Whiteboard animation videos have become increasingly popular for explaining concepts, marketing products, and creating engaging content. Doodly has emerged as a leading software option in this space, but is it the right choice for your needs? This in-depth review will examine Doodly’s features, pricing, user experience, and how it compares to alternatives to help you make an informed decision.
What is Doodly?
Doodly is a whiteboard animation software that allows users to create engaging videos with a hand-drawn effect. It’s designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced animators. The software uses a drag-and-drop interface and comes with a library of pre-made assets, allowing users to quickly create professional-looking whiteboard animations.
Key features of Doodly include:
- Custom drawing paths for imported images
- Offline capabilities
- Automatic duration alignment
- Audio editing tools
- Multiple export options
Doodly is primarily targeted at educators, marketers, small business owners, and content creators looking to produce engaging explainer videos without extensive animation expertise.
Pricing and Plans
Doodly offers two main pricing tiers:
- Standard Plan: $39/month (or $20/month billed annually)
- Enterprise Plan: $69/month (or $40/month billed annually)
Compared to some premium animation tools like Vyond (which costs $89/month for a no-watermark, HD export plan), Doodly is relatively affordable. However, it’s worth noting that Doodly does not offer a free trial or a free version, which may be a drawback for those wanting to test the software before committing.
Additionally, while the base plans include a selection of assets, users may need to purchase additional asset packs or upgrade to higher plans to access more contemporary or diverse graphics.
Key Features
Custom Drawing Paths
One of Doodly’s standout features is its ability to import custom images and create drawing paths. This allows users to incorporate their own graphics or logos into animations, adding a personalized touch to their videos.
Offline Capabilities
Unlike many cloud-based tools, Doodly can be used offline. This is particularly beneficial for users with unreliable internet connections or those who prefer to work without constant online access. Internet connection is only required to save projects and access certain features.
Asset Library
Doodly comes with a library of pre-made characters, props, and scenes. The Standard plan includes access to a basic set of assets, while the Enterprise plan offers a more extensive library. However, some users have noted that the included assets can feel limited or dated.
Audio Editing
The software allows users to easily add and edit background music and voiceovers. Users can drag and drop audio files onto the timeline and adjust volume levels directly within the interface.
Export Options
Doodly offers flexible export options, allowing users to render videos in resolutions ranging from 480p to 1080p and at various quality levels. This flexibility enables users to balance video quality with file size based on their specific needs.
User Experience
Most users find Doodly’s interface intuitive and easy to navigate. The drag-and-drop functionality and pre-made templates make it possible to create basic videos quickly, even for those with little to no animation experience.
However, some aspects of the user experience have room for improvement:
- Windows Optimization: Several users have reported that the software feels more optimized for Windows than for Mac, with smoother performance on Windows systems.
- Rendering Times: A common complaint is the long rendering times, especially for high-resolution videos. This can be frustrating for users working on longer projects or those with tight deadlines.
- Voice Synchronization: Syncing voiceovers with animations can be challenging and often requires a trial-and-error approach.
- Double Confirmations: Some users find the need for double-clicks and confirmations for many actions to be tedious.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing compared to some competitors
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Custom drawing paths for imported images
- Offline work capability
- Easy audio editing
Cons:
- Limited asset libraries, especially in the Standard plan
- Long render times for high-resolution videos
- Challenging voice synchronization
- Better optimized for Windows than Mac
- No free trial available
User Reviews
The overall sentiment in user reviews is generally positive, with many users appreciating Doodly’s ease of use and affordability. Users often highlight how quickly they can create professional-looking videos, even without prior animation experience.
Positive feedback frequently mentions:
- Intuitive interface
- Time-saving templates and assets
- Professional-looking results
Common complaints include:
- Limited asset variety without upgrades
- Frequent prompts to upgrade or purchase additional assets
- Long rendering times
Industry-specific experiences vary. Educators often praise Doodly for its ability to create engaging instructional videos, while marketers appreciate its capacity to produce eye-catching explainer videos for products or services.
Comparisons to Alternatives
Doodly vs. Toonly
Toonly, created by the same company as Doodly, focuses more on cartoon-style animations. While Doodly excels at whiteboard animations, Toonly offers a broader range of animation styles. It’s often considered easier for beginners but may offer fewer features specific to whiteboard animations compared to Doodly. The choice between Doodly and Toonly largely depends on the type of animations you want to create.
Doodly vs. Vyond
Vyond offers more features and a larger asset library but comes at a significantly higher price point ($89/month). It’s better suited for more complex animations beyond just whiteboard style.
Doodly vs. VideoScribe
VideoScribe is another popular whiteboard animation tool. It offers similar functionality to Doodly but lacks the custom drawing path feature. Pricing is comparable.
Doodly vs. Animaker
Animaker focuses on a broader range of animation styles beyond just whiteboard. It offers more variety but may have a steeper learning curve for whiteboard-specific animations.
Who Should Use Doodly?
Doodly is well-suited for:
- Educators creating instructional videos
- Marketers producing explainer videos
- Small business owners developing product demonstrations
- Content creators looking for an easy way to create engaging animations
However, professional animators or those needing more advanced features may want to consider alternatives like Vyond or Adobe Animate.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Doodly
- Optimize performance by closing unnecessary applications while rendering.
- Use the custom drawing path feature to incorporate branded elements.
- Prepare and edit your audio separately before importing to ease synchronization.
- Utilize scene templates to speed up video creation.
- Consider purchasing additional asset packs if you find the included library limiting.
Removing Watermarks
While Doodly doesn’t add watermarks to your videos, you might encounter watermark issues with other design tools. If you’re using multiple software for your video creation process, you might find our guide on how to remove Canva watermarks helpful. This can be particularly useful if you’re creating additional graphics or thumbnails for your Doodly videos using Canva.
Conclusion
Doodly offers a user-friendly and affordable entry point into the world of whiteboard animation. Its intuitive interface and custom drawing paths make it possible for even beginners to create professional-looking videos quickly. However, limitations in asset variety and occasionally slow rendering times may frustrate more advanced users or those working on larger projects.
For educators, marketers, and small business owners looking to create engaging explainer videos without a steep learning curve, Doodly provides good value for money. However, those needing more advanced features or a wider range of animation styles may need to look at higher-priced alternatives or consider complementary tools like Toonly.
Ultimately, while Doodly has some limitations, its combination of ease of use, affordability, and professional results make it a solid choice for many users in the whiteboard animation space. By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can make an informed decision about whether Doodly is the right tool for your animation needs.
