List of the best free stop motion software to use in 2021. Create unique and high-quality animated videos easily. The best free stop motion software for Mac and Windows. MonkeyJam Stop Motion Animation Software. This is a featureful stop motion animation software free for Windows and Mac computer users. On MonkeyJam you can edit your images from a webcam or digital camera by assembling them in the form of individual frames. Further, you can even use the audio or images on your computer.
Video making is no more the forte of a select few.
If you’re interested in animation videos, with the stop motion technique, you can breathe life into static objects.
The frames are then edited and sequenced into a video.
Does this sound difficult? You only need three ingredients to make awesome stop motion videos: Passion, Creativity, and Stop Motion Software.
Why waste time searching for suitable stop motion software when you can make better use of your time.
Let us do the heavy lifting for you. Here is a list of the top 10 free stop motion software.
#1 FilmoraPro
We start the list with one of the best tools for stop motion videos. As the makers themselves say, only your imagination is the limit to what you can create with the FilmoraPro tool.
This stop motion software and video editor is suitable for all types of users, be it beginners or professionals.
Keyframes is one of the best features of this software. With it, you can adjust the speed and duration of the video clip.
All essential tools for creating a professional stop motion video are made available in one place.
The innumerable features help accelerate your video-making process.
The software’s advanced editing, unlimited tracks, built-in screen recorder, and automatic stabilization features ensure you only need FilmoraPro and no other software for video making.
The software also comes with a first-class audio mixer.
The audio transition, noise reduction, audio compressor, and automatic audio sync features help you create the best soundtrack for your video.
Want to include more information in your frames? The software allows you to create, edit, and even animate the text.
You’ll hardly find anything to complain about this software. It’s user-friendly, feature-rich, and comes with a well-stocked media library.
#2 qStopMotion
Want relatively lightweight software that’s easy to use and free?
qStopMotion Software is the perfect choice for you.
If you have the objects and the storyline ready, leave the rest to qStopMotion. With this software, creating stop motion videos is a cinch.
To facilitate the creation of awesome animation videos, qStopMotion permits the importing of images from your PC and camera.
The qStopMotion software doesn’t come with any strings attached. For Windows OS users, this is a totally free stop motion software.
The makers of the tool regularly update the software. The most recent changes include improvement in the camera control system and a negative grabber.
The software allows the export of the finished project to a variety of video formats including MPEG and AVI, which are commonly used for stop motion videos.
The unique selling point of qStopMotion software is that you don’t need any external tool.
From the time qStopMotion moved to the QT functionality, all the features and capabilities needed for successfully creating a stop motion video is neatly available in a single place.
#3 Stop Motion Studio
As the name suggests, the Stop Motion Studio is a software and app used specifically for creating stop motion videos.
Versatility is the tool’s biggest strength.
iPad, iPhone, Android, or Windows – it doesn’t matter what device is used. The app is compatible with all these devices.
The Stop Motion Studio isn’t just one of the easiest tools. It’s also one of the most powerful apps for movie making.
The broad functionality that comes with this app results in movie making perfection.
Right from the app, users could record new photos or import them from the picture library.
Features such as frame-by-frame previews, build-in video editor, overlay mode, graphics, and sound effect editor make it extremely easy for anyone to create catchy stop motion videos.
In addition, users can add captions and filters to make the videos more awesome.
The free version of the Stop Motion Studio app comes with limited access to the features and capabilities.
But, these are enough for any user to create professional-looking motion videos.
Functionalities such as green screen, remote camera, and certain movie effects are only available in the premium version.
#4 Boinx iStopMotion
Due to its user-friendly interface and well-crafted user guide, iStopMotion by Boinx has found favor with beginners.
It’s a stop motion video software that anyone can use, on any platform. The free stop motions software version comes with enough functionality to make excellent stop motion videos.
That said shelling out a meager fee of $10 will get you the iOS app.
With the app version of this software, you get access to the camera through iStopMotion so you can work on the images in real-time.
Also, iStopMotion gives you direct control of your camera. With the software, you get to tweak the hue, saturation, focus, and color balance of the camera.
Apart from its very useful features, another reason to use iStopMotion is its ability to work in tandem with other software such as Photoshop.
You can also integrate tools such as Final Cut Pro and iMovie with the iStopMotion software.
This lightweight tool doesn’t compromise on performance. It allows users to work fast even on HD videos without any glitch.
#5 MonkeyJam
Are you tired of free trials or limited access to features? Then MonkeyJam is the software for you.
Available for both Windows and Mac powered systems, this is a 100% free stop motion software.
