Blender stands out as the premier video animation software for editors and creators, offering a comprehensive suite of features to cater to various needs. Its versatility encompasses 3D modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, as well as video editing and 2D animation capabilities.

Let's delve into some of Blender's standout features:

• Rendering: With Blender, users can benefit from the power of the Cycles render engine, delivering high-quality ray-traced production rendering. Additionally, the FreeStyle engine provides non-photorealistic rendering options, while real-time feedback accelerates the editing workflow.
• Modeling: Blender offers a wide array of tools for sculpting, retopology, modeling, curves, and more, providing comprehensive support for editing models and achieving desired outcomes.
• Animation and rigging: Blender's animation and rigging tools include a pose editor, non-linear animation (NLA) for independent moves, forward and inverse kinematics for swift poses, and seamless sound synchronization, enabling smooth and dynamic animations.
• Grease pencil: Blender's unique Grease pencil feature allows users to draw directly in three dimensions, merging the realms of 2D and 3D art effortlessly.
  Simulation: The software empowers users to create realistic simulations of diverse phenomena like fog, smoke, rain, fire, and liquid, enhancing the visual impact of their animations.
• Video editing: Blender goes beyond 3D animation by providing a built-in video editor encompassing essential functions like video cutting and splicing. Moreover, it offers advanced features such as video masking and color grading, enabling users to achieve professional-grade video editing within a single platform.

Blender's comprehensive toolset and expansive capabilities make it the go-to choice for video animation software. Its features cater to the diverse needs of editors and creators, offering a seamless and versatile environment for bringing their visions to life.

Website: https://www.blender.org

The Future of Video Production Begins Here! Animaker is a platform that allows novices, non-designers, and pros to produce Animation and Live-Action videos for any occasion. Animaker has assisted over 18 million individuals in creating amazing videos on their own! It is also trusted by some of the world's most recognizable businesses.

Animaker's free version allows unlimited creation of 2-minute videos but only permits monthly export of up to 5 videos. It conveniently enables direct SD-quality video uploads to YouTube from the online tool, making it ideal for crafting instructional content for your YouTube business channel. Additionally, Animaker offers the flexibility to create captivating cartoons. Its features include camera effects, curve tools for character movement along curved paths, and a choice of 9 distinct characters, rivaling many paid software options.

The free version grants access to sound effects, music, characters, infographic icons, charts, and animated maps to enhance your animations. If you opt for the paid version, you'll discover that the pricing and accompanying features may provide a cost-effective solution for your business compared to other tools in this category.

Animaker is the only video editor you'll ever need. In minutes, you may go from concept to implementation. Make a video right now - it's free. Forever free to use. There is no need for a credit card.

Website: https://www.animaker.com/

Powtoon offers a free version of its video animation software, but it has limitations such as a watermark and a maximum file size of 100MB. However, you can export your creations to PowerPoint (PPT) and PDF formats, even though downloading them is impossible. With the free sign-up, you can access animated charts, graphs, 46 royalty-free tunes, and 16 styles, allowing for videos up to 5 minutes in length.

Although Powtoon's paid packages can be expensive, the free version can still be beneficial for small businesses, particularly for internal presentations, collaborations, and PDFs.

Powtoon excels as a tool for creating dynamic video presentations. While the paid options offer advanced features, the free software allows users to create videos up to three minutes long.

Additionally, the free version of Powtoon provides custom styles, the flexibility to change aspect ratios and sizes, and the ability to export videos to various platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Wistia, Vimeo, and PowerPoint, as well as the option to export as full videos, animations, GIFs, or image files.

By leveraging Powtoon's free video animation software, you can engage your audience and create compelling visual content for your presentations and collaborations while considering the limitations and potential of the available features.

Website: https://www.powtoon.com/

Vyond is recognized as one of the premier websites for creating animations. Leveraging its enterprise-grade capabilities and agile video creation studio, Vyond has established itself as a leading platform in the industry. In today's video-centric landscape, where stakeholders demand engaging content, Vyond provides businesses with the tools to swiftly produce relevant and captivating videos.

