OpenToonz

Name: OpenToonz
Brand: OpenToonz
Rating: 3.5 (9 reviews)

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Open-source 2D animation software based on Studio Ghibli's production tool.

Free, no paid tier

Free Animation Video & Media

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3.5 (9 across the web)

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Reviews on G2 SourceForge

9 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Updated Nov 3, 2026

Price: Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

Open-source 2D animation software used by Studio Ghibli.
Free for both commercial and non-commercial use.
Features specialized tools for scanning, digital painting, and effects composition.

Pros

Free and open-source for all types of use
Proven track record in professional animation studios like Studio Ghibli
Highly customizable through source code modification and SDK
Includes specialized tools developed for production environments
Active user community and developer forums

Cons

GTS scan tool is Windows-only
May have a learning curve for new users due to professional features
System requirements can be demanding for complex projects

What is OpenToonz?

OpenToonz is an open-source 2D animation production software. It is based on "Toonz," a software originally developed by Digital Video S.p.A. in Italy and customized by Studio Ghibli, where it was used for many years in the production of their films. Dwango launched the OpenToonz project with the cooperation of Digital Video and Studio Ghibli, making it freely available for both commercial and non-commercial use. This software aims to be a new platform connecting academic research in visual expression with the animation production現場. It offers robust features tailored for professional animation workflows, including specialized scanning tools, digital painting capabilities, and a node-tree based GUI for effect composition. Its open-source nature allows for free modification of the source code and the development of custom plugins, fostering a community-driven approach to animation tool development.

Available on: Windows, macOS

Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked Nov 3, 2026 · How we evaluate

Source opentoonz.github.io

Ratings Across the Web

3.5 (9 reviews)

OpenToonz holds an aggregate rating of 3.5 out of 5 from 9 reviews across G2 and SourceForge, last checked March 19, 2026.

G2 6 reviews

4.4/5

SourceForge 3 reviews

2.3/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Preview

Key Features

GTS (Ghibli Scan Tool) for efficient sequential scanning
Digital painting with anti-aliased lines and independent color palettes
Timeline-based interface for animation timing
Node-tree GUI for easy effect composition
Support for both raster and vector drawing formats
SDK for developing custom image processing plugin effects
Compatibility with existing workflows via TGA and OpenToonz format conversion
Japanese localization

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Nov 3, 2026. Source: opentoonz.github.io, read Nov 3, 2026

OpenToonz plans and prices, checked November 2026
Plan	Price	Details
OpenToonz	Free	2D animation production software Based on Toonz, used by Studio Ghibli Open source, freely modifiable source code +8 more Show less Commercial and non-commercial use allowed GTS scan tool (Windows only) Digital painting Shooting/Compositing with node tree GUI Raster/Vector drawing formats Japanese localized Effect development kit (SDK) Pre-developed effects (AI-based style conversion, incident light, wave glass)

View full pricing

Is OpenToonz worth the price?

Great value

OpenToonz is incredibly generous as it is completely free, offering a professional-grade 2D animation suite without any cost.

This makes it an outstanding value compared to any paid alternative. It's best for independent animators, students, and small studios looking for powerful tools without budget constraints.

Full OpenToonz pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

OpenToonz by the numbers

OpenToonz compared with 130 Animation tools on Toolradar, as of Nov 2026
Metric	OpenToonz	Peer median	Position (1 is best)
Free plan	Yes	72% have one	n/a
Listed as an alternative to	2 tools	2	#59 of 130 (joint)
Compare-page visits, last 30 days	41 visits	41	#35 of 72 (joint) tools with 20+ compare-page visits

Visitors most often compare OpenToonz with Krita (last 30 days, Nov 2026).

Listed as an alternative to: #56 on 2026-10-16 to #59 on 2026-11-03 (rank among 130 tools, 1 is best).

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Animation data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.

Cite this: Toolradar, “OpenToonz by the numbers”, Nov 2026.

Reviews

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3.5/5

Across 9 verified user reviews on G2, SourceForge

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Best OpenToonz Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

View full list →

Blender Free

3D creation suite for modeling, animation, rendering, and more

4.6

Krita Free

Free digital painting and illustration software

4.3

Clip Studio Paint Paid

Digital art and manga creation software

4.4

Synfig Studio Free

Create film-quality 2D animations with vector and bitmap artwork, without frame-by-frame drawing.

4.6

Toon Boom Harmony Paid

The all-in-one 2D animation software for creating ambitious productions with hand-drawn or rigged characters.

4.7

Adobe Premiere Pro Paid

Edit any format, from social clips to feature films

2.3

See all animation tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All OpenToonz alternatives 6+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick OpenToonz vs Blender Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins OpenToonz vs Krita Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins OpenToonz vs Clip Studio Paint Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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OpenToonz FAQ

How does OpenToonz support professional animation workflows?

OpenToonz offers robust features tailored for professional animation, including specialized scanning tools, digital painting capabilities, and a node-tree based GUI for effect composition. It is based on software customized and used by Studio Ghibli for many years in their film productions.

Which teams would benefit most from using OpenToonz?

Animation studios, academic research institutions focused on visual expression, and individual animators seeking a powerful, customizable, and free tool would find OpenToonz particularly beneficial. Its open-source nature also supports teams interested in developing custom plugins or modifying source code.

How is OpenToonz priced?

OpenToonz is free to use for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, with no paid plans required. Its open-source nature means the software and its source code are freely available.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of when considering OpenToonz?

One limitation is that the GTS scan tool is exclusively available on Windows operating systems. Additionally, new users may experience a learning curve due to its professional-grade features, and complex projects can have demanding system requirements.

Can OpenToonz be customized for specific animation needs?

Yes, OpenToonz is highly customizable due to its open-source nature, allowing for free modification of the source code. It also supports the development of custom plugins through its SDK, fostering community-driven enhancements.

How does OpenToonz compare to Toon Boom Harmony?

OpenToonz is a free and open-source 2D animation software with a proven track record in professional studios like Studio Ghibli, offering extensive customizability. Toon Boom Harmony is a commercial alternative known for its industry-standard animation tools.

Source: opentoonz.github.io

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