12 Best Animation Maker Apps for September 2025: From Beginners to Pros
We've tested 12 top animation apps across different categories - from frame-by-frame animation to AI-powered cartoon converters and live wallpaper creators.
Our Top Pick
The best animation maker app for iOS
Screenshots
Remember when creating animations required expensive software and years of training? Those days are long gone. Whether you're making memes for social media, professional cartoons, or just having fun with friends, there's an animation app that fits your needs perfectly. We've tested 12 top animation apps across different categories - from frame-by-frame animation to AI-powered cartoon converters and live wallpaper creators.
Understanding Animation Maker Apps
The Animation Maker category has evolved significantly, with modern apps offering sophisticated features that were once only available in desktop software. Today's best Animation Maker apps combine intuitive interfaces with powerful functionality, making them essential tools for both personal and professional use.
Essential Features to Look For
When choosing a Animation Maker app, consider these key features: seamless synchronization across devices, intuitive user interface, robust security measures, regular updates and support, and integration with other tools you use. The best apps in this category excel in multiple areas while maintaining simplicity.
How We Selected These Apps
Apps were selected based on user ratings, feature sets, recent updates, and real-world testing across various iOS devices.
Final Recommendations
The animation app landscape in 2025 offers something for everyone, from professional-grade tools to quick novelty apps. Your choice should depend on whether you want to create animations or just apply effects to existing content. Serious creators should start with FlipaClip, social media focused users will love Tempo, while those wanting quick fun should try Revive or ToonMe. Always check subscription terms before committing - some apps have surprisingly aggressive pricing. We're seeing more AI integration across all animation apps, better social media optimization, and increasingly specialized tools. The trend is toward easier creation but more targeted use cases rather than one-app-fits-all solutions.
Quick Summary
- FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation leads as our top choice for Animation Maker
- All featured apps maintain 4+ star ratings with thousands of reviews
- Options range from free with ads to premium subscriptions
- Each app offers unique strengths for different use cases
- Regular updates ensure compatibility with latest ios features
The 12 Best Animation Maker Apps
FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation
Tempo - Music Video Maker
Pros:
- Huge music library
- Trendy filters and effects
- Excellent social media optimization
- Good auto-editing features
Cons:
- Heavy watermarking in free version
- Subscription required for best features
- Somewhat limited creative control
If your main goal is creating music-focused content for TikTok or Instagram, this saves tons of time.
Moji Maker™ | Emoji Messenger
Pros:
- iMessage integration
- Fun animation options
- Good keyboard support
- Regular content updates
Cons:
- Very expensive subscription
- Limited use case
- Some compatibility issues
Great for emoji enthusiasts with disposable income, but most people will find better value elsewhere.
MyScreen - Live Wallpapers
Pros:
- Comprehensive customization
- iOS 17/18 features
- Good categorization
- Regular new content
Cons:
- Subscription required for best content
- Some wallpapers drain battery
- Quality varies widely
If you love customizing every aspect of your phone's appearance, this is worth trying.
Cartoon yourself & caricature
Pros:
- Easy emotion adding
- Good sharing options
- Simple interface
- Works with existing photos
Cons:
- Limited animation styles
- Watermarking issues
- Some effects look dated
Fun for a few laughs with friends, but the pricing makes it hard to recommend over alternatives.
Revive: AI Face Photo Animator
Pros:
- Hilarious results
- Massive sound library
- Extremely easy to use
- Great for reaction videos
Cons:
- Limited to face animations
- Can get repetitive
- Privacy concerns with face data
Absolutely brilliant for creating funny content to share with friends, but not a serious animation tool.
Battery Charging Animation・Up
Pros:
- Unique charging animations
- Couple themes available
- Custom creation tools
- Regular new content
Cons:
- Very niche use case
- Setup can be complicated
- Limited practical value
If you absolutely must customize every aspect of your phone, including charging, this delivers.
Parallax: 3D Photo Editor
Pros:
- Unique 3D effect
- Good camera integration
- Multiple motion directions
- Professional-looking results
Cons:
- Limited to photo animation
- Steep learning curve
- Some effects look artificial
If you want to make your photos stand out with subtle 3D effects, this is surprisingly powerful.
Animation Desk® Draw & Animate
Pros:
- Excellent educational resources
- Photoshop integration
- Simple interface for beginners
- Good frame management tools
Cons:
- Limited layers in free version
- Export options require subscription
- Brush customization could be better
The best choice if you're actually learning animation principles rather than just making quick memes.
Live Wallpaper & Wallpapers HD
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Good basic editor
- Regular content updates
- Simple sharing
Cons:
- Limited features
- Quality varies
- Better alternatives available
- Aggressive ads
A decent starting point for live wallpapers, but you'll likely outgrow it quickly.
SuperMe-Avatar Maker Creator
Pros:
- Massive customization options
- Social features
- Regular new content
- Good color controls
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming
- Some items require grinding
- Interface feels dated
If you need a unique avatar across platforms and enjoy customization, this offers incredible depth.
ToonMe: AI Cartoon Face Maker
Pros:
- Extremely fast results (seconds)
- Multiple cartoon styles available
- Great for Instagram challenges
- Consistently good output quality
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Watermark on free version
- Some styles look generic
Perfect when you need a cartoon profile picture fast or want to join social media trends. Not for serious animation work.
Key Insights
🏆 Overall Winner
FlipaClip takes the overall win due to its comprehensive feature set, active community, and reasonable pricing model that grows with your skills.
💚 Best Free Option
Parallax offers incredible 3D photo effects completely free, making it the best value free option.
💎 Best Premium Choice
Animation Desk provides the best educational value for its $4.99/month price, especially for students and teachers.
🚀 Most Innovative
Revive's AI lip-sync technology creates surprisingly entertaining results that feel like magic the first time you use it.
Pricing Analysis
Pricing varies wildly from completely free (Parallax) to outrageously expensive ($29.99/month for Moji Maker). Most serious animation tools sit in the $4.99-$9.99/month range, while novelty apps tend to have worse value propositions.
Conclusion
The animation app landscape in 2025 offers something for everyone, from professional-grade tools to quick novelty apps. Your choice should depend on whether you want to create animations or just apply effects to existing content.
Our Recommendations:
Serious creators should start with FlipaClip, social media focused users will love Tempo, while those wanting quick fun should try Revive or ToonMe. Always check subscription terms before committing - some apps have surprisingly aggressive pricing.
We're seeing more AI integration across all animation apps, better social media optimization, and increasingly specialized tools. The trend is toward easier creation but more targeted use cases rather than one-app-fits-all solutions.