6 Best 2D Animation Software Free: Create Animations with Ease

Do you want to make cool animations but don't have a huge budget? Great news – powerful 2D animation software free of charge can turn your creative dreams into reality! You can create eye-catching ads, presentations, tutorials, etc., and funnily express yourself. Let's hop in.

What is 2D animation

2D animation is about creating movement in a two-dimensional space like in classic cartoons. In contrast, 3D animation uses 3D models in a virtual environment like Pixar films. The key differences lie in visual style, dimensionality, and the production process complexities. These are some common use cases for 2D animation:

• Explainer videos: 2D animations turn complex ideas into super-clear explanations, ideal for software demos or educational videos.
• Marketing campaigns: striking 2D animated ads and social media content stand out, promoting products or services.
• Education and training: make learning fun! Animated lessons can explain concepts like the solar system or historical events engagingly.
• Web design: animated icons, illustrations, or interactive elements enhance a website's user experience.
• Mobile games: 2D characters and environments are the heart of many popular, visually appealing mobile games. They also allow smooth gameplay.

Ready to explore the best 2D free animation software? Check out the list below:

6 best 2D animation programs free

1. FlipaClip

FlipaClip is a user-friendly animation app perfect for beginners and pros alike. It is popular for offering tools like brushes, shapes, and a fill tool for drawing. You can use it for frame-by-frame 2D animation and enjoy easy organization using layers.



2. VidToon

If you are into animated explainer videos, VidToon is for you. It offers a vast library of ready-to-go styles, characters, and royalty-free images for backgrounds. This makes the tool ideal for aspiring animators, beginners, seasoned marketers, etc.



3. Pencil2D

Another expert-recommended free 2D animation software is Pencil2D. It is an open-source, easy, intuitive tool for making hand-drawn 2D cartoons. Users can seamlessly switch between vector and raster workflows and sketch paint and ink on the go.



4. TVPaint Animation

TVPaint Animation is a paint and digital 2D animation software program. It is popular among artists and studios across the globe for its storyboarding and compositing potential. Users get a library of special effects to give life to their 2D drawings, cartoons, and animations.



5. Moho Animation

Moho Animation is a renowned vector-based 2D animation software for hobbyists and professional animators. Its cutting-edge animation technology allows you to draw, rig, sketch, and animate with quality results. It is ideal for those seeking quality animations.



6. Synfig

Synfig is a prominent 2D animation software program that is free and open-source. You can use it to create film-quality cartoons with bitmap and vector artwork. That way, you do not have to create your animations frame-by-frame. It is easy to produce high-quality output with fewer resources.



Tip: Once your 2D animation is ready, you can leverage a powerful video editor to enhance its highlights. It can help polish the animation video and add animation effects to make it a more stunning clip. One such tool is the CapCut desktop video editor.

How to edit a 2D animation video with a professional video editor

The CapCut desktop video editor is a free PC program for professional video editing on Mac and Windows. It has rich features and many trendy video effects, transitions, text templates, etc. This makes it ideal for editing 2D animation videos. But there is more, including:

• Comprehensive editing features
• It offers basic features like split, crop, rotate, etc., and advanced tools like keyframes, masking, speed curves, etc. Your animation video editing is further simplified with AI-enabled tools like retouch, auto reframe, etc. Perfect even for beginners.
• A library of media resources
• There are various media assets for every need, ranging from sound effects to stock music, stickers, filters, etc. You can also enrich your animation video transitions with animated effects for in, out, and combo. These are ideal for advertisements, explainer videos, intros and outros, and more.
• Quick sharing
• After editing your animation videos, sharing them with the world is just a button click away. The CapCut desktop video editor allows you to share the output directly on YouTube and TikTok without exiting the editor.

Steps to edit a 2D animation video on the CapCut desktop video editor

First, download the software using the link below for free. Run it on your computer and follow the steps below to edit your 2D animation video:

Step
1. Upload
2. Click New Project to access the CapCut desktop video editor editing window. There are several ways to import 2D animation videos, including dragging and dropping them onto the timeline. Another way is to click the onscreen Import button or the Menu tab, File, Import. This lets you browse your PC storage and import the 2D animation clip.
3. 

   

Step
4. Edit
5. Add your imported 2D animation video to the timeline for editing. To add animation effects, click the Animation tab in the right panel. This presents you with different animated video effects for intros and outros and a combination of both. Click any animation effects under the In tab to improve how your 2D animation video begins. To add taste to the video's ending use animation effects in the Out tab.
6. If you want to apply animation effects to specific parts of the video, use the Combo tab. The duration slider allows you to set the time length in which to apply the effect.
7. 

   

8. You can also improve the 2D animation video highlights and enrich them with free media assets. To edit the video, there are basic controls to split, mirror, freeze, etc. There are advanced features like split scenes which auto-splits long videos in one click.
9. Others include keyframe, chroma key, and more. AI-powered tools like auto-reframe, retouch, etc., are present to simplify the editing process. Moreover, you can introduce stickers, filters, and video effects from CapCut's vast collection. There are free media resources to transform your 2D animation videos into studio-grade production.
10. 

    

Step
11. Export

Once you finish editing your 2D animation video, click Export to save it to your local disk. Adjust the video export settings in the new popup window. These settings include output resolution up to 4K, codec, bit rate, frame rate up to 60fps, and format (MOV or MP4). Click Export again to finish saving the video.



After the export process, you can preview the video or share it directly on YouTube and TikTok. This allows you to give the 2D animation video a title, set privacy, and allow comments, stitches, and duets.



Conclusion

Whether a seasoned artist, an aspiring filmmaker, or someone looking for a new creative outlet, the world of free 2D animation software is yours to explore. Experiment with different options, discover your favorite tools, and start bringing your animated stories to life. For all your 2D animation video editing, the CapCut desktop video editor is perfect. It offers various animation effects, video polish tools, and free assets for every niche. Try it now and create the next viral 2D animation sensation!

FAQs

1. What is the best free software for 2D animation?
2. There are many 2D animation software that have powerful features. You can choose any from the list above and express yourself with 2D animation. However, if you are editing 2D animation videos, the CapCut desktop video editor is your best solution. It offers trendy 2D animation effects and all the tools required to enhance the video to pro-quality. You can access hundreds of free video assets, and enjoy quick sharing, directly to YouTube and TikTok.
3. Where can I get free 2D animation software for PC?
4. You can download most 2D animation software for PC online. Simply perform a Google search and you'll be presented with numerous options. But if you are looking for free 2D animation video editing software, then the CapCut desktop is unrivaled. You can download it for free from CapCut's official website. Thankfully, it is compatible with different operating systems including macOS and Windows.
5. How to select good 2D animation software for free?
6. Various factors come into play when looking for the perfect 2D animation software. First, you should figure out your desired style and your project's complexity. Consider key features like drawing tools, layers, onion skinning, and frame-by-frame animation. You should also research by reading reviews, comparisons, and checking tutorials. That way, you will easily find the best 2D animation you are comfortable with. For all your 2D animation videos, go for the CapCut desktop editor. It has all the basic, advanced, and AI tools to improve your 2D animation videos.