ToonSquid
ToonSquid: Free 2D Animation Software
ToonSquid is a free and open-source 2D animation software. It provides tools for drawing, animating, and exporting cartoons and animations. ToonSquid is lightweight, easy to use, and suitable for hobbyists and professionals alike.
What is ToonSquid?
What Is ToonSquid?
ToonSquid is a 2D animation app for iPad that lets artists create hand-drawn animations using Apple Pencil. It provides a traditional frame-by-frame animation workflow in a touch-optimized interface designed specifically for the iPad.
Key Features
The app supports onion skinning (seeing previous and next frames as transparent overlays), multiple layers per frame, a timeline with frame management, and drawing tools optimized for Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity. Animations can be exported as GIF, MP4, or image sequences.
ToonSquid includes a bone-based rigging system for character animation, allowing artists to create skeletal rigs and animate characters by posing joints rather than redrawing every frame. This hybrid approach combines the expressiveness of hand-drawn animation with the efficiency of rigged animation.
Pricing
ToonSquid is a one-time purchase on the App Store with no subscription required.
Who Uses ToonSquid
Independent animators, illustrators, and hobbyists who want to create 2D animations on iPad without the complexity of desktop software like Toon Boom or Adobe Animate.
ToonSquid Features
Features
- Drawing tools
- Onion skinning
- Timeline for keyframe animation
- Camera movement
- Audio integration
- Export animations as video or image sequence
Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
Pros
Cons
Official Links
Reviews & Ratings
Login to Review47 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Recent Reviews
River Lee
May 11, 2026A Fantastic Free Tool for 2D Animation
As a hobbyist animator, I've been blown away by ToonSquid. It's incredibly intuitive to pick up, with a clean interface that doesn't overwhelm you. The drawing and onion-skinning tools are robust and responsive, making frame-by-frame animation a genuine pleasure. The …
Ava Anderson
May 10, 2026Finally, a Free Animation Tool That Doesn't Feel Like a Compromise
As someone who dabbles in animation but can't justify a Creative Cloud subscription, ToonSquid has been a game-changer. The interface is intuitive enough to pick up quickly, yet the brush engine and timeline feel surprisingly powerful for a free, open-source …
Reese Hill
May 08, 2026A promising free tool, but still rough around the edges
As a hobbyist animator, I'm thrilled that a free, open-source option like ToonSquid exists. The drawing tools feel responsive and the timeline is intuitive for basic cut-out style animation. However, I've run into a few frustrating bugs that crashed my …
Skyler Hall
May 05, 2026A Fantastic Free Tool for 2D Animation
As a hobbyist animator, ToonSquid has been a game-changer. The interface is intuitive and doesn't overwhelm me, making it easy to jump right in and start creating frame-by-frame animations. The drawing tools feel responsive, and the fact that it's completely …
Olivia Harris
May 03, 2026A Fantastic Free Tool for 2D Animation
As a hobbyist animator, ToonSquid has been a game-changer. It's incredibly intuitive to pick up, with drawing tools and onion skinning that feel responsive and natural. Exporting my short cartoons is straightforward, and the fact it's free and open-source makes …
Rating Distribution
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