OpenToonz
OpenToonz: A free, broad 2D animation suite for production workflows across three desktop platforms. Ranked #5 of 106 in Animation Software by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free, capable 2D animation production.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree, capable 2D animation production
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- 3D modelingNo
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Covers drawing, scanning, compositing, rigging, and rendering
- Supports batch rendering and network render farms
Where it doesn't
- MP4 and WebM output require FFmpeg
- MOV support requires 32-bit QuickTime
- Listed Windows and macOS requirements are older versions
Our verdict on OpenToonz
OpenToonz is open-source 2D animation software published by DWANGO Co., Ltd. It is designed for commercial and non-commercial projects, with tools spanning drawing, frame-by-frame animation, digital painting, scanning, compositing, effects, deformation, and rendering. The combination suits independent animators, small production teams, and users who want a capable 2D workflow without a paid plan. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with documentation also describing BSD-family installation methods.
Its main strength is breadth within a focused 2D workflow. Users can work through Xsheet and timeline interfaces, palette-based digital painting, raster and vector imagery, and the GTS animation scanning tool. Plastic adds character deformation and skeletal animation, while node-based compositing supports plug-in effects. The software also includes batch rendering, network render-farm support, and image-sequence or video rendering. Machine-learning effects are available as plug-ins, and FFmpeg and TWAIN-compatible scanners extend its production workflow.
OpenToonz is free and open source, making it a strong fit for users who need substantial 2D production coverage without subscription pricing. Export support includes formats such as AVI, GIF, JPG, MOV, PNG, MP4, WebM, and Spritesheet, but some outputs require additional dependencies: MP4 and WebM require FFmpeg, while MOV support requires 32-bit QuickTime. The listed Windows and macOS system requirements are older versions, so setup and compatibility deserve attention. Choose OpenToonz for a broad, production-oriented 2D toolset; consider a narrower alternative if you need simpler export setup or a more current published desktop requirement baseline.
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OpenToonz pricing
OpenToonz fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| 2D animation tools | Yes |
| 3D modeling | No |
| Character rigging | Yes |
| Motion graphics | Not verified |
| Cloud collaboration | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | windows, macos, linux |
| Export formats | 3GP, AVI, BMP, GIF, JPG, MOV, MP4, PNG, RGB, SGI, Spritesheet, TGA, TIF, TIFF, WebM |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | opentoonz.github.io |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to OpenToonz
- Toon Boom HarmonyA focused 2D suite for hand-drawn, rigged, composited, and effects-driven animation.9.3
- BlenderA broad 3D suite for professional animation without software licensing costs.9.2
- Cinema 4DA broad desktop toolkit for motion design, 3D production, simulation, and rendering.9.1
See all OpenToonz alternatives →
OpenToonz vs the competition
- OpenToonz vs Toon Boom Harmony
- OpenToonz vs Blender
- OpenToonz vs Cinema 4D
- OpenToonz vs Autodesk Maya
- OpenToonz vs Houdini
- OpenToonz vs Adobe Character Animator
Compare OpenToonz with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
OpenToonz is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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