19+ Best Whiteboard Animation Software For 2023 (Free and Paid)

Nowadays, everyone from digital marketers to elementary school teachers is looking for ways to increase engagement with their audience.

Since videos are such a popular and useful medium, many people have turned to whiteboard animation software to help create captivating illustrated videos.

What Is Whiteboard Animation?

Whiteboard animations are videos that tell a story or sell a product through engaging static illustrations.

As the illustrations are drawn, often by an invisible hand, a narrator typically speaks over them.

The combination of fast-paced animated characters and drawings and pleasant narration complement each other and provide viewers with engaging media to learn from.

Additionally, whiteboard animations are memorable.

The visual explanations are not only eye-catching and captivating, but they can easily break down complex topics or ideas.

Whiteboard animations are extremely popular thanks to how they present information to a viewer.

This makes them useable on a global scale to people who speak different languages.

Furthermore, whiteboard animations have a recognizable style that can be used in any industry or business.

How Does Whiteboard Animation Work?

These videos outline a specific problem, offer a clear-cut solution to the problem, and end with a call to action that encourages the viewer to visit a website, click a link, or make a purchase.

The process of whiteboard animation includes creating a storyboard drawn on a whiteboard or something similar.

A script is designed to be given to a voice-over actor, and background music is chosen to be played behind the narration.

Whiteboard animation software is often used to help compile these elements into one cohesive video.

What Is Whiteboard Animation Used For?

Whiteboard animations are an amazing and effective communication tool.

They are ideal additions to any digital marketing strategy and are frequently used by businesses to demonstrate the need for their products, services, or ideas.

Whiteboard animations are an important promotional tool because billions of internet users are accessing and frequently engage with video content of varying kinds.

Over 20% of internet users spend a minimum of one to two hours per week watching videos online, and 27.2% report viewing more than ten hours a week.

Marketers have caught on to this.

As a result, 81% of marketing experts include video marketing as a part of their marketing strategy.

In addition to including some kind of explainer video on the main landing page of their websites, they use these videos in advertisements on popular social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

What Is Whiteboard Animation Software?

Back in the days before whiteboard animation software, animators or artists would create a time-lapse or stop motion film that recorded their actual drawing process in similar marketing videos.

Why Use Whiteboard Animation Software?

Using whiteboard animation software to create powerful and focused explainer videos is one of the best moves businesses can make to market themselves.

However, it can be an overwhelming challenge to put a stylized animated video together, especially if you have no experience or no artistic talent.

Whiteboard animation software helps create videos that reach viewers faster than lengthy text descriptions and are also much more likely to be remembered long after the video is over.

The statistics on this don’t lie.

In addition to ⅓ of all internet activity spent watching online videos, 64% of internet users are more likely to buy a product online after watching a video about it.

Furthermore, more than half of high-level leadership report being willing to look for more information on a company after watching a video about them.

Who Uses Whiteboard Animation Software?

Digital marketers primarily use whiteboard animation software to help tell their company’s story and sell a product or service.

The software helps make a creative and engaging animated video to generate leads and increase sales.

Of course, the software has uses outside of corporate America.

Teachers often use whiteboard software to create engaging videos to accompany their lessons, while students of all ages can create an animated whiteboard video for projects and reports.

Non-profits, graphic designers, HR teams, and freelancers can also utilize this software.

What To Look For in Whiteboard Animation Software?

When looking for the best whiteboard animation software, there are several factors to keep in mind.

In addition to price, customization, and additional features, it is important to think ahead of time about how the software will fit with your business needs and standards.

Price

There is a variety of free and paid whiteboard animation software to choose from.

If you decide to invest in software, compare monthly plans versus yearly subscriptions for optimal cost savings.

There are also plenty of whiteboard animation consultants available for hire.

However, they can cost thousands of dollars per minute.

Customization

A major part of whiteboard animation software selection should be the ability for users to make certain customizations.

In addition to customizing uploaded images for optimal creativity, users should be able to customize characters, text, colors, backgrounds, templates, and more.

Media Library

Many software products come with a large media library that includes backgrounds, hand styles, music tracks, and images to help share your message and provide the illustration you want to exhibit.

If you are new to whiteboard animation, software with a larger media library may suit your needs better and allow you to create more captivating videos faster than one without.

