The best 2D animation software

Best 2D animation software; a mix of logos on a pink background
(Image credit: Lost Marble LLC / Adobe / Procreate / Moho / Ceslsy / 2DPencil)

The best 2D animation software will make your work stand out and help bring your creations to life. With the wide array of applications and animation types out there, it can be hard to choose one fitting your requirements. My handy guide will help you find the best software for you, whether you're a new or experienced animator, creating movies, shorts or YouTube content. 

When selecting the best animation software it's important to consider the multitude of tools, exporting types and compatibility with other programmes if you create across multiple apps. Each application has a different interface and tool suite, so it's important to do your research before downloading to make sure you will be comfortable learning it. My expert guide details elements like platform compatibility, price and who we think each piece of software is suitable for.

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.

With contributions from
TOPICS