Are you looking for the best-animated video maker software you can leverage for your marketing endeavors but need help knowing where to start?
Well, you are in luck as today’s guide has everything you need to know about the best-animated video maker software that is right for you.
When searching for the best animation software, it’s easy to be confused and feel overwhelmed, especially with the myriad of options available. But don’t worry; this guide will make everything easier and ensure you end up with an animated video maker software that meets all of your requirements.
Read on for all the juicy details.
Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate is the go-to animation software for anyone interested in a top-notch animation tool that delivers exactly as promised.
As a leading vector-based animation software, Adobe Animate is great for beginners and professionals. From offering action 3.0 scripting to supporting audio-video embedding and even providing users access to rich text, Adobe Animate is sure to deliver an experience you won’t get with other video animation software on the market.
As a sequel to Adobe Flash, which is no longer available, Adobe Animate provides users access to advanced tools needed to create high-quality animations for TV shows, video games, applications, websites, and more.
We love Adobe Animate because it supports many export formats, including HTML5, SVG, WebGL, SWF, and Adobe Air. It can also be extended to Android, macOS, Windows, and iOS operating systems.
What’s even more unique about Adobe Animate is its unique pricing. Compared to other leading animation software, Adobe Animate is a tad affordable and only costs $20.99 per month. The icing on the cake is that you can buy Adobe Animate along with Adobe CC, which comes with 20+ applications, including Illustrator and Photoshop, for only $52.99.
Given its price range and extended functionality, it’s easy to see why Adobe Animate makes it to our list of best-animated video maker software.
Pros and cons
Adobe Animate is great if you’re looking for solid software to create mind-blowing animations. But like every animation software, Adobe Animate isn’t perfect. Read on for some pros and cons of this software.
Pros
- Adobe Animate features a variety of powerful resources that are guaranteed to give your animations a twist.
- This software is included in the Adobe All Apps plans
- Its cross-platform support means you can use the software across different devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more.
- The software is reasonably priced, so you won’t break the bank to get it.
- Works well with other Adobe Apps like Illustrator and Photoshop.
Cons
- Adobe Animate doesn’t currently support 3D animation, which is a shame. We hope the team behind this software does something about it in future updates.
- Exporting animated SVG files on Adobe Animate isn’t always smooth.
Canva Animator
Canva Animator made it to our list of best animator video maker software because of its unique proposition. Of all the video animation software we have come across, Canva Animator stands out for us because of its powerful features and ease of use.
For beginners looking for easy-to-use animation software that makes their job easy, you won’t be disappointed to try Canva Animator. The thrilling part is that this video animator software is free to download. More so, the software is compatible with phones, tablets, PC, and laptops.
With Canva Animator, you can create different types of videos, export content seamlessly, as well as schedule and publish your videos anywhere.
And yes, this animation software has many remarkable features, including a magic resize feature that animators can’t stop talking about. Thanks to Canva Animator’s unique magic resize button, you can magically animate your designs with just one click. Additionally, the software lets you add animations to presentations, social media posts, and any other place you need to make a stunning visual impression.
To make your animations more appealing, Canva Animator lets you add graphic elements, text, transitions, and more. As if that’s not enough, Canva Animator has an insane library of music and sound effects. So if you want to make your animations more impressive, you can add some twists by including one of Canva Animator’s music and sound effects.
While you can use Canva 100% free, they have a Pro plan that unlocks access to premium content and features. In terms of pricing, Canva Pro costs $199.99 per year, which is quite fair, especially compared to the pricing of other animation software. But before you jump on that plan, feel free to explore Canva Pro for 30 days free.
Pros and cons
Canva Animator is arguably one of the best video animation software we have come across. It comes loaded with many advanced features you can deploy to make your videos stunning and all shades of amazing. That said, Canva animator has a few shortcomings that are worth highlighting. Here, are some pros and cons of Canva you should know:
Pros
- Canva Animator has a clean and interactive interface, making the software easy to navigate for newbies and professionals.
- It is a powerful tool for creating stunning visuals for social media
- The software provides access to top-notch templates, graphics and image options.
- The free version of Canva Animator should suffice for your video animation needs.
Cons
- The only caveat we have with Canva Animator is the quality you get. Many users have complained about the low quality of video offered by Canva Animator. We hope the team behind this software does something to fix this problem.
