8 Best Animation Software That I Tested in 2025: My Review

Growing up in the early 2000s, cartoons left a big impression on me. Amidst my daily routine of going to school, doing homework, eating, and sleeping, I was given free time right before homework to watch cartoons —this became the highlight of my day. 

Before I found my career path working at G2, I was interested in being an animator. As an aspiring artist, I dreamed of seeing my drawings turn into animated creations that would light up TV screens. Throughout college, I explored many animation software programs, dabbling in 2D, 3D, and motion graphics. After testing various animation tools, the biggest challenges I faced in this saturated market of animation software were the budget and technical constraints, as well as the learning curve for some of these applications.

Finding the perfect animation software to fit your needs and your hardware’s needs can be tough. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top 8 best animation software for 2025 that I’ve tested, so you don’t have to! Complete with budget, highlights, and potential downsides to help make your choice the right one for your animation project. 

8 best animation software for 2025: my top picks

These animation software are top-rated in their category, according to G2 Grid Reports. I’ve also added their monthly pricing to make comparisons easier for you.

8 best animation software that I reviewed (and liked) 

How I would best describe animation software is a tool that brings your drawings or designs to life through movement. Whether it’s 2D, 3D, Stop Motion, Motion Graphics, or another animation style that interests you. As someone who’s always been fascinated by the magic of animation, I see these tools as a bridge that connects your creativity with technology. 

When I started testing animation software, I realized there was an animation tool for everyone. From beginner-friendly tools for personal use and students to industry-standard applications for professional animators, there was an animation app for anyone. 

Some tools I reviewed allowed me to create hand-drawn animations, while others helped me rig and move 3D characters. There were even some tools that I felt were built better for specific goals, like tweening. However, what software worked best for me were tools that balanced both a user-friendly interface, powerful features, and workflow capabilities, making it easy to bring my ideas to life without feeling overwhelmed.

I dug a little deeper into G2 data and discovered that the animation software category grew by 12% year over year in the market, making it one of the 10 fastest-growing design categories based on new products added on G2. This is a clear indication of the growing demand for 3D modeling, rigging, and cinema 4D within creative industries.

What factors do I think make the best animation software worth it

You would not believe how many animation tools are out there to choose from. Choosing the right animation software depends on your project needs, the animation style you want to achieve, and your skill level. When I’m choosing the best animation tool for myself, I focus on these 6 factors:

• Learning Curve: In my experience, choosing the best animation tool comes down to how dedicated I am to learning the application. Some apps are more advanced than others, with many robust features that can overwhelm a beginner. It’s important to evaluate your time and dedication to learning the software you want to use for your animation. 
• Budget: Once upon a time, I was a college student. If there’s one thing anyone would know about college, it's EXPENSIVE. When I was exploring different animation tools to try, I needed to find one that was free, fit my budget, or at least offered a free trial. If I wanted to use professional animation software, I knew I would have to stretch my budget a little bit. If you have budget limitations, trying an open-source or free animation software might be better for you.
  
• Integration Compatibility: I once had a project to create a 2D video game character that could jump across platforms. Before I could even start to create a working game, I had to draw the character. The character needed to be able to walk, grab, crouch, and jump. To animation these actions without onion-skinning the character’s movements was to make each body part a separate entity, kind of like a puppet. These files needed the same resolution and similar sizes to scale the character properly. Since I was working with vector images, I had to ensure the software supported that file format. None of my work would matter if my application did not support that format. Make sure that the software you choose is able to integrate with the file formats that you want to use, as well as being able to support other outside app integrations, like drawing software.
• Rendering Options: Video rendering is the final step for an animation to be brought to life. Depending on the project I was working on, the software that I would use to make sure the game mechanics were working needed to have real-time rendering. The software you choose must have versatile rendering options to help export the best output for you. Rendering can take a long time and could crash your computer if your GPU can’t handle it. I’ve had that happen a few times and believe me, I cried. Check what rendering settings the software has to offer, such as supported file formats, rendering speed, resolution output, and more. 
• Supports Different Animation Styles: I’d often switch between wanting to create 2D animation, 3D animation, or stop-motion animation. It’s important to make sure that the software you choose supports your animation style.
• Community Support: When learning new software, I relied heavily on animation tutorials and courses, sometimes even books to help me understand all the features the animation software had to offer. I found it vital to choose tools with an active community, like discussion forums, where I could find answers or guidance. 

By considering these factors, I’ve been able to choose the best animation software that works for me. Throughout my years in college and now, I’ve tested more than 30 animation platforms and found a few that fit my criteria. These top 8 animation products made the cut because they stood out for their functionality, compatibility, features, performance, and community support.