Technical Support

Having a dedicated customer service and technical support channel available to you as you navigate the animation software will be helpful.

Ensure that some kind of support is included with your software subscription.

Free Trial

Most paid whiteboard animation software products offer free five- to seven-day trials.

This is important if you’ve never attempted to create a whiteboard animation before, as you can use the trial to get acquainted with all of the software’s ins and outs.

You can also try out more than one software at a time to figure out which product you like best.

Best Free Whiteboard Animation Software

Our team believes the following products are the best free whiteboard animation software available.

• Doodlemaker
• Animation Studios
• Animaker
• TTS Sketch Maker
• Videoscribe
• VideoMakerFX
• GoAnimate
• Moovly

Doodlemaker

Doodlemaker is a drag and drops AI-based video software with over 300 templates and 5 million royalty-free images to choose from.

It’s great for beginners who want to create stunning videos with beautiful doodles, professional transitions, and the ability to purchase commercial licenses that can be sold.

Notable Features

• Text-to-speech in 60 languages
• Photo to sketch converter
• Direct Vimeo and YouTube publisher

Pros

• Unlimited, full HD 1080P video creation
• Sell videos to clients
• Royalty-free music library
• Millions of images in the asset library

Cons

• Restricted front end and personal license attributes

Pricing & Plans

There are five different one-time payment plans for users to choose from.

• Front End – $47
• Whitelabel Unlimited – $497
• Deluxe Upgrade – $47
• Toon Video Maker App – $39
• Client Engine App – $29

Doodlemaker also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Take

Doodlemaker is one of the best on the market for built-in translation and text-to-speech services.

They offer a variety of step-by-step guides to help beginners learn how to use the software, making it incredibly user-friendly.

You can also use the software to create up to 15-minute long videos, much longer than other software products.

Animation Studios

Animation Studios is a great software service that helps users create custom animated videos.

They are one of the best options for 2D video creation, with a staff of animators that have years of experience to help you create the video of your dreams.

Notable Features

• 2D animation videos, explainer videos, social media ads, promo videos, and typography animations are available
• Professional assistance for varied media projects
• Minimum 30-second videos available

Pros

• Scriptwriting, voiceover, and animation assistance
• Unlimited video revisions
• Conceptualization and storyboard design help

Cons

• Premium features are more robust than basic plans

Pricing & Plans

• Basic – $199
• Startup Plan – $299
• Best Seller Plan – $399
• The Ultimate Plan – $599

Our Take

AnimationStudios is the best 2D animation software, hands down.

It’s also great for more specific animations, like text and logo animations that elevate a brand’s image.

Animaker

Animaker is an amazing free animation software that is perfect for people who have little to no design experience and professional designers.

Its versatility as a cloud-based, drag and drop animation video maker is unmatched.

Notable Features

• Millennial character builder
• Human-like voiceovers in 20+ languages
• Live-action video capabilities

Pros

• 50 professional transition effects
• 500 animations
• Superb rendering quality
• 3x faster loading times

Cons

• Transitions aren’t seamless
• Videos are slow to export to hosting sites

Pricing & Plans

Most of the premium features available under the free version of Animaker can be tested out or experimented with.

There are three additional plans to choose from.

• Basic Plan – $10/month
• Starter Plan – $19/month
• Pro Plan – $39/month

Our Take

Animaker is an intuitive video animation tool that is great for regular people who want to create amazing videos, presentations, and marketing promos.

The free trial offers plenty of templates, images, and other resources, so users don’t have to work from scratch.

For those that want to invest, it is also incredibly affordable.

TTS Sketch Maker

TTS Sketch Maker is a text-to-speech whiteboard animation software.

It can create simple, high-quality sketches and whiteboard videos.

Users can make training videos, sales and eCommerce animations, and review videos.

Notable Features

• 25 text to speech male and female voices
• Easy to use graphic user interface
• Multiple languages

Pros

• Works on Mac and PC
• Zero restrictions on created videos
• Ample training resources
• Add your own animated or static SVG images
• Import your music

Cons

• Limited creative features (fonts, background images, and character styles)
• License is limited to one user on one computer

Pricing & Plans

TTS Sketch Maker comes with one pricing plan.

It is a single, one-off payment, and it comes with a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee.