Mango Animate
If you want an animation tool that takes your videos to a whole new level, you won’t be disappointed to check out Mango Animate. Mango Animate provides access to advanced tools users can deploy to create highly engaging promo videos, training videos, explainer videos, presentation videos, whiteboard videos, character videos and much more.
What fascinates us about this software is its many remarkable features that are sure to make your videos unique. To start with, Mango Animate unlocks access to a large library of animation templates, characters and scenes. Feel free to use these resources to make stunning animation videos.
While Mango Animate allows users to explore hundreds of professionally designed SVGs, effects, animation widgets, shapes, images and more, you can also upload your assets to give your videos the depth they deserve.
To meet their diverse user needs, Adobe Animate features over 60 types of roles to cater to different industries, including doctors, waiters, teachers, businessmen, students, police, customers, tour guides and many more.
In addition to empowering users with different characters, Mango Animate users can create customized characters. As part of character customization, Mango animate lets users add motions, body language, emotions and other features to their characters.
Another feature we love about Mango Animate is its robust text-to-speech feature. Thanks to this feature, users will enjoy top-notch text-to-speech support for up to 200,00 characters. Users can deploy this feature to vividly explain key points, create quality subtitles and more.
While Mango Animate allows users to seamlessly publish their animation videos online, we also love that the software makes it easy to export the final content. Plus, Mango Animate delivers high-definition videos, thanks to its 4K support.
And just so you know, Mango Animate is pretty affordable. This software costs a one-time fee of $49. How cool can that be?
In addition to its affordable price point, Mango Animate is available for PC and compatible with different Windows versions, including XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11.
Pros and cons
Mango Animate ranks as one of the best animator video maker software for the right reasons. But while the software has a lot of impressive features, it has a few obvious letdowns. Read our pros and cons to learn more.
Pros
- Mango Animate features a powerful multi-track timeline, which makes it super easy for users to customize animation effects and duration.
- The software doesn’t have an intimidating interface, making it a remarkable tool for beginners and professionals.
- It has intuitive scene transition effects. These superb effects make it easy for users to seamlessly transfer scenes from one video to another.
- The software is a tad affordable. Plus, you only pay one time to enjoy lifetime access.
- With Mango Animate, you have an infinite canvas to create multiple video animations.
Cons
Though Mango Animate seems to have a lot of advanced tools, it is still trailing some of the best animation software on the market in terms of performance and ease of use.
Autodesk Maya
Creating mind-blowing video games, TV shows, movies, visual effects, and more can be pretty challenging, especially when you don’t have the right tools. But guess what? With Autodesk Maya, you have a powerful video animation tool that provides you with everything you need to create visually pleasing videos.
As a professional animation and 3D rendering software, Maya gives other video animation software a run for their money as it delivers the highest standards.
Maya leverages state-of-the-art technologies, including Node graph architecture, a powerful resource for customizing individual elements in your videos. And just so you know, this technology has been deployed in popular films like Spiderman, Lord of the Rings, and Ice Age.
If your goal is to create powerful and detailed oriented animation, you’ll be hard-picked to find any animation tool that is better than Maya.
The only issue we have with Maya is that you’ll need a bit of a learning curve to navigate the software. Thankfully, you can use many valuable resources online to learn how to use Maya.
Another thing we would like to point out is that Maya is quite expensive, compared to other animation software we have highlighted thus far. That said, you’re sure to get the best result when you deploy Maya for your animation projects.
In terms of pricing, Autodesk Maya costs $215 per month.
Pros and cons
Autodesk Maya has some of the most advanced video animation tools in any software we have encountered. That said, the software still has a few glitches you should know before your purchase. Here, check out the pros and cons of Maya:
Pros
- Autodesk Maya is great for 3D animation and modeling
- This is the go-to software for some of the top animation studios
- The tool allows users to conveniently add scripts and plugins
- Autodesk Maya has a collaborative feature that allows users to collaborate with other designers.
Cons
- Our grouse with Autodesk Maya is that it is quite expensive.
- In addition to its expensive price point, Autodesk Maya has a steep learning curve.
Adobe Character Animation
Adobe Character is the ultimate must-have resource for character design and animation. This software is choked with many robust animation tools you’ll ever need.
While its many superb features put it ahead of other video animation software, what we particularly love about Adobe Character Animator is its ease of use.
