Looking for the best free 2D animation software to bring your ideas to life? Whether you’re a beginner, student, or professional animator, there are plenty of open-source animation tools that can help you create smooth, high-quality animations, all without spending a penny. From Synfig and OpenToonz to Krita and Pencil2D, these programs offer everything, from frame-by-frame drawing to bone-based rigging and tweening. In this post, we will explore the top free and open-source 2D animation software of 2025, all perfect for creating cartoons, educational videos, explainer animations, and YouTube content.
1. OpenToonz – Studio Grade Power for Everyone
OpenToonz, originally developed by Digital Video and used by Studio Ghibli, OpenToonz is one of the most powerful open-source animation suites available. It supports both raster and vector workflows, making it perfect for professional 2D animation.
Key Features:
- It has Bone rigging, automatic inbetweening, and motion tracking.
- Effects plugins and scripting support via Python.
- It is ideal for long-format animation films or YouTube series.
Best For: Professional animators and studios seeking advanced control.
Official Website : https://opentoonz.github.io/e/
2.Blender's Grease Pencil : 2D Animation in 3D Space
- Supports SVG animation and rigging
- Ease of using drawing tools.
- Comes with a Hybrid workspace , i.e., drawing 2D drawings in a 3D workspace.
- Can use 3D assets as a base to draw the 2D drawings.
3. Synfig Studio – Vector-Based Animation for Everyone
Synfig is a vector-based animation software built for smooth, high-quality animations without drawing every frame.
It uses a node-based system, making it possible to animate complex scenes using bones, layers, and automatic tweening.
Key Features:
- Bone-based rigging system.
- It supports real-time rendering.
- No frame-by-frame requirement (though supported).
Best For: Animators who prefer vector puppets and smooth motion over hand-drawn animation.
Official Website : https://www.synfig.org/
4. Krita – Digital Painting Meets Frame-by-Frame Animation
Krita isn’t just for painting, it’s also an excellent tool for 2D frame-by-frame animation.
Its timeline, onion-skinning, and layer-based workflow make it ideal for artists who love to draw every frame. I love the fact that Krita software comes with an inbuilt custom brushes and textures that gives one the freedom to draw effortlessly.
Key Features:
- It has an Onion-skinning and timeline-based editing.
- Comes with Hundreds of custom brushes and textures.
- It supports both, raster and vector layers.
Best For: Artists who prefer hand-drawn, traditional 2D animation.
Official Website : https://krita.org/en/
Its timeline, onion-skinning, and layer-based workflow make it ideal for artists who love to draw every frame. I love the fact that Krita software comes with an inbuilt custom brushes and textures that gives one the freedom to draw effortlessly.
Key Features:
- It has an Onion-skinning and timeline-based editing.
- Comes with Hundreds of custom brushes and textures.
- It supports both, raster and vector layers.
5. Pencil2D – Lightweight and Beginner-Friendly
- It has a Simple and clean interface.
- Lightweight and runs on almost any system.
- Great for sketch-style or traditional animation projects.
6. Enve – Modern, Experimental 2D Animation Tool
Enve is a newer open-source 2D animation app with a focus on modern workflows and vector animation.
It combines the simplicity of vector editing with the power of animation curves and keyframes.
Key Features:
- Has an advanced keyframe system.
- Comes with a SVG and bitmap support.
- Offers you Real-time preview and GPU acceleration.
Best For: Animators looking for a modern, evolving open-source alternative.
Official Website : https://maurycyliebner.github.io/
It combines the simplicity of vector editing with the power of animation curves and keyframes.
Key Features:
- Has an advanced keyframe system.
- Comes with a SVG and bitmap support.
- Offers you Real-time preview and GPU acceleration.
Official Website : https://maurycyliebner.github.io/
7. TupiTube – Fun and Educational Animation Software
TupiTube is an easy-to-use 2D animation program designed for kids, beginners, and educators.
It’s available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and even Android.
Key Features:
- Simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Ideal for school projects and hobby animations.
- Supports tweening and frame-by-frame workflows.
Best For: Students, educators, and animation beginners.
Official Website : https://tupitube.com/
Key Features:
- Simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Ideal for school projects and hobby animations.
- Supports tweening and frame-by-frame workflows.
Best For: Students, educators, and animation beginners.
Which 2D Animation Software Should You Choose?
With so many great free and open-source animation tools available, the right one depends on your style, skill level, and project type. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
đŖ If You’re a Beginner
Start with Pencil2D or TupiTube.
They’re lightweight, easy to understand, and perfect for learning the fundamentals of animation — timing, movement, and keyframes — without feeling overwhelmed.
đ¨ If You’re an Artist or Illustrator
Go for Krita.
It’s ideal if you love drawing frame by frame or painting expressive 2D scenes. Krita gives you the feel of traditional hand-drawn animation with modern digital tools.
⚙️ If You Want Vector and Rigged Animation
Choose Synfig Studio.
It lets you create smooth, puppet-style animations using bones and layers instead of drawing every frame — perfect for explainer videos and character animation.
đ️ If You Want Studio-Level Control
Use OpenToonz.
It’s powerful enough for film-quality projects and used by studios like Studio Ghibli. It has a learning curve, but once you master it, it’s one of the best open-source tools available.
đĒļIf You Like Modern, Minimal Interfaces
Try Enve.
It’s newer but growing rapidly — a perfect choice if you want an open-source alternative to modern commercial 2D animation software.
đĄ If You Want 2D + 3D Hybrid Animations
Experiment with Blender’s Grease Pencil.
It bridges the gap between 2D and 3D — perfect for storyboarding, stylized effects, and experimental projects.
Final Takeaway
Whether you’re a hobbyist exploring your creativity or a professional looking for a powerful free tool, these open-source 2D animation programs give you everything you need to animate your ideas with zero cost and complete creative freedom.
So go ahead and download one, experiment, and start bringing your drawings to life today!
Finally, a humble request: while the open-source software mentioned above strives to provide industry-level tools at zero cost, thanks to the dedication of their core teams, like any organization, they need support to sustain their operations. If you’ve found these tools helpful, please consider donating.
Donation links are available on their respective websites.
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