The software comes with a simple user interface. Navigating through the various functions and learning and using the functionalities will be quick and easy.
Although MonkeyJam is one of the best stop motion video makers, it didn’t start as such. It was designed for pencil and paper animation, but it grew into something much more and better.
With the help of the software, users can record images from a digital camera, webcam, and scanner. The images can be then assembled in separate frames.
MonkeyJam also allows the usage of images and audio stored on the computer.
Once you’re through with a project, the stop motion video maker allows the export of the clips in multiple formats.
#6 Movavi Video Editor
Beginners wanting to create jaw-dropping stop motion videos often end up downloading the Movavi Video Editor.
If you’re working on a stop motion video for the first time, fear not. Movavi Video Editor is there to assist you with its user guide and tutorials.
Widely appreciated for its uncluttered interface, the software also offers enough features to help professionals take their work to an entirely different level.
Movavi is an all-inclusive video making tool with several special features for stop motion videos.
The software allows stop-motion clip makers to import images directly from the camera. In addition, users can load project files from the computer and external storage.
Are you planning on using a bunch of images for the stop motion clip? The Slideshow Wizard mode enables the loading of the whole image folder.
Users can tweak the images, and add text, captions, and graphic effects. Furthermore, users can add audio from the computer or use royalty-free music that comes with the software.
Videos created using the Movavi Video Editor can be converted into multiple formats, including AVI, and also uploaded directly to YouTube.
For those of you who would like to learn more about it, you can check out our Movavi review.
#7 Dragonframe
Created by some of the best minds in the industry, Dragonframe is the go-to stop-motion software of many professionals.
Whether you want to develop a stop motion video from scratch or add a short stop motion clip to the regular video, this software is there to make it happen.
The software’s impressive set of animation tools might appear intimidating to beginners at first.
But, Dragonframe makes life pretty easy for everyone by providing first-class customer support and a discussion forum where users share their knowledge and experience.
For stop motion projects, the software allows importing images from still cameras and the computer. Users can also import external animation files into the editing software.
#8 iKITMovie
Developed exclusively for stop motion videos, the iKITMovie Software is for users of all ages.
It’s widely used in educational institutes that teach basic stop motion video making for kids and beginners.
The makers have kept the interface simple and user friendly. The software also comes with tutorials that offer step-by-step instructions on how to use the program more effectively.
The iKITMovie software is quite popular with users of LEGO and Claymation.
The free stop motion software version limits the users to just 10 projects of 10 minutes each. For unlimited use, the premium version is available for a small fee.
The software is compatible with all major webcams. Users of the iKITMovie also get access to more than 2200 sound effects and background music files.
The stop motion tool comes with several useful features including a green screen. This feature lets you capture objects in front of a green screen and later swap the screen for any background you want.
#9 JellyCam
JellyCam is software that’s fast becoming popular among the masses. This feature-rich stop motion movie maker is available for Windows and Mac systems.
The software is lightweight; the setup file itself is just 1.5MB. But, to operate the tool, you’ll need Adobe Air on your computer.
JellyCam comes with all the essential functionalities required to create a stop motion video.
For your video, load images from the computer or import photos directly from your webcam. The software accepts almost all image formats including GIF, JPEG, and PNG.
JellyCam has a simple, user-friendly interface that can be expanded to the full-screen mode if needed. Another useful inclusion is the drag-and-drop feature.
This free stop motion video software lets users set the frame rate of the video. Also, it allows the addition of background sound and music to the video.
#10 Frames
Frames is yet another stop motion software for beginners. It may not match up to others in the list, but its features and functions are adequate for basic stop motion video making and video editing.
Those wanting to try Frames can start with the 30-day free trial pack. After that, you’ll have to shell out $40 to use the stop motion software.
Frames is compatible with iSight, making the software the best choice for anyone already using an Apple device.
The software won’t complicate stop motion video making by bombarding you with complex functions. This is a simple tool with stop motion editing capabilities, ideally suited for beginners.
Best Free Stop Motion Software For Mac
You can upload images from your computer or start capturing images from the webcam for your video.
A wide range of effects can be employed to edit the images. The final video clip can be then saved into any format of your choice.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your skill level and features required to achieve your objectives must determine the best free stop motion software to use.
Stop Motion Editing Software
The growing popularity of stop motion animation has only increased the number of apps and software out there.
But, you can pick one or more tools from the list without a second thought.
Cristian Stanciu is a freelance video editor, owner, and post-production coordinator of Veedyou Media – a company offering video editing services to videographers, marketing agencies, video production studios, or brands all over the globe.