Adobe Animate icon

Adobe Animate

Adobe Animate is a vector and raster animation software used to design interactive animations, games, apps, and web graphics. It allows for drawing, character rigging, audio embedding, animations, and publishing to multiple platforms.

What is Adobe Animate?

Adobe Animate is professional software used for creating animations, interactive content, games, and scalable vector graphics. Originally launched in 1996 as FutureSplash Animator, it was acquired by Adobe Systems in 2005 and renamed Adobe Flash Professional up until 2016 when it was rebranded Adobe Animate.

Adobe Animate utilizes vector and raster graphics, a timeline for arranging assets, scripting capabilities for interactivity, tools for publishing content for web, mobile, games, apps, and other platforms. Key features include:

  • Drawing tools for illustrations, user interface design, character rigging, and frame-by-frame animations
  • Importing external assets such as images, audio, video
  • Area tools for gradient fills, image masking, cropping
  • Advanced text handling with fonts, formatting, text fields
  • Code editor for adding scripts, interactivity, or dynamic effects
  • Animate along a custom timeline, modify curves with easing
  • Export for HTML5 Canvas, WebGL, SVG graphics, video, games engines

Animate is primarily used by designers, animators, and developers to produce rich animated content integrated with code interactivity and dynamic effects for deployment across platforms and devices.

The Best Adobe Animate Alternatives

Top Apps like Adobe Animate

FlipaClip, OpenToonz, Procreate Dreams, Callipeg, Articulate Storyline, Toon Boom Studio, Alight Motion, Toon Boom Harmony, Opus Pro, Glaxnimate, Vectorian Giotto, Animation Desk, Adobe Director, AniGen, MonkeyJam, Moovly, RoughAnimator, Easygenerator, TinyAnim, Wick Editor, Aphalina Animator, Saola Animate, FlaExporter, Xara 3D Maker, Mediator, Express Animate, EasyToy, EasyToon, KToon, Artist Code, Expressive Animator, Verge3D, OpenSilver, 3D RAD, Rubber Hose 2, Showbox, KoolMoves, Cacani, CreaToon, Sothink SWF Quicker, Alligator Flash Designer, Opus Creator, Spectrum Shift Paint, Sprout Builder, Free Flash Effect Generator, Polycode, Tahoma2D, Purple Animator, gokigif, Animated Banner Maker are some alternatives to Adobe Animate.

FlipaClip

FlipaClip is a 2D animation software designed for beginners that makes the process of creating detailed and complex cartoons and animations incredibly simple. With an intuitive interface and powerful features like onion skinning, an innovative drawing toolbar, and the ability to add multiple layers to your canvas, FlipaClip gives users...

OpenToonz

OpenToonz is a powerful, free, and open source software for producing 2D animation. It originated from Toonz software, which has been used for major productions like Futurama, Steven Universe, and many Studio Ghibli films directed by Hayao Miyazaki.Some key features of OpenToonz include:Scanning and cleaning up traditional 2D...

Procreate Dreams

Procreate Dreams is a feature-rich digital illustration and painting app designed specifically for the iPad and Apple Pencil. With its simple yet powerful interface, Procreate makes it easy for artists of all skill levels to create gorgeous works of art.At the heart of Procreate are its incredible selection of...

Callipeg

Callipeg is a popular call tracking and analytics platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It enables users to record, track, monitor, and analyze inbound and outbound phone calls to gain actionable insights.With Callipeg, businesses can set up local or toll-free phone numbers, create call flows and IVRs, integrate...

Articulate Storyline

Articulate Storyline is a popular rapid e-learning authoring tool used to create interactive online courses and assessments. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface that allows non-technical users to easily create engaging e-learning content.Some key features of Articulate Storyline include:Drag-and-drop interface to easily add and customize slidesLarge library...

Toon Boom Studio

Toon Boom Studio is a 2D animation and storyboarding software application developed by Toon Boom Animation. It is used by animators, storyboard artists, and animation studios for creating hand-drawn, cutout, and digital 2D animation.Some key features of Toon Boom Studio include:Animation tools like onion skinning, morphing, deformers, advanced...

