Do you want your animated work to look more professional? In 2025, the best free storyboarding software will help you achieve that.
Storyboarding was initially used to organize animation projects. At that time, storyboards were created by hand, arranging each scene as a sketch on paper. As technology evolved, storyboarding took on a new dimension. Today, digital storyboard tools provide flexibility, teamwork, and real-time modifications, transforming the process from merely gathering ideas into vividly detailed visuals.
Brands, filmmakers, and other creatives can now communicate their ideas more clearly and visually grab viewers’ attention with the right 3D storyboarding software.
In this article, we will discuss the various free storyboarding software tools available in 2025 that are helpful for both professionals and beginners. These tools can give your creative ideas a new way.
So, let’s get started!
Key Features to Look for in Free Storyboarding Software
Before choosing storyboarding software, it is essential to understand its features. Below are some key features that can significantly affect your work and experience.
1. A User-Friendly Interface
The animation storyboard software has a user-friendly interface that is easy to understand and allows you to get started with your work quickly.
2. Drag and Drop Functionality
The drag-and-drop feature of these tools allows easy movement and arrangement of images and text, which is incredibly helpful in animation storyboarding.
3. Team Collaboration Tools
The tools allow different team members to collaborate on the storyboard.
4. Pre-Designed Templates
Pre-designed templates help speed up the completion of your project. Therefore, if you are short on time, this feature is the right one for you.
5. Cross-Platform Support
Before choosing tools for storyboarding, make sure they are compatible with different platforms, such as Mac, Windows, or mobile. This will prevent you from being restricted to a specific device.
6. Customization Options
The software has options for changing colors, fonts, and other arrangements, allowing you to design your storyboard according to your preferences.
10 Best Storyboarding Software Options
Further, we are going to talk about 10 of the best storyboarding software that can make your creative work easier and more professional.
1. Celtx
It is Cloud-based software that supports both scriptwriting and storyboarding. It is easy to use and is excellent for collaborating with different team members. It works in both free and premium versions.
2. Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a software with a simple and easy-to-use interface. A web-based tool offers a wide variety of images, templates, and characters. This is one of the programs for storyboarding that is ideal for educational and simple projects.
3. Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
It is a popular tool used by top animation studios. This software has a user-friendly interface with strong features to make clear, high-quality storyboards. You can easily sketch, draw, and edit frames. It even makes organizing all scenes simple with its timeline feature.
4. FrameForge
FrameForge is powerful storyboarding software for filmmakers, especially those who are complex in camera angles and lighting in movement. The library of 3D virtual sets, characters, and props would let you see scenes clearly and show off your film cinematography in real shots.
5. ShotPro
ShotPro is a flexible storyboarding tool for traveling filmmakers and animators. It is excellent for strategic scene planning. Its 3D modeling feature helps create and update stories and share them directly from your mobile device.
6. Boords
This is an online storyboarding platform with collaborative features. It is excellent for teams working on larger projects. The available templates and easy drag-and-drop functionality make it ideal for both professionals and beginners.
7. Plot
Plot is just a simple and clean storyboarding tool good for making rapid-fire, easy, and quick storyboards. It is ideal for small projects or perhaps a very small team working on the baselines of animation storytelling without having complicated features.
8. TVPaint Animation
It is designed for traditional animators who prefer hand-drawn storyboards. TVPaint Animation offers powerful drawing features and a customizable timeline for planning scenes frame-by-frame. This software is ideal for those who want a more organic, traditional approach while enjoying digital conveniences.
9. Canva
Canva, being a graphic design tool, also includes templates and features for storyboarding. Its interface is simple and easy to use. It is commonly used for beginner-level projects. Canva is one of the tools for storyboarding that offers both free and premium versions.
10. StudioBinder
It is an all-around platform for film production management, coming with storyboarding among its tools. This tool facilitates the handling of pre-production tasks that include scheduling, casting, and shot lists, among others.
How to Choose the Right Storyboard Software?
Software has different features and functionalities, so choosing the best storyboard software is essential to improving the quality of your work.
Here, we have highlighted key points that will help you select the most suitable storyboard software for your needs.
1. Pick According to Your Needs
Before selecting 2D or 3D storyboarding software, consider what type of work you intend to do. If you are working on a professional-level project, choose software like Toon Boom Storyboard. For simpler or smaller projects, Canva or Storyboard can be suitable options.
2. Prefer A Simple Interface
Always select the software with a simple and easy-to-use interface. Whether for whiteboard animations or explainer videos, the interface should be user-friendly, making it easier for you to understand and operate and helpful for both professionals and beginners.
3. In Budget
Choose software based on the nature of your work and your budget. If you are working as a beginner, try to pick free software versions. However, if you have a big business and aim to work at a professional level, you may need to invest in premium software.
4. Check the Reviews
Before choosing the best storyboarding software, look for reviews from other users. This will help you determine whether it is suitable for your work.
5. Try The Demo or Trial Version
Use the free or trial version of the software to check its features. This way, you can see if it suits your work without spending any extra money.
Final Words
Choosing the best storyboarding software based on your work and project needs is essential. In 2025, many software options are available that are not only free but also easy to use and incredible.
All these storyboarding tools come with different features. Some are basic, while others are premium, and they can prove beneficial for both professionals and beginners.
Free tools like Storyboarder and OpenToonz are great for beginners, while cloud-based apps like Boords and ShotPro make it easy to work together with others. With so many choices, you can find the right storyboarding software to help you plan your projects smoothly and create great visuals.
Also, you can contact Anideos for an outstanding 2D or 3D animation solution. We have the best experts in a team who can take your work to the next level. Head to us now!
