8+ Best Storyboarding Apps For 2023 [Ranked & Reviewed]

Storyboarding allows you to visualize the flow of your marketing video, feature film, animation, or presentation.

Traditionally, you sketch how the shots would look using pen and paper.

However, thanks to technology, many in the industry now use a storyboarding app to make quick, detailed storyboards.

Using storyboard software, anyone can create storyboards, from filmmakers and marketers to students and teachers.

If you don’t know which software to use, we rounded up the best ones for every industry and need.

The 8 Best Storyboarding Apps in 2023

See which one suits your storyboarding needs best.

1. Storyboarder – Best Overall

Storyboarder is a free and open-source online storyboard creator from Wonder Unit, a film studio that also develops movie production software.

Among the storyboarding apps we’ve tried, this tops the list because it offers storyboarding basics laid out in a user-friendly interface.

It allows you to sketch storyboards using six drawing tools, add dialogues and action, and edit via Photoshop.

Other advanced features include adding layers, choosing color palettes, and importing your sketches on paper to the app.

You can also export to Final Cut, Avid, and Adobe Premiere or in PDF and animated GIF format. 

The fact that it’s completely free makes it conveniently accessible to anyone.

Key Features

• Minimalist and user-friendly interface
• Draw using six simple drawing tools
• Create boards, dialogues, and actions
• Edit and save via Photoshop
• Import paper drawings to the app
• Export in various formats
• Free to use

Why You Should Try

Storyboarder is the best storyboarding tool for those who would like a set of helpful tools to create a proper storyboard.

Since it’s also free and easy to use, anyone can use it, from students to professionals.

If you’re looking for well-rounded storyboard software, Storyboarder provides the best one in the market.

2. Plot – Runner Up

Plot offers an online storyboarding tool that provides essential features to add your script and create simple storyboards on the app.

Ultimately, it’s the best storyboard software for collaborating with others online, as it allows you to share your boards with unlimited people, receive instant feedback, and edit changes quickly.

However, we found that it doesn’t include complex brushes, custom layouts, and branded storyboards, which may be a downside if you need to customize your storyboards.

Also, unlike Storyboarder, Plot offers a monthly plan to access its full features. The free version is only available for 14 days.

Note that collaborators are only available in the Pro and Business plans. The Pro version allows you to share it with up to five people, while the Business version offers unlimited collaborators.

Fortunately, their plans offer cheaper rates than most storyboarding software, making it an affordable and convenient tool.

Key Features

• Integrate your script easily
• Add and edit storyboards directly to the story
• Create illustrations and add images
• Collaborate with unlimited people
• Review and add comments
• Download storyboards for offline viewing

Why You Should Try

Although anyone can use the storyboard app, Plot’s script integration and collaboration options work best for teams, especially those with clients.

Their features make it easy to review and edit storyboards with anyone with an Internet connection. Also, since it’s accessible on smartphones, you can add and review comments on the go.

3. FrameForge – Best for Film

Used by major productions like the BBC, HBO, and Netflix, FrameForge offers one of the most technologically advanced storyboarding software in the film industry.

It offers two packages: Core and Professional. The Core version offers a virtual film studio, optically accurate virtual cameras, virtual actors and animals, a visual shot manager, and more.

Meanwhile, the Professional version includes additional features, such as placing physical cameras, dollies, and jibs, adjusting individual lighting elements, and using green screens, among many others.

Despite these complex scene details, a video team with no animation background or advanced computer skills can easily use the software to create storyboards.

It’s one of the most expensive production software, but it’s worth the investment if you’re doing lengthy videos or feature films.

Key Features

• Import script from any scriptwriting program
• Plan shots using a 3D environment
• Manage scenes based on story or production order
• Adjust camera details, actor positions, lighting setup, and more
• Print data-rich storyboards
• Access via Windows, Mac, and Android

Why You Should Try

FrameForge provides various data and features, perfect for indie filmmakers or web series makers.

Its highly customizable 3D setups and additional management features make it the best storyboard software for films. Plus, it’s highly accessible, even on a mobile device.

Overall, trying FrameForge will enable you to do more than simple storyboarding and make pre-production time-efficient and cost-saving.

4. PanelForge – Best for Animation

PanelForge offers the easiest and most customizable way to create storyboards and animatics.

It’s the best storyboarding software for 3D animation, thanks to its easy-to-use features and complex visualization tools.

These tools include layers, Photoshop brush import, 3D scenes and positioning, custom blend modes, and more.

Its built-in editing timeline also allows you to set timings and audio to add movement to storyboards or create full animatic videos.

Meanwhile, PanelForge provides expansive export options for different needs. For example, you can import and export timings from Final Cut and Adobe Premiere. Available export formats include MPEG-4, MOV, JPEG, PNG, PDF, and alembic 3D animation cache.

For the price, it comes in an affordable monthly or annual payment, a free public beta version, and premium studio plan.

Key Features

• Draw in 2D storyboards
• Use a 3D Stage layout environment
• Create animatic videos
• Add panel templates and asset libraries
• Export in various formats

Why You Should Try

PanelForge enables you to create storyboards using highly flexible frames for simple or complex projects.

Given its features, we recommend this for a seasoned storyboard artist with experience in using similar software.

Overall, PanelForge offers the best software that seamlessly integrates 2D drawing, 3D layouts, editing, and animatics to create quick and quality storyboards.

5. StudioBinder – Ideal for Marketing Agencies

StudioBinder is an all-in-one pre-production solution that puts your video production process and management in one platform.

It’s the best storyboard software if you need to create storyboards based on specