Best Pencil2D Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 platforms from animation software ranked against Pencil2D on the same published basis.
- 1Pencil2D vs Cascadeur
- 2Pencil2D vs Animaker
- 3Pencil2D vs Houdini
- 4Pencil2D vs Rive
- 5Pencil2D vs Live2D Cubism
- 6Pencil2D vs Rokoko Studio
- 7Pencil2D vs Blender
- 8Pencil2D vs Powtoon
- 9Pencil2D vs Plask Motion
- 10Pencil2D vs OpenToonz
- 11Pencil2D vs Spine
- 12Pencil2D vs iClone
- 13Pencil2D vs Bforartists
- 15Pencil2D vs Notch
- 16Pencil2D vs Pixelorama
- 17Pencil2D vs Mixamo
- 18Pencil2D vs Aseprite
- 19Pencil2D vs Animation Desk
- 20Pencil2D vs Toon Boom Harmony
- 21Pencil2D vs Adobe Character Animator
Pencil2D alternatives compared
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cascadeur | 9.0 | Free plan | $19/mo | iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 2 | Animaker | 9.0 | Free plan | — | Android, API, iOS, Web |
| 3 | Houdini | 8.9 | Free plan | $7.92/mo | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 4 | Rive | 8.9 | Free plan | $9/mo | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 5 | Live2D Cubism | 8.8 | No | $5.65/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 6 | Rokoko Studio | 8.8 | Free plan | $0.83/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 7 | Blender | 8.5 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 8 | Powtoon | 8.5 | Free plan | $8/mo | Android, Browser, iOS, Web |
| 9 | Plask Motion | 8.5 | Free plan | $18/mo | Web |
| 10 | OpenToonz | 8.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 11 | Spine | 8.2 | No | $70.83/mo | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 12 | iClone | 8.2 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 13 | Bforartists | 8.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 15 | Notch | 8.0 | No | $21/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 16 | Pixelorama | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Android, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 17 | Mixamo | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 18 | Aseprite | 7.8 | No | $19.99/mo | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 19 | Animation Desk | 7.8 | Free plan | — | Android, iOS, Windows |
| 20 | Toon Boom Harmony | 7.7 | No | $6.75/mo | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 21 | Adobe Character Animator | 7.7 | No | — | Mac, Windows |
Make your platform an alternative to Pencil2D
See the priceThe sponsored alternative slot on this page is labelled and never changes the order above.
Questions about Pencil2D alternatives
What is the best alternative to Pencil2D?
Cascadeur, number 1 in animation software with a score of 9.0 out of 10. The others here: Animaker, Houdini, Rive and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Pencil2D?
Cascadeur is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 14 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Is there an open-source alternative to Pencil2D?
Yes: Blender.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.