Although Adobe Character Animation shares peculiar uniqueness with other video animation software, it works quite differently. For instance, to operate Adobe Character Animator, you must first import layered files onto puppets, after which you can deploy them for your animation design through applied behavior or virtual cues.
Another thing that fascinates us about Adobe Character Animator is that it has been updated to support motion tracking and lip-syncing, making it easy for users to sync seamlessly with the voice actor.
With Adobe Animator, users can effortlessly rig the characters by leveraging the puppet panel. This unique feature allows you to animate characters with peculiar behavior using prompts. In addition to that, the software also uses your laptop webcam for face tracking.
Since Adobe Character Animator is available with Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps packages, you only get to pay around $52.99 to gain access to all the software housed in Adobe’s cloud suite. So besides Adobe Character Animator, you also get access to top software like Photoshop, Adobe Animate, Illustrator, and over 20 other applications.
Pros and cons
Adobe Character Animator deserves all the accolades it is getting. Many advanced features this software provides are unavailable on other animation tools. But despite all its impressive features, Adobe Character Animator could be better. Read the pros and cons of this software to learn more.
Pros
- Adobe Character Animator has a clean and intuitive interface. So whether you’re a newbie or an experienced animator, you’ll be able to navigate this software with ease.
- This software has a rich library of character templates, so you won’t run out of options.
- It has advanced body and face tracking features, something you won’t find on many video animation software.
- Adobe Character Animation is affordable, especially when stacked against heavyweights in this industry.
Cons
- One thing we don’t particularly like about Adobe Character Animator is that it doesn’t allow for custom resolution.
- This software can only be used on layered files and imported templates.
Visme
Visme is arguably one of the most advanced video animation tools we have come across. It is cloud-based and can be deployed to create infographics, animated social media images, ads, banners, presentations and other visuals.
The software comes loaded with lots of exciting animation and interactivity features. These features are designed to help users create highly engaging and eye-catching designs.
What’s especially unique about this animation software is that it grants you access to thousands of premade templates and an impressive library of royalty-free stock photos and videos. Not just that, users of Visme also get to create stunning animations by deploying customizable pre-animated characters, gestures, illustrations and more.
Compared to other video animator tools we have used in the past, Visme is super easy to use, and that’s all thanks to its friendly and interactive drag-and-drop editor. With Visme, you can explore 14 types of animated charts, graphs and maps. And yes, it also offers advanced custom animation, which you can apply to any object.
If your goal is to end up with a robust video animation tool with everything you need to execute your project, then you won’t go wrong in trying Visme.
Another thing that excites us about Visme is its unique pricing plan. To start with, Visme has a free plan that grants users access to most features they need to create eye-catching designs. That said, they also have a paid package that costs $15 per month. The cool thing about opting for the paid plan is that it unlocks access to many advanced features you won’t get with the free plan.
Pros and cons
Visme stands tall in the midst of other video animation software, and that’s because of its exceptional features. But like most video animation software, certain areas of Visme need improvement. Here are some pros and cons of Visme you should know:
Pros
- Visme has a neat user interface, so finding your way around the software wouldn’t be a big deal.
- It has an attractive price point, making it ideal for people who want a brilliant video animation tool that doesn’t cost a fortune.
- Being an all-in-one animation design software, Visme comes loaded with many remarkable features. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced designer, you’ll definitely love the incredible features offered by Visme.
Cons
- Even though Visme has a rich library of amazing designs and customizable templates, it has a steep learning curve, which might make the software intimidating to newbies.
Blender
Blender is one of the most advanced animation tools we have encountered. This open-source video editing software is miles ahead of others, especially because it gives users complete control over their animations.
With Blender, users get to access advanced command lines and programming features for creating 3D animations, modeling and rendering.
Very few animation tools allow users to draw and edit in 3D mode, but with Blender, you get this and many more.
While we have been fortunate enough to experiment with some video animation software in the past, what impresses us about Blender is its advanced animation and rigging tools. Not just that, the software also has powerful and realistic simulation tools.
Although its customizable user interface, shortcuts and window layout makes the software super easy to use, Blender also has an extensive Python API, which is great for scripting and customization.
The best part about Blender is that the software is available free of charge, so you won’t pay anything to access all of the unique tools available in this animation software.
