Adobe has announced that it will officially discontinue its 2D animation software, Adobe Animate, effective March 1, 2026. The company made the announcement on its support site on Monday, citing a strategic focus on artificial intelligence.
In its FAQ, Adobe stated that while Animate “served its purpose well” for over 25 years, “new platforms and paradigms have emerged that better meet users’ needs.” The company emphasized that no direct replacement will be provided, urging Creative Cloud Pro users to adopt other Adobe applications.
For keyframe animation, Adobe recommends After Effects, while simpler projects can use Adobe Express. Existing users can continue working with Animate, but no future updates will be issued. Enterprise customers will receive support until March 2029, and standard users until March 2027.
The announcement has sparked frustration among users. Many took to social media to express disbelief, with some urging Adobe to open-source the software. Others noted that Animate was a major reason for maintaining their Adobe subscriptions, and its discontinuation could significantly impact their workflow.
Adobe’s move was somewhat anticipated, as Animate was notably absent from the recent Adobe Max conference. Additionally, no version of the software was released in 2025, signaling the company’s gradual shift away from the product.
Without a proper successor from Adobe, many users are already transitioning to third-party alternatives. Popular choices include Moho Animation and Toon Boom Harmony, which offer advanced 2D animation capabilities for professional use.
Industry experts say Adobe’s decision reflects the company’s broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence into its creative ecosystem. While Animate had a loyal user base, Adobe believes new AI-powered tools will better meet evolving animation demands.
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Despite user pushback, Adobe maintains that the shift is necessary to modernize workflows and prepare for the next generation of creative software. The company plans to support customers through the transition and provide guidance on adopting other Adobe tools.
