If you are a hobbyist, use the free alternatives. If you are earning money from animation, invest in CelAction – it will pay for itself after one client project.

CelAction Ltd occasionally offers trial versions or "Learning Editions" for those who want to test the workflow. Because the software is highly specialized and requires a specific mindset (it’s a "rigging and posing" powerhouse, not a drawing tool), the company often prefers to ensure users understand the software through tutorials first. 3. CelAction2D Professional vs. Studio

CelAction offers a of their software, with one specific catch: you cannot export commercial video. You can draw, rig, animate, and test every single professional feature—but the output will have a watermark.