7 Best Animation Software You Must Know 2023

Which animation software is best and free? Which animation software is best for beginners? Let us tell you some of the best animation software that you can use even if you are a complete beginner. In this article, you will find animation software with both simple and advanced features to go with your style. You can download them for free or purchase animation software to start your animation career today.

1. What is Animation?

Animation is the process of converting images or handmade drawings to movement. The idea of setting these images into motion to showcase a story or an idea is known as animation. Many people use animations to deliver messages, educate their audience, or even provide a business module. Whatever the purpose, animation has become part of our daily lives.

2. Why is Animation Popular?

Animation videos are more popular than mainstream videos. It is reported in 2018 that 85% of the U.S population watched online videos that included animated videos as well. Many prominent YouTubers use animated content to gain more views and to connect with their audience. Children were the first to be introduced to animation. Later this type of content was loved by adults as well. Over the years, it has evolved from just a source of entertainment to business presentations.

People are making millions of dollars by making animation videos every year. Japanese anime movies are viral in this regard. One of the common examples of such entrepreneurs is YouTubers. Someone without showing their face can do so much, and why not you?

With the increasing popularity of animation, many companies have launched their animation software with various features. Such animation software provides users with 2D, 3D, and whiteboard animation. The complex interface of such software has made it difficult for users to choose animation software that is both easy going and suits their style.

Considering this, here is the list of top 7 best animation software you can choose from to create your own animation style.

3. Top 7 Best Animation Software You Must Know

There is plenty of animation software available in the market having essential to advanced features. Many of this software are premium and are out of the reach of a beginner. Are you one of them? Or are you looking for animation software but cannot figure out which one to choose? Here you are.
Below we have listed the top 7 animation software that is easy to use and do not require high technical skills to get started.

Blender Animation Software

Blender is free 3D animation software. The Blender animation software comes with a wide range of free features to make quality content. This best free animation software is best for someone who knows the basics of animation and wants to upgrade their level.

As one of the best animation software, Blender helps you create 2D and 3D content. It has all features of what a professional animator would use to make animation with zero cost.

Pros

• It's open-source and free animation software
• Perfectly works on windows, Mac OS, Linux
• Modelling and rigging features
• Composition and sculpting features
• Video editing
• Available in 36 languages

Cons

• Hard to learn for complete beginners
• Limited options for some features.

Powtoon Animation Software

Powtoon was created in 2012 and is online animation software. Powtoon helps you create animation-style presentations. As one of the online animation software, Powtoon has both free and paid packages.

But Powtoon animation software free version does have limited features for use. With paid version, you can choose a variety of styles from its library to make professional animation presentations. It is best for academic and business presentations.

Pros

• Super easy to use
• Customizable templates
• Import or export themes available
• Perfectly for offline presentations
• Wide range of animation features available
• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Only web platform is supported
• Takes more extended time to load in case of heavy content

Adobe Flash Animation Software

Adobe Flash is an animation software program used to create small to long animation videos. Adobe Flash is 2D animation software because of its simple vector features. Anyone can learn how to use this software.

Hence, Adobe animation software can be deemed as simple animation software for beginners.
You can create mobile apps, video games, and simple vector animation with this software. Anyone can learn the input of audio and video.

Pros

• Available for Windows and Mac OS
• Best for new animators
• Best for creating mobile apps and video games
• Easy vector features to use

Cons

• Only Basic vector features are available
• Lag in mobile phones
• It is paid software for animation

Doodly Whiteboard Animation Software

Doodly is a whiteboard animation software that allows you to create whiteboard, blackboard, and green board videos. It is best for someone with no graphic skills, or say, the best animation software for beginners. You need to drag the image to the canvas, and Doodly will help put the idea in motion.

Before 2009 Whiteboard animations were unknown to the world. Whiteboard animation software is easy to grasp and is preferred over 2D and 3D types of animation software. Many online content creators use Doodly for educational and tutorial-style videos.

Pros
Easy to use

• Available on Windows and Mac OS
• Best for creating educational videos
• Number of templates, custom boards and drawing features available
• Voiceover features available

Cons

• Paid animation software
• Not for androids
• Not available for offline use

Videoscribe Whiteboard Animation Software

Videoscribe is a whiteboard animation software that does not require prior technical knowledge to use. From a beginner to a Pro, everyone can use it. This Whiteboard animation software is best for making your animation more professional. The impressive offline feature makes it unique from other animation software.

Pros

• Available on Windows and Mac OS
• Available for offline use
• Best for instructional videos
• Huge image library available
• Voiceover features are super cool
• Access to publish it to any online platform
• Easy formatting of texts and images

Cons

• Paid software
• Not available on Android

Explaindio Whiteboard Animation Software

Explaindio is whiteboard animation software as well. It is an advanced animation software and really worth the price. You can create professional slides with a variety of features available. Explaindio helps you create 2D and 3D animation videos. The advanced feature of this animation software makes it unique from other paid animation software.

Pros

• Available on Windows
• Easy to use
• Import images and videos
• Add different sounds to your animation
• Easy formatting of text

Cons

• Not available on android or Mac
• Paid animation software
• Only Email customer support is available

MySimpleShow Whiteboard Animation Software

MySimpleShow is a whiteboard animation software that is a perfect match for beginners. The simple features of this animation software have made it very popular among newcomers. MySimpleShow is a fun animation software that is best for creating short stories and presentations.

However, it is not recommended for big animation projects due to the limited number of storylines available.

Pros

• Available for windows
• Multiple templates available
• Best for creating educational videos
• Easy uploading of text
• Import/export and voiceover features available
• Best for short videos or presentations
• Easy to use

Cons

• Only available in English and German
• Limited templates available for high-quality animation

Conclusion

According to a report, viewers intend to understand 95% of the content when delivering through a video. A large number of these videos are animation videos. Animation videos come with basic vector features to advance features. 3D and whiteboard animation are among the popular ones. Many small and multi-million projects follow the 3D animation style, such as Disney and pixel. In comparison, educational and instructional videos are created from whiteboard animation software.

In this regard, you need to make the right decision based on your actual needs when it comes to choosing the best animation software.