The best stop motion app makes it easy to shoot one frame, move your model and shoot the next, with an onion skin to line things up. Check whether it runs on your phone, tablet or computer, what's free and how it exports. Nine apps follow in no particular order, plus a simple routine for your first film.
Stop motion is one of the most satisfying things you can make with a phone: a few Lego people, a lump of clay or some paper cut-outs, moved a tiny bit at a time. The app does the fiddly part, overlaying the last frame so you can see how far you've moved things. It's patient work, but you'll be surprised how quickly a few seconds of film come together, and children don't need much help once they've seen it work.
The nine apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from simple mobile apps to studio software. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. If your finished film is heading to social media, my TikTok tutorial covers uploading and captions.
Stop motion apps side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app, free download or open source software, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Some free apps sell a pro version with extra tools.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boats Animator | Desktop stop motion tool | Webcam animation on a laptop | Yes |
| Dragonframe | Professional stop motion software | Studio-grade frame capture | No |
| iMotion | Stop motion and time-lapse | Remote capture from another device | Yes |
| Life Lapse | Stop motion for social | Short videos for TikTok and Reels | Yes |
| Onion Cam2 | Onion skin camera | Simple onion skin shooting | Yes |
| OSnap! | Time-lapse and stop motion | Long projects shot over days | Yes |
| qStopMotion | Open source desktop tool | Free capture on Linux and Windows | Yes |
| Stop Motion Pro | Windows stop motion software | Classroom animation on Windows PCs | Yes |
| Stop Motion Studio | Stop motion app | First films on a phone or tablet | Yes |
Nine stop motion apps
Boats Animator
Best for: Schools and hobbyists who shoot with a webcam on a laptop and want a free, open source capture tool.
Dragonframe
Best for: Serious animators and studios who want onion skinning, camera control and motion control used on feature films.
iMotion
Best for: iPad users who want stop motion and time-lapse with a remote trigger so the camera stays still.
Life Lapse
Best for: Creators who want quick stop motion clips for TikTok and Reels with a ghost image guide.
Onion Cam2
Best for: Beginners who want a simple camera with an onion skin overlay to line up each frame on an iPhone.
OSnap!
Best for: Makers documenting builds or plant growth over days, with saved shoot settings and reminders.
qStopMotion
Best for: Linux and Windows users who want a free capture program for clay or Lego animation.
Stop Motion Pro
Best for: Teachers with Windows PCs who want a classic stop motion program for class projects at no charge.
Stop Motion Studio
Best for: Families and classrooms making their first films on a phone or tablet, with simple editing and sound.
The frame rate rule for uploading animation
Here's a setting worth deciding before you shoot. YouTube Help says content should be encoded and uploaded in the same frame rate it was recorded, and lists common rates such as 24, 25 and 30 frames per second.
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What that means for you: choose your frame rate at the start and export at that same rate, so your animation doesn't stutter after upload. The key is not changing your mind halfway through a project.
Phone apps, tablet apps and desktop software
Phone and tablet apps are the easiest place to start, with the camera, onion skin and editing all in one place. Desktop software connects to a webcam or camera and gives you finer control, which suits classrooms on laptops and more serious hobbyists. Studio software adds camera control and motion rigs, the kind of tools used on professional films.
For children, a tablet on a stand with a simple app is ideal, because they can see the result straight away. For a school club, a free desktop tool with a webcam is often easier to share around, and you won't need a camera for every pupil.
Making your first stop motion film
- Fix the phone or camera to a stand so it can't move between shots.
- Light the scene with a lamp, not a window, so the light doesn't change.
- Turn on onion skin to see the previous frame.
- Move each object a tiny amount between shots.
- Shoot a short test and play it back before going further.
- Add sound or music last, once the movement looks right.
Finishing and sharing your film
- Trim the ends. Cut the frames where your hand drifted into shot.
- Check the format. If a site rejects your file, my list of video converters can change it.
- Add a title card. A simple paper sign shot as frames works well.
- Keep the project. Save the frames as well as the video in case you want to re-edit.
Do you make a stop motion app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a stop motion app
If you're starting out or animating with children, pick a free mobile app with onion skin and simple editing, and make a ten-second film this weekend. You'll learn more from that than from any feature list.
If you catch the bug, a desktop program with a dedicated camera gives you more control. And whatever you use, keep the camera still and the light steady; those two things matter more than the app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free stop motion app?
Several apps here are free to download, and a few desktop programs are free or open source.
What is onion skinning?
It shows a faint version of your last frame over the camera view, so you can judge how far to move things.
How many frames do I need for a stop motion film?
It depends on your frame rate. Pick one at the start and keep to it when you export.
Can I make stop motion on an iPad?
Yes. Several apps here run on iPad, and a tablet on a stand is a great set-up for children.
Why does my animation flicker?
Usually the light changed between frames. Use a lamp and close the curtains.
Can I use my webcam for stop motion?
Yes. Desktop stop motion programs can capture frames from a webcam or connected camera.