Refunds are received promptly and are risk-free.

• TTS Sketch Maker (Full) – $97

Our Take

TTS Sketch Maker is a good animation tool for beginners.

It doesn’t require much know-how to create a solid animation or explainer video and comes with six training videos to help users learn how to navigate the program.

However, it has limited features compared to the other software on this list.

The available features are easy to customize.

Videoscribe

Videoscribe is an incredibly popular animation software that is easy and inexpensive to use.

It is a drag-and-drop style video maker that caters to both beginners and animation experts.

Small businesses and individuals with limited marketing budgets are the ideal markets for Videoscribe.

It doesn’t take much technical know-how to operate, and they offer several payment plans that work with any kind of budget.

Notable Features

• Large media library with over 8,000 images and GIFs and copyright-free music tracks
• Diverse hand styles and drawing tools to choose from
• Unique animation options

Pros

• Voice-overs can be recorded within the software without any additional tools
• Desktop and browser-based options for on-the-go creation
• Import different fonts and music

Cons

• Limited audio controls
• No access to premium library media
• No MP4 support
• Limited custom image edits
• No voiceover actors or text to speech capabilities

Pricing & Plans

Videoscribe offers a seven-day free trial in addition to three payment plan options.

Plans may change depending on the number of users needed, and they offer discounted team subscriptions that come with various benefits, branding elements, and customer support.

• Monthly Plan $39/month
• Yearly Plan $168/year

Users who choose the yearly plan save 64% over a monthly plan.

The total cost averages $14 per month.

Our Take

Overall, Videoscribe is an awesome whiteboard animation software suitable for beginners and graphic design professionals.

The software is extremely affordable and offers a wide range of tools that anyone can use to create amazing videos.

We think that users will enjoy the software to create effective explainer videos, animated infographics, and simple persuasion videos.

The features of this software are also great for introducing complex topics or new products, which is ideal for business owners.

VideoMakerFX

VideoMakerFX is a simple-to-use video-making software that is ideal for marketers who want to create captivating social media content, video ads, and animated explainer videos.

The content created with this video software will help build your business’ brand for a one-time, lifetime access price.

Notable Features

• Dynamic, cinematic camera movements
• Motion presets and custom animations
• Drag and drop timeline editor

Pros

• Doodle sketch creator
• 28+ animated 2D and 3D characters
• Unlimited video exports
• Text-to-speech creator in multiple languages
• Edit footage with green screen technology

Cons

• Longer videos take a long time to render
• Not ideal for complicated video edits
• Limited customer service responses

Pricing & Plans

In addition to a free plan available on both Windows and Mac, VideoMakerFX has an annual Commercial License currently priced at $67.

Our Take

VideoMakerFX is a highly affordable, fast, and simple-to-use animation video software that takes up limited space on your computer.

It is also intuitive, so if you’re a marketer or small business owner with zero design or animation experience, this software is great to learn.

You can expect it to be a little slow and drag at times, but the quality and affordability balance that out.

Moovly

Moovly is a cloud-based whiteboard animation software that allows for collaborative and creative promotional videos.

It’s ideal for large teams that need to work together to create polished and professional-looking animations.

Notable Features

• 100+ voice-over voices
• 1.3 million free media objects
• Multiple video styles
• Direct video publishing to major hosting sites

Pros

• Automatic subtitles and closed captioning in several major languages
• Videos can be created in the square, vertical, and horizontal shapes
• Record screens or webcam videos and add them to animations

Cons

• Free plans only allow for two-minute long videos
• Slow upload times
• Limited pre-made video templates and graphics

Pricing & Plans

The free plan for Moovly comes with many features and the ability to test out premium ones.

There are two paid plans for access to longer videos and more robust features.

• Pro Plan – $49/month
• Max Plan – $99/month

Our Take

We love how easy this online software is to use.

The free software is available on the cloud, which fits the requirements of many on-the-go and remote teams.

It is a great starter option for teams that want to experiment with animated videos for their business.

Best Paid Whiteboard Animation Software

Let’s look at the best-paid whiteboard animation software products on the market.

Although this software doesn’t offer free subscription plans, many offer free trials to allow users to test out the different features in each.

