The Best AI for Animation in 2024

Gabrielle Fernando
April 4, 2024
Table of contents

One of the best ways you can enhance your digital content is by creating animations. While even creating a short clip using the traditional animation process takes practice and skill, AI technology has made it possible to generate dynamic visuals.

AI animation tools are a great way to enhance any creative process, whether it’s for speeding up production and efficiency or providing accessibility for those passionate about animation but who have limited access to resources. Read more and discover some of the best AI-powered animation tools to create delightful content.

Animate with these AI Tools

Whether you want to generate animations from your ideas or animate existing illustrations, you can get a head start with AI-powered tools. Check out some of the best AI for animations.

  1. Best for generating videos in multiple methods: Runway
  2. Best for text-to-animation generation: Animaker
  3. Best for generating 3D animations: Krikey.ai
  4. Best for animating through mirrored movements: Adobe Character Animator
  5. Best for animating drawings: Animated Drawings

Runway

Runway is another AI generator that produces high-quality images and videos in multiple ways. The platform offers several products to generate in different methods, including Gen1, Gen2, and Frame Interpolation. It utilizes a unique blend of innovative generation methods and powerful editing tools to deliver shareable content.

Pros: 

  • There are options for generating content where its Gen1 and Gen2 features allow you to create content from existing videos and text and image prompts. 
  • Produce seamless animation with two similar images using the Frame Interpolation feature.
  • Choose from over 20 animation style presets so you can customize your animation however you need.
  • There are comprehensive editing tools available like color grading, scene detection, and motion tracking if you need to do further editing.
  • There are privacy-focused features that allow you to blur faces instantly with AI.

Cons:

  • There are limited credits on the free plan that does limit how many animations you can produce, but is a good starting point to see if it suits your needs.
  • Restricted editing when it comes to individual video elements.

Pricing: 

  • Free trial 
  • Starts at $12/month

Animaker

Animaker streamlines and enhances the video creation process with features that make producing accessible for beginners and efficient for pros. It works to generate an animation based on your description that fleshes out your idea, tone, timing, and preferred video style. It can take a simple text prompt and turn it into engaging content in a breeze.

Pros: 

  • Created with the user in mind, Animaker has an intuitive video generator that works with basic and more detailed prompts, minus the script requirement.
  • Utilize advanced editing tools to fully customize the animation to your liking.
  • Collaborate with a team by editing with collaboration features and speed up your creative processes.
  • Generate voiceovers with AI and sync to your characters instantly to save time producing your output.
  • Automate subtitles to keep your content accessible for a wider audience.

Cons:

  • Some users have reported encountering rendering errors and glitches every now and then.
  • Creating lengthier animations with more characters can take a longer time to process with the app.
  • There are limitations in positioning objects precisely in a frame.

Pricing: 

  • Free trial
  • Starts at $12.50/month

Krikey.ai

Krikey is an online AI platform that enables users to produce 3D animations easily in real-time. The tool transforms videos or text into engaging and sophisticated 3D animations. The best part is that it’s accessible on smartphones and tablets, offering a new level of engagement on digital platforms.

Pros: 

  • Animate avatars with realistic movements and expressions for a fully engaging video.
  • Create your own avatar with Krikey. You can choose from presets or fully customize one yourself.
  • Add specific hand gestures and other features to your animations and avatars with the tool’s 3D Animation Editor.
  • Animations can be exported as videos or FBX files for both game developers and video creators.

Cons:

  • There may be a learning curve to overcome if you’re new to creating 3D animations given the diverse range of features.
  • Some users have reported the platform may lag during creation.

Pricing

  • Free version available
  • Starts at $14.99/month

Adobe Character Animator

Adobe Character Animator is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, designed to simplify the animation process through real-time face recognition technology. This tool allows users to animate characters that mimic a user’s movements and expressions for a unique and intuitive way to bring animated stories to life.

Pros: 

  • Real-time animation using facial recognition with your own movement to significantly speed up accurate character animations.
  • Customize your character animations as much as you need from facial expressions to voiceovers and even sound effects.
  • Control the camera in any scene so you have more creative flexibility on how animations are framed and presented.
  • There’s a free plan available so individuals can explore animation minus the financial commitment just yet.

Cons:

  • The price point is on the steeper end as the app is part of Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
  • There are many features available in the AI-powered app which may mean users have a learning curve.
  • Professional users have shared that rigging can be a time-consuming process.

Pricing

  • Free trial
  • Purchase with the Creative Cloud plan

Animated Drawings

Animated Drawing by Meta AI Research is a straightforward platform created to engage kids with their very own art. The tool turns drawings into animated characters. It’s ideal for using children’s artwork to turn into a fun and dynamic animation. 

Pros: 

  • Animated Drawings can be enjoyed by everyone as it’s a free tool so kids and individuals with their own drawings can access and create animations.
  • AI technology separates characters from backgrounds to move each illustration for a quick and fun video.
  • Instantly animate at anytime, no long waits to process your content.

Cons:

  • No customization and editing as the tool is created to merely move characters.

Pricing

  • Free 

Key Takeaways

  • AI animation tools are great way for non-professionals to experiment with the art of animation without investing heavily in complex software.
  • Adding animation to your content can make your posts more engaging. AI animators are a fantastic tool to add to your creative arsenal.
  • Animation is now more accessible than ever thanks to AI technology. While the art of animating cannot be fully replicated, these tools make it possible for beginners and creators to produce animations for their own needs.