Top MonkeyJam Alternatives for Animation Enthusiasts
MonkeyJam is a well-known digital penciltest program, designed for capturing images from webcams, camcorders, or scanners to assemble as animation frames. It's also capable of importing existing images and sound, and while primarily for pencil and paper animation, it supports StopMotion as well, with AVI export capabilities. However, animators often seek a MonkeyJam alternative that offers different features, pricing models, or a more tailored workflow. This guide explores some of the best alternatives available for various animation needs.
Best MonkeyJam Alternatives
Whether you're a professional studio, an independent artist, or a budding animator, there's a MonkeyJam alternative out there for you. Here's a curated list of top contenders:
OpenToonz
OpenToonz is a powerful and free, open-source animation program, famously used by Studio Ghibli. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's an excellent MonkeyJam alternative for those seeking advanced features like 3D camera, color correction, complex hierarchies, cutout animation tools, and a robust nodal effects system, making it suitable for professional-grade animation including frame-by-frame, anime, and stop motion.
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is a free and open-source vector-based 2D animation software designed for producing feature-film quality animation with fewer resources. As a MonkeyJam alternative, it excels in its powerful vector capabilities, bones and layers system, cutout animation, and timeline-based frame-by-frame animation, available across Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Adobe Animate CC
Adobe Animate CC is a commercial multimedia authoring and computer animation program from Adobe Systems, available on Mac and Windows. It's a robust MonkeyJam alternative offering comprehensive features like frame-by-frame animation, keyframe animation, SVG export, and tools for web development and video making, making it ideal for professional animators and developers.
Animation Desk
Animation Desk is a freemium tool perfect for animating, storyboarding, and sketching, available across Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad. It serves as a versatile MonkeyJam alternative with features like onion skinning, frame-by-frame animation, live screen recording, support for layers, and Apple Pencil support, catering to both professional and amateur animators.
Pencil2D
Pencil2D is a free and open-source animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, providing a simple yet effective MonkeyJam alternative. It focuses on traditional hand-drawn animation with frame-by-frame capabilities and drawing tools, including a symmetry brush.
TupiTube
TupiTube is a free and open-source design and authoring tool for 2D animation, available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and BSD. As a MonkeyJam alternative, it's particularly beginner-friendly, offering support for layers and rotoscoping, making it accessible for new digital artists.
Pencil
Pencil is a free and open-source animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It functions as a straightforward MonkeyJam alternative for creating traditional hand-drawn animation using both bitmap and vector graphics.
Moho (Anime Studio)
Moho (formerly Anime Studio) is a commercial animation software available on Mac and Windows, known for its professional-grade capabilities, having been used in OSCAR-nominated films. It's an advanced MonkeyJam alternative for those seeking robust 2D drawing tools and a comprehensive animation workflow.
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Harmony is an industrial-standard commercial animation software for studios worldwide, available on Mac and Windows. As a high-end MonkeyJam alternative, it offers extensive features including a powerful brush engine, 3D animation capabilities, frame-by-frame and keyframe animation, and vector strokes, suitable for complex and large-scale productions.
TVPaint Animation
TVPaint Animation is a leading commercial paperless drawing and animation tool, available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android. It serves as a sophisticated MonkeyJam alternative, capable of imitating traditional techniques like pen brush, gouache, watercolor, and pencil, offering advanced drawing and frame-by-frame animation functionalities.
The best MonkeyJam alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and desired animation style. Explore these options, consider their unique features and platforms, and choose the one that aligns perfectly with your creative vision.