Quick Overview
- 1#1: Adobe Animate - Industry-standard software for creating rich interactive content and animations using vector graphics, tweening, and HTML5 output.
- 2#2: Toon Boom Harmony - Professional 2D animation software with advanced rigging, compositing, and cut-out tools for studio-quality productions.
- 3#3: Synfig Studio - Free open-source 2D vector animation tool featuring bone systems, layers, and tweening similar to legacy Flash workflows.
- 4#4: Moho Pro - 2D animation software specializing in smart bone rigging, vector drawing, and physics simulation for efficient character animation.
- 5#5: OpenToonz - Professional open-source animation software with scanning, painting, and effects tools used in high-end 2D productions.
- 6#6: Rive - Modern runtime and editor for creating lightweight interactive vector animations deployable to web, mobile, and games.
- 7#7: Pencil2D - Lightweight open-source tool for traditional hand-drawn 2D frame-by-frame animation with onion skinning support.
- 8#8: Blender - Free open-source 3D suite with powerful Grease Pencil tools for 2D vector and raster animation workflows.
- 9#9: Krita - Digital painting software with built-in timeline and onion skinning for frame-by-frame 2D animation creation.
- 10#10: Cavalry - Node-based procedural animation tool for generating complex vector motion graphics and interactive content.
Tools were evaluated based on key factors including feature robustness (vector graphics, tweening, deployment flexibility), production quality (for studio or personal use), ease of use (intuitive workflows, learning curve), and value (accessibility, cost-effectiveness) to ensure they represent the pinnacle of current capabilities.
Comparison Table
Discover a concise comparison table of top Flash animation software, including tools like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Synfig Studio, Moho Pro, and OpenToonz, along with additional options. This guide outlines key features, workflow strengths, and suitability for different projects, helping readers find the ideal tool for their creative needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe Animate Industry-standard software for creating rich interactive content and animations using vector graphics, tweening, and HTML5 output. | creative_suite | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 2 | Toon Boom Harmony Professional 2D animation software with advanced rigging, compositing, and cut-out tools for studio-quality productions. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Synfig Studio Free open-source 2D vector animation tool featuring bone systems, layers, and tweening similar to legacy Flash workflows. | other | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 10/10 |
| 4 | Moho Pro 2D animation software specializing in smart bone rigging, vector drawing, and physics simulation for efficient character animation. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 5 | OpenToonz Professional open-source animation software with scanning, painting, and effects tools used in high-end 2D productions. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 5.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Rive Modern runtime and editor for creating lightweight interactive vector animations deployable to web, mobile, and games. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | Pencil2D Lightweight open-source tool for traditional hand-drawn 2D frame-by-frame animation with onion skinning support. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 10/10 |
| 8 | Blender Free open-source 3D suite with powerful Grease Pencil tools for 2D vector and raster animation workflows. | creative_suite | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 4.2/10 | 10/10 |
| 9 | Krita Digital painting software with built-in timeline and onion skinning for frame-by-frame 2D animation creation. | creative_suite | 6.2/10 | 5.8/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Cavalry Node-based procedural animation tool for generating complex vector motion graphics and interactive content. | specialized | 6.1/10 | 5.8/10 | 5.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
Industry-standard software for creating rich interactive content and animations using vector graphics, tweening, and HTML5 output.
Professional 2D animation software with advanced rigging, compositing, and cut-out tools for studio-quality productions.
Free open-source 2D vector animation tool featuring bone systems, layers, and tweening similar to legacy Flash workflows.
2D animation software specializing in smart bone rigging, vector drawing, and physics simulation for efficient character animation.
Professional open-source animation software with scanning, painting, and effects tools used in high-end 2D productions.
Modern runtime and editor for creating lightweight interactive vector animations deployable to web, mobile, and games.
Lightweight open-source tool for traditional hand-drawn 2D frame-by-frame animation with onion skinning support.
