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 Review38 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Recent Reviews
Michael Smith
Apr 21, 2026An Amazing Free Tool for 2D Animators
As a hobbyist animator, ToonSquid has been a game-changer. The interface is incredibly intuitive, making it easy to jump right in and start animating. The brush and timeline tools are surprisingly powerful for free software, and the performance is smooth …
Alex Harris
Apr 20, 2026A Hidden Gem for 2D Animation
I've been using ToonSquid for my personal YouTube cartoons for about six months now, and I'm seriously impressed. As someone who found other free animation software a bit intimidating, its clean interface and straightforward timeline made it easy to jump …
Sage Johnson
Apr 20, 2026A Promising Free Tool With Some Rough Edges
ToonSquid is a fantastic find for anyone wanting to dip their toes into 2D animation without spending a dime. The core drawing and onion-skinning tools are incredibly intuitive and the lightweight feel is refreshing. However, I've encountered a few crashes …
Skyler Davis
Apr 19, 2026A Fantastic Free Tool for Both Beginners and Pros
As someone who dabbles in animation as a hobby, I was thrilled to find ToonSquid. It's incredibly intuitive to pick up, yet the toolset is surprisingly deep for creating smooth, professional-looking 2D animations. The fact that it's free and open-source …
Quinn Johnson
Apr 17, 2026A Promising Start with Room to Grow
As a hobbyist animator, I appreciate that ToonSquid is free and open-source, offering a solid set of basic drawing and animation tools without the bloat of premium software. However, I've run into a few annoying bugs with the onion skinning …
Rating Distribution
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