In today’s digital marketing landscape, animated videos have become an essential tool for engaging audiences and explaining complex ideas. Two popular platforms that stand out in this space are Toonly and Doodly. But how do these animation tools compare, and which one is right for your needs? As a digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience, I’ve used both platforms extensively and will provide an in-depth comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Introduction: The Power of Animated Videos
Before we dive into the specifics of Toonly and Doodly, it’s important to understand why animated videos are so crucial for digital marketing success. Websites that incorporate video content are 53 times more likely to reach the front page of Google search results. This is because viewers retain 95% of a message when watching a video, compared to only 10% when reading text.
Animated videos, in particular, have several key advantages:
- They simplify complex concepts
- They’re engaging and entertaining
- They’re versatile and can be used across multiple platforms
- They’re cost-effective compared to live-action videos
Now, let’s explore how Toonly and Doodly stack up in helping you create these powerful animated videos.
Key Features Comparison
Animation Styles
Toonly specializes in cartoon-style animations with pre-animated characters, objects, and backgrounds. This style is perfect for creating dynamic and engaging explainer videos.
Doodly, on the other hand, focuses on whiteboard animations with a hand-drawn effect. This style is ideal for educational content and step-by-step explanations. For a more detailed look at Doodly’s features, check out our comprehensive Doodly review.
Asset Libraries
Toonly boasts an extensive library of over 4 million royalty-free assets, including a wide variety of characters, backgrounds, and props.
Doodly offers a smaller but still substantial library of assets specifically designed for whiteboard-style animations, including various hand styles and drawing options.
Customization Options
Toonly provides advanced customization features, allowing users to modify characters, add movement paths, and incorporate lip-syncing for more dynamic animations.
Doodly offers flexibility in creating custom illustrations and adding personal images, making it great for tailored content.
Ease of Use
Both platforms feature drag-and-drop interfaces designed for ease of use. However, Toonly’s interface is slightly more modern and intuitive, while Doodly’s focuses on simplicity.
Export Capabilities
Toonly supports multiple export formats, including MP4, GIF, and HTML5.
Doodly primarily exports to MP4 and AVI formats.
Toonly Deep Dive
Key Features and Capabilities
- Extensive library of pre-animated characters and objects
- Advanced animation features like movement paths and lip-syncing
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy video creation
- Supports voice-over recording within the app
- Regular updates with new assets and features
Best Use Cases
Toonly excels in creating:
- Explainer videos for products or services
- Marketing and promotional content
- Engaging social media videos
- Corporate training materials
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Vast asset library
- Advanced animation features
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Regular updates
Cons:
- Subscription-based pricing model
- Limited hand-drawn animation options
Doodly Deep Dive
Key Features and Capabilities
- Realistic hand-drawn animation effect
- Multiple board styles (whiteboard, blackboard, glassboard)
- Various hand styles for drawing animations
- Ability to import custom images and sounds
- One-time payment option
Best Use Cases
Doodly is ideal for creating:
- Educational and instructional videos
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Storytelling and narrative content
- Presentations and pitch decks
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique hand-drawn animation style
- One-time payment option available
- Easy to use for beginners
- Flexible customization options
Cons:
- Smaller asset library compared to Toonly
- Interface can feel dated
- Limited export options
Pricing Comparison
Toonly Pricing Plans
- Standard Plan: $39/month or $468/year
- Enterprise Plan: $69/month or $828/year
Toonly occasionally offers special deals, such as lifetime access for a one-time fee.
Doodly Pricing Plans
Doodly offers a one-time payment option of $69 for lifetime access to the software.
Value for Money Analysis
While Toonly’s subscription model may seem more expensive at first glance, it provides regular updates and an extensive asset library. Doodly’s one-time payment option can be more economical for long-term use, but you may need to pay for updates and new features.
Consider your budget and how frequently you plan to create animated videos when choosing between the two pricing models.
Ease of Use Comparison
User Interface
Both Toonly and Doodly feature drag-and-drop interfaces designed for ease of use. However, Toonly’s interface feels more modern and polished, while Doodly’s focuses on simplicity and straightforwardness.
Learning Curve
Both platforms have a minimal learning curve, making them suitable for beginners. However, Toonly’s more advanced features may take slightly longer to master.
Customer Support and Resources
Both Toonly and Doodly offer:
- Extensive video tutorials
- Knowledge bases and FAQs
- Email support
- Active user communities
Toonly also provides live chat support for more immediate assistance.