By harnessing Vyond's resources, businesses can effectively motivate overloaded and distracted stakeholders to take meaningful action, ultimately driving positive outcomes. With its commitment to reinventing business communications, Vyond has emerged as a trusted solution for companies seeking to connect with their audiences through compelling animations.

Headquartered in California, Vyond has a global presence, with additional offices in prominent cities such as Silicon Valley, Chicago, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand. The company prides itself on a diverse and talented team whose creative abilities extend well beyond the boundaries of their physical workspaces.

Vyond's position as one of the best websites for making animation is well-deserved. Its enterprise-grade features and commitment to innovation empower businesses to create high-quality animated content that effectively engages today's video-native audience.

Website: https://www.vyond.com/

Toon Boom is widely recognized as one of the best websites for making animation. Renowned for its comprehensive suite of animation tools and industry-leading software, Toon Boom has become the preferred choice for professional animators, studios, and educational institutions alike.

With its powerful features encompassing various animation techniques, including traditional, cut-out, and 3D, as well as advanced rigging and effects capabilities, Toon Boom empowers users to bring their creative visions to life. Its user-friendly interface, extensive libraries, and streamlined workflows contribute to its well-deserved reputation as a top-tier animation platform.

Whether you're a novice or an experienced animator, Toon Boom provides the necessary tools and resources to craft high-quality animated content with precision and excellence.

Website: https://www.toonboom.com

Wideo.co is an intuitive online video creation platform designed to empower users to craft professional-looking videos, even without prior experience in video making or design. With Wideo, you can effortlessly create a variety of engaging content such as explainer videos, animated presentations, and video e-cards.

The platform offers a plethora of options for customization, allowing users to select from a range of pre-existing images, backgrounds, and sounds or upload their own to personalize their videos. Once in the Wideo editor, elements can be easily dragged and dropped into place, and users can precisely sequence animations within individual scenes. Each element can be reused, and the timing of image animations can be adjusted to meet specific preferences.

Wideo provides a comprehensive library of elements, objects, and fonts, ensuring users have a wealth of creative resources at their disposal. The user-friendly interface enables seamless video creation, making it suitable for individuals and businesses alike.

Wideo operates on a freemium model, where users can freely access and share their videos. However, three paid packages are available for those desiring to remove the Wideo watermark branding or download videos directly to their computers.

Create captivating animation videos with ease on Wideo.co. Explore various backgrounds, shapes, and objects to bring your vision to life. Enhance your videos further by incorporating music and text, making the timeline more visually appealing and user-friendly. Start using Wideo.co today to unleash your creativity and share your animated masterpieces across social networks or embed them on websites and blogs.

Website: https://wideo.co/

Moovly is a powerful and affordable tool offering impressive animated video creation features. It provides users access to a library of pre-designed objects or the option to import their own. By simply dragging and dropping objects onto the stage, users can easily manipulate and customize them, including moving, rotating, scaling, adding text, recording audio, and organizing scenes on a user-friendly timeline. Moovly is particularly well-suited for creating impactful infographic videos and presentations for businesses.

Users can upgrade to a $5 per month plan for additional features, making it an affordable choice for those who anticipate frequent usage. By logging on to moovly.com, users can access the platform effortlessly and explore its diverse tools for creating animated videos. The platform's intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset are sure to impress users, ensuring a satisfying experience and optimal results.

To make the most of Moovly, acquiring the necessary information and guidance to utilize its features effectively and avoid any potential issues is crucial. With Moovly's wide range of tools and user-friendly interface, you can confidently create animated videos, making it an excellent choice for your video creation needs.