Free open-source 3D suite with powerful Grease Pencil tools for 2D vector and raster animation workflows.
Digital painting software with built-in timeline and onion skinning for frame-by-frame 2D animation creation.
Node-based procedural animation tool for generating complex vector motion graphics and interactive content.
Adobe Animate
creative_suiteIndustry-standard software for creating rich interactive content and animations using vector graphics, tweening, and HTML5 output.
Sophisticated bone rigging and inverse kinematics system for fluid, lifelike character movements
Adobe Animate is the professional successor to Adobe Flash Professional, designed for creating high-quality interactive animations, vector graphics, games, and multimedia content for web, mobile, TV, and VR. It offers frame-by-frame animation, tweening, bone rigging, and puppet tools alongside support for modern formats like HTML5 Canvas, WebGL, and video exports. As the industry standard, it enables seamless workflows within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem for complex, responsive projects.
Pros
- Advanced rigging tools like bones and puppet deformation for realistic character animation
- Versatile export options including HTML5, SVG, WebGL, and 4K video
- Deep integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to extensive feature set
- Subscription model lacks perpetual license option
- Can experience performance issues with very complex timelines
Best For
Professional animators, game developers, and interactive media creators needing industry-standard tools for web and app animations.
Pricing
Standalone at $22.99/month or $239.88/year; included in Creative Cloud All Apps at $59.99/month.
Toon Boom Harmony
enterpriseProfessional 2D animation software with advanced rigging, compositing, and cut-out tools for studio-quality productions.
Advanced deformable rigging with Smart Bones and Elastic Vectors for lifelike puppet animation beyond standard Flash tweening
Toon Boom Harmony is a professional-grade 2D animation software suite widely used in TV, film, and studio production for creating high-quality animations. It supports both traditional hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation and advanced cut-out puppet rigging, with powerful tools for vector drawing, effects, compositing, and multiplane cameras. While it has legacy support for Flash/SWF export, it excels in modern workflows far beyond basic Flash animation needs.
Pros
- Industry-leading rigging and puppet tools for efficient cut-out animation
- Robust effects library including particles, Toon Shader, and 3D camera
- Seamless integration with storyboarding, scanning, and pipeline tools for studios
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners transitioning from simpler Flash tools
- High cost may deter solo hobbyists or small web animators
- Resource-heavy, requiring powerful hardware for complex projects
Best For
Professional studios and experienced animators producing broadcast-quality TV, film, or game cut-out animations.
Pricing
Subscription tiers: Essentials ($28/mo), Advanced ($69/mo), Premium ($118/mo); perpetual licenses from ~$1,490 (Essentials) to $4,790 (Premium).
Synfig Studio
otherFree open-source 2D vector animation tool featuring bone systems, layers, and tweening similar to legacy Flash workflows.
Sophisticated bone system for skeleton-based rigging and deformation
Synfig Studio is a free, open-source 2D vector animation software that enables the creation of high-quality animations using cutout techniques, bone rigging, and parametric controls. It provides a timeline-based workflow similar to legacy Flash tools, supporting layers, keyframes, tweening, and advanced deformation for characters and objects. Ideal as a Flash successor, it focuses on efficiency for professional-grade output without proprietary lock-in.
Pros
- Powerful bone rigging system for natural character deformation
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Advanced parametric animation and vector-based efficiency
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Outdated UI lacking modern polish and intuitiveness
- Occasional stability issues and slower performance on large projects
Best For
Budget-conscious animators and indie creators needing robust 2D vector and cutout animation tools without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free (fully open-source, no paid tiers).
Moho Pro
specialized2D animation software specializing in smart bone rigging, vector drawing, and physics simulation for efficient character animation.
