Synfig Studio (also known as Synfig) is a free and open-source vector-based 2D animation software. It is created by Robert Quattlebaum with additional contributions by Adrian Bentley.
Synfig began as the custom animation platform for Voria Studios (now defunct), and in 2005 was released as free/open source software, under GNU GPL-2.0-or-later.
As a true front-end and back-end application, Synfig has the ability to design the animation in the front-end, Synfig Studio, and to render it at a later time with the backend, Synfig Tool, on another (potentially faster) computer without a graphical display connected. Incremental and parallel rendering with Synfig Tool is supported by some open source render farm management software, such as RenderChan.
The goal of the developers is to create a program that is capable of producing "feature-film quality animation with fewer people and resources". The program offers an alternative to manual tweening so that the animator does not have to draw each and every frame.
What is Synfig Studio?
Synfig Studio by Synfig is open-source Windows software in the drawing & design category. It ranks 10th by popularity among drawing & design in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 2005. It is written in C++. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux and macOS.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 18,295 times. The source code on GitHub (synfig/synfig) has 2,319 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 10 of our languages. Similar programs include draw.io, Inkscape and LibreCAD.
Project description on GitHub: “This is the Official source code repository of Synfig Studio animation software”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on Linux and macOS
- Mature project (since 2005)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: Synfig Studio is an open-source drawing & design tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Key features
- Can manipulate vector and bitmap artwork
- Automatic tweening (independent from FPS)
- Multitude of layers of various types (geometry primitives, shapes, gradients, fratals)
- Full-featured bone system
- Filters and effects for compositing (blurs, distortions, color manipulation, masks)
- All color operations use High Dynamic-Range Imaging (HDRI)
- Pentablet-friendly tools
- Sound support
- Linking data on file or parameter-level
- Automatic animation using mathematical functions
AppStream · Flathub
Screenshots
Is Synfig Studio 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:
B037A78E45AE5272F095412F51B7634FD7A4226291D82A135D0E0459B8340D92· 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 synfig/synfig repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Code review10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge2
- Restricted token permissions0
- Security policy0
- Fuzzing0
- Pinned dependencies0
- Signed releases0
- Static code analysis0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5.3Latest | August 23, 2024 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS)64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Synfig.SynfigStudio -echoco install synfig -ySynfigStudio-1.5.3-2024.08.23-win64-3b7c5.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
flatpak install flathub org.synfig.SynfigStudioInformation
- Publisher
- Synfig
- Category
- Drawing & design
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/synfig/synfig
- Written in
- C++
- Content rating
- All ages
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Other platforms
- Linux, macOS
- Version
- 1.5.3
- Released
- August 23, 2024
- First release
- 2005
- Added to the catalogue
- November 11, 2024
- Versions listed
- 1
- Chocolatey downloads
- 18,295
- GitHub stars
- 2,319
- GitHub forks
- 441
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- Synfig.SynfigStudio
- Chocolatey package
- synfig
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Synfig Studio free?
Yes. Synfig Studio is open-source software under the GPL-3.0 licence.
Is Synfig Studio 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 Synfig Studio 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.
Can Synfig Studio be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Synfig Studio 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.
What are alternatives to Synfig Studio?
draw.io, Inkscape, LibreCAD, Graphviz and MyPaint. The alternatives page compares them.