Website: https://www.moovly.com/

Raw Shorts is an animated video editor that proves invaluable for businesses aiming to reduce the time and costs associated with creating top-notch animated content, including explainer videos, video ads, infographics, product videos, and more. Its user-friendly interface ensures ease of use, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. It is undoubtedly a tool worth monitoring for your video production needs.

Moreover, it's worth noting that Raw Shorts recently introduced its HTML5 builder, which is currently in private beta. This exciting development is set to enhance flexibility and support for users, enabling even greater customization options and improved performance. With this new feature, users can expect elevated control and expanded creative possibilities.

Businesses can optimize their video production process by utilizing Raw Shorts as an animated video editor, creating captivating content efficiently. The tool's simplicity and upcoming HTML5 builder make it a promising solution for businesses seeking high-quality animated videos that effectively engage their audience.

Website: https://www.rawshorts.com/

OpenToonz is a top-notch free 2D animation program widely regarded for its exceptional capabilities. With its open-source nature, you can leverage this software to create captivating marketing videos for your brand without any cost, as it allows both commercial and non-commercial usage.

OpenToonz offers an extensive range of features that empower animators to bring their visions to life:

• Digital drawing tools: You can utilize both vector and bitmap drawing tools, providing flexibility and versatility in creating your animations.
• Indexed color palettes: OpenToonz enables quick paint and color changes through its indexed color palettes, facilitating efficient workflow and visual adjustments.
• Effects and compositing: With a wide variety of animated special effects and the ability to composite scenes, you can choose from over 100 effects, including blurs, lighting, keys, masks, warps, and more, enhancing the visual impact of your animations.
• Scripting: OpenToonz supports automation through its ECMA-compatible scripting engine, allowing users to streamline repetitive tasks and customize their workflow.
• Motion tracking: You can seamlessly integrate your animation with video footage by leveraging OpenToonz's motion tracking capabilities, enabling captivating visual combinations.
• Scan and cleanup: OpenToonz offers the ability to convert paper drawings into vectors through its scan and cleanup features, providing a smooth transition from traditional artwork to digital animations.
• Frame-by-frame animation: With configurable onionskin, OpenToonz empowers users to create detailed frame-by-frame animations, ensuring precise control over each movement.
• Motion tweening: You can link objects or utilize motion paths to execute complex movements in your animations, enabling smoother transitions and dynamic visual storytelling.
• Bones character animation: OpenToonz supports bones-based character animation, including inverse kinematics (IK) support and mesh deformations, allowing for realistic and expressive character movements.
• Particle systems: For added realism, OpenToonz provides particle systems to simulate effects like rain, dust, and other similar visual elements, enhancing the overall impact of your animations.

With its impressive feature set, OpenToonz offers a versatile and powerful platform for creating engaging 2D animations. Its open-source nature and compatibility with both commercial and non-commercial usage make it an excellent choice for marketing videos and beyond.

Website: https://opentoonz.github.io/e

Pencil2D is a user-friendly software designed for creating 2D hand-drawn animations. This open-source program permits both personal and commercial use, enabling users to explore their creativity and promote their products through captivating animations.

With its simplicity and ease of use, Pencil2D provides a welcoming platform for animators of all levels. The abundance of tutorials available on the website and forums serves as a valuable resource for beginners and experienced users alike, making it an ideal starting point for animation endeavors.

Key features of Pencil2D include:

• Image and audio import: Users can easily import images and audio files to incorporate into their animations, allowing for greater creative possibilities.
• Raster and vector workflows: Pencil2D allows users to seamlessly switch between raster and vector workflows, enabling them to sketch, ink, and paint with ease.
• Frame rate adjustment: Users have the flexibility to adjust the frame rate of their animations, offering precise control over the timing and smoothness of their creations.
• Distortion and lighting effects: Pencil2D provides tools to add distortion and lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal and dynamics of the animations.
• Onion skinning: The software offers onion skinning functionality, enabling users to view multiple frames simultaneously for smooth transitions and precise animation sequencing.
• Toolbar customizations: Pencil2D allows users to customize the toolbar according to their preferences, ensuring a personalized and streamlined workflow.
• Pressure sensitivity: If using a pressure-sensitive drawing tablet, Pencil2D supports pressure sensitivity, allowing for more nuanced and expressive hand-drawn animations.
• Multiple export formats: Users can export their animations in various formats, providing flexibility in sharing and utilizing the final output across different platforms and mediums.

