How popular isPencil2D?
In September 2026, people searched for Pencil2D by name about 22,200 times worldwide, a 45.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 1.6% of all global animation software searches, placing Pencil2D ninth out of 14 brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about animation software, Pencil2D appeared in three of the five answers and was the ninth most recommended of the 14.
Pencil2D is the ninth most searched of 14 competitors and the ninth most recommended in AI answers.
KritaShare of searches 48.3%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
AnimakerShare of searches 9.7%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Adobe After EffectsShare of searches 7.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Adobe AnimateShare of searches 7.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Pencil2DShare of searches 1.6%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
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Top animation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pencil2D was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pencil2D is the ninth most recommended of the 14.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Blender1st
Toon Boom2nd
Adobe Animate3rd
Adobe After Effects4th
Krita5th
Moho6th
Autodesk Maya7th
OpenToonz8th
Pencil2D9th
Synfig Studio10th- +4 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Blender5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Adobe Animate4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
OpenToonz4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Toon Boom4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Moho4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Krita3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Adobe After Effects3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Pencil2D3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Autodesk Maya2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Procreate Dreams2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about animation software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which animation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best animation software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best animation software for motion graphics?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“animation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“2d animation software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which animation software compete with Pencil2D?
Share of searches by month for Krita, Animaker, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, Vyond, OpenToonz, Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom, Pencil2D. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Krita | Animaker | Adobe After Effects | Adobe Animate | Vyond | OpenToonz | Autodesk Maya | Toon Boom | Pencil2D | Procreate Dreams | Blender | Synfig Studio | TVPaint | Moho |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34% | 18.6% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.33% |
| Nov 2025 | 35.3% | 19.3% | 8.7% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.52% |
| Dec 2025 | 38% | 17% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.37% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.4% | 14% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.38% |
| Feb 2026 | 28.3% | 12.6% | 8.5% | 23.1% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.62% |
| Mar 2026 | 37.6% | 13.7% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.45% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.4% | 14.4% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.39% |
| May 2026 | 37.7% | 13.8% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 5.1% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0.45% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.7% | 11.3% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 11.3% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.45% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.9% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 11.7% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.3% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.52% |
| Sep 2026 | 48.3% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.58% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 48.3% | 673K | +22.4% | +4.9 points | |
| 2, moved from 4th to 2nd | 9.7% | 135K | +22.7% | +1 pointsmoved from 4th to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 2nd to 3rd | 7.9% | 110K | 0% | -0.8 pointsmoved from 2nd to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 3rd to 4th | 7.9% | 110K | 0% | -0.8 pointsmoved from 3rd to 4th | |
| 5, held 5th | 7.9% | 110K | 0% | -0.8 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 5.3% | 74K | -18.2% | -1.8 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 3.5% | 49.5K | 0% | -0.3 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 2.4% | 33.1K | 0% | -0.2 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 1.6% | 22.2K | -18.1% | -0.5 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 1.6% | 22.2K | 0% | -0.2 points | |
| 11, held 11th | 1.3% | 18.1K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 12, held 12th | 1.1% | 14.8K | -18.2% | -0.4 points | |
| 13, held 13th | 1.1% | 14.8K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 14, held 14th | 0.58% | 8.1K | +22.7% | +0.1 points |
1.
Krita48.3%
Held 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +4.9 points.
2.
Animaker9.7%
Moved from 4th to 2nd. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +1 points.
7.9%
Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
7.9%
Moved from 3rd to 4th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
5.
Vyond7.9%
Held 5th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
5.3%
Held 6th. 74K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.8 points.
3.5%
Held 7th. 49.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
2.4%
Held 8th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
9.
Pencil2D1.6%
Held 9th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
1.6%
Held 10th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
11.
Blender1.3%
Held 11th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
1.1%
Held 12th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
13.
TVPaint1.1%
Held 13th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
14.
Moho0.58%
Held 14th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Pencil2D and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Pencil2D
13 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Pencil2D changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Pencil2D worldwide fell from 40.5K to 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pencil2D’s share of searches among animation software worldwide decreased from 2.5% to 1.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pencil2D’s share of searches among animation software worldwide peaked at 3.4% in March 2026 and was lowest at 1.6% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pencil2D fell from 8th to 9th among animation software worldwide.
How did search popularity change for animation software worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, Animaker overtook Adobe After Effects and Adobe Animate to rank 2nd among animation software worldwide, with 9.7% of the searches.

In September 2026, Krita gained share of searches among animation software worldwide, from 43.3% to 48.3%.

In September 2026, OpenToonz lost share of searches among animation software worldwide, from 7.1% to 5.3%.

In September 2026, Adobe After Effects lost share of searches among animation software worldwide, from 8.7% to 7.9%.

In September 2026, Adobe Animate lost share of searches among animation software worldwide, from 8.7% to 7.9%.

In September 2026, Vyond lost share of searches among animation software worldwide, from 8.7% to 7.9%.
How are Pencil2D’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pencil2D’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- pencil2d
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