Adobe Animate Will Shut Down Next Month
Thousands of creators are upset over the legacy tool's discontinuation, calling it an "industry‑killing move."
Adobe has announced it's retiring Adobe Animate, the 2D animation software that's been a creative staple for more than 25 years, widely taught in art schools and used across professional studios for TV shows, web content, games, and much more.
Starting March 1, 2026, new customers will no longer be able to download Animate. Enterprise clients will retain access, including content downloads and technical support, until March 1, 2029. For everyone else, support and access, including the ability to download existing projects, will continue only until March 1, 2027.
As for why the discontinuation happened so abruptly, Adobe's official explanation states: "As technologies evolve, new platforms and paradigms emerge that better serve the needs of the users. Acknowledging this change, we are planning to discontinue supporting Animate." Unfortunately, given the recent integration of Firefly and other AI tools into Adobe software, it reads like AI is taking over the company's roadmap.
The decision has left thousands of animators, game developers, and content creators furious and frustrated by the lack of a full replacement recommendation from Adobe. Here's how users are reacting to the news:
If you're seeking alternatives to Adobe Animate, Moho Animation or Toon Boom are viable options. As of now, Adobe hasn't commented on the discontinuation of Animate, and the lack of dialogue is quite discouraging. It would be helpful if more options were suggested for creators concerned about the impact on their professional projects.
Don't forget to subscribe to our Newsletter and join our 80 Level Talent platform, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.
