SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) animations offer an efficient and powerful way to create dynamic, visually engaging content for websites, applications, and digital designs. In 2025, there are a number of robust SVG animation tools designed to help designers and developers animate SVG graphics with ease. In this guide, we’ll cover the top SVG animation tools: Xyris, SVGator, svgartista.net, Boxy-svg, and SVG Circus, analyzing their features, pros, and cons based on specific criteria like filter animation support, collaboration capabilities, export formats, and more.
1. Xyris
Xyris is a specialized tool for creating SMIL -based SVG animations, providing designers and developers with a streamlined approach to animating SVG graphics with precision and ease.
Pros:
- SMIL Animation Support: Xyris excels in supporting SMIL-based SVG animations, perfect for SVG-native motion graphics. You can use these animations as images or backgrounds, like animated GIFs.
- Filter Animation Support: Advanced filter animations, such as visual effects that enhance the output, are fully supported.
- Collaboration & Sharing: Multiple team members can edit and refine the same animation file simultaneously, improving workflow efficiency.
- Version History Support: Easily track changes, restore previous versions, and manage edits to avoid losing progress.
- User-Friendly UI/UX: The interface is well-designed and accessible, enabling even beginners to create animations without much effort.
- Export Options: Supports exporting SVG (SMIL-based animations) and MP4 formats.
- Free Plan Without Watermarks: Even with the free plan, exported animations are clean and watermark-free.
Cons:
- Limited Export Options: Xyris doesn’t support Lottie or GIF exports, which could be a limitation for motion designers.
Ideal For:
Designers and developers seeking a dedicated SMIL animation tool with collaborative features, version history, and a watermark-free free plan—especially those who don’t need offline access or exports in Lottie/GIF formats.
2. SVGator
SVGator is an intuitive, no-code tool for animating SVG files directly in the browser. It is widely praised for its ease of use and is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Pros:
- Filter Animation Support: Includes filter animation options like blur, color adjustments, and opacity changes.
- CSS and JavaScript Support: Allows you to animate with CSS or JavaScript and generates clean code for integrating animations into websites and applications.
- User-Friendly UI/UX: Features a clean, beginner-friendly interface with a timeline-based animation editor that is simple to navigate.
- Flexible Export Options: Supports SVG, Lottie, Video, and GIF exports, making it versatile for various web development projects.
Cons:
- Limited Collaboration Features: No real-time multi-user editing, which can hinder team workflows.
- No SMIL Support: Does not support SMIL animations, limiting its flexibility for SVG-native motion graphics.
- No Version History: Lacks built-in version history, requiring manual backups to track changes.
Ideal For:
Designers and developers who want an intuitive, no-code SVG animation tool with a flexible export range, without the need for SMIL support, real-time collaboration, or version history.
3. svgartista.net
SVG Artista is a free, browser-based tool that quickly animates SVG stroke and fill properties. It’s designed for users with little to no coding or design experience.
Pros:
- Ease of Use: Simple, beginner-friendly interface that allows users to animate SVG paths with minimal effort.
- Basic Animation Support: Supports basic stroke and fill animations, ideal for simple drawing effects.
Cons:
- Limited Animation Features: Only supports stroke and fill animations, with no advanced effects like transformations or filters.
- No Timeline or Keyframe Editing: Lacks a timeline-based editor or keyframe control, limiting flexibility for complex animations.
- No Collaboration Features: Does not support real-time collaboration or multi-user editing.
- Limited Export Options: Only supports SVG code export, without options for GIF, Lottie, or video formats.
Ideal For:
Beginners or developers who need a simple, no-code solution for basic SVG animations, especially if they don’t require keyframe control, complex animations, or advanced export options.
4. Boxy SVG
Boxy SVG is a feature-rich vector graphics editor focused on design, with a comprehensive suite of tools for editing and animating SVG files.
Pros:
- Filter Animation Support: Boxy SVG supports filters, but requires editing code to animate them.
- SMIL Animation Support: Like Xyris, Boxy SVG supports SMIL-based animations, ideal for SVG-native motion graphics. These animations can be used as images or backgrounds, similar to animated GIFs.
- Export Options: Exports in SVG, PNG, JPEG, WebP, PDF, and HTML formats.
Cons:
- Complicated UI/UX: The interface can be a bit overwhelming for new users, with a classic design that might not feel as intuitive.
- Limited Collaboration Tools: Lacks advanced collaboration features for team-based workflows.
- No Video Export: Does not support exporting animations as videos.
- No Version History: Does not include version history, making manual backups necessary for tracking changes.
Ideal For:
Designers who need a vector editor with animation capabilities and flexible export options, especially for web development, but who don’t require real-time collaboration or video export.
5. SVG Circus
SVG Circus is a free, web-based application designed for creating animated SVG spinners, loaders, and looped animations.
Pros:
- Preset Animations: Offers various preset animations (e.g., “running in circles,” “tunnel,” “square of squares”) that can be customized to suit specific needs.
- Customization Options: Users can tweak settings like the number of sides in polygons, animation timing, and other parameters.
- Code Export: Generates SVG code for easy integration into websites and projects.
Cons:
- Overkill for Simple Animations: May be too complex for users who only need simple animations.
- Collaboration Features: Real-time collaboration features may require a subscription.
Ideal For:
Designers and developers who need a fast and easy way to create looped SVG animations like spinners and loaders for web projects.
Conclusion: Which Tool Is Right for You?
The best SVG animation tool depends on your specific needs, skill level, and project goals. Here’s a quick recap:
- Xyris: Ideal for users seeking a dedicated SMIL animation tool with collaboration and version history features, but who don’t require Lottie/GIF exports.
- SVGator: Great for those who need a no-code, intuitive tool with flexible export options.
- svgartista.net: Perfect for beginners looking for a free, simple tool to animate SVG strokes and fills without advanced features.
- Boxy SVG: Best for designers needing both vector editing and animation capabilities with flexible export options.
- SVG Circus: Ideal for creating looped SVG animations (e.g., spinners and loaders) for web projects, with preset animations and customization options.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, these tools offer a variety of features to help you animate your SVG designs in 2025. Happy animating!