Pencil2D provides an accessible and feature-rich environment for creating 2D hand-drawn animations. Its open-source nature, coupled with permissive usage terms, makes it an attractive choice for personal and commercial animation projects.

Website: https://www.pencil2d.org

Synfig Studio is a free and open-source platform designed for creating 2D animated videos. It offers a timeline-based interface that allows users to create animations using vector graphics.

One of its notable features is the bone system, which enables the creation of natural movement in animations, similar to what is available in OpenToonz. Users can animate their cutouts using bitmap images or vector artwork. Additionally, Synfig Studio provides the Skeleton Distortion layer, allowing for complex deformations in bitmap artwork.

With Synfig Studio, animators have access to a powerful set of tools for creating captivating 2D animations. The open-source nature of the software makes it easily accessible for users, while its timeline-based workflow streamlines the animation process. Whether you're working with bitmap images or vector artwork, Synfig Studio offers the flexibility to bring your animations to life with smooth and natural movement.

Website: https://www.synfig.org

Voki is an educational tool designed to enhance instruction, engagement, and comprehension for teachers and students. It serves various purposes, such as student assignments, animated presentations, virtual discussions (Voki Hangouts), and in-class activities. Voki offers a range of character options, including historical figures, cartoons, and animals. Adding voice to your Voki can be done through voice recording or utilizing the text-to-speech feature with support for over 30 languages and a vast selection of voices.

Created by Oddcast Inc., headquartered in New York City, the name "Voki" is derived from the Latin term "vox" meaning voice and "Loki," a shape-shifting Norse god from mythology. This name aptly reflects Voki's ability to modify character appearance and incorporate voice.

While Voki does not provide features for crying or dancing characters, it excels in allowing users to create personalized heroes through customizable hair, accessories, clothing, and more. Additionally, the platform facilitates background customization.

With a focus on creating presentations and educational videos, Voki's layout and features in the limited version are user-friendly. The basic Voki character set and the ability to add audio (with a maximum duration of 60 seconds) are available. Users can select backgrounds, customize avatars, and incorporate voice into their videos. Although primarily aimed at teachers, Voki can also be utilized by creative individuals for other purposes.

While Voki may not be suitable for creating lengthy stories, it is perfect for crafting animated speaking avatars. Adding voice to your avatar can be achieved by calling a designated number and leaving a message or typing a greeting to be spoken by a computer-generated voice. However, it's important to note that the free version of Voki only allows live presentations, as embedding the content requires an upgrade.

Website: https://www.voki.com/

Animatron is a powerful web-based application that offers a truly free option for creating animated content. It provides a selection of visually appealing pre-animated sets to choose from. The free version includes ample images for creating animated GIFs and videos, complete with sounds, narration, and music. Additionally, a timeline feature allows users to work on scenes, add text, import their own images or photos, and even embed HTML5 code.

While the free version is sufficient for many users, it does come with a watermark. Upgrading to a paid plan offers additional benefits, such as access to a wider range of photographs to use as backgrounds and other objects in your animations. It's worth noting that the free version has a limit of five public projects, making Animatron a viable option for occasional usage.

For frequent users, the paid upgrade cost is reasonable, especially when opting for an annual subscription. Investing in a year's worth of use provides access to advanced features at an affordable price.

Animatron's combination of a free option with powerful features makes it a valuable tool for creating animated content. Whether you stick with the free version or upgrade to unlock additional benefits, Animatron offers a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for animators of all levels.

Website: https://www.animatron.com