Recommended Tools for Beginner 2D Animators
- 9 hours ago
- 9 min read
TL;DR
The right tools for beginner 2D animators help build strong fundamentals, encourage practice, and support skill development.
Start where you are. If drawing is already in your toolkit, frame-by-frame animation is a natural fit. If it isn't, rigging animation offers a more accessible way to get started.
Free tools are not inferior tools. You do not need expensive software to learn animation. They can help you build the same foundational skills and techniques.
Soft skills matter as much as the software. All animation projects involve a project management process, such as planning, task tracking, and handling revisions. Building those habits early keeps the projects moving.
There is no shortage of animation software for beginners, ranging from free tools to industry-standard platforms. Each offers a different way to learn and develop your animation skills. The best tools for beginner 2D animators are those that help build strong fundamentals, support consistent practice, and match the way you want to work.
If your goal is to create short animation videos and develop your professional portfolio for your future career, the right tools can make your learning process more effective and enjoyable.
To help you get started, here are some of the must-have tools for beginner 2D animators that you can explore.
Table of Content
What Is 2D Animation?
2D animation is the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space. Animators achieve this by displaying a sequence of illustrations, drawings or images in rapid movement so the characters, objects, and scenes look moving.
Today, the 2D animation craft is widely used in movies, shows, explainer videos, advertisements, social media content, video games, and educational material. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for both independent creators and professional studios.
Unlike 3D animation, which focuses on depth, volume, and digitally modelled environments, 2D animation relies on flat characters, backgrounds, and illustrations that are animated frame by frame across a screen or through digital animation techniques.
Choosing the Right 2D Animation Tools as a Beginner
For beginners, 2D animation is one of the most approachable places to start. You do not need a massive setup, expensive software, or studio-level equipment to begin learning the craft. What matters more is understanding the fundamentals behind movement, timing, spacing, and storytelling.
That is also where a lot of beginners hit their first block.
A search for the best animation software quickly turns into a list of tools that sound costly, technical, or built for professionals. One recommendation points to industry-standard software, and another says free tools are the only way to go. After a while, it becomes difficult to know where to actually begin.
Not every animation tool works the same way; hence, understanding your needs first can make it easier to choose the right one.
What to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on Any Tool
Not every beginner learns animation the same way. Some people already draw digitally and want to animate their illustrations. Others are less interested in drawing but are drawn to character performance and motion. Many animators can explore both throughout their careers.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing animation tools:
Do you enjoy drawing characters and creating artwork from scratch?
Are you excited by movement, acting, and bringing characters to life?
Would you rather draw each pose yourself or adjust existing artwork to create motion?
Do you enjoy the creative process of illustration, or do you prefer focusing on animation and performance?
Are you looking for a workflow that feels hands-on and artistic, or one that helps you animate more efficiently?
Your answers can help you discover an animation workflow that matches the way you like to create. Some beginners enjoy frame-by-frame animation because it offers full creative control over every drawing. Others prefer rigging, which makes it easier to focus on movement, timing, and character performance without redrawing each frame from scratch.
Both paths teach valuable animation skills, and many professionals use a mix of both depending on the project (hybrid).
5 Best Tools for 2D Beginners Animators
Adobe Animate - Vector-Based 2D Animation Software
Adobe Animate introduces beginners to vector-based animation workflows that are used for web animations, explainer videos, interactive content, and digital storytelling. Unlike frame-by-frame animation, vector animation allows you to reuse and manipulate assets more efficiently. While it comes with a subscription cost, Adobe offers a 30-day free trial to test the software.
It gives you the ability to create and render multiple scenes within a single project at the same time. It is a great bonus for beginners who want to organise their workflow by breaking it into short scenes.
Best for: Beginners interested in vector animation, explainer videos, interactive content, and digital media projects.
Related reading: Animation Careers Beyond The Animator’s Desk
Krita - Digital Illustration and Animation Tool
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting app that has a useful animation timeline built in. It was not designed as a dedicated animation tool—and that is part of what makes it a good starting point.
Because Krita focuses on drawing first, it helps beginners to develop the core skill of creating animation frames. The animation timeline handles onion skinning (seeing ghost frames of previous drawings so you can track movement), playback, and basic export.
If you already use digital illustration tools, Krita will feel familiar right away.
Best for: Beginner animators with some drawing background, anyone coming from Photoshop or Illustrator.
OpenToonz - Studio-Grade 2D Animation Software
OpenToonz is a free 2D animation software with a wide range of tools for drawing, compositing, and animation production. It suits beginner animators who want to explore more advanced workflows and continue developing their skills over time.
Used in professional animation pipelines, including projects associated with Studio Ghibli, OpenToonz offers more features and creative control than many beginner-focused tools. The learning curve is steeper, but it provides greater production flexibility as your skills grow.
Best for: Beginners ready to move beyond simple exercises, aspiring indie animators, and learners who want advanced features without subscriptions.
Pencil2D - Lightweight Frame-by-Frame Animation Tool
If you want to learn traditional 2D animation with zero noise, Pencil2D is the right starting point. It is free, open-source, and built specifically for hand-drawn frame-by-frame work.
The interface is quite simple; it comes with a timeline, a canvas, basic drawing tools, and onion skinning. Instead of focusing on multiple things at once, it keeps you focused on learning the core principles of animation and gradually, you develop essential skills with confidence.
Best for: Complete beginners; learners who want to focus on core animation principles without getting overwhelmed with too many features.