Considering the expansion of product visualization and animation across industries, the expected market share of global animation market size was estimated at USD 141.63 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2024 to 2030.

The list below contains genuine user feedback from the animation software category. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. 

To be included in this category, a product must:

• Provide functionality for generating animated visuals from 2D and/or 3D images for use in video files
• Import media files from other programs or offer built-in drawing tools
• Integrate with video editing or effects software to finalize animated videos

*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.  

1. Adobe After Effects: Best for professional grade model graphics and visual effects

Adobe After Effects is motion graphics software that offers a wide variety of visual effects that can be applied to any video project, such as animated logo creations, cinematic title sequences, credit rolls, kinetic typography, post-production compositing, special effects, and more!

I’ve been using this tool since the Adobe After Effects CS6 and CC versions were released, so you know I’ve been playing with it for a while, and let me tell you—the creative possibilities are endless.

Although Adobe After Effect leads the category for G2's animation software grid,  its versatility can initially feel overwhelming, it quickly becomes one of the most flexible tools that offers many creative solutions to make your project shine! Adobe AE has everything you need with its seamless integration with other Adobe apps like Premiere Pro and Photoshop to pre-built templates to streamline production. 

Other than these features, what sets Adobe After Effects apart for me is its customizable interface offering an extensive library of third-party plugins to add advanced effects and transitions. In addition to its plugin support, the app is popular among the online community, which means there are plenty of tutorials to help me with any type of project. 

A new feature that stood out for me was the application’s ability for real-time collaboration. This means that team projects have become more versatile, allowing multiple users to work on the same project file in real time.

However, there are a few downsides to be aware of. While it offers a 7-day free trial, the subscription model can get expensive over time, especially if you’re not using the app consistently. G2 user feedback echoes this, with some users mentioning the cost as a key factor for more casual or occasional use.

It also has a steeper learning curve than I expected. It took me a while to get the hang of the interface and workflow, which is a common theme in G2 reviews. Performance is another consideration, you’ll need a fairly high-end setup (fast processor, lots of RAM, SSD) to handle larger project files and render times efficiently.

From what I learned trying to become a better animator, is that you’ll eventually want to invest in a better setup anyways to handle animation software.

What I dislike about Adobe After Effects:

• Although it offers a fully functional free trial version without any limitations, the subscription-based pricing seemed costly to me be costly, especially if you do not use the application regularly.
• I noticed that After Effects can be intimidating to beginners due to its complex interface and the depth of its features, which require additional time and effort. 

What do G2 users dislike about Adobe After Effects:

“Adobe After Effects is bit expensive. Also you need to purchase some premium plugins. You need a bit knowledge of animations principles, keyframes and more. Also take huge storage of your system. Need high end and expensive computer to use this software.”

- Adobe After Effects Review, Bijay S.

2. Animaker: Best for DIY animated videos 

Animaker is an AI-powered video-making and animation platform that is used to create animated and live-action videos in a matter of minutes. From animated presentations to engaging infographics and other DIY video creation projects. I’ve seen Animaker used by a variety of people, primarily in the education industry to create interactive slideshows and videos to teach others about a topic. Visual presentations have always been impactful and many educators have sought this route. 

When I was first introduced to Animaker, I had to learn to use it to help teach a class of young students about animation for those who were interested in becoming animators on Career Day. Animaker was the popular choice to showcase animation because it has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to understand, with many pre-built templates to help streamline and showcase what results could look like.  

Another reason I liked using Animaker is the diverse features and stock assets the application has to offer, with over 100 million stock assets available. From Getty image integrations to a variety of pre-built characters, backgrounds, and props at your selection. In fact, Animaker is known for its character creation feature, which allows it to create a variety of customizable characters. 

It does come with a few limitations. Personally, I found the lack of advanced animation tools a drawback;  there’s no rigging or frame-by-frame animation support, which limits more complex creative work. G2 review data reflects similar feedback from users looking for deeper animation capabilities.

While I haven’t faced it directly, I’ve heard of performance issues,  especially during rendering or exporting videos. Animaker’s rendering engine may not be as robust as more advanced platforms, so keeping videos short and simple is often the best approach. Insights from G2 customer reviews suggest that users working on longer or more detailed projects may want to manage expectations around output performance.

What I dislike about Animaker:

• While Animaker is technically free, I found the free version to be very restricted. It has watermarks on exports and limited access to some features and assets.
• I also saw that there seem to be some performance issues with rendering projects, so keeping projects simple might be necessary to avoid potential glitches or delays.