• VideoScribe
• Vyond
• Fiverr
• Renderforest
• Explaindio
• MySimpleShow
• Camtasia
• Easy Sketch Pro
• Adobe Animate CC
• Doodly
• PowToon

VideoScribe

That’s right; you’re not seeing double.

VideoScribe makes both our best free and best-paid animation software lists.

VideoScribe’s paid plans are available on both browser and desktop for flexible use and offer additional features the free plans do not.

Notable Features

• A large library of quick-start animation templates
• Varied canvas sizes to suit the needs of various social media and websites
• Unlimited online customer service and technical support

Pros

• Access to the full library of 8,000+ images and GIFs
• VideoScribe images automatically draw themselves when played
• Watermark removal and personal branding options are available
• Presentations can be downloaded as MP4s, GIFs, PowerPoint presentations, and more
• Work offline

Cons

• Limited audio control
• 4k video quality is unsupported
• No editing custom images
• Not mobile-friendly

Pricing & Plans

VideoScribe users can cancel their subscriptions up to three days before the next scheduled payment.

They do not offer any refunds for canceled subscriptions.

However, users can still use the software up until the end of the initial subscription.

• Monthly Plan $39/month
• Yearly Plan $168/year

Our Take

The browser-based options of VideoScribe are ideal for creating quick and simple animations, while the downloadable desktop version is great for longer, more involved creative creations.

Users can download both on different computers for more flexibility.

Vyond

Vyond is an online animation software specifically for marketing, training, and eLearning professionals.

It is also ideal for human resources roles needing internal communications, sales and marketing departments, and small-business owners with limited marketing budgets.

Vyond allows users to create engaging video and media content that elevate communication and drive positive business outcomes.

They also believe in creating a secure online environment for their users and utilize important global security features that make them attractive to audiences worldwide.

Notable Features

• ISO 27001 and GDPR/CCPA Compliance
• Large library of ready-made videos, templates, sounds, music, and more
• Transforms generic, static text into dynamic, colorful videos

Pros

• Three visual styles (contemporary, business-friendly, and whiteboard)
• Easily sync animations to the character’s lips
• Easy to use
• Comprehensive security process and controls
• Scaleable production
• Collaborative framework

Cons

• Expensive, per-user plan
• Limited character diversity
• Limited image customization options

Pricing & Plans

Vyond can be trialed free for 14 days.

After that, users are required to purchase one of their paid plans, which can be paid monthly or annually.

There is no setup fee for any of the paid plans, and flexible contracting options with centralized and decentralized billing are available.

Essential – $299/year

Premium – $649/year

Professional – $999/year

Enterprise – Custom pricing

Essential plans are ideal for those with limited budgets.

All videos created with the Essential plan have the Vyond logo on them in the bottom right-hand corner.

The premium plan is more suitable for small businesses and includes collaborative features, shared libraries, unique branding themes, and secure video sharing features.

The Professional plan caters to medium and large-scale businesses.

It shares many of the Premium plan features, with additional features like customized training and priority customer service support.

Enterprise plans also come with dedicated account managers and additional security features.

Our Take

Vyond has many user-friendly and professional resources that help create stunning videos.

The software also appeals to a variety of professions and industries.

This whiteboard animation software is one of the most expensive on the market and may not be a reasonable investment for small businesses or individuals.

Fiverr

Of course, some options don’t involve purchasing a software subscription or learning how to create whiteboard animations yourself.

Fiverr is a website that allows freelance writers and artists to advertise their services.

The platform allows businesses to connect with knowledgeable, skilled professionals who can perform one-time or frequent projects.

As a result, Fiverr is an excellent place for businesses, non-profits, and academics alike to find capable whiteboard animation artists.

The prices set by sellers are affordable and varied, which allows buyers to stick to strict budgets and receive a quality product.

Notable Features

• Pay for the artist and work you can afford
• Find 2D, 3D, and Whiteboard Explainer artists for hire
• Quick turnaround times

Pros

• Custom offers
• Support local artists with the freelance marketplace platform
• Multi-currency support

Cons

• Can be challenging to work with sellers
• Controversial payment policy for sellers
• Potential for the work quality to be less than what you’re hoping for

Pricing & Plan

Fiverr is a free resource for buyers and sellers.

The majority of costs are related to the freelancer.

Pricing ranges from $5,00 per project to the tens of thousands.

