Adobe Animate vs FlexClip
Adobe Animate and FlexClip side by side, as of September 2026: what each one costs, what it's made for, and when smooth.video, a free animation tool that runs in your browser with no account, does the job instead.
- Free
- No signup
- No watermark
Adobe Animate vs FlexClip at a glance
| Adobe Animate | FlexClip | smooth.video | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | US$22.99 a month on an annual plan, 7-day free trial | Free plan, then Plus at US$11.99 a month billed yearly | Free, no paid plan |
| Account | Adobe account required | Required to save projects | Not needed |
- Price
- Adobe AnimateUS$22.99 a month on an annual plan, 7-day free trial
- FlexClipFree plan, then Plus at US$11.99 a month billed yearly
- smooth.videoFree, no paid plan
- Account
- Adobe AnimateAdobe account required
- FlexClipRequired to save projects
- smooth.videoNot needed
As of September 2026. Plans change, so check those of Adobe Animate and FlexClip before you decide.
Adobe Animate
- Install
- Desktop app for Windows and macOS
- Development
- Maintenance mode: fixes, no new features
- How you animate
- Frame-by-frame drawing, tweens, bone rigging
- Interactive output
- HTML5 Canvas, WebGL, SVG, sprite sheets
- Photoshop files
- PSD and Illustrator layers imported
When Adobe Animate fits better
You draw frame by frame, rig characters with bones, or deliver interactive HTML5 Canvas content, games or sprite sheets. smooth.video has no frame-by-frame drawing, no bones and no HTML5 output.
Adobe Animate vs smooth.videoFlexClip
- Watermark
- On free plan exports
- Export resolution
- 720p free, 1080p on Plus, 4K on Business
- Projects
- 12 saved projects on the free plan
- GIF export
- 120p, 240p or 480p
- Motion
- In, Out and Loop animation presets
- Stock library, AI subtitles, voices, avatars
- Yes
When FlexClip fits better
You assemble marketing videos from stock clips and music, need AI subtitles, a voiceover or an avatar, or record your screen for a tutorial. smooth.video has no stock library and no AI tools.
FlexClip vs smooth.videoWhen smooth.video fits better
You used Animate for banners, animated logos or social posts, you'd rather not pay for a tool that no longer gets new features, and your animation is made of text, images and shapes that move rather than drawings.
You're animating a logo, a title, a product or a stat, want to set the motion yourself, and need a sharp GIF or a 4K video without paying for a plan.
Open the editor- Free, full stop
- No plan, no trial, no credits, no export limit.
- No account
- Open the page and the editor is already there.
- Nothing is uploaded
- Your files are read and rendered by your own browser.
- No watermark
- Every export is clean, at any size, 4K included.
Start from a template
See all 203 templatesOpen one, change the words, export. Every element stays editable.
Questions
Is Adobe Animate discontinued?
No. Adobe announced its end in February 2026 and reversed the decision the next day: Animate stays available, with security and bug fixes but no new features.
Can I open .fla files?
No. Export your artwork from Animate as PNG images, then animate them in smooth.video.
Can I make HTML5 banner ads?
Not as HTML5: smooth.video exports video, GIF and images. Where an ad slot takes a GIF or an MP4, a banner made here works.
Can I make a sharp GIF?
Yes. The GIF comes out at the size of your scene, whatever you set it to. Keep it short so the file stays light.
Can I use my own music?
Yes. Add an audio file, and it's included in the MP4 or WebM you export.
Is there a limit on projects?
No. Save each one as a .smooth file and open it again whenever you need it. Only the project you're working on is autosaved in the browser.
Or skip the decision.
smooth.video is free, opens in a tab and exports without a watermark. Try it while you compare.
Open the editor- Free
- No signup
- No watermark