What do G2 users dislike about Animaker:

“One downside of Animaker is that some of the more advanced features, like certain customization options and premium assets, are only available in higher-tier plans, which can be limiting for users on a budget. Occasionally, the platform can be a bit slow when working with large files or complex scenes, which can interrupt the creative flow. Additionally, a few more export options and file formats would be great to have. Despite these minor issues, Animaker is still a fantastic tool for creating high-quality animations.”

- Animaker Review, Milos K.

3. Vyond: Best for business-focused animation creation

Vyond is an all-in-one AI video creation platform that I have seen mostly used for helping businesses create animated videos for communication and educational purposes, such as training courses or sales pitches. I consider Vyond a more business-friendly version of Animaker. 

The interface is very similar, making the Vyond app user-friendly. However, what I like about Vyond is that it offers more professional resources with its contemporary animation style. I’ve seen many freelance video makers and course creators use Vyond for their presentations, which is why I often consider Vyond a professional video creator.  Another cool thing about this animation software is its storytelling potential.

Vyond offers three primary animation styles: business-friendly, whiteboard (hand-drawn) animation, and contemporary (like Animaker’s). In addition to the variety of animation styles, Vyond is highlighted for its ability to craft compelling video content due to the many features the application offers, like AI avatars, text-to-speech videos, AI-generated images, and automatic translation. 

That said, I’ve encountered a few limitations,  particularly with character expressions and AI tools. Based on consumer sentiment on G2 as well, built-in AI has struggled to analyze uploaded transcripts accurately, leading to occasional mistranslations. 

I also feel that Vyond’s animation style leans heavily into corporate aesthetics. While it works for professional use, it lacks the flexibility or creativity you might want for more artistic projects, as several G2 reviewers shared. Lastly, since the tool is cloud-based, it’s entirely internet-dependent, which can be a challenge if you’re working on the go or in areas with spotty connectivity.

What I dislike about Vyond:

• While the animation qualities are on point, I’ve found the free version quite restrictive, with features like extended video lengths locked behind a paywall.
• I also noticed that the built-in AI tools aren’t entirely accurate and struggle with uploaded transcripts and acronyms. 

What do G2 users dislike about Vyond:

“I would call out that the AI functionality needs some improvements. We were trying to upload a transcript and the results were unrelated. The auto video creation needs some enhancements for users so that they can videos can be auto-created seamlessly.”

- Vyond Review, Anuj K.

4. Adobe Animate: Best for 2D animations with interactive capabilities 

Adobe Animate is a 2D animation software used to create 2D animation creations and interactive video graphics. If you’re old like me, Adobe Animate was formerly called Adobe Flash but changed its name in 2016. Before I got into 3D animation, Adobe Animate was one of the first applications I came across when I was interested in becoming an animator. However, I ended up stopping using the application after Adobe Animate CC, as 3D animation became more popular. Many cartoonists and professional animators use Adobe Animate as their primary go-to 2D animation tool. 

Some noticeable features that I liked when using Adobe Animate was its scalability with 2D animation tools, like customizable brush sets and tweening and easing functionality to animate drawings with ease. If you’re looking for powerful 2D animation software, then Adobe Animate might offer exactly what you need. It was probably the most helpful 2D animation software because of its many diverse features. Another reason I liked using Adobe Animate was its Adobe Creative Cloud integration, because it’s an Adobe application, it's easy to integrate other sources like drawings from Illustrator and Photoshop. I did notice that because Adobe Animate is a vector-based program, if you import raster or bitmap images, it will convert those image formats. 

Adobe Animate is a capable tool for 2D animation, but as a beginner, I found the learning curve fairly steep. The interface was initially confusing and took time to get used to,  as highlighted in G2 user patterns.  Despite regular updates, the UI still feels dated compared to newer 2D animation platforms.

While the simplicity helps streamline basic workflows, I wish it included more modern features like bone rigging or mesh deformation. Based on G2 customer reviews, users look for more advanced rigging and control within the same workspace, commonly asking for this.

What I dislike about Adobe Animate:

• When I started out, the interface felt overwhelming because of its steep learning curve. It took me time to feel comfortable navigating the UI.
• I am not a big fan of subscription-based models, and the costly subscription fee is somewhat inconvenient for me.

What do G2 users dislike about Adobe Animate:

"One downside of DeskTime is that it can feel overly invasive for some users. Constantly tracking activities may create discomfort, especially for employees who feel micromanaged. While the intention is to boost productivity, it’s important for organizations to strike a balance and communicate clearly about its purpose to avoid reducing morale."

- Adobe Animate Review, Leslie H.