Pros and Cons
Blender is a household name in the video animation space. This software offers many advanced tools you can leverage to make your animations stand out. However, Blender has a few issues. Read the pros and cons of this software to get some more insight into this animation software.
Pros
- Blender has an impressive library of templates to make your animations stunning.
- This software doesn’t cost you anything as it is available free of charge.
- It has many exceptional animation tools you won’t find on other video editing software.
- It has advanced animation and rendering tools that are great for both beginners and experts.
Cons
- Blender has a steep learning curve, and that’s because of the insane features it has. This makes the software somewhat overwhelming for beginners. Thankfully, there are many online resources and video tutorials designed to give you a hands-on experience with using Blender. Feel free to use these resources to your advantage.
VistaCreate
VistaCreate is not your regular animation software. This software is in a league of its own, thanks to having an extensive library of animated templates. What’s even more special about VistaCreate is that it offers access to thousands of pre-animated objects and characters.
We love that VistaCreate can be used to create square videos, animated ads and social media covers. And guess what? You don’t need extensive design skills to use VistaCreate, which is amazing.
Have you always wanted a video animation tool that lets you stylishly combine videos and animated GIFs to create stunning video posts for social media? Then you won’t go wrong trying VistaCreate.
While the software lets you upload your fonts, graphics and animations, it also has a massive library of videos and animations you can use for your designs.
On top of all its shining features, VistaCreate is affordable, so you won’t dig too deep into your savings to purchase this software. While VistaCreate has a free plan, which should suffice for all your animation needs, its paid plan, which costs $10 per month, will unlock access to other advanced video animation tools you can leverage to polish your videos.
In a nutshell, VistaCrreate boasts of having a rich library, featuring thousands of animated templates you can deploy for advanced customization. More so, it also has over 50 million stock photos you can use for your animation projects.
Pros and Cons
VistaCreate appeals to both beginners and experienced designers because of its unique proposition. Its neat user interface makes the software easy to navigate for just about anyone. That said, VistaCreate is missing a lot of things. Here, check out some pros and cons of this animation software.
Pros
- You don’t need any design skills to be able to navigate VistaCreate.
- The software has an insane library of premade templates and millions of stock images you can deploy for your projects.
- This video animation software allows users to create high-quality video art works in different formats. Whether for presentations, social media posts or stories, you can always trust VistaCreate to deliver exceptional designs you’ll be proud of.
- VistaCreate is pocket-friendly and only costs $10 per month, which is fair, especially compared to other video animation tools.
Cons
Although the free version of this software should suffice for your basic animation needs, it tends to limit your creativity as it features very limited creative tools.
Moho Pro
If you are interested in animation software that creatively combines art tools and animation technology, you won’t be disappointed to check out Moho Pro. While we have experimented with a couple of video animation software in the past, what you get with Moho Pro is top-level, and we aren’t bluffing.
Moho Pro edges out other animation software because of its fast and intuitive rigging system, making it one of the best 2D animation software around.
Just so you know, Moho Pro has been used to create animations in popular movies that have gone on to win the golden globes. While its advanced user interface makes it somewhat confusing, the software has helped users create smooth and complex animation.
Some of the most outstanding features of Moho Pro include its remarkable rigging system and smart bones feature. These powerful features ensure that characters have natural facial expressions and actions. In addition, the software boasts of an extensive library of templates, stock images, vector images and more you can use to improve your animations.
For those looking for a powerful animation tool that ticks all their boxes, we highly recommend trying Moho Pro, especially because of its appealing 2D animation.
Moho is available in two versions. There is the Moho Debut and Moho Pro version. Amazingly, each version of this animation software has unique features that suit different purposes. Compared to other software, Moho Pro is a tad expensive. For starters, this software costs $399.99.
Pros and Cons
Moho Pro has earned its place among the best-animated video maker software for the right reasons. This software boasts impeccable technologies and advanced video editing tools that will add uniqueness to your animations. However, it has some downsides we would love you to know. Read the pros and cons of this software for better insight.
Pros
- Though Moho Pro is a bit advanced, its clean and intuitive user interface makes the software easy to navigate.
- It delivers outstanding 2D animation.
- Among the remarkable features available on this software, the rigging and smart bones feature stands out for us.
- Moho Pro has an extensive library of creative assets.
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Cons
- The interface of this animation software is somewhat confusing.
