creating top-notch GIF animations, Easy GIF Animator will be an excellent choice. This program is designed to create advertising banners, animated characters, cartoons and more.
Moreover, animations can be uploaded on various websites to enliven them and make more attention-grabbing. This GIF maker allows you to create an animation frame by frame. The program has an array of useful functions and tools.
You can add visual effects to your animation to give it an extra vibe. With Easy GIF Animator, it is possible to create stunning animation while optimizing its file size for Web.
Verdict: Maya is a 3D graphics editor available on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. The program is meant for creating animations, environments, motion graphics, virtual reality and characters. It is widely used in the TV and gaming industries.
Maya was developed by Alias Systems Corporation and then purchased and supported by Autodesk, Inc. This Animate CC alternative has rich functionality for 3D animation, modeling, simulation, rendering, compositing and visualization on a highly extensible production platform. Moreover, Maya features next-generation display technology, accelerated 3D modeling workflows and new systems for working with complex data.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more