Smart Bones system for creating reusable, intuitive control rigs that simplify complex character posing and animation cycles
Moho Pro is a professional 2D vector-based animation software that specializes in rigged character animation using bones, smart bones, and physics simulations. It supports both vector drawing and bitmap image import, enabling efficient cut-out puppet animation, lip-syncing, and multiplane camera effects for polished productions. Ideal as a Flash animation alternative, it offers timeline-based keyframing, tweening, and exports to SWF, video, and web formats, bridging traditional Flash workflows with modern rigging power.
Pros
- Powerful bone rigging and Smart Bones for intuitive character animation
- Comprehensive toolset including physics, particles, and lip-sync
- Perpetual license model with strong export options for web and video
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for rigging newcomers
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
- Weaker frame-by-frame drawing tools than dedicated hand-drawn software
Best For
Professional 2D animators and studios focused on efficient rigged character animation as a cost-effective Flash/Animate alternative.
Pricing
Perpetual Pro license at $399; subscription at $25/month; free trial available.
OpenToonz
otherProfessional open-source animation software with scanning, painting, and effects tools used in high-end 2D productions.
Plastics tool for advanced mesh-based deformation and rigging of vector drawings
OpenToonz is a free, open-source 2D animation software originally developed for Studio Ghibli, offering professional tools for frame-by-frame raster and vector animation, compositing, and effects. It supports scanning, cleanup, and advanced features like multiplane cameras and particle systems, making it suitable for traditional animation workflows. While it can handle vector-based Flash-style animation with tools for strokes and fills, it lacks the intuitive tweening and symbol libraries of dedicated Flash software like Adobe Animate.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no limitations
- Professional-grade tools including effects, shaders, and multiplane camera
- Strong support for both raster and vector workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve and cluttered interface
- Limited automated tweening and symbol management compared to Flash tools
- Performance issues with complex projects on lower-end hardware
Best For
Experienced 2D animators and studios seeking a powerful, cost-free alternative for frame-by-frame and hybrid animation projects.
Pricing
Free and open-source (donations encouraged).
Rive
specializedModern runtime and editor for creating lightweight interactive vector animations deployable to web, mobile, and games.
Hierarchical State Machines for creating complex, responsive interactions without writing code
Rive (rive.app) is a modern vector animation tool designed for creating high-performance, interactive animations and prototypes that run natively across web, mobile, and game engines. It combines a familiar timeline-based editor with advanced state machines for logic and interactivity, serving as a contemporary alternative to legacy Flash workflows. Users can collaborate in real-time, achieve 120fps playback, and export lightweight runtimes without plugins.
Pros
- Exceptional runtime performance with 120fps vector animations
- Powerful state machines enable code-free interactivity
- Real-time collaboration and broad platform exports (Web, iOS, Android, Flutter)
Cons
- State machine system has a learning curve for Flash veterans
- Less robust frame-by-frame tools than dedicated 2D software like Adobe Animate
- Advanced team features require paid plans
Best For
UI/UX designers and developers building interactive animations for apps, websites, and games who need high-performance runtimes.
Pricing
Free for individuals with unlimited public files; Pro at $20/editor/month ($14/month annually); Team/Enterprise custom pricing.
Pencil2D
otherLightweight open-source tool for traditional hand-drawn 2D frame-by-frame animation with onion skinning support.
Seamless raster-vector hybrid drawing with natural pencil-like tools and onion skinning for traditional animation workflows
Pencil2D is a free, open-source 2D animation software designed for traditional frame-by-frame hand-drawn animations using both raster and vector graphics. It offers a lightweight interface with essential tools like onion skinning, timeline editing, and layer management for creating smooth animations. While it supports exporting to video formats like MP4 and GIF, it lacks advanced Flash-specific features such as tweening or ActionScript integration.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Intuitive, lightweight interface ideal for beginners
- Strong onion skinning and traditional drawing tools
Cons
- Lacks tweening, symbols, and scripting for complex Flash-style animations
- Limited export options without native SWF support
- Basic vector tools compared to professional alternatives
Best For
Beginner animators and hobbyists focused on simple frame-by-frame 2D hand-drawn animations.