Adobe Creative Cloud Express
If all you want is a basic animation resource that lets you create stunning video posts for social media, you’ll fancy Adobe Creative Cloud Express. We particularly love the ease this software offers, especially considering that it allows you to edit videos from your phone.
You can use this powerful animation software to create short videos with animated text and photos directly on your smartphone. And yes, the software has tons of animated templates you can use for your projects. Additionally, the software also has an impressive animation-style library you can take advantage of to polish your content.
The only caveat we have with Adobe Creative Cloud Express is that you can only access it on mobile phones, which may put a lot of professionals off.
Some of the major selling points of Adobe Creative Cloud Express include its customizable templates, which are available in various formats, thousands of free images and icons, the ability to sync designs across multiple devices and much more.
Though Adobe Creative Cloud Express might not be in the league of other advanced animation editing software, there is no denying that the software gets the job done, especially when it comes to basic animation designs.
Let us also quickly add that Adobe Creative Cloud Express is pretty affordable, so you won’t dig a fat hole in your savings to afford it. While it has a free plan that gets the job done, you can access other advanced editing tools by subscribing to its $9.99 per month package.
Pros and Cons
Although Adobe Creative Cloud Express may not go shoulder to shoulder with the best animation software out there, if you’re looking for something easy to use, you’ll love everything about this software. Unfortunately, this software has some glitches you should know. Here, check out some pros and cons of Adobe Creative Cloud Express.
Pros
- Adobe Creative Cloud Express is super easy to use.
- It has many remarkable features and templates you can deploy for your animation projects.
- The software is pocket friendly. As a matter of fact, it only costs $9.99 per month to use this software.
- The free version of this animation tool should suffice for basic animation requirements.
Cons
- This software is missing some advanced animation features.
- The app is only available for mobile phones. Also, you can only use it on iOS devices.
Houdini
Houdini is an industry-leading animation software with so much promise. This software was created by SideFX, a top Toronto tech company. Like many video animator software we have reviewed so far, Houdini promises to revolutionize video animation by introducing powerful features and functionalities guaranteed to give your animations a polished and professional look.
Houdini isn’t like every other regular animation software. As a matter of fact, the software has many advanced video editing tools, so it’s no surprise to see the software being used in popular productions like Rio, Zootopia, Frozen and many other movies.
With Houdini, you can seamlessly model and render 3D animations, create particles, lighting and dynamics in your animation projects.
As one of the most sophisticated animation resources, Houdini has been used by leading Hollywood animation studios, including big names like Dreamworks, Disney Animation Studios and Pixar.
If there is anything that fascinates us about Houdini is the fact that it can be used to render intrinsic details such as particles and reflections.
Unlike many of the other video animator maker software we have explored so far, Houdini is quite expensive. Signing up for this software on an annual basis will cost you nearly $1995. Nonetheless, despite its heavy price tag, there is no doubt that Houdini is the best premium animation resource on the market besides the likes of Maya.
Pros and Cons of Houdini
As we mentioned earlier, Houdini is a top-level software. It has many features and functionalities that have made it a Hollywood standard animation software. But despite its many remarkable perks, Houdini has a few lapses we would love to highlight. Read the pros and cons of this software to learn more.
Pros
- Houdini is one of the most advanced 3D animation software on the market. The software is used by leading animation studios, including Dreamworks, Pixar and Disney.
- Houdini has an advanced shader system that makes your animations top quality.
- The software is a brilliant resource for creating particles, lighting and dynamics in your visuals.
- The software is geared towards professionals, so it’s no surprise that many top Hollywood studios use it for their projects.
Cons
- Houdini is quite expensive, so if you’re looking for budget-friendly animation software, we are afraid this isn’t it.
- Because of its sophisticated design, this software has a steep learning curve.
Cinema 4D
Are you interested in a versatile video animation solution that brings out the best in all your projects? Then say hello to Cinema 4D, a powerful 3D modeling and animation software launched by Maxon, a leading German tech company.
Cinema 4D is a high-ranking animation software that can be used to manage workflow from one location. What this simply means is that the software can be used for animation, motion graphics, and VFX cinematography. Because of its unique proposition, Cinema 4D is a reliable tool for creating high-quality and engaging promotional videos, movies and games development.
