Animate On-the-Go: Top Free Mobile Apps for 3D Animation Enthusiasts

Best 3D Animation Apps for Android and iPhone (Free Download)

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

You don’t need to use your desktop to create exciting, fun, and thought-provoking 3D animations.

In fact, more and more people are moving from using animation software on desktop and producing outstanding 3D animation videos through their apps.

There are many great reasons for making your photo 3D cartoon videos on your phone or tablet. You don’t need to carry your laptop around with you all the time or use your desktop to get the results that you require.

Read on to learn more about six of the very best 3D animation apps for your phone.

• Part 1: Best 3D Animation App for iPhone
• Part 2: Best 3D Animation App for Android
• Part 3: FAQ about 3D Animation Apps

Recommended 3D animation software - Filmora

It is true that you can make animation on your phone, but editing 3D animation on the desktop is necessary if you want to have more controls on an animation video. Here we recommend using Filmora.

You can use it to make 3D animation or 2D animation by adding keyframes , so the animation will be smooth and natural. You just need to build a white plane to easily start making animation.

Besides, color correction/grading and audio mixer will raise up your animation video to a new level.

Free download it to have a try!

Note: The light flare effects of Filmora will make 3D animation to a new level.

Below is a comparison table of 3D animation apps. It is a quick introduction of these 6 3D animation software on Android and iPhone. Take a look.

Part 1: Best 3D Animation App for iPhone

1. Bot3D Editor

This best 3D animation app promises to give you “everything you need at your fingertips” and is one of the most efficient smartphone and tablet 3D animation editors on the market.

It’s easy to export and share your work when it is finished, and the app is compatible with iPhones and iPads.

You can create poses within moments and animate them immediately. Key features include the Full Body Inverse Kinematics Algorithm, the importing of sound data and a HandEditor, Face Editor and SceneEditor.

You can also import your own photos and create characters that can lip-sync to voices. The app allows you to create vertical and horizontal videos.

Pros:

• Customization is good to use
• Easy to use and make your pose
• Various emotions to use

Cons:

• You can’t download your own characters
• Limited combination and they can’t be mixed up

2. Toontastic 3D

This app allows you to draw, animate, and narrate cartoons. Toontastic is the best 3D animation app that can record your voice and animations and store your animations on your device.

Many people are using the app to create photo albums, put together news reports, and create adventures, and much more.

The animation maker has received glowing reviews from many leading media outlets and was even named the Best Kids App of the Year for 2017. Download the app to create pirates, villains, robots, and all sorts of different characters. Built-in songs are available, and there are three Story Arcs to choose from. You can even add yourself to your stories.

Pros:

• It has a Parents’ Choice Gold Award
• You can design your own 3D drawing tools
• Directly upload it to Photos library

Cons:

• Needs more characters in one scene
• More props or extra sound effects are required

Part 2: Best 3D Animation App for Android

1. Maya For 3D Animation

Maya is developed by Autodesk, Inc and can be used to produce interactive 3D applications such as visual effects, animated films, video games, and more.

3D assets created in Maya have been seen in various films, TV series, and games. Those seeking a reliable 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and imaging solution should feel well catered-for by Maya.

Pros:

• This 3D animation maker is easy to make
• You can import your work to Maya

Cons:

• Some bugs appear for many times

2. Animate It!

Animate It! It comes with a host of useful features for the ambitious animators of today. The animation app allows you to create sketches and poses on your tablet and smartphone whenever inspiration strikes.

It offers simple, intuitive controls, and you can perform various actions by finger touching, touching and dragging, and more.

The app can even be used by children to create animations, though it is also a favorite with students, game developers, and professional animators.

There are various skins available for your characters, as well as props and land creation facilities.

Pros:

• You can select your characters easily
• You can add user skins up to 10 PNG images

Cons:

• No tutorial or instruction offers
• Icons are vague

3. Animate Me

This 3D animation app is perfect for kids in particular but is ideal for adults too. Kids across the world have been using Animate Me to create exciting 3D animations and upload them to YouTube.

The app comes with in-built cartoon characters that help kids and those new to the world of animation to get to grips with the basics. It’s possible to make characters perform various actions, including walking, running, jumping, and talking with the app.

There are also video tutorials that will help you get more out of the app. The Everyplay feature enables you to share your work across all kinds of online platforms, including not only YouTube but Facebook and Twitter too.

Pros:

• Make 3D cartoons move quickly and easily
• Include video tutorials for beginners

Cons:

• You have to buy other characters

4. Anim8

If you’re looking for a tool that will let you gain a deeper understanding of 3D and character animation, Anim8 may well be the perfect solution.

You can use the app to pose five existing characters in a 3D environment, with the controls being highly intuitive and efficient. Many people are drawn to this app because of its simplicity.

The app has been designed by leading character animators, and you can start animating within just a few minutes once you have downloaded it. Full body animation is possible thanks to the advanced articulation on offer, and you can sketch out key poses with the drawing tool.

The onion skin feature will help you plan out poses and time in a precise manner, and you can easily upload your work to a plethora of online platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. There are more than 30 points of articulation, and you can also import audio with ease.

Pros:

• Easy to use interface in Anim8
• You can sketch your key poses every time

Cons:

• Sometimes you can share your 3D animation
• Not all characters are free to use

Part 3: FAQ about 3D Animation Apps

1. What is the best app for animation?

For the 3D animation app, we suggest using the Bot3D Editor. It is an easy-to-use anime editor that only needs dragging to complete your editing. If you know how to use keyframes, it will give you more control over animation. For example, you can make poses in many ways by keyframes.

2. How do you animate a 3D object?

The best way to animate a 3D object is by using keyframes and built-in templates. As a beginner, you may not know how to make a 3D object, but with templates, you just need to choose one and start customizing it.

3. Where can I animate for free?

There are so many free-to-use animation software to use. Pencil2D is a reliable tool to make animation easy. You just need to download it on the desktop to animate objects. However, it’d be best if you have a basic understanding of how to make animation. Otherwise, you may need some time to learn it first.

Conclusion

3D animation apps are ideal for those wishing to learn new skills and heighten their creativity. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re confident that you’ll find an app that meets your needs above. You can also use leading tools such as Filmora to edit your video and add extra effects to add an extra touch of magic to your work. Why not get started right now?

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox