9 Leading Cartoon Animation Software with Useful Features

Discover 9 user-friendly cartoon animation software, packed with advanced tools to help you craft high-quality animations effortlessly. However, try CapCut's professional AI tools to effortlessly level up your animation content.

CapCut
CapCut
Jun 16, 2025

Telling stories and creating characters becomes even more enjoyable with cartoon animation. Regardless of whether you are an amateur hoping to stimulate social media engagement through an animation or a pro intending to develop a cartoon series, you'll need the right tools.

This article lists the top 9 leading cartoon animation software to help you make content that captivates children, adults and everyone.

Table of content
  1. What is a cartoon animation software
  2. Popular animation styles in cartoon animation software
  3. 3 simple cartoon making software for PC
  4. Top 3 online cartoon animation software
  5. The 3 best cartoon animation software for mobile users
  6. Use cases of cartoon animation software
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

What is a cartoon animation software

A cartoon animation software is a specific type of program that lets users make animated stories by designing different characters, scenes, and narratives. It has features for drawing and coloring plus animation, which makes it possible to modify still images. With this software, you are able to control movements, add sounds, and visual effects to the animation. It is used by novices or professionals to design and animate cartoons, short films, and web films.

Popular animation styles in cartoon animation software

While working on the best cartoon animation maker app for PC, you must have noticed that there is a range of animation styles available. Each has its special method to animate and tell the story of your characters. Here are some popular animation styles that are being used by the creators:

  • 2D animation

The traditional 2D animation style depicts scenes and characters which are represented in two dimensions. With a cartoon making software for PC, it is possible to draw every frame and it will appear flat and hand drawn. It is well known for cartoons, explainer videos, and educational videos.

  • 3D animation

With 3D animation, characters and the environment are more detailed and can be brought to life. One can use an animation maker app for PCs available in the market to develop and animate intricate 3D figures within a computer space.

  • Cutout animation

Cutout animation is the type of animation that works with shapes or objects that are already designed and moves them step by step. Compared to hand-drawn animation, this technique is cheaper and less time-consuming. It gives a unique and flat design style that features movement.

  • Stop motion animation

Animation that captures real items or models and photographs them gradually in order to produce motion is known as stop motion animation. It is easy to make these frames and smoothly animate the sequence transitions using an animation maker app for PC.

  • Motion graphics

Motion graphics concentrates on text, logos or other visual symbols to create motion. Animation is simple and quick with cartoon making software for PC, particularly with transitions and other effects. Motion graphics are often seen in commercials and corporate films.

3 simple cartoon making software for PC

If you are new to cartoon animations or want to create cartoons on your computer, there are various software options that are easy to operate. These programs can help unleash your creativity without requiring advanced skills. Check out these 3 basic cartoon making software for PC:

CapCut desktop video editor

The CapCut desktop video editor is user-friendly and helps make the animated cartoon making process simple and enjoyable. It has features like keyframe animation, motion tracking, and visual effects, which makes it applicable to simple 2D cartoons. This software works best as a cartoon making software for PC users working on short animated videos designed for social media.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - a simple cartoon animation software

Key features

Here are some key features of the CapCut desktop video editor that make it useful for creating animated cartoon videos quickly and easily:

  • AI video generation

Create short cartoon-style videos automatically by using AI to match scenes with your input content, saving time and boosting creativity.

  • Convert text to speech

Instantly convert AI text to voice, which helps in adding voices to animated characters without hiring voice actors.

  • Auto captions

Generate subtitles from speech in your video with an auto caption generator, making your cartoon animations easier to understand and more engaging for all viewers.

  • 350+ AI voices

Choose from a wide range of AI voices to match different characters, moods, or languages in your cartoon projects with a natural tone.

  • Export 4k videos

Save your final cartoon animations in high resolution, ideal for YouTube, presentations, or any platform requiring sharp visual quality.

How to make animation videos in CapCut

Download and install CapCut by visiting the official CapCut website. Choose the desktop version for your PC and click the download button. After downloading, run the setup file to install the software. Start this process by clicking the download button below.

    STEP 1
  1. Create an animation video

Go to "Media" > "AI media" > "AI video" > "Text to video". Enter a text prompt to create a customized animation video with your chosen speed and duration. Then, click "Regenerate" to allow CapCut to generate the video for you.