Thanks to supporting Mograph, designers can use Cinema 4D to create highly complex sequences and animations. On top of that, the software comes with many outstanding features and functionalities that make your animation projects stand out.
Even though Cinema 4D is targeted at professionals, we love that it has a neat user interface, making it an amazing software for newbies looking to jump-start their animation careers. Plus, the software provides detailed tutorials to help users maximize the app.
Regarding pricing, we like to think that Cinema 4D is affordable, especially considering its incredible features and functionalities. For only $99.91 per month, you’ll be able to access all of the advanced features and functionalities of this powerful animation software.
Pros and Cons
Cinema 4D may not be in the league of top animation software like Maya and Houdini, but guess what? It gets the job done. More so, the software is easy to use, making it an excellent choice for newbies and professional animators. That said, here are a few pros and cons of this software you should know.
Pros
- Cinema 4D is a brilliant app for executing complex animation sequences
- Its support for hotkeys makes the app a reliable one for professionals and beginners
- Compared to other top animation resources, Cinema 4D has an easier learning curve.
- The software is pocket friendly and highly recommended for beginners who want affordable software that packs a lot of punch.
Cons
- The render window on this app is quite challenging to navigate
- The modeling workflow needs a bit of improvement.
Pencil 2D
If you’re on a budget and looking for reliable, free-to-use 2D animation software with everything you need for your animation projects, you can never go wrong with Pencil 2D. This amazing software made it to our list of best video animator maker software because of its powerful features and unique functionalities.
Launched in 2005 by Patrick Corrieri and Pascal Naidon, Pencil 2D has quietly worked its way to the top, giving the top animation resources a run for their money. It is a solid tool for making animation drawings.
Pencil 2D has top-notch GNU technology, making it practical and best suited for newbies looking to polish their animation skills. Another thing we love about this software is its versatile export formats, which include MP4, AVI, APNG and GIF.
Also, it will interest you to know that Pencil 2D is designed to work seamlessly on different operating systems including Mac OS, Windows and Linux.
Our only qualm with this software is that its frame-by-frame animation lags. Other than that, Pencil 2D is a decent software that would definitely improve your projects. Plus, the software is available free of charge.
Pros and Cons
Although Pencil 2D may not be in the league of top animation resources like Maya, when it comes to making basic animation changes and edits, Pencil 2D rises to the occasion. Though the software has a few letdowns, it should suffice for your animation projects, especially if you are a beginner. Here are a few pros and cons of Pencil 2D.
Pros
- It doesn’t cost anything to get this amazing software as it is offered free of charge.
- It has a neat user interface, which makes it great for beginners kicking off their animation careers.
- It is designed to work seamlessly across different operating systems, including Linux, Windows and Mac OS.
Cons
- Users of this software have to create separate layers now and then for a fluid and hassle-free experience.
- The software has limited functionalities, hence only recommended for basic animation edits.
CelAction 2D
CelAction 2D is a remarkable video animation software with many unique features and functionalities that will significantly revamp your animation projects. Thanks to its unique propositions, this software is the go-to option for many top professionals.
CelAction 2D has bitmaps and vectors nicely embedded into a skeleton frame. This makes it super easy for users to alter and reuse animation without putting in much effort. What you get with CelAction 2D is quality hand-drawn animation without any challenges.
Besides providing you with all the necessary tools to draw top-notch animation, you can also use CelAction 2D to design texture and model, which you can deploy within your animation projects. On top of its unique features and functionalities, CelAction 2D also lets users import assets from third-party applications.
What makes CelAction such a reliable animation resource is that it has a collaborative feature which allows you to work on an animation project with your team. While some of your team members skilled in drawing can handle the modeling process, you can also delegate other team members to focus on other aspects of the projects like stop motion and movement.
As per pricing, CelAction 2D is quite pricey. Users will have to pay around $759 for a perpetual professional license.
Pros and Cons
CelAction 2D has a lot of amazing things going for it. The software packs a punch and features many remarkable functionalities you’ll love. Unfortunately, the software isn’t all glitz and glam and has a few not-so-cool things you should know. Here, check out some pros and cons of CelAction 2D.
Pros
- CelAction 2D is a brilliant software for hand-drawn 2D animations
- Its collaborative feature makes it an amazing resource for teams working on different projects.
- Animations created using CelAction 2D can be altered and reused easily.
- The software is quite easy to use.