Alight Motion

Alight Motion is a comprehensive video editing and animation app for mobile devices. Originally developed for Android and later released for iOS, it provides a robust set of tools for editing videos, applying effects, creating motion graphics, animation, and visual effects.Key features of Alight Motion include:Multi-layer timeline for...

Toon Boom Harmony

Toon Boom Harmony is professional 2D animation and drawing software used widely in the animation industry. It provides a complete workflow for creating cartoons, anime, mobile/web content, games, and more.Some key features include:Powerful drawing and painting tools like pencils, brushes, fills, deformation tools, etc.Character rigging, hierarchy...

Opus Pro

Opus Pro is a digital audio workstation (DAW) software application designed for music creation and audio production. It provides a complete set of tools for recording, editing, mixing, effects processing, and audio mastering.Some key features of Opus Pro include:Multitrack audio editing - allows editing and arranging of multiple...

Glaxnimate

Glaxnimate is an open-source vector graphics and animation software application. It is designed to be an intuitive and easy-to-use tool for creating 2D graphics, illustrations, and animations.Some key features of Glaxnimate include:Vector drawing tools for illustrations and graphic designKeyframing and tweening for producing 2D animationsTimeline and tools optimized...

Vectorian Giotto

Vectorian Giotto is a feature-rich, open-source vector graphics editor available for Windows, macOS and Linux platforms. It enables users to create high-quality 2D graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, logos, icons and more using versatile vector shape tools and advanced editing features.Some of the key capabilities of Vectorian Giotto include...

Animation Desk

Animation Desk is a free 2D animation software for Windows. It provides a easy-to-use interface for creating frame-by-frame animations. With support for drawing tools, onion skinning, timeline editing, it has the basic features needed for making simple 2D cartoons and animations.The layout is straightforward with the drawing canvas on...

Adobe Director

Adobe Director is a multimedia authoring tool used to create interactive multimedia applications and presentations for a variety of platforms. Originally created by Macromedia, it was acquired by Adobe Systems in 2005.Key features of Adobe Director include:Timeline-based authoring interface to help organize and synchronize various media elements including text...

AniGen

AniGen is an artificial intelligence-powered software that creates unique 2D and 3D animated characters. It provides an intuitive interface for users to customize various attributes of their avatar designs such as gender, age, hair style and color, facial features, body type, outfits, accessories, and more.One of the standout features...

MonkeyJam

MonkeyJam is an open-source 2D animation software application for Windows. It is designed to provide a complete toolset for creating 2D cartoon animations.Some of the key features of MonkeyJam include:Intuitive interface for drawing, onion skinning, animating frames, adjusting timing, and editing animationsSupports importing scanned drawings, images, and existing...

Moovly

Moovly is a cloud-based video creation suite that empowers anyone to create visually striking video content with ease. Its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor allows you to animate text, images, graphics, video clips, and more to produce professional-looking animations, presentations, explainer and marketing videos, infographics, and other dynamic visual content.Some key...

RoughAnimator

RoughAnimator is powerful 2D animation software designed to make frame-by-frame animation simple and intuitive. With RoughAnimator, anyone can easily create great looking animations and animated stories. It has a user-friendly interface with drawing and animation tools tailored for all skill levels.Key features of RoughAnimator include:Rough drawing tools -...

Easygenerator

Easygenerator is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) designed to help organizations create and deliver online training courses, quizzes, and assessments. Some key features of Easygenerator include:Intuitive drag-and-drop course authoring - No coding or design skills required to build interactive eLearning content.Responsive design - Courses work on any...

TinyAnim

TinyAnim is a free, open-source 2D animation program for Windows. Developed by Endre Barath, it provides a simple yet powerful toolset for creating 2D animations.Some of the key features of TinyAnim include:Intuitive timeline for building animations frame-by-frameOnion skinning to visualize previous and next framesDrawing tools like pencil, eraser...

Wick Editor

Wick Editor is a free and open-source visual programming tool for creating 2D animation and interactive stories. It features a node-based interface that allows users to build games, animations, and other interactive media without needing to write code.Some key features of Wick Editor include:Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating...

