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Pencil2D alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

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.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1OpenToonz logoOpenToonzOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS5 of 566.5
2Synfig Studio logoSynfig StudioOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 562.6
3Krita logoKritaOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +14 of 452.6
4Clip Studio Paint logoClip Studio PaintPaidNoWindows, macOS, iOS +15 of 551.2
5Toon Boom Harmony logoToon Boom HarmonyPaidNoWindows, macOS5 of 548.9
  1. OpenToonz logo

    1. OpenToonzTop pick

    Best for: Studios, schools and serious hobbyists who want a free professional 2D animation pipeline

    Open sourceWindows, macOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pencil2D

    Free studio-grade tool with xsheets, effects and scanning, for when a project outgrows Pencil2D.

    Pros

    • Studio-proven pipeline with xsheet, timeline and node-based compositing
    • Free for commercial use, with BSD-licensed source
    • Scanning tool for traditional paper animation

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve and a crowded interface
    • Some manuals are only available in Japanese
    • GTS scanning tool is Windows only
    Visit OpenToonz Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is OpenToonz a good Pencil2D alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Free for commercial use
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Source license
    New BSD License
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    Toonz, customised by Studio Ghibli
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Timing views
    Xsheet and timeline
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Synfig Studio logo

    2. Synfig Studio

    Best for: Indie animators making vector or cut-out animation who want tweening and rigging for free

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pencil2D

    Free vector animator with automatic tweening and bones, so you don't draw every frame.

    Pros

    • Automatic tweening between keyframes saves drawing every frame
    • Bones for cut-out animation with vector or bitmap art
    • Free and GPL-licensed on Windows, macOS and Linux

    Cons

    • Technical interface with a steep learning curve
    • Weak for traditional frame-by-frame hand drawing
    • Desktop only, with no iPad or Android app
    Visit Synfig Studio Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Synfig Studio a good Pencil2D alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL v3
    Checked Nov 1, 2026synfig.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Nov 1, 2026synfig.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Vector tweening
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026synfig.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Bone system
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026synfig.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Layer types
    50+
    Checked Nov 1, 2026synfig.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Krita logo

    3. Krita

    Best for: Illustrators and concept artists who want a free, full-featured painting app

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pencil2D

    Free painting app with a built-in animation timeline and much richer brushes for drawn frames.

    Pros

    • Free and GPL-licensed
    • Excellent brush engines and drawing assistants
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

    Cons

    • Not built for photo editing
    • Can slow down on very large canvases
    • No iPad version
    Visit Krita Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Krita a good Pencil2D alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 29, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
    Checked Oct 29, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Android
    Google Play builds
    Checked Oct 29, 2026krita.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Clip Studio Paint logo

    4. Clip Studio Paint

    Best for: Comic, manga and webtoon artists who need panels, tones and clean line art

    PaidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android

    51.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pencil2D

    Paid drawing app with strong frame animation tools, popular with comic and anime artists.

    Pros

    • Excellent line art and pen stabilisation
    • Comic tools such as panels, balloons and tones
    • Perpetual licence available on desktop

    Cons

    • Crowded interface with a learning curve
    • Mobile and tablet versions need a subscription
    • New features on desktop need the update pass
    Visit Clip Studio Paint Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Clip Studio Paint a good Pencil2D alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Perpetual licence
    Yes, PRO and EX for Windows/macOS
    Checked Nov 1, 2026clipstudio.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Plan platforms
    iPad, Android, iPhone, Windows, macOS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026clipstudio.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    PRO and EX
    Checked Oct 29, 2026clipstudio.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    From $0.99 a month (subscription plans)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026clipstudio.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    First 3 months free on plans
    Checked Nov 1, 2026clipstudio.net(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Toon Boom Harmony logo

    5. Toon Boom Harmony

    Best for: Professional animators and studios producing series-quality 2D animation with rigs and effects.

    PaidWindows, macOS

    48.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pencil2D

    Professional paid tool for those moving from hobby animation into studio work.

    Pros

    • Industry-standard tool used across TV and studio pipelines
    • Combines drawing, rigging and node compositing in one app
    • Three editions from enthusiast to full studio feature set

    Cons

    • Subscription only, with no free edition beyond the trial
    • No Linux version listed in current system requirements
    • Steep learning curve and demanding hardware recommendations
    Visit Toon Boom Harmony Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Toon Boom Harmony a good Pencil2D alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026toonboom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    Three editions
    Checked Oct 29, 2026toonboom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing
    Monthly price, billed annually
    Checked Oct 29, 2026toonboom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows and macOS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026toonboom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI add-on
    Toon Boom Ember
    Checked Oct 29, 2026toonboom.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Pencil2D alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

OpenToonz logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for most people

OpenToonz

Free studio-grade tool with xsheets, effects and scanning, for when a project outgrows Pencil2D.

Synfig Studio logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for a free option

Synfig Studio

Free vector animator with automatic tweening and bones, so you don't draw every frame.

Krita logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for open source

Krita

Free painting app with a built-in animation timeline and much richer brushes for drawn frames.

Clip Studio Paint logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for Mac

Clip Studio Paint

Paid drawing app with strong frame animation tools, popular with comic and anime artists.

Toon Boom Harmony logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for Windows

Toon Boom Harmony

Professional paid tool for those moving from hobby animation into studio work.

Synfig Studio logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for Linux

Synfig Studio

Free vector animator with automatic tweening and bones, so you don't draw every frame.

Clip Studio Paint logo

Best Pencil2D alternative for iPhone and Android

Clip Studio Paint

Paid 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.