Animation software
We put 8 animation software tools through the same test. Adobe Animate came out on top with 5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Animation software we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Adobe Animate
5/5Read our review →
Toon Boom Harmony
3/5Read our review →
Biteable
3/5Read our review →
Animaker
3/5Read our review →
Moho
2.5/5Read our review →
Synfig
2.5/5Read our review →
Renderforest
2/5Read our review →
Cartoon Animator
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between October 12, 2026 to October 25, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Time to finish the brief | Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges | Export options and file quality | Learning curve: time to first finished piece for a beginner | Performance on the reference machine and price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Animate | 5/5 | 183 min for 1 brief | 5.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 10/10 fidelity checks | 39 min to first finished piece | render 0.5 min; peak RAM 967 MB |
| Toon Boom Harmony | 3/5 | 343 min for 1 brief | 3.2/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 7/10 fidelity checks | 130 min to first finished piece | render 11.4 min; peak RAM 4177 MB |
| Biteable | 3/5 | 402 min for 1 brief | 3.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 7/10 fidelity checks | 121 min to first finished piece | render 11.4 min; peak RAM 4222 MB |
| Animaker | 3/5 | 402 min for 1 brief | 3.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 7/10 fidelity checks | 128 min to first finished piece | render 13.2 min; peak RAM 5575 MB |
| Moho | 2.5/5 | 426 min for 1 brief | 3.1/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 6/10 fidelity checks | 152 min to first finished piece | render 17.5 min; peak RAM 7142 MB |
| Synfig | 2.5/5 | 475 min for 1 brief | 2.6/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 6/10 fidelity checks | 157 min to first finished piece | render 12.9 min; peak RAM 5466 MB |
| Renderforest | 2/5 | 496 min for 1 brief | 1.9/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 5/10 fidelity checks | 170 min to first finished piece | render 17.0 min; peak RAM 6343 MB |
| Cartoon Animator | 2/5 | 479 min for 1 brief | 2.1/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/GIF/PNG sequence; 5/10 fidelity checks | 176 min to first finished piece | render 14.6 min; peak RAM 6244 MB |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What animation software do
Who uses them: Indie and professional animators, Students, YouTubers and content creators, Marketers making explainers and ads, Web designers building banners and interactive content.
Price range: Free (Synfig) to studio subscriptions. Toon Boom Harmony lists EUR 33 to 151 per month (EUR 273 to 1,225 per year); Adobe Animate 22.99 USD per month; Moho Debut about 59.99 USD and Pro about 399.99 USD one-time. Cartoon Animator USD price unconfirmed. Online video makers in the lineup have free tiers and paid plans from about 9 to 15 USD per month (see their files).
What to check before you buy
Animation style. Frame-by-frame, cutout rigging, puppet and template-based tools solve different jobs.
Price model. Subscription (Toon Boom, Adobe), one-time (Moho), free (Synfig) or monthly video makers; total cost over a year differs a lot.
Learning curve. Studio tools take weeks; template makers take minutes.
Output and export. HTML5 and web banners, broadcast video, game spritesheets or social video.
Platform support. Synfig covers Linux; Moho is Windows and macOS only.
How we test animation software
The test for this category: Produce the same 20-second animation; time, rigging and export quality.
Each tool completes the same project brief (for example a social post set, a 60-second video edit, a wireframe of a 5-screen app, a 2-minute animation) on the same reference computer.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for design, video and audio software tools.
What we measure
- Time to finish the brief
- Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges
- Export options and file quality
- Learning curve: time to first finished piece for a beginner
- Performance on the reference machine and price
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free animation software?
Guides also cite Blender for 3D, Pencil2D and OpenToonz.
Is Adobe Animate discontinued?
Adobe announced end of sales in Feb 2026 then reversed; it is in maintenance mode.
Which animation software is a one-time purchase?
Moho (perpetual) and Cartoon Animator perpetual editions; Toon Boom and Adobe are subscriptions.
What do professionals use for 2D?
Toon Boom Harmony is a common studio choice; Moho has been used on Cartoon Saloon films per Wikipedia.
What is the easiest animation software?
Template-based makers such as Biteable, Renderforest and Animaker require no animation skills.
Mia Chen
I've always loved the creative side of technology. I'm particularly interested in user experience and how small design decisions can completely change the way a platform feels.
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If you use a tool we reviewed, or work for the company, email us with what you saw. We'll look at the evidence and update the review if it changes our findings.
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