The seller retains 80% of transactions.

Fiverr Pro is the site’s premium option for buyers.

Navigating to Fiverr Pro allows users access to hand-vetted professionals with years of experience and who are guaranteed to provide quality work.

Pro customers also have 24/7 access to their customer service team.

Because of their pro status, the freelancers with this title are significantly more expensive.

Hiring a Fiverr Pro can cost anywhere from $500 to more than $20,000.

Our Take

Hiring a freelance artist to make a whiteboard animation video is an excellent way to test the waters.

In addition to supporting an individual artist, you have the opportunity to stick within a minuscule budget.

No need to invest hundreds of dollars in a software product you’re not sure you’ll use.

Of course, there is some risk involved with hiring a strange freelancer online.

If you’d like to experiment with this route of obtaining a whiteboard animation, make sure you are willing to take on this risk.

Renderforest

Renderforest is a branding platform that provides users with all of the tools to create logos, graphics, websites, and high-quality videos.

This software is ideal for graphic designers, digital marketers, and small-business owners who want to create stunning branding packages for their businesses.

It’s software that anyone in any capacity can use without any technical experience or know-how necessary.

Notable Features

• Professionally designed templates
• 1-click video publishing to hosting sites
• User-friendly interface

Pros

• Simple video editing process
• 24/7 customer support
• A unique collection of stock images and commercially licensed music

Cons

• Many features are locked behind higher paywalls
• More expensive than other alternative software products
• Not solely for whiteboard animations

Pricing & Plans

Renderforest offers users a wide selection of pricing plans to help suit their individual needs.

All subscription plans renew automatically on the expiration date unless otherwise noted by the purchaser.

• Free
• Lite – $7.99/month/year
• Amateur – $9.59/month/year
• Pro – $11.99/month/year
• Agency – $39.99/month/year

Our Take

Renderforest is a good all-in-one software option for small-business of fewer than 50 people.

It isn’t specific to whiteboard animation video creation, which means there are less robust features than some whiteboard video alternatives.

However, it also allows users to create a wider range of marketing materials for their business.

Explaindio

Another great beginner-friendly video creation software is Explaindio 2023.

The software specializes in WARP video technology and is perfect for creating explainer videos that sell products.

Retail and eCommerce establishments will love the results these videos produce.

Notable Features

• Drag and drop platform
• Full-motion animations and explainer videos
• 2D/3D animations, doodle sketch videos, and custom videos can be created

Pros

• No experience required
• All-in-one video creation software
• Unlimited video creation

Cons

• Only 6 character styles
• Desktop-based software
• Unlisted, hard-to-find tutorials  

Pricing & Plans

This software comes with a 14-day free trial.

• Creator Monthly – $37/month
• Creator Annual – $67/year
• Creator One-Time – $497

Our Take

Explain may not have the most stellar website, but don’t let that fool you.

This is great software for beginners who want to create videos to help sell their products and services.

Its drag and drops feature is easy to use, and it comes with a large number of fonts, graphics, and pre-made templates to help get you started.

MySimpleShow

MySimpleShow

Notable Features

• Four step guided explainer video creation
• Collaboration features
• Offer best-practice examples

Pros

• Automatically generated storyboards
• Voice-over options
• Direct YouTube publishing

Cons

• Some limitations in the media library
• Some limitations in storyline availability
• A low number of diverse characters

Pricing & Plans

• Business – $129/month
• Pro – $499/month
• Enterprise – Customized

Discounts are offered if subscriptions are paid on an annual basis.

Our Take

MySimpleShow is a great value for the money you’ll spend with plenty of features that everyone can take advantage of, from animation beginners to professionals.

It creates polished presentations that are sure to impress any audience.

Camtasia

Above all else, Camtasia is one of the easiest and fastest software to learn how to use.

It is a low-budget animation software that creates engaging videos, tutorials, how-to videos, demos, training videos, and more.

Notable Features

• Incredibly wide range of video recordings and usage
• Screen recordings available
• Simple interface with feature-rich offerings

Pros

• Impressive templates and themes
• Easy to make branding and project packages for efficient access
• Favorites and presets are easily accessible

Cons

• Slightly bulky interface
• Annotation options aren’t live during exporting
• Not mobile-friendly

Pricing & Plans

• Free trials with no setup fees
• Education – $199.99/per user
• Non-profits and Government – $223.99/per user
• Business – $249.00/per user

Our Take

Even though Camtasia is not one of the more robust software options for users to choose from, it is a great start for beginners who want to create high-quality explainers and promotional videos.

