Doodly vs. Toonly vs. VideoScribe vs. Powtoon: Is Doodly Worth It? [2023]

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing and content creation, engaging videos have become a powerful tool for capturing audience attention. Animated videos, in particular, are highly effective for explaining concepts, promoting products, and telling stories. Among the plethora of  animation software available, Doodly, Toonly, VideoScribe, and Powtoon stand out as popular choices. Each of these tools offers unique features and capabilities, making it challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. In this article, we will compare Doodly, Toonly, VideoScribe, and Powtoon to help you decide whether Doodly is worth the investment in 2023.

Doodly: The Whiteboard Animation Specialist

Doodly is a software designed primarily for creating whiteboard animation videos. These videos simulate a hand drawing images and text on a whiteboard, which can be incredibly engaging and effective for educational content, explainer videos, and marketing presentations.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Doodly’s drag-and-drop interface makes it user-friendly, even for beginners.
• Customization: Users can import their own images and use a variety of hand styles and writing tools.
• Flexibility: It supports multiple board styles, including whiteboard, blackboard, glassboard, and greenboard.
• Regular Updates: Doodly frequently updates its library with new images and audio tracks.

Cons:

• Cost: Doodly can be relatively expensive, with a one-time purchase option or monthly subscription.
• Limited Animation Styles: While excellent for whiteboard animations, it lacks versatility for other animation styles.

Toonly: Cartoon Animation Made Simple

Toonly, created by the same company as Doodly, focuses on cartoon-style animations. This software is ideal for creating engaging, character-driven videos for marketing, storytelling, and presentations.

Pros:

• Intuitive Interface: Like Doodly, Toonly offers a simple drag-and-drop interface.
• Character Customization: Users can create unique characters and scenes with a wide variety of props and backgrounds.
• Versatility: Suitable for various types of content, including marketing videos, educational content, and social media posts.
• Regular Updates: Frequent updates add new characters, props, and backgrounds.

Cons:

• Cost: Toonly also comes with a significant price tag, with options for a one-time purchase or monthly subscription.
• Limited Advanced Features: While easy to use, it may lack some advanced features that professional animators seek.

VideoScribe: The Original Whiteboard Animation Software

VideoScribe is one of the pioneers in whiteboard animation software. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for creating whiteboard animations with ease.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: VideoScribe’s interface is user-friendly and intuitive.
• Extensive Library: It boasts a vast library of images, music, and fonts.
• Flexibility: Users can customize animations by importing their own images and audio.
• Affordable: VideoScribe offers competitive pricing, including a monthly subscription and a one-time purchase option.

Cons:

• Limited Animation Styles: Like Doodly, VideoScribe is primarily focused on whiteboard animations.
• Occasional Glitches: Some users report occasional software glitches and bugs.

Powtoon: The Versatile Animation Powerhouse

Powtoon is a versatile animation software that supports a wide range of animation styles, including whiteboard animations, cartoon animations, and motion graphics. It is widely used for creating engaging presentations, explainer videos, and marketing content.

Pros:

• Versatility: Powtoon supports various animation styles, making it suitable for different types of content.
• Customizability: Users can create highly customized animations with a vast library of templates, characters, and props.
• Integrations: Powtoon integrates with various platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Google Drive.
• User-Friendly: Despite its advanced capabilities, Powtoon remains relatively easy to use.

Cons:

• Cost: Powtoon’s pricing can be high, especially for the Pro and Pro+ plans.
• Learning Curve: While user-friendly, mastering all of Powtoon’s features may take some time.

Comparing the Four: Which One to Choose?

Ease of Use

All four tools—Doodly, Toonly, VideoScribe, and Powtoon—are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Doodly and Toonly, with their drag-and-drop interfaces, are particularly beginner-friendly. VideoScribe’s intuitive design also makes it easy to use, while Powtoon, despite its advanced capabilities, maintains a user-friendly approach.

Versatility and Customization

Powtoon stands out for its versatility, supporting various animation styles and offering extensive customization options. Toonly is also versatile, especially for cartoon-style animations, while Doodly and VideoScribe are more specialized in whiteboard animations. Doodly and Toonly allow users to import their own images and audio, enhancing customization.

Cost

In terms of cost, VideoScribe and Powtoon offer more flexible pricing options. Doodly and Toonly, while effective, can be more expensive, particularly with their subscription models. VideoScribe’s pricing is competitive, and Powtoon, despite its higher-end plans, offers a range of pricing tiers to suit different budgets.

Library and Resources

Powtoon and VideoScribe offer extensive libraries of images, music, and templates. Doodly and Toonly also provide rich libraries, but they frequently require additional purchases or subscriptions to access the full range of resources.

Is Doodly Worth It in 2023?

Doodly remains a powerful tool for creating engaging whiteboard animations. Its ease of use, extensive customization options, and regular updates make it a valuable asset for educators, marketers, and content creators. However, its cost and focus on whiteboard animations may not make it the best choice for everyone.

For those specifically looking to create whiteboard animations, Doodly is certainly worth considering. Its intuitive design and rich library can help users create professional-quality videos with minimal effort. However, if versatility and cost-effectiveness are priorities, Powtoon or VideoScribe might be better options.

In conclusion, the choice between Doodly, Toonly, VideoScribe, and Powtoon depends on your specific needs and budget. Doodly excels in whiteboard animations, while Toonly offers great cartoon animations. VideoScribe provides a balance of affordability and functionality for whiteboard animations, and Powtoon stands out for its versatility and extensive resources. Evaluate your requirements and budget to make the best decision for your animation projects in 2023.