Cons
- One of our main issues with this software is its steep price point. For animators looking for budget-friendly software, this isn’t the one for you.
- With CelAction 2D, you don’t get cross-platform functionality, which is a shame.
Cartoon Animator 4
Cartoon Animator 4 is a powerful software for creating anything in animated 2D. By anything, we mean full movies or short ads. For its price range, Cartoon Animator 4 is arguably one of the best 2D animation software around.
If there is anything we love about Cartoon Animator 4, it is its outstanding user interface. More so, the software allows for unique customization, something you don’t get with other software in this price range.
What excites us more about Cartoon Animator 4 is that it features a lot of unique functionalities, including motion retargeting, 3D Head Creation, keyframe animation, bone rigging system, and smart kinematics, a powerful feature that makes for more natural and fluid animation.
Even though cartoon Animator may not be as robust as other top animation resources, this software has an extensive library of pre-designed free animated characters and animations. On top of that, the software also allows users to create customized designs and animations they can deploy for their projects.
Our only qualm with this software is that it has a learning curve. So if you’re a newbie, you’ll need some time to familiarize yourself with the software. In terms of pricing, Cartoon Animator 4 is moderately priced and costs $159. And just to clarify, you also have to pay for add-ons.
Pros and Cons
Cartoon Animator 4 gets the job done, and that’s what matters the most. Its unique features and functionalities make it a reliable software for anyone into 2D animations. However, like every software we have reviewed so far, Cartoon Animator 4 has some areas that need improvement. Check out our pros and cons of Cartoon Animator 4 to learn more about this software.
Pros
- Cartoon Animator 4 is the perfect resource for anyone looking for animation software with an extensive library of pre-designed characters.
- Rigging on the Cartoon Animator 4 is relatively easy.
- The software has a wide range of features, which makes for a fluid animation design.
- The software is pocket friendly, so great for animators on a tight budget.
Cons
- One thing we don’t particularly love about Cartoon Animator 4 is its UI. This makes the software difficult to navigate. Thankfully, there are a lot of valuable tutorials online that will help you navigate the software in no time.
Crello
Are you interested in a top software that allows you to seamlessly create motion graphics and captivating posts, including stories for social media? Then Crello is just what you’re looking for. Crello leaves users wowed, thanks to its extensive library, which features over 8000 pre-designed animations, objects, templates, elements and even backgrounds.
Using Crello, anyone, regardless of their animation experience, can create eye-catching animations using mind-blowing templates, images, videos, logos, banners and more. By leveraging Crello’s preloaded designing elements, you’ll be able to create highly engaging animations.
One thing you’ll instantly love about Crello is its user-friendly interface, which makes the software easy to navigate for users, regardless of their animation experience. On top of that, Crello unlocks access to advanced tools for trimming, resizing and editing videos, making your job easy at every step. Let us also quickly add that Crello has other amazing effects, including fade-in and zoom-in, which you can use to add depth to your animations.
If you’re a freelancer or marketer focusing largely on social media, you’ll particularly fancy Crello as it provides access to everything you need to scale your social media engagement.
While the free version of this software has basic features you can leverage for your animations, you’ll need to subscribe to the pro plan to explore more advanced features. The Pro plan for this animation software costs $7.99, which is quite fair, especially if you compare it to what other animation software are charging.
Pros and Cons
Crello is loved by both amateurs and professionals because of its user-friendly design. However, even though this animation software packs a punch, it has its challenges. Read our pros and cons of Crello to learn more.
Pros
Crello has a rich library with over 8,000 resources, including premade animations, templates, royalty-free images and more.
It has a neat user interface, making it a reliable solution for newbies getting started with animation.
Crello has a highly responsive mobile app. This app makes it easy for users to create their designs from anywhere,
The software is quite affordable as it only costs $7.99 per month.
Cons
While the free version of Crello will suffice for basic animation design, its limited features may not be enough for an experienced animator looking to make significant changes to a video, picture or design.
Best animated video maker software buying guide
Before buying any animated video maker software, there are certain factors you need to consider. Trust us when we say you don’t want to make a hasty decision only to find out later that the animated video maker software you got is lacking in certain areas. To make things easy for you, we have put together a brilliant buying guide you should consider before buying an animated video maker software.