We are big fans of how versatile the created videos can be, from lessons to product descriptions.

Easy Sketch Pro

Easy Sketch Pro claims to be the #1 doodle video creation software on the market.

They advertise amazing sketch videos that take minutes to get and publish and don’t require extensive knowledge of animations.

Marketers and teachers are one of the preferred audiences for this software.

Notable Features

• Perfect for marketers, not technical specialists
• Sold over 55,000 copies
• Proven to boost conversion rates

Pros

• ESP 3.0 access
• Published videos in minutes
• Affordable plans

Cons

• Only available online
• No free-trials
• Only available on Windows and Mac

Pricing & Plans

All plans come with a 100% money-back guarantee.

• $37 per month
• $39 per month

Our Take

Customers worldwide are in love with this software, and for good reason.

It can help beginners and artists create unbelievable videos.

We also love how handy it is for creating new videos in minutes.

Adobe Animate CC

You can animate just about any type of video with Adobe Animate CC.

Notable Features

• Create animations that respond to user interactions and clicks
• Wide range of publication platforms
• Large library access

Pros

• Helpful user tutorial
• Flexible payment plans

Cons

• A complicated interface that is difficult to use
• No free trials
• Only Windows and Mac compatible

Pricing & Plans

• Single App – $20.99/month
• CC All Apps – $52.99/month
• Students and Teachers – $19.99/month
• Business – $33.99/month

Our Take

We love the ease with which users can create web and TV shows, interactive animations, and even games with Adobe Animate CC.

It can be intimidating at first.

However, the life-like characters and interactive illustrations are unparalleled.

Doodly

Doodly is one of the biggest names in whiteboard animation software.

It was one of the first major animation software that allowed people of all skill levels to create a realistic whiteboard video quickly.

Today, with its user-friendly drag and drop format, graphic designers and entry-level marketing professionals can create outstanding videos.

Doodly is also ideal for YouTube marketers and Facebook Advertisers.

Sketches and animation videos created with Doodle software are much more memorable than standard videos and have been proven to increase user engagement on both platforms.

Notable Features

• Create blackboard, green screen, and glassboard animations
• Smart Draw Technology animates imported images
• Voiceover recordings are available within Doodly without equipment

Pros

• Regular software updates
• Fast customer service support
• Unlimited video creation
• Diverse hand styles
• Unlimited computer installs
• Access to a private Facebook group

Cons

• No offline use even though it is a desktop application
• Slow video export times
• Images can only be uploaded in PNG and JPEG formats

Pricing & Plans

Doodly doesn’t offer any kind of free trials, which may scare off newbies.

However, they have several different plans that can work with various budgets.

• Standard Plan – $39/month
• Enterprise Plan – $69/month

Doodly also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Take

Doodly is one of the all-time best whiteboard animation software tools available.

It is perfect for creating compelling and memorable videos for social media content, teaching and training purposes, and eCommerce products.

You need zero design or technical animation skills to work with the software.

We also love the online community that surrounds the software.

Animators can connect with thousands of active users to learn new tricks, ask questions, and get inspired.

PowToon

PowToon is a quick and easy video and presentation tool known for being extra engaging.

Teachers use it to create captivating education materials and for personal use.

Notable Features

• 20-minute investments
• Drag and drop templates
• Access to live webinars and training resources

Pros

• Intuitive interface
• Amazing support materials
• Usable for videos, animations, and infographics

Cons

• Most popular resources are only available with a subscription
• Slightly expensive

Pricing & Plans

• Pro – $89/month
• Pro+ – $197/month
• Agency – $99/month/year

Our Take

Although a lot of the resources in this software are locked behind a paywall.

However, all plans include Powtoon branding removed, MP4 downloads, Full HD video exports, and commercial rights to all videos.

Wrapping Up

Whiteboard animation software is a fantastic way to elevate the way users communicate information to their audiences.

Both free and paid versions are available, meaning users with varying budgets can use them to create engaging videos that will increase the bottom line.