8 Best Stop Motion Apps for Android, iOS, and Desktop

"My 7-year-old is interested in using her Android tablet to make stop-motion animated videos. There are lots of apps out there that can help do this - which one do you recommend?" — A thread that we are likely to see quite often in different forums.

We've all seen claymation — cute clay characters posed and moved between takes to simulate movement. That's a typical stop motion animation. It breathes life into static objects through a series of pictures taken at incremental movements. So, how to make one of them if you have a passion for storytelling and animation? What are the best stop motion apps? Here are the top 8 best stop motion apps.

What Is Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animation is a filmmaking technique with photographing an object one frame at a time, with each frame showing a tiny change in movement. When the series of frames is played in rapid succession, your eyes perceive it as continuous motion. You might recognize from classics like "King Kong" (1933) or more modern masterpieces like "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Best Free Stop Motion Apps — VideoProc Vlogger

Platform: Windows & macOS

VideoProc Vlogger is a versatile and free video editing software that caters to both novice and experienced creators. Its user-friendly interface allows you to seamlessly enter the world of video editing and unleash your creativity.

With VideoProc Vlogger, you can cut, merge, and enhance your video clips with ease. This makes it ideal for creating stop-motion videos that require precise frame-by-frame manipulation. Whether you want to sync audio with your visuals or add an evocative soundtrack, the software's robust audio editing tools have got you covered.

Key Features:

• 100% free to use with no watermark or hidden paid functions
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
• Batch process for large photo sequences
• Intuitive user interface for beginners and professionals alike
• High Quality Render Engine for 4K/1080p 60/120fps videos
• Frame-by-frame editor for intricate control over the animation process
• Visualized speed ramping, editing the video to the music beats, automatic keyframe, motion effects to imitate cinematic camera movements…

Best Stop Motion App for Android

Android users have several standout options that cater to both novice animators and seasoned professionals. Here are some of the best stop motion apps available for Android users.

Life Lapse

Platform: Android & iOS

Life Lapse is a powerful stop motion application designed to elevate your social media content with captivating animations. This app is celebrated for its user-friendly interface that allows you to craft stop motion videos swiftly and efficiently. Whether you're looking to showcase your brand or just want to unleash your creativity, Life Lapse provides you with a suite of tools to bring your visions to life.

Key Features:

• Streamlined editing process to support quick and easy film-making
• A timeline editor to manage each frame with precision
• Easily download and post your creations to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
• Over 100 tutorials are available to guide you through the process of making professional-quality stop motion videos

Clayframes

Platform: Android

Clayframes is an app designed for crafting stop-motion animations on your Android device. It has maintained its user base by offering a straightforward interface that caters to both amateur and experienced animators. Its longevity in the market speaks to its reliability and ease of use, even as some consider its interface to appear a bit dated.

Key Features:

• Onion skinning is supported
• Grid-view enables precise placement of objects in the scene
• Offer the ability to add drawings or text directly onto your frames
• The Remote Shutter feature allows you to trigger the camera with sound, such as a clap, facilitating a hands-free approach

PicPac

Platform: Android

PicPac is a robust stop-motion and time-lapse application that offers an array of features for creating compelling video content right from your mobile device. Focusing on user-friendliness, this app enables you to turn still images into dynamic stop motion movies without the need for uploading content to a server or PC. With PicPac, you have the convenience of crafting animations using photos from your gallery, captured time-lapse photos, or even your Instagram shots.

Key Features:

• Operate in both stop motion and time-lapse modes
• Add audio and music to your animation
• Use gallery photos and Instagram photos for your creations

Best Stop Motion App iOS

Apple's ecosystem is renowned for its strong performance in graphics and video processing capabilities, which are essential for stop motion animation. This section includes the top stop motion apps designed for iOS devices.

iStopMotion

Platform: iOS

iStopMotion is an engaging software application designed for creating stop motion animations. Its platform is specifically tailored to enable both novices and enthusiasts to bring their visual storytelling to life through animation. This software is optimal for use on a range of Apple devices, from Macs to iPads and iPhones, suggesting a seamless experience across different devices for your animation projects.

Key Features:

• Capture frames using your Mac, iPad, or iPhone camera
• Support onion skinning to ensure smooth transitions between frames
• Time-lapse and sound waveforms supported
• Create animations in 4K high-quality resolution

Frameographer

Platform: iOS

Frameographer is a specialized app for creating high-quality time-lapse and stop-motion movies directly on your iPhone. Developed by Studio Neat, it has an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it a favorite among hobbyists and professionals who seek a simple yet powerful tool for their animation projects.

Key Features:

• Shoot videos in clear HD resolution with a user-friendly interface
• Flexible frame rates for the perfect speed and rhythm to your animation
• Onion skinning supported
• Immediate preview and adjustment as you work

iMotion

Platform: iOS

iMotion is a dynamic stop-motion and time-lapse application designed for your iOS devices. It allows you to unleash your creativity by crafting engaging stop-motion stories or time-lapse videos with ease. This intuitive app caters to both amateurs and professionals, offering powerful features in a user-friendly interface.

Key Features:

• Multiple capture modes
• Adjust frame rate to control the smoothness and speed of the video
• High-resolution supported

Stop Motion Studio

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

Stop Motion Studio is a feature-rich app tailored for creating and editing stop-motion videos with your smartphone or tablet. This user-friendly platform is an excellent tool for both beginners and experienced filmmakers who are looking for a portable solution to bring their animated stories to life.

Key Features:

• Easy-to-use interface to start creating with minimal setup
• Position your animated objects with precision with handy on-screen guides

Compare Table of the Best Stop Motion Apps

When selecting the best stop motion app for your creative projects, it's important to compare features to find what suits your needs best. Below is a table highlighting key functionalities of the top-rated stop motion apps.

Conclusion

That's all about the 8 best stop motion apps for Android, iOS, and Desktop. They offer a myriad of features that can transform your static images into a dynamic storytelling medium. When choosing the right stop-motion app, consider factors such as ease of use, compatibility with your device, and the range of editing tools provided.

If you prefer creating stop-motion animations on a desktop, VideoProc Vlogger is a solid recommendation. It's designed to enrich your editing experience with a robust suite of tools, while also maintaining user-friendliness for those who may be less experienced. Hesitate no more. Download it and make your own stop motion videos with VideoProc Vlogger.