Creating an animated video with the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Edit the video

Start by adjusting the video size and position. Next, go to the "Color wheel" in the "Adjust" tab to manually fine-tune the coloring for a balanced and enhanced appearance. You can also explore various body effects or filters to add a dynamic touch to the video. Additionally, visit the "Audio" tab to browse the versatile music library, download your chosen track, and add it to the video.

Editing a video with the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

When the video is ready, select "Export", pick your preferred format and resolution, then press "Export" again to save it. You can also click "Share" to publish it directly on social platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

Exporting a video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Daz 3D

Daz 3D is ideal for users interested in 3D character design and animation. The application has a built-in human doll with ready-made faces to pose, which makes it suitable for stories, comics, and animated videos. It even lets you control facial expressions and character movements in an animation in a very realistic way. It is a good program for beginners because they can work with ready-made assets.

Pros
  • Realistic 3D character creation.
  • Library of free models and assets.
  • Strong posing and expression tools.
  • Non-destructive editing system.
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for animation tools.
  • Limited compatibility with some external render engines.
Interface of Daz 3D - the perfect cartoon animation software

MakeHuman

This open-sourced and free software focuses on the creation of human avatars and uses cartoon animation. It is ideal for people who wish to design characters and import them into other software for animation, as they can export fully detailed models. It is user-friendly and supports customization in gender, body parts, and even age, which can be set via sliders.

Pros
  • Free and open-source.
  • Simple and clean interface.
  • Quick export to Blender.
  • Highly customizable character design.
Cons
  • No built-in animation tools.
  • Limited scene and environment options.
Interface of MakeHuman - an easy to use cartoon animation software

Top 3 online cartoon animation software

Online tools are a great option when it comes to creating animations directly through a browser. They are beginner-friendly and effective for quick projects. Furthermore, these platforms permit you to create animations without needing to download anything. Here are the top 3 options available when it comes to making cartoon animations:

Animaker

Animaker is online cartoon animation software that is great for making explainer videos, cartoons, and short animations, all with the drag-and-drop feature. It lets you upload voices, add text-to-speech, sync characters, and voiceover, making it an all-in-one online animation studio. Furthermore, it provides different backgrounds, pre-animated characters, and transitions catering towards storytelling and educational content.

Pros
  • Easy drag-and-drop controls.
  • Built-in character animations.
  • Text-to-speech support.
  • Good for social media formats.
Cons
  • The free plan has watermarks.
  • Limited offline access.
Interface of Animaker - a highly efficient online cartoon animation software

Powtoon

Aimed at business use, such as presentations, product walkthroughs, and animated explanation videos, Powtoon is a web-based cartoon animation software. It combines cartoonish animation and stylishly designed templates, and is ideal for professionals who need to present ideas graphically. It includes a timeline editor that ensures the addition of animated characters and comes with custom branding options.

Pros
  • Presentation-style animation tools.
  • Business-ready templates.
  • Branding customization.
  • Direct export to social platforms.
Cons
  • Fewer cartoon elements than others.
  • Premium plans are pricey.
Interface of Powtoon - the most liked cartoon animation software

Biteable

Biteable is one of the best cartoon animation software programs to fully design animated scenes with templated characters that social media and explainer videos utilize. It is optimal for those with no editing experience, as they only seek to build animations. Content editors will find peace of mind with its automated script functions.

Pros
  • Very easy to learn.
  • Ready-made cartoon templates.
  • Fast video creation workflow.
  • Great for team collaboration.
Cons
  • Limited character animation control.
  • No voice recording tool.
Interface of Biteable - another online cartoon animation software

The 3 best cartoon animation software for mobile users

Mobile users can now create cartoon animations easily without needing a computer. With the rise of user-friendly apps, it's possible to draw, animate, and edit videos directly on your phone or tablet. Here are 3 of the best mobile cartoon animation software programs that are perfect for on-the-go creativity:

FlipaClip

For mobile users, FlipaClip is a 2D animation tool that enables them to create cartoons, complete with audio. Users can draw and animate using all the essential tools available, making it easy to navigate. It is useful for education, self-study, or animation as it emulates flipbook animation. Users can onion skin, layer their sketches, and export their cartoon films straight to social media.