Video Creation Process
Toonly Workflow
- Choose a template or start from scratch
- Add and customize characters and objects
- Set up animation sequences
- Add text and voice-overs
- Apply transitions and effects
- Export the final video
Doodly Workflow
- Select a board style (whiteboard, blackboard, etc.)
- Choose hand style for animations
- Add and customize images and text
- Set up drawing sequences
- Add audio and voice-overs
- Export the completed video
On average, creating a 1-2 minute video takes about 1-3 hours with either platform, depending on the complexity of the animation.
Output Quality Comparison
Animation Quality
Toonly produces smooth, professional-looking cartoon animations that are ideal for modern marketing videos.
Doodly creates authentic-looking hand-drawn animations that excel in educational and explanatory content.
Professional Look and Feel
Both platforms can produce professional-quality videos when used skillfully. Toonly’s animations tend to have a more polished, contemporary feel, while Doodly’s whiteboard style offers a classic, engaging look.
Audience Engagement Potential
Toonly’s dynamic cartoon animations are great for capturing attention quickly, making them ideal for social media and marketing content.
Doodly’s hand-drawn style creates a sense of personal connection and can be more effective for educational content where viewer focus is crucial.
Best Suited For
Ideal Use Cases for Toonly
- Businesses creating explainer videos for products or services
- Marketers producing engaging social media content
- Agencies developing animated ads or promotional videos
- Corporate trainers creating dynamic learning materials
Ideal Use Cases for Doodly
- Educators creating instructional videos
- Course creators developing e-learning content
- Presenters crafting engaging slideshows or pitch decks
- Storytellers looking to bring narratives to life visually
Factors to Consider When Choosing
- Your primary video style (cartoon vs. whiteboard)
- Budget and preferred pricing model
- Required level of customization
- Frequency of video creation
- Target audience and their preferences
Expert Tips for Getting the Most Out of Each Tool
- For Toonly:
- Utilize the vast asset library to create diverse and engaging scenes
- Experiment with movement paths to create dynamic animations
- Take advantage of the lip-sync feature for more realistic character animations
- For Doodly:
- Use a variety of hand styles to add personality to your videos
- Incorporate custom images to create unique, branded content
- Experiment with different board styles to suit various topics and moods
Additional Video Editing Considerations
While Toonly and Doodly are excellent for creating animated content, you might need additional tools for more complex video editing tasks.
For those working with more advanced video editing software, learning how to add text effectively can greatly improve your videos. Our tutorial on how to add text in Sony Vegas provides valuable insights, even if you’re using a different editing platform.
With the growing popularity of vertical videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, you might also need a vertical video editor to optimize your animations for these formats.
Conclusion
Both Toonly and Doodly are powerful tools for creating engaging animated videos, each with its own strengths and ideal use cases.
Choose Toonly if:
- You need to create modern, cartoon-style explainer videos
- You want access to a vast library of pre-made assets
- You prefer a more polished, contemporary look
Choose Doodly if:
- You’re focused on educational or instructional content
- You want the authentic feel of hand-drawn animations
- You prefer a one-time payment option
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and the type of content you want to create. Both tools offer free trials, so I recommend testing them out to see which one aligns best with your creative vision and workflow.
Key Takeaways
- Toonly excels in cartoon-style animations, while Doodly specializes in whiteboard animations
- Both tools offer user-friendly interfaces suitable for beginners
- Toonly provides a larger asset library and more advanced animation features
- Doodly offers more flexibility in creating custom illustrations
- Consider your budget, preferred video style, and target audience when choosing between the two
FAQs
- Can I use both Toonly and Doodly together? Yes, many creators use both tools to create diverse video content. They can complement each other well for different types of projects.
- Do I need any animation experience to use these tools? No, both Toonly and Doodly are designed for users with no prior animation experience. Their drag-and-drop interfaces make video creation accessible to beginners.
- Can I add my own voiceovers to videos created with Toonly or Doodly? Yes, both platforms allow you to add custom voiceovers to your videos.
- Are there any free alternatives to Toonly and Doodly? While there are some free animation tools available, they typically offer limited features compared to Toonly and Doodly. Some options to explore include Powtoon and Animaker.
- Can I use videos created with Toonly or Doodly for commercial purposes? Yes, both tools allow you to use your created videos for commercial purposes, including marketing and sales.
By understanding the strengths and limitations of both Toonly and Doodly, you can make an informed decision on which tool best suits your animation needs. Remember, the key to successful animated videos lies not just in the tool you use, but in the creativity and strategy you bring to your content creation process.