Aphalina Animator

Aphalina Animator is a feature-rich 2D animation software designed for creating frame-by-frame animations. It provides a complete toolset for all stages of 2D animation process including pre-production, animation, and post-production.Some of the key features of Aphalina Animator include:Vector and bitmap drawing tools like pencils, brushes, shapes, typography etc...

Saola Animate

Saola Animate is a feature-rich 2D animation and motion graphics software focused on offering a complete solution for creating all types of 2D animations and interactive content. Some key features include:Intuitive timeline and keyframing for traditional frame-by-frame animationPowerful vector tools for character rigging and cutout animationPre-made character, prop and...

FlaExporter

FlaExporter is a standalone application developed by Tumult that provides the ability to export assets and animations from Adobe Flash files (FLA) for use in other programs. Some key features of FlaExporter include:Exports the different layers, symbols, shapes, and guides contained in a FLA fileConverts vector content to SVG...

Xara 3D Maker

Xara 3D Maker is a beginner-friendly 3D modeling and animation software. It provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface for creating 3D models and animations without needing extensive technical knowledge or experience.Key features include:Drag-and-drop 3D model creation with a wide range of pre-made components and templates to choose fromAbility...

Mediator

Mediator is an open-source chatbot development platform launched in 2021. It allows developers and non-developers to build chatbots and virtual assistants without code using a visual interface. Some key features of Mediator include:Natural language processing capabilities to understand text, classify intents, and extract entitiesPre-built integrations with platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook...

Express Animate

Express Animate is a 2D vector animation software targeted at individual animators, small studios and businesses. It provides all the necessary tools for creating high-quality animations, interactive content, UI/UX design, and more.Some of the key features of Express Animate include:Vector and bitmap drawing tools for creating 2D...

EasyToy

EasyToy is an intuitive yet powerful open source computer-aided design (CAD) software aimed at hobbyists, makers, and casual users. With its easy-to-use interface, EasyToy makes creating 3D models accessible for beginners, while still providing a robust set of modeling tools for more advanced users.Some key features of EasyToy include...

EasyToon

EasyToon is a 2D animation software designed to make the animation process fast and easy for both beginners and professionals. It provides a complete toolset for all stages of 2D animation creation including pre-production, asset creation, animation, and post-production.Some key features of EasyToon include:Intuitive timeline and tools similar...

KToon

KToon is a free, open source 2D animation software designed for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It is built using the Qt framework and provides a complete toolset for creating 2D animated films.Some of the key features of KToon include:Intuitive interface and workflow for hand-drawn animationPowerful onion skinning tool...

Artist Code

Artist Code is a visual programming language and environment designed specifically for artists, designers, and creators to build interactive, multimedia projects. It utilizes a node-based workflow where users connect different modules together to control graphics, audio, video, sensors, and more to create generative art, interactive installations, AR/VR experiences, and...

Expressive Animator

Expressive Animator is a feature-rich 2D animation software designed for creating traditional frame-by-frame animations. With an intuitive interface optimized for use with pen tablets, it allows animators to easily draw each frame of their animations using an extensive set of bitmap and vector drawing tools.Some of the key features...

Verge3D

Verge3D is a software development kit and toolkit that allows creators and developers to build high-quality interactive 3D applications that run directly in modern web browsers, without the need for plugins or downloads. Developed by Soft8Soft and first released in 2015, Verge3D provides a bridge between the 3D...

OpenSilver

OpenSilver is an open-source re-implementation of Microsoft's Silverlight platform for building rich internet applications (RIAs). Like Silverlight, OpenSilver allows developers to use C# and XAML to create web apps with desktop-like functionality and interfaces.As an open-source project, OpenSilver provides an alternative for developers who want to create Silverlight-like apps...

3D RAD

3D RAD is a powerful 3D modeling, sculpting, and animation software optimized for speed and flexibility. With 3D RAD, designers and artists can quickly iterate ideas in 3D without getting bogged down in complex workflows.Key features include:Intuitive sculpting brushes for organic modelingRobust sketching tools to block out conceptsAnimation...

Rubber Hose 2

Rubber Hose 2 is a professional 2D animation software focused on character rigging and animation. It provides a variety of powerful tools to streamline the process of creating rigs and animating characters.Some key features include:Intuitive bone and IK rigging system to pose charactersShape keys for quickly modifying drawingsOnion skinning...

