Adobe discontinues its popular animation software, Animate, as it focuses even more on AI
Adobe has officially announced the discontinuation of Adobe Animate, its long-serving multimedia authoring and animation software. The product, widely-used for creating vector graphics and animations, will no longer be available to download for new customers beginning March 1, 2026.
Following this, non-enterprise customers will continue to have access to the software, technical support, and the ability to download their content until March 1, 2027. However, enterprise users receive an extended timeline, with ongoing access and support provided until March 1, 2029. Adobe explains this decision as a response to evolving technology trends and emerging platforms that have taken the place of traditional animation workflows, like… AI.
For current users needing to migrate, Adobe suggests considering After Effects for advanced projects. Users should note that After Effects offers increased complexity and a steeper learning curve, which may require additional adjustment. To address various needs, we can also point to a range of other alternatives, including open source solutions such as OpenToonz, TupiTube, Glaxnimate, and Synfig Studio, as well as proprietary tools like Expressive Animator and Animation Desk.
- Animation Maker
- Paid
- Proprietary
Related news
External links
- Adobe Animate will no longer be available to download for new customers, beginning March 1, 2026Adobe • Official source
- Adobe Animate is shutting down next monthThe Verge
- Adobe Animate is shutting down as company focuses on AITechCrunch
- Animators are fuming after Adobe announces it's killing Adobe Animate, the Flash animation tool that defined the look of early web gamesPC Gamer
- Adobe is killing off one of its popular apps in a likely bid to focus on AIXDA
- Adobe Animate: 30-year-old animation software shuts down, angers customersNeowin
Comments
Rally cool that your suggest open source alternatives, that's why i love AlternativeTo. My favorite alternative at least to After Effect and generally timeline animation is Friction. Started with Glaxnimate, but Friction just provides more or the tools you need and a nicer interface.
They should erase all their other non-AI products and focus fully on AI so when the bubble explodes, they fall to the ground and beyond, too. Sounds like a good plan if you ask me. :D
So let's see...AI made RAM (and everything with RAM) way more expensive, companies are prioritazing AI over their long time paying customers, and of course let's not forget the whole point of AI is to replace humans in as many areas of life as possible...
But yeah, AI is here to make your life better!
I'm not surprised, but disappointed that companies are discontinuing apps for the sake of keeping AI alive. 🙄
Gee, the only thing that made them money from a great deal of people is gone. OPEN SOURCE will have to provide!
Farewell "Flash Professional". I've spent countless hours on it, when Flash was still the big thing. But now AI is that new big thing. But maybe Adobe will announce in 20 years that it'll discontinue AI for something else, for the next big thing.