System specifications
System specification is a pretty big deal when shopping for an animated video maker. Before buying an animated video maker software, you think would work for you, take a minute to explore your system specifications and see whether it can run the animated video maker you want. Some of the things you want to consider are processor, RAM, disk space and of course, graphics card.
To be able to run any animated video maker software, you want to ensure you have a system with a RAM size of 16GB. It should also have a graphics card with 4GB. Another thing we recommend that users do is read through the software descriptions to see whether it supports their operating system.
Features
Before purchasing any animated video maker software, you want to also double-check its features and functionalities to see whether it has everything you want for your animation designs. If you’re into 3D animations, then you want to opt for an animated video maker software with top features like lighting, sculpting, textures, motion graphics and more.
On the other hand, if you’re a 2D animator, you want to focus on animation software with basic features like skeleton and bone rig.
Whether you are a 3D animator or a 2D animator, it’s best to always opt for an animation tool with a rich library of premade animations, templates, videos, royalty-free images and more. These types of tools give you a lot of options when it comes to design.
Budget
When searching for a reliable animation software that ticks your boxes, one thing that is very important is how much you are willing to pay. If you want a top-quality and high-end animated tool that meets the industry standard, you’ll spend between $500 and more yearly. On the flip side, if you’re on a tight budget and looking for something that will suffice for basic animation designs, there are also several affordable animated video maker software on the market you can use.
In today’s guide, we have featured both high-end and affordable animated video software with a lot of fantastic features. We even included some free resources with a lot of potentials. Feel free to go through our list of best-animated video maker software and decide which of them works for you.
What makes animated video maker software significant to use?
While different animated software makers have unique features and functionalities, here are some of the features you should look out for in top animation software:
Templates
The best-animated video maker software should have an extensive library of preloaded templates. This should include certain elements like characters, graphics, royalty-free images, backgrounds and more. With such an option available to you, you’ll be able to explore your creativity. Also, having an animation software with a rich library of premade templates will make your video animation journey smooth.
Tools
A good animated video maker software should have all the necessary drawing and designing resources. These tools should typically include items like paintbrushes and blending tools. Having access to these tools will give life to your creations. Another thing you want to ensure is that the tools available on your preferred software should allow you to optimize, import and export brushes. This is great for creating ultra-specific designs.
Editing
A reliable animated video maker software should have a comprehensive video and audio editing interface. Opting for a software with these unique propositions will allow you to edit directly from the software. With this in place, you wouldn’t have to rely on third-party resources for audio and video editing. It also reduces the amount of time you need to export your content out of the software.
Features
An animated video maker software should have a robust import and export feature. This is important for exporting and importing different content formats, depending on what you’re looking for.
Support
Before you opt for any animation tool, double-check to ensure it is compatible with your device. To be on the safer side, we always encourage people to opt for animated video maker software that works on all devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-animated video maker software overall?
There are tons of animated video maker software on the market that it is almost impossible to decide which is the best. That said, we love Adobe Animate because of its unique features and affordable price point. The software also has many impressive features you won’t find in other animation software.
Should I opt for free or paid animation software?
To be honest, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a software with advanced features and functionalities and have the money to spend, then opting for a paid animation resource isn’t a bad idea. On the flip side, if you’re on a budget, you’ll be better off with a free animation tool. A free software like Blender should get you started.
Which animation software meets Hollywood standards?
While there are tons of animation tools out there, only a handful of software, including the likes of Maya and Houdini, meets Hollywood standards. Both of these animation resources have been used for many successful Hollywood movies.
Which are the best 2D animation resources?
When it comes to budget and features, there are a number of 2D animation software that come to mind. That said, the best for us has to be Moho Pro. We picked this option because it has many advanced features and delivers high functionality. More so, the software has an easy learning curve.
What exactly does bone rigging or skeleton mean in animation?
Bone rigging or skeleton are essential features in animation. These features allow animators to create humanoid skeletons, which they can then animate using 3D actions. So if you’re interested in a more robust experience with your animation, we recommend opting for animation resources that support these features.
In a nutshell
The best animated video maker software should feature remarkable resources and functionalities that help you get the job done in the shortest possible time. In addition, the software should have a neat user interface, making it great for anyone looking to kick off their animation journey.
Today’s guide featured the best animated video maker software. Feel free to peruse our list to find a software that works for you.
If you need more clarification or help, feel free to leave us a comment and we will be happy to respond.
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