5. Steve AI: Best for AI-powered video and animation creations 

Steve AI is an AI-based online video creation and animation tool designed to help video makers streamline their video campaigns with AI assistance. This makes the application suitable for both beginners and experienced video creators. 

As AI-tools are becoming more popular, I was eventually introduced to Steve AI. It’s one of the most recent applications I used. What stood out to me about this AI-based animation tool is its simplicity. The interface is user-friendly and designed for people who might not have any professional video editing skills. With just a few clicks, I can turn text into a fully-edited video. 

The AI is also quite advanced and is able to automate tasks like taking a script or scene selection and creating a smooth animation that syncs up perfectly with audio. In addition, the quality of the output is impressive!

That said, it does come with limitations around creative control. While the AI handles much of the work, I’ve found it hard to fine-tune every detail. This trade-off was called a common sentiment of G2 reviews for users who wanted more customization. 

Because of these limits, I wouldn’t consider it ideal for professional-grade projects. If you need in-depth control or advanced features, Steve AI might fall short,  something also reflected in G2 reviews from users looking for more flexibility.

What I dislike about Steve AI:

• Although the AI-powered animation made it easy to build visuals,  I did wish I had more creative control of the video creations.
• I did not like the pricing limitations on the free version. Even the basic subscription plan had pricing limitations that weren’t too favorable, like reduced video quality.

What do G2 users dislike about Steve AI:

“I've been really happy with using Steve AI so far. It's been making everything much easier for me. However, I do wish they would change the restrictions for downloading videos in the free plan. It would be great if they could at least offer one video quality option for free users.”

- Steve AI Review, Hansel H.

6. Maya: Best for High-end 3D modeling and animation 

Maya is an Autodesk application used to create 3D modeling and animation software. It includes features like modeling, simulation tools, and rendering software. Maya is considered to be the most commonly used 3D animation software in the industry. 

I used Maya often in college for a lot of character rigging projects, as well as 3D modeling. The reason I like Maya the most out of the other 3D animation software is its features like Maya’s advanced rigging system and motion graphics. Even the community highly praises these features. In addition, I like how customizable the interface is with the ability to change your workflow by adjusting the panels and the way you like it. 

There were a few drawbacks in my experience. The learning curve is steep, and navigating the interface for the first time felt overwhelming due to the sheer number of features. G2 customer reviews often point out that beginners can feel lost without prior training or guidance.

The bigger concern for me was Maya’s reliance on other Autodesk tools. It works best when paired with platforms like 3ds Max or MotionBuilder, which can feel limiting. While you can integrate third-party plugins, it usually takes extra steps, and G2 users have also mentioned the complexity when stepping outside the Autodesk ecosystem.

What I dislike about Maya:

• While the UI was user friendly and intuitive for graphic design, it was stressful for me to navigate the interface and offered a steep learning curve.
• I also notuced trhat Maya's starts at $245 per month! For an independent creator or a student (like what I once was when I used this app), this can break your budget.

What do G2 users dislike about Maya:

“Maya is advance for beginners. It is somewhat difficult to operate and sometimes even an intermediate can get confused working with it. And the performance gets low when working with very high poly assets than can work smoothly in zbrush or other similar softwares.”

-Maya Review, Prabhjeet S.

7. Blender: Best for free and open 3D creation suite 

Blender is a free 3D modeling and animation software that allows users to create a variety of 3D elements from 3D animation to video editing and game creation. The Blender software is open source, which means that the application can be redistributed and modified making it a fully publicly accessible 3D animation software.

I’m all too familiar with Blender, as I have been using this application since high school when the 2.69 version was released. I believe the last time I used the program, Blender 4.0 was out. Now three other versions were released, with the most recent one being Blender 4.3. And with all these released versions, that’s one of the reasons I love this application—it has a huge supportive community behind it and with the high demand, Blender is constantly updating to meet the needs of their community.

Personally, the biggest reason I like Blender is because it’s free and open source. No subscriptions, no paywall, or licensing limitations. You are free to take as long as you want to explore this tool, and believe me, there are a lot of features! That’s another reason I love Blender so much, is the versatility. Blender is a 3D design software used for 3D animations, video editing, game creation, character rigging, UV wrapping, and so much more. With powerful rendering options and simulation tools, Blender has gained significant traction over the years.

When I first started using it, the learning curve felt steep, especially coming from a 2D animation background. Based on G2 user patterns, Blender’s complexity can be tough for beginners unfamiliar with 3D workflows.

I also ran into occasional performance issues. Lag during rendering or while handling heavier projects seems to be a common experience, as seen in G2 feedback. Given the depth of tools, it's no surprise that Blender can put a serious load on your hardware, especially if you're not working with a high-spec machine.

