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 Review51 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Recent Reviews
Marcus Thomas
Jun 02, 2026A great free tool, but still rough around the edges
ToonSquid is a promising free and open-source animation package, and I love having access to powerful tools without the price tag. The lightweight nature is fantastic for quick projects. However, I've encountered a few crashes and the UI can be …
Phoenix Wilson
May 26, 2026Free but Frustrating - Needs Major Polish
As a hobbyist animator excited to try ToonSquid, I was quickly let down. The interface feels clunky and unintuitive compared to more established free alternatives. Several features promised in tutorials either crashed the software or didn't work as expected, making …
Reese King
May 24, 2026Frustrating for Anything Beyond Basic Sketching
For a free tool, I expected basic stability, but ToonSquid crashes constantly during playback or when adding too many layers. The brush engine feels laggy and unresponsive, making smooth line work nearly impossible. Export options are confusing and limited, and …
Lisa Chen
May 17, 2026Promising but Too Unstable for Actual Work
The idea of a free, feature-rich 2D animation tool is fantastic, but ToonSquid constantly crashes during playback or when switching tools, making it impossible to finish a project. The brush engine feels laggy, and exporting my animation resulted in a …
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 …
Rating Distribution
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