Pricing
100% free and open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions.
Blender
creative_suiteFree open-source 3D suite with powerful Grease Pencil tools for 2D vector and raster animation workflows.
Grease Pencil for non-destructive 2D animation directly in a 3D environment
Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite that supports 2D animation through its Grease Pencil tool, enabling frame-by-frame drawing, stroke-based animation, and rigging in a 3D viewport. It allows for vector-like 2D workflows with onion skinning, masking, and export to image sequences or SVG, but lacks native support for legacy Flash formats like SWF. While versatile for hybrid 2D/3D projects, it's not optimized as a dedicated Flash animation replacement.
Pros
- Completely free with no limitations
- Powerful Grease Pencil for advanced 2D drawing and animation
- Seamless integration of 2D animation with 3D modeling and effects
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for 2D-only users
- Not tailored for traditional Flash workflows like symbol libraries or ActionScript
- Overkill and inefficient for simple vector tweening or web exports
Best For
Experienced animators seeking hybrid 2D/3D capabilities on a zero budget.
Pricing
Free and open-source with optional donations.
Krita
creative_suiteDigital painting software with built-in timeline and onion skinning for frame-by-frame 2D animation creation.
Seamless integration of professional-grade painting brushes directly into the animation timeline
Krita is a free, open-source raster graphics editor primarily designed for digital painting and illustration, with built-in tools for frame-by-frame 2D animation including a timeline, onion skinning, and layer-based workflows. It excels in hand-drawn animations but lacks vector-based tweening, symbols, and interactivity features central to traditional Flash animation software. While it supports exports to GIF, PNG sequences, and video formats, it's not optimized for web or interactive content like Adobe Animate.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no restrictions
- Excellent brush engine and onion skinning for frame-by-frame raster animation
- Robust layer and timeline support for complex scenes
Cons
- No vector tools, tweening, or rigging essential for Flash-style animation
- Lacks interactivity, scripting, or symbol libraries like traditional Flash software
- Animation features feel secondary to painting, with a steeper learning curve for non-artists
Best For
Digital artists skilled in raster painting who want free tools for simple frame-by-frame 2D animations without needing vector or interactive features.
Pricing
Free and open-source (donations encouraged).
Cavalry
specializedNode-based procedural animation tool for generating complex vector motion graphics and interactive content.
Node-based procedural generation for infinite, data-driven animation variations
Cavalry is a node-based, GPU-accelerated 2D animation software focused on procedural motion graphics and generative art, allowing users to build complex animations via a visual node graph on an infinite canvas. Unlike traditional Flash animation tools that rely on timeline tweening, symbols, and ActionScript for interactive SWF exports, Cavalry emphasizes real-time rendering and data-driven designs exportable to SVG, Lottie, video, and GIF. While innovative for modern web and live visuals, it lacks native Flash-specific features like frame-by-frame scripting or legacy format support.
Pros
- Powerful procedural node system for scalable animations
- Real-time GPU rendering and infinite canvas
- Strong free tier with SVG/Lottie exports
Cons
- No SWF export or ActionScript support
- Steep learning curve for timeline-based Flash users
- Limited traditional keyframing and symbol libraries
Best For
Motion graphics artists and procedural designers seeking a modern alternative to classic Flash workflows.
Pricing
Free plan available indefinitely; Pro at $120/year; Team $360/year; Enterprise custom.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools span from the industry-standard Adobe Animate to open-source options like Synfig Studio, covering everything from interactive web content to high-end 2D studio productions. Leading the pack, Adobe Animate excels with vector graphics, seamless tweening, and HTML5 output, while Toon Boom Harmony and Synfig Studio offer strong alternatives—with the former for studio-quality rigging and the latter for free, Flash-like workflows. Each tool caters uniquely to different creative needs, ensuring there’s a fit for every animator.
Start creating your next project with Adobe Animate, the top choice to bring rich, interactive animations to life with ease and versatility.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison