The Best 3 Adobe Animate Alternatives
- Eleanor Linder
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Adobe have inexplicably pulled the plug on Animate (and then re-plugged it today after what we're assuming is due to the mass outcry!) However, if you're here because you feel the damage has already been done and are looking for alternatives with software's that are future-proof - you're in the right place! We've weighed up a few options for you below with some pros and cons for each.
Moho has steadily been building it's user base and becoming more popular on mainstream productions over the past 10 years. It's most famously used by the Irish based animation studio Cartoon Saloon whom created features such as The Breadwinner (2017) and My Father's Dragon (2022) Here at Cut the Mustard HQ we've been introducing the software into more and more of our projects over the past year and can fully endorse it as we've been moving away from TV Paint (sadly) - you can check out one of our projects here. Here's some pros and cons:
Pros:
You can create a naturalistic hand-drawn feel despite it being a vector-based software. There's a wide range of brushes and even a 'boil lines' feature.
The rigging system is intuitive and fast - and there's a full course on Youtube for free created by the software developers to explain this and everything else about the software!
It's made by artists and is for artists - meaning no AI here.
A recent update has meant that you can export rigs from Moho and use them in video game softwares such as Unity and Godot. This also means that you can export files into 3D softwares like Blender. It's very integrated across creative softwares like Clip Studio and the Adobe Suite.
Once purchased, you'll have obtained a perpetual license which means you'll have access to the software forever meaning no need to worry about an expiry.
Even better - they're offering a $100 discount code for their Moho Pro 14.4 version after the news of Adobe Animate. The code is: FORANIMATORS
The software is on offer often - one of us managed to get the 12 pro version on Humble Bundle last year for £20! It's not too dissimilar and the tutorials still apply.
Cons:
It is a perpetual license but this also might mean you have to pay for big updates (such as the jump from 13-14) when they come out. This is currently and historically at a reduced rate) and won't stop you from having access to the version you bought.
That's all we can really think of!
Grease Pencil has also been gaining popularity for the majority amongst new 2D animators - this is because of its accessibility. It's an object that can be used to make traditional 2D animation, cut-out animation, motion graphics or used as a storyboard tool within the 3D software Blender and was introduced to the software in 2008.
Pros:
It's very accessible - it's completely free and there's a wide range of tutorials on YouTube by creative individuals.
It's fully vector based and there's the option to easily integrate 2D and 3D creations together all in one software!
There's a lot of potential for the things that you can create within it if you have the patience! Take for example the popular social media creative Dedouze.
You can export files into Adobe After Effects for compositing.
Cons
The system requirements for the software are quite intensive compared to those needed for 2D softwares.
As it's originally a 3D software the tools aren't quite adapted as well for a 2D animation.
It can be quite tricky to get to grips with as the user interface can be confusing for someone that hasn't used a 3D software before.
It doesn't really have any industry endorsements and isn't recognised as being industry standard.
Last but not least, ToonBoom Harmony! This is the big one across the industry and is used to create shows such as The Simpsons, Rick and Morty and Bob's Burgers. It is a Canadian software company founded in 1994. They have developed a range of softwares that are designed to seamlessly cover the full pipeline of animation - from storyboarding through to producing.
Pros:
It's widely recognised in the industry and has a monopoly over the majority of 2D animation studios worldwide (Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon to name a few). If you're trying to make your way into the 2D animation industry having this on your CV will do wonders.
With it being industry standard for years the tools (especially in the pro version) are very well adapted to making your workflow seamless once you get the hang of them.
It has both bitmap and vector drawing tools and like Moho posses the capability of creating character rigs that are very powerful.
Like the others - there are plenty of free resources and tools out there to learn the software.
Cons
With it being 'industry standard' this also comes at a cost which makes it not very accessible to individual animators - all variants of it are subscription based with the most basic version starting at £24 per month (which is missing a lot of key features that are usually given in other 2D softwares). For the premium version you're looking at a setback of £111 per month. If you're wanting to try out their other software's this is again an additional cost.
With it being subscription based you won't ever be able to 'own' a version of it.
Depending on your stance on the AI debate this could be a pro or a con - ToonBoom have introduced a suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance creative workflows called Ember.
It can be a steep learning curve getting used to the user interface and all the features.
If you've come here to find an alternative to Adobe Animate, we hope this has helped! Good luck with your search 🤞
El x