paid and free animation softwares for mac

List of Paid and Free Animation Softwares for Mac

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE MARKETING LINKS! IN CASE YOU MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH ONE OF THE LINKS, WE'LL GET A SMALL COMMISSION. WITH NO EXTRA CHARGES TO YOU. THANKS!!

Table of Contents

When you’re trying to make funny videos, how-to videos, or informative shorts to put online. 2D animation software can help a lot. With access to an animator, or by having the required skills yourself, you can create intricate and engaging stories that will help you connect with your audience. Whether you’re teaching a group of kids, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D animation can come in handy. In this article, we have listed Paid and Free Animation Softwares for Mac. Let’s start the list with free options,

Free Animation Softwares for Mac

1. Synfig

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Synfig Studio is free, open-source 2D animation software, perfect for beginners to learn 2D animation. It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don’t have to worry about its limitation even though it is free to use. There are few tutorials available in the market to start making animation for beginners. There are two versions available for free download: stable and trial. The test version has some experimental features if users want to test them before their introduction in the stable version.

Key Features:

  • Supports multiple content layers.
  • The system allows the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images.
  • It has sound support to allow the addition and synchronization of the narration and/or music to the video.

2. Opentoonz

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Opentoonz is one of the best free software that can help you create 2D animation. It is free to use open source software. Due to the fact that Opentoonz is open source, you can easily modify its source code and add additional features to it. By using available plug-ins for Opentoonz you can easily create animations without the need for editing. The UI design is outdated compared to other animation software, but it won’t affect the user experience.

Key Features:

  • GTS scan tool.
  • Ability to change image styles.
  • Add distortion and light effects.
  • Compatible with black and white, and color scans.

3. Tupitube (Maefloresta)

Price: Free

Compatibility: iPhone, Android, Windows, macOS

Tupitube app can be used on your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create 2D animated videos for free. Along with its availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s free and easy to use to even for children. As for the software for your desktop you will need to email their staff to get the installer online, which is sometimes inconvenient.

Key Features:

  • Tupitube is a free app that works on smartphones and tablets.
  • Easy to use animation software with tutorials.
  • Beginner-friendly and easy-to-learn user interface.

4. Pencil 2D

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Do you want free and open-source 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the kind of program that can help beginners. You can learn how 2D animation works and create some very fun and interesting videos on the go. It also offers tutorials in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Key Features:

  • Minimalist design so you can easily make animation.
  • Change workflow to raster and vector.
  • Cross-platform compatibility.

5. Toon Boom Harmony

Price: The first 21 days of product use are free. After the 21 days have passed, you will have to pay $109 per month.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Whether you’re trying to create a piece of art, show a story through 2D visuals, or create a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you tremendously. Even though this software has a steep learning curve, but it is totally worth it. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, imported 3D models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multi-plane scenes with Z depth. You can do 2D and 3D animation with models.

Key Features:

  • This software has a revolutionary Brush Engine for bitmap, and vector technology.
  • Color palettes and advanced painting options.
  • Integration of 2D and 3D to make professional animation.
  • Cutout animation tools.
  • Traditional paperless animation.

6.CelAction2D

Price: If the Studio edition is chosen, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. The Studio edition costs $1,300 for a single license.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX

Do you want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your next projects? CelAction2D is the kind of product that will help you create wonderful and professional animations. Although getting a full license is a financial commitment, you’re getting a product that has all the features you could possibly need. You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and it will be very easy for you to get familiar with how the software works. It is designed for beginners and intermediate users but has all the advanced features a professional would want. This software is very fast, and has low system requirements.

Key Features:

  • Fast, and Easy to use.
  • It has ergonomic controls.
  • Easily handle complex projects with thousands of layers.
  • It works with all modern Windows machines – 32 and 64-bit. Also works with Macs through Boot Camp.
  • The multi-plane camera has features that allow you to have more controls.

7. Moho

Price: $399.99 for the complete package.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Moho is a fantastic option for anyone who wants to get started creating professional 2D animation. Although you can’t create frame-by-frame animations with this program, you’ll still be able to create some fantastic videos. It gets regular updates with advanced and new features to use. Not easy for beginners to use as the features are a bit advanced. There is a Moho debut – a simple animation software, which is aimed at the beginner user and which is cheaper than pro. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you should get the Pro version.

Key Features:

  • Improved freehand drawing tools.
  • Beizer handles make it easy to design the way you want.
  • Moho has smart warp features that allow users to create custom meshes to bend, and twist animations.
  • Realistic motion blur.

8. Stop Motion Studio

Price: $9.99 to download the software on your PC.

Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android, and iOS

Stop Motion Studio will help you in creating stop motion animation. You can easily make stop motion on your mobile devices. And in the software you can change focus, exposure, or white balance, you can capture content with ease. There is support for DSLRs, so you can use your high-end camera together with this professional software. And with a single frame-by-frame editor, you can get the result you want for your 2D animation. You can use the built-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record the voice and use it in the video. You can only use it to do 2D stop motion animation.

Key Features:

  • Onionskin allows you to see previous frames through a transparent overlay, helping you create your next frame.
  • It comes with a chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos.
  • You can directly upload videos to YouTube, and Facebook from the software.
  • DSLR camera support to create perfect 1080p recordings.

9.FlipBook

Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite edition, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio edition, $99.99 for FlipBook ProHD edition.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and professionals who want to enhance the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that can do 2D animation with various features like syncing sound with animation, scan cells, and more. From drawing, scanning, and sound, this 2D animation software can do everything. FlipBook also has a free download option with limited features.

Key Features:

  • Changes will be made as you change the animation, so FlipBook is quick to use.
  • You can use the shift key to do a quick painting once you select a color.
  • 10 layers in the animation to add extra touches.
  • You can also import images by scanning.

10. Cartoon Animator 4

Price: $199 for the pipeline edition, $99 for the pro edition.

Compatibility: Windows and OSX

Cartoon Animator 4 is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use it if you don’t know which one to use. Supports controlling the characters with their expression and lip-sync. It is very popular with YouTubers, educators, and marketers. This software has something for beginners and professionals alike. You can control the characters even at the level of expression.

Key Features:

  • Capture facial expressions in real-time with precise change.
  • Ability to turn the image into a moving cartoon.
  • For advanced users, you can do 2D visual effects.

Conclusion

Creating a 2D animated video is much easier when you have the right software. If you already have a script and storyboard in mind, now you can flesh out your vision in intricate and unique ways.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *