Quick verdict
Neither app is “better” for everyone. FlipaClip is the easier, free starting point that runs on Android, iPhone and iPad. ToonSquid is the more powerful tool, combining frame-by-frame drawing with keyframes, bones, vector art and pro export — but it only runs on iPad and costs a one-time fee. If you're on an iPad and serious about improving, ToonSquid offers far more room to grow; if you're on Android or just want to doodle for free, FlipaClip wins.
Side-by-side
| Criteria | ToonSquid | FlipaClip |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPad (iPadOS 15+), Apple Vision Pro | Android, iPhone, iPad |
| Price | One-time purchase (US $9.99) | Free with ads; FlipaClip Plus subscription |
| Frame-by-frame | Yes | Yes |
| Keyframes / tweening | Yes, with easing | Limited |
| Bones & rigging | Yes, with inverse kinematics | No |
| Vector tools | Yes | No (raster) |
| Symbols / reusable clips | Yes | No |
| Audio for lip-sync | Yes, import and record | Yes |
| Export | MP4, MOV, GIF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD | Video and GIF; watermark on free tier |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Easy |
Ease of use
FlipaClip's strength is simplicity. You open a project, pick a brush and start drawing frames, with a minimal interface that suits younger users and complete beginners. ToonSquid has more panels and options because it supports more ways to animate. Reviewers generally agree it's well designed once you understand it, but expect to spend an evening with the handbook or tutorials.
Animation power
This is where ToonSquid pulls ahead. Keyframes let you animate a character's arm, a camera pan or a fade without redrawing every frame. Bones with inverse kinematics allow cut-out-style rigs. Symbols let you reuse a walk cycle across a whole scene and update it everywhere at once. FlipaClip focuses on traditional frame-by-frame drawing, which is perfect for learning fundamentals but slower for complex shots.
Drawing tools
ToonSquid offers both pixel and vector brushes, 60+ brush settings, Photoshop brush import, a smudge and liquify tool and 27 blend modes. FlipaClip's brushes are simpler, with less customisation. If line quality and polished final art matter to you, ToonSquid's vector tools produce clean, resolution-independent results.
Cost over time
FlipaClip costs nothing to start, which is hard to beat. But the free tier shows ads and adds a watermark to exports, and removing those limits means a recurring subscription. ToonSquid's one-time price includes everything forever. Over a year of regular use, ToonSquid is usually cheaper than a FlipaClip subscription.
Export and sharing in detail
For social media both apps export video and GIFs. The difference appears when your work moves into another tool. ToonSquid exports layered PSD files, PNG and TIFF image sequences and MOV with transparency (on supported iPads), so you can composite characters over backgrounds in a video editor or continue in Photoshop. FlipaClip focuses on finished video output, and its free tier adds a watermark.
A practical learning path
- Weeks 1–4: learn frame-by-frame basics with a bouncing ball, pendulum and simple walk — either app works.
- Month 2: add audio and try simple lip-sync; both apps support audio tracks.
- Month 3 onwards: experiment with keyframes, symbols and bones. This is where ToonSquid's extra depth pays off.
Our ToonSquid beginner tutorial walks through the first exercise step by step.
What about Procreate Dreams and Callipeg?
If you're on iPad, it's worth knowing two more contenders. Procreate Dreams, from the makers of Procreate, is a one-time purchase with a performance-style recording workflow and a multi-track timeline. Callipeg runs on iPad, iPhone and Android with frame-by-frame and keyframe tools. ToonSquid stands out for combining both traditional and keyframe animation with vector tools and bone rigging at a low one-time price.
Community and learning resources
FlipaClip has a very large community, especially among younger animators, plus regular contests and a huge library of tutorial videos on YouTube and TikTok. ToonSquid's community is smaller but active: the developer publishes detailed release notes and an official handbook, runs an official YouTube channel with tutorials, and hosts community discussions on GitHub. Searching #toonsquid on social platforms turns up plenty of artist workflows. Either way, you won't be short of help.
One more practical difference: support. ToonSquid is made by a solo developer who answers email and documents features in depth, while FlipaClip is run by a larger company with formal support channels.
Who should choose which?
Choose FlipaClip if you…
- use an Android phone or tablet, or an iPhone;
- want to try animation for free;
- prefer a very simple interface;
- mostly make short frame-by-frame clips.
Choose ToonSquid if you…
- own an iPad with iPadOS 15 or later;
- want keyframes, rigging and vector art;
- need professional export such as PSD or transparent MOV;
- dislike ads and subscriptions.
Many artists start in FlipaClip and move to ToonSquid once they outgrow it — the skills you learn transfer directly. Not on iPad? See ToonSquid alternatives for Android.
