Pencil2D alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Pencil2D: no bones, rigging or automatic tweening, and few effects and limited sound editing compared with studio tools. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pencil2D, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. OpenToonz currently ranks first.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 6 alternativesThe best Pencil2D alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Pencil2D alternative for most people
OpenToonzFree studio-grade tool with xsheets, effects and scanning, for when a project outgrows Pencil2D.
Best Pencil2D alternative for a free option
Synfig StudioFree vector animator with automatic tweening and bones, so you don't draw every frame.
Best Pencil2D alternative for open source
KritaFree painting app with a built-in animation timeline and much richer brushes for drawn frames.
Best Pencil2D alternative for Mac
Clip Studio PaintPaid drawing app with strong frame animation tools, popular with comic and anime artists.
Best Pencil2D alternative for Windows
Toon Boom HarmonyProfessional paid tool for those moving from hobby animation into studio work.
Best Pencil2D alternative for Linux
Synfig StudioFree vector animator with automatic tweening and bones, so you don't draw every frame.
Best Pencil2D alternative for iPhone and Android
Clip Studio PaintPaid drawing app with strong frame animation tools, popular with comic and anime artists.
Pencil2D alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Pencil2D?
OpenToonz ranks first right now. Free studio-grade tool with xsheets, effects and scanning, for when a project outgrows Pencil2D. Synfig Studio and Krita follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Pencil2D?
Yes. OpenToonz (open source), Synfig Studio (open source) and Krita (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Pencil2D?
Yes: OpenToonz, Synfig Studio and Krita.
Which Pencil2D alternatives work on Linux?
Synfig Studio and Krita run on Linux.
Why do people switch from Pencil2D?
The complaints we hear most: no bones, rigging or automatic tweening; few effects and limited sound editing compared with studio tools; current macOS build needs macOS 10.14 or later; older Macs get a legacy build.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Pencil2D, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.