Pencil2D is a free and open source animation/drawing software for Windows, macOS, Linux, and
FreeBSD. It lets you create traditional hand-drawn animation (cartoon) using both bitmap and vector
graphics.
Pencil2D is a community-driven project developed entirely by volunteers and we are always looking
for more helping hands! There are many different ways to contribute, so anyone can help regardless
of their background. For more information, please see the Contributing section below.
Don't forget to check out our official website: https://www.pencil2d.org/
Publisher’s description
What is Pencil2D?
Pencil2D by Pencil2D is open-source Windows software in the drawing & design category. It is written in C++. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides Portable installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. It runs without installation (portable).
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (pencil2d/pencil) has 1,815 stars. Similar programs include draw.io, Inkscape and LibreCAD.
Project description on GitHub: “Pencil2D is an easy, intuitive tool to make 2D hand-drawn animations. Pencil2D is open source and cross-platform.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Portable: runs without installation
- Also runs on Linux
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
In short: Pencil2D is an open-source drawing & design tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs.
Is Pencil2D safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
C8D3044A0AB42B39CB2AC29C84D7D83A511DFE71D96D89A45B9C3DD82910BE7C· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the pencil2d/pencil repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No dangerous workflows10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Static code analysis10
- Pinned dependencies4
- Code review3
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Security policy0
- Fuzzing0
- Signed releases0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 1 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7.2Latest | March 13, 2026 | — | 32-bit ZIP64-bit ZIP |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Pencil2D.Pencil -eRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
flatpak install flathub org.pencil2d.Pencil2DInformation
- Publisher
- Pencil2D
- Category
- Drawing & design
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/pencil2d/pencil
- Written in
- C++
- Content rating
- All ages
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- Portable
- Other platforms
- Linux
- Version
- 0.7.2
- Released
- March 13, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- April 13, 2026
- Versions listed
- 1
- GitHub stars
- 1,815
- GitHub forks
- 312
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- Pencil2D.Pencil
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Pencil2D
See all ›-
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Synfig Studio1.5.3A free and open-source 2D animation software, designed as powerful industrial-strength solution for creating film-quality animation using a vector and bitmap artwork.Open source18.3K ↓ -
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Frequently asked questions
Is Pencil2D free?
Yes. Pencil2D is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is Pencil2D safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Pencil2D with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Does Pencil2D run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
Can I use Pencil2D without administrator rights?
Yes, it is portable: unpack and run it.
What are alternatives to Pencil2D?
draw.io, Inkscape, LibreCAD, Synfig Studio and MyPaint. The alternatives page compares them.