Pros
  • Frame-by-frame control.
  • Onion skin feature.
  • Pressure-sensitive drawing tools.
  • Easy timeline editing.
Cons
  • Limited advanced animation tools.
  • Watermark in the free version.
Interface of FlipaClip - an easy to use cartoon animation software

TweenCraft

TweenCraft is a mobile application that lets you create cartoon animations with a focus on storytelling. Instead of drawing each frame, characters can be animated with the selection of poses, actions, and voiceovers. This app is ideal for quickly creating dialogues, animations, memes, or explainer videos. Templates and speech bubbles in cartoon style aid in storytelling for all ages.

Pros
  • No drawing required.
  • Built-in character templates.
  • Voiceover and lip-sync options.
  • Quick cartoon creation.
Cons
  • Limited custom character design.
  • Ads in the free version.
Interface of TweenCraft - a cartoon animation software for mobile users

ToonApp

ToonApp is a cool software that lets you easily transform selfies and portraits into cartoons and short animated videos. While it can't handle complete animation projects, it lets users apply cartoon and animated backgrounds to still images or reels. The app is particularly useful for creating content on social media platforms.

Pros
  • Easy cartoon filters for photos.
  • Animated backgrounds.
  • Auto face detection.
  • Quick export for reels.
Cons
  • Not suitable for full animation.
  • In-app purchases are required for premium filters.
Interface of ToonApp - an innovative cartoon animation software on mobile

Use cases of cartoon animation software

Cartoon animations can be found everywhere, from movies to promotional videos and even educational content. Various cartoon animation software give creators the opportunity to design compelling and visually appealing content. Here are a few common and versatile applications of this tool:

  • TV shows

Television programs aimed at children, in particular, often employ animation maker apps for PCs to generate engaging plots and vivid characters. Smooth character animations are combined with appropriate voices and sound effects, making it easier for studios to create full-length animated shows.

  • Explainer videos

Educators and businesses utilize cartoon animation software to simplify products, ideas, or services for their intended audience. These short animated videos are perfect for websites as well as for presentations. They tackle challenging matters using visuals as well as skilled voiceovers.

  • Mobile games

Cartoon-making software for PC develops the animated characters, scenes, and gameplay actions of mobile games The software helps create smoothed gameplay visuals, fun character designs and fills the 2D and 3D gaming world with zeal.

  • Marketing content

Businesses use cartoon animation software to create compelling social media posts and memorable advertisements. Such animations are made with the intention of capturing viewers' interest to deliver information in a unique and artistic manner.

  • Educational animations

Educators, especially those working online, use cartoon animation software to craft lessons they feel students will enjoy and which are easy to grasp. With the help of animated educational material, students are motivated and interesting topics are simplified into simpler milestones.

Conclusion

People can transform concepts into engaging and captivating videos with cartoon animation software, whether for learning, business, or entertainment purposes. There are mobile applications, PC tools, and online platforms, which cater to all skill levels. These tools make it simpler for users to animate characters, scenes, and stories without requiring advanced skills. For those who wish to start animating on a PC, the CapCut desktop video editor is perfect for beginners, as it provides versatile and advanced AI tools.

FAQs

    1
  1. How does cartoon animation software optimize character rigging?

The cartoon animation software assists in character rigging by doing automation of tasks such as joint's weighting and weight painting. This ensures smoother movements. Inverse Kinematics (IK) and Forward Kinetics (FK) interchangeable in Autodesk Maya and even in Blender streamline the rigging processes. For users who want a simple interface and good animation features, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent option.

    2
  1. Does cartoon animation software support real-time collaboration?

Yes, several cartoon animation software programs now support real-time collaboration. This lets several users work on one project at the same time, thus making it great for team members in different places. SyncSketch and Animotive lets you post comments and share editing notes that can be done in the actual edit together. CapCut adds cloud storage, which aids individuals in collaborative workflows, although the software is made for single-user editing.

    3
  1. Can cartoon making software for PC integrate with other design tools?

Without a doubt, several cartoon-making software programs designed for PCs can integrate with other design tools, which improves efficiency and enhances creativity. For example, Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe Animate import files from Photoshop and Illustrator. The same goes for CapCut desktop video editor, which lets you import other media files and is therefore compatible with several design applications.