Toon Boom Harmony - Professional 2D Animation Production Software
Toon Boom Harmony is the industry standard for professional 2D animation that is widely used in studios producing everything from TV series to feature films. Harmony Essentials is the entry-level plan and introduces many of the workflows used in professional production. While it still has a learning curve, it introduces workflows commonly used in professional animation production. The skills you develop can help carry over into studio environments. It is subscription-based, so factor that into your budget.
Mastering Harmony is a valuable skill for beginner 2D animators. As one of the industry standards, familiarity with this software can open doors in many animation studios. It is a powerful and versatile tool, not only for animators, but also for storyboard artists, character designers and any professional involved in 2D animation production.
Best for: Motivated beginners with aspiring careers in animation, anyone who wants industry-standard knowledge from day one.
For a quick comparison:
Tool | Cost | Best For | Learning Curve |
Krita | Free | Frame by frame, illustrations | Low-medium |
Pencil2D | Free | Traditional animation basics | Low |
OpenToonz | Free | Advanced frame-by-frame | Medium |
Adobe Animate | Subscription | Vector-based animation and digital content | Medium |
Toon Boom Harmony Essentials | Subscription | Frame-by-frame animation, using hand hand-drawn animations | Medium-high |
Every animation tool comes with its own strengths, learning curves, and workflow. Exploring a few options can help you find the one that matches your goals and creative process.
One Big Question: Do You Really Need a Drawing Tablet?
A drawing tablet is one of the most common tools associated with digital animation, but beginners can start learning animation fundamentals with the equipment they already have.
For frame-by-frame animation in software such as Pencil2D or Krita, an entry-level drawing tablet in the $32–$110 range can offer better pen control and pressure sensitivity than a mouse.
However, not all animation workflows rely heavily on drawing. In programs such as Moho and certain workflows in Toon Boom Harmony, a mouse is adequate because most tasks involve adjusting controls and manipulating character rigs rather than drawing each frame by hand.
Rather than purchasing equipment immediately, consider upgrading when your current setup begins to limit your workflow or creative needs. If you find yourself struggling with precision or the amount of drawing required in your projects, a drawing tablet may be a worthwhile addition. Until then, developing core animation skills will benefit you more than investing in additional hardware.
Tools Worth Saving for More Advanced Work
As your animation skills grow, you may come across professional animation software such as TVPaint and Clip Studio Paint EX. Freelancers and studios rely on these tools for their advanced production, asset management, and specialised workflows.
A successful start in animation comes from practice, not a perfect setup. Whether it's a bouncing ball, a walk cycle, or a short character animation, wrapping up small projects teaches you lessons that tutorials alone cannot.
Even a short animation involves scenes to plan, feedback to gather, and revisions to track. This is why a project management tool has become standard practice for animators. A good tool keeps every task, deadline, and revision in one place, so nothing slips through as a project grows. Tools like TESSR are worth exploring early. So that managing the small stuff does not get in the way of the creative work.
Using a tool like TESSR's My Work to manage your projects builds a planning habit that will carry you far beyond the beginner stage. Animation is a long game, and the animators who grow fastest are usually the ones who also know how to stay organised. TESSR's Review can also help manage your projects, giving you one page to review your scenes, communicate with collaborators, and stay in sync without switching between tools.
Key Takeaways
Choosing the right 2D animation software for beginners starts with understanding how you want to learn and create. Great animation starts with strong fundamentals, and free, beginner-friendly tools can help you build those skills. Therefore, focus on developing a strong animation foundation through small, completed projects before upgrading to more advanced tools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there free animation software for someone with no experience?
Yes, and two of the best options are on this list. Pencil2D is the gentler starting point: it is purpose-built for frame-by-frame animation, the interface is clean, and there's very little to learn before creating your first animation. Krita is also free and excellent, especially if you have any drawing background at all. Both will teach you real skills and cost you nothing to try.
How long does it take to learn 2D animation as a beginner?
There is no fixed timeline for learning 2D animation. Many beginners begin to understand fundamentals such as timing, spacing, and animation flow within a few months of consistent practice. Developing stronger animation skills often takes longer, as progress depends on factors such as practice habits, learning methods, and previous artistic experience.
Consistent practice and small, completed projects often lead to stronger progress than large projects that never reach completion.
What are the 12 principles of animation?
The 12 Principles of Animation are the foundation of animation today:
Squash and Stretch – Gives objects weight and flexibility.
Anticipation – Prepares the audience for an action.
Staging – Directs attention to the important action.
Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose – Two different animation approaches.
Follow Through & Overlapping Action – Parts of the body keep moving after the main action stops.
Slow In & Slow Out – Moves feel natural.
Arcs – Most living things move in curved paths.
Secondary Action – Adds extra movement that supports the main action.
Timing – Controls speed, weight, and emotion.
Exaggeration – Makes actions clearer and more appealing.
Solid Drawing – Creates believable form, balance, and volume.
Appeal – Makes characters interesting and engaging.
These principles help animations feel natural and expressive. Mastering these basics gives animators a strong foundation before moving on to more advanced animation techniques.
Author's Bio
With a background in travel and lifestyle storytelling, Farah enjoys turning everyday overwhelm into something a little softer, a little funnier, and a lot more human. She believes in building habits that actually stick (most days), romanticising productivity just enough to survive it, and finding meaning in the mess in between. Currently based in Malaysia, Farah continues to explore writing as both a craft and a coping mechanism, working as a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
Comments