What I dislike about Blender:

• Although Blender offers both 3D modeling and animation, one of the biggest challenges is that the interface has many features and the UI can feel complex, providing a steep learning curve for beginners.
• I’ve noticed that the application's complexity can slow down my computer, especially during rendering, making some of my projects lag.

What do G2 users dislike about Blender:

“I find Blender to be a great tool, but one thing that bothers me is how hard it can be to learn, especially for someone new to it. The interface is complex and different from what you might be used to, which can make it tough to figure out all the tools and shortcuts at first. Plus, while there is a lot of documentation and tutorials available, they can sometimes be confusing or not up to date for certain features.”

-Blender Review, Vaibhav S.

8. Powtoon: Best for engaging animated videos and presentations

Powtoon is an AI-powered visual communication platform that is used to create animated videos for personal, educational, and professional settings. 

First off, Powtoon’s user-friendly platform is a game-changer! What I like most about this app is that you don’t have to be tech-savvy to use it. With its drag-and-drop interface and professional-looking content, Powtoon takes the cake! It also offers pre-built templates which have been a timesaver. Whether you’re crafting a business pitch, a course lesson, or a social media post, there’s a template that fits any environment.

Customization is another big win. Many of the features built into Powtoon are customizable, meaning you can tweak fonts, colors, animated characters, and even soundtracks. The application is also cloud-based, so you can work on your projects from any location. 

However, one limitation I’ve run into is with slide durations. Sometimes I want to hold a frame longer, but the default settings can feel restrictive. G2 user reviews have pointed out similar concerns around timing flexibility.

I also noticed performance issues with longer videos. Rendering tends to slow down, and the engine doesn’t seem as robust as other video-making tools. Based on G2 feedback, this is a common trade-off for users working on more complex or extended projects in Powtoon.

What I dislike about Powtoon:

• Although the drag and drop features provide ease of use, I did want a frame to last longer for dramatic effect, but Powtoon has limitations for slide duration, which can feel a bit restrictive.
• If you are working on a long project on Powtoon, rendering longer videos can be frustrating due to some performance issues I have faced that have slowed downloading speed.

What do G2 users dislike about Powtoon:

“The library of content is a bit limited in terms of styling with characters. A few of the graphics could be updated but it does serve its overall purpose of quick video creation to share content.”

-Powtoon Review, Alexandria J.

Best animation software: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is there any free animation software?

Yes. The animation software market is vast and offers plenty of free animation software. Some popular software that are considered free include Blender, Powtoon, Animaker, and Vyond.

What software is best for animation?

The best animation software depends on what you are looking for and what your goals are. If you’re prioritizing simplicity and quick results, maybe Animaker or Vyond might be the way to go. For more advanced and professional animators, tools like Maya or Cinema 4D can offer robust features needed for your project. Ultimately, the choice is based on your specific needs, skill level, and budget.

Which animation software is best for beginners?

Assuming that you’re a beginner completely new to animation software, it depends on your specific needs for what project you are trying to achieve and how much you are willing to invest in learning an application. If you want to use pre-built templates, maybe Animaker or Vyond would be perfect for you.   

What should I look for when choosing animation software?

The right animation software depends on your skill level, budget, and goals. I would consider these factors: the learning curve, features you are looking for, the cost of the application, and supported platforms or integrations the application allows.

Do I need a powerful computer for animation software?

Not necessarily, but it depends on the application you want to use. Lightweight tools like Vyond, Animaker, and Pencil2D can run on basic computers. However, resource-heavy tools like Maya, Adobe After Effects, Blender, and Cinema 4D require high-performance systems like powerful GPUs and RAM.

My Final Thoughts

After diving into so many animation software tools in my timeline, I’ve come to realize that there’s no one-size-fits-all. Each tool brings something unique to the table, whether it’s navigating a simple interface like Animaker, the industry-standard features of Maya, or the all-in-one 3D and 4D powerhouse like Cinema 4D. Take it from me (or don’t), but choosing the right software is entirely up to you. If there’s a certain feature you’re interested in, take the time to learn that particular application. For me, I only wanted to use Adobe After Effects because I was obsessed with its particle effects feature.

If your budget is tight like mine, or your pockets are deep, there are plenty of options that are either open-sourced, offer free trials, or professional-grade subscriptions. For me, besides the budget, the learning curves and wrestling the hardware limitations were deterrents, but like all things life-related, there can be some challenges and it’s up to you to determine which animation software best aligns with your goals.

Are you looking to strengthen your presentations with creative animations?

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