Pencil Alternatives

Pencil is described as 'animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector graphics' and is a popular Vector Graphic app in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Pencil for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and Web-based apps. The best Pencil alternative is OpenToonz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Pencil are Wick Editor, enve, Synfig Studio and Glaxnimate.

Pencil alternatives are mainly Animation Makers but may also be Vector Graphic Apps or Digital Painting Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Pencil.

Pencil alternatives page was last updated

Pencil

Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App

Pencil is an animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn...

More about Pencil

OpenToonz
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Digital Painting Tool
Vector Graphic App
Mac
Windows
Linux
37 OpenToonz alternatives
OpenToonz is an animation program that is a free software version of Toonz, the animation software used by Studio Ghibli, amongst others.
- - OpenToonz is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Pencil.
- - OpenToonz is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Pencil.
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OpenToonz Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in OpenToonz, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Support for scriptingOpenToonz supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Automated TweeningOpenToonz can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
Pen Stabilization
Plugin API
Stop Motion
Scanned drawings cleanup
3d camera
Expressions system
Particle Engine
Color correction
Powerful nodal effects system
Remote Camera Control
Wick Editor
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Development Tool
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Self-Hosted
88 Wick Editor alternatives
The Wick Editor is a free and open-source tool for creating games, animations, and everything in-between. It's designed to be the most accessible tool for creating multimedia projects on the web. Your creations can run on any device with a web browser - that means mobile too.
- - Wick Editor is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Pencil.
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Wick Editor Features
1. Support for LayersWick Editor supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Automated TweeningWick Editor can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
3. Onion skinningWick Editor allows you to see through several frames simultaneously and make sure the lines of each frame are correctly lined up.
4. LightweightWick Editor consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Wick Editor, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
6. Works OfflineWick Editor can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Support for HTML5
Movie clips
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
2D Game Creation
Support for Javascript
enve
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Windows
Linux
53 enve alternatives
Enve is a free and open-source 2D animation app. It can create both vector and raster animations and even use sound and video files. It has been created with flexibility and expandability in mind.
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enve Features
1. Support for Layersenve supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in enve, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Works Offlineenve can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Timeline-based
Animate Vector Illustrations
Synfig Studio
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Mac
Windows
Linux
56 Synfig Studio alternatives
Synfig is a free and open-source, industrial-strength, vector-based 2D animation app designed for producing feature-film animations. It eliminates the need to create animations frame by frame. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
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Synfig Studio Features
1. Automated TweeningSynfig Studio can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
2. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
3. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Synfig Studio, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
4. Dark ModeSynfig Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Timeline-based
Bones and Layers
HDR Support
Glaxnimate
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
12 Glaxnimate alternatives
Glaxnimate is a vector graphics animation program which focuses on being quick and easy to use.
- - Glaxnimate is the most popular Android alternative to Pencil.
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Glaxnimate Features
1. Automated TweeningGlaxnimate can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
2. Support for LayersGlaxnimate supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
3. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Glaxnimate, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
4. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
5. Support for scriptingGlaxnimate supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
6. Ad-freeGlaxnimate doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGlaxnimate can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
8. Dark ModeGlaxnimate supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Animate Vector Illustrations
Export to SVG
Vectorize raster images
Plugin API
Pencil2D
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
40 Pencil2D alternatives
Pencil2D is an opensource animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, based on old Pencil software. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector graphics.
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Pencil2D Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Pencil2D, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Symmetry brush
Comments about Pencil2D as a Alternative to Pencil
Almost everyone thinks Pencil2D is a great Pencil alternative.
Guest
It is an upgraded build/remake of Pencil.
Positive comment•
0
sK1
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App
Image Editor
Windows
Linux
32 sK1 alternatives
sK1 is an open source cross-platform vector graphics editor like CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, or Freehand. The major feature of sK1 is a professional precise printing and prepress ready PDF output.
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sK1 Features
1. Works OfflinesK1 can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. PortablesK1 can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Color PickersK1 allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
4. Non Destructive EditingsK1 can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
5. Support for LayerssK1 supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Karbon
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App
Digital Painting Tool
Graphic Design Tool
Mac
Linux
BSD
KDE Plasma Workspaces
37 Karbon alternatives
Karbon, component of Calligra Suite , is the scalable vector drawing application in KDE. It allows artists to create complex drawings without losing image quality when zooming in on, or resizing the drawing.
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Karbon Features
1. LightweightKarbon consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Color PickerKarbon allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Karbon without registration.
4. Ad-freeKarbon doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. WYSIWYG SupportKarbon integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
6. Support for LayersKarbon supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
7. Non Destructive EditingKarbon allows you to make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
8. Works OfflineKarbon can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. PortableKarbon can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
KDE
High Availability
Discontinued
was last modified on Sat, 11 Jul 2015
Expressive Animator
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Motion Graphics Software
Online
Software as a Service (SaaS)
70 Expressive Animator alternatives
Expressive Animator is a cutting-edge, keyframe-based vector animation software, uniquely tailored for crafting captivating animated SVGs, with optional raster and video export formats for your vector motion graphics needs.
- - Expressive Animator is the most popular SaaS alternative to Pencil.
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Expressive Animator Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Expressive Animator, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Works OfflineExpressive Animator can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. No Coding RequiredExpressive Animator can be used without an coding or programming skills.
4. Dark ModeExpressive Animator supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Color PickerExpressive Animator allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
6. LightweightExpressive Animator consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Support for LayersExpressive Animator supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
8. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Expressive Animator without registration.
Onion skinning
Ad-free
Portable
WYSIWYG Support
Automated Tweening
Support for 4K
No Tracking
TupiTube
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
27 TupiTube alternatives
Tupi is a design and authoring tool for digital artists interested in 2D Animation, fork of the KToon project, offering an interface experience focused on 8-100 years olds.
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TupiTube Features
1. Support for LayersTupiTube supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. RotoscopingTupiTube supports creating animated sequences by tracing over live-action footage frame by frame.
User friendly
Flash-Like
Animation Desk
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Animation Maker
Video Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
96 Animation Desk alternatives
Animation Desk is a perfect tool for animating, storyboarding, and sketching. It’s an app Loved by professional and amateur animators, Youtubers, and many art lovers. Draw you frame-to-frame animation from scratch, or create animations upon videos, images, PSD layers.
- - Animation Desk is the most popular iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Pencil.
Suggest and vote on features
Animation Desk Features
1. Onion skinningAnimation Desk allows you to see through several frames simultaneously and make sure the lines of each frame are correctly lined up.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Animation Desk, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Video ImportYou can import external video material into Animation Desk.
4. Support for LayersAnimation Desk supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
5. RotoscopingAnimation Desk supports creating animated sequences by tracing over live-action footage frame by frame.
Live Screen Recording
Animated Videos
Symmetry brush
Stamps
Sketch to PSD
Built-in PDF converter
Convert Videos to Animated GIFs
Apple Pencil support
Toon Boom Harmony
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Animation Maker
Mac
Windows
33 Toon Boom Harmony alternatives
Toon Boom Harmony Network is the industrial animation software for studios worldwide.
- - Toon Boom Harmony is the most popular commercial alternative to Pencil.
Suggest and vote on features
Toon Boom Harmony Features
1. Automated TweeningToon Boom Harmony can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Toon Boom Harmony, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Vector strokes