Showbox

Showbox is a media and entertainment application that gives users access to a large library of movies, TV shows, and other video content that can be streamed or downloaded for offline viewing. It has been widely used as an alternative to paid streaming services or torrent sites.Some key features...

KoolMoves

KoolMoves is a free and open-source computer animation and visual effects software for Windows. Originally released in 1999, KoolMoves provides a comprehensive toolset for creating 2D and 3D animations and interactive content.Key features of KoolMoves include:Intuitive interface for 2D and 3D animation with timeline and hierarchical editorsDrawing and image...

Cacani

Cacani is a free, open-source, self-hosted video conferencing software solution. It allows users to make secure group video and audio calls with features like screen sharing, messaging, meeting recording, and live streaming.Some key features of Cacani include:Group video calls support up to 200 participantsScreen sharing allows presenters to broadcast...

CreaToon

CreaToon is a feature-rich 2D animation software designed to make cartoon and animation creation accessible for all levels of expertise. With its easy-to-use interface, CreaToon allows anyone to bring their animation ideas to life.Some key features of CreaToon include:Powerful drawing and painting tools - CreaToon provides a range...

Sothink SWF Quicker

Sothink SWF Quicker is a software application designed specifically for optimizing Adobe Flash SWF files. It can significantly reduce the file size of SWFs through a variety of compression and optimization techniques without reducing visual quality.Some of the key features of Sothink SWF Quicker include:Lossless compression of vectors...

Alligator Flash Designer

Alligator Flash Designer is a feature-rich application for creating interactive Flash animations, presentations, games, and websites. It provides a complete vector graphics editor with an easy-to-use interface for drawing shapes, importing images, applying gradients and textures.Key features include:Vector drawing tools - pens, brushes, shape tools, text tool with...

Opus Creator

Opus Creator is a free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It allows users to record, edit, and mix audio files with professional-grade tools and effects.Some key features of Opus Creator include:Multi-track audio editing with unlimited tracksSupport for VST plugins for effects and virtual...

Spectrum Shift Paint

Spectrum Shift Paint is a versatile digital painting and image editing software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It is an open-source, community-driven project that is completely free to download and use.Some key features of Spectrum Shift Paint include:Intuitive user interface designed specifically for digital...

Sprout Builder

Sprout Builder is a user-friendly website builder designed to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and non-technical users quickly build professional-looking websites. Its drag-and-drop editor makes web design accessible for beginners, while still providing powerful features for more advanced users.Some key features of Sprout Builder include:Intuitive drag and drop...

Free Flash Effect Generator

The Free Flash Effect Generator is a powerful yet easy-to-use tool for creating stunning Flash animations and effects for websites. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, anyone can quickly generate professional-looking Flash files without needing to know Flash coding.The tool allows users to easily add text, images, shapes, and effects...

Polycode

Polycode is an open source framework for creative coding and game development. It provides a complete set of tools for building interactive 2D and 3D applications, games, simulations and visualizations using C++ and Lua scripting.Some of the key features of Polycode include:Integrated 2D and 3D rendering engine powered...

Tahoma2D

Tahoma2D is an open-source, cross-platform 2D game engine and editor written in C++. It is designed for hobbyist, indie, and professional game developers to create 2D games and applications. Some of the key features include:Intuitive visual editor for rapid developmentEntity-component architecture for high flexibilityLua scripting support for game...

Purple Animator

Purple Animator is a feature-rich 2D animation software used to create animations, cartoons, motion graphics, and vector animations. It comes with an intuitive timeline interface and powerful drawing and animation tools that make it easy for both beginners and professionals to create stunning animations.Some key features of Purple Animator...

Gokigif

Gokigif is a free online GIF editing tool that provides a quick and easy way for users to customize and personalize GIFs. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows anyone to edit GIFs without needing design experience or knowledge.Some of the key features Gokigif offers include:Adding text...

Animated Banner Maker

Animated Banner Maker is a feature-rich graphic design software specialized for creating captivating animated banners, headers, and graphics for websites. With an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, it allows users to quickly combine templates, animations, effects, images, shapes, and text to build professional, high-quality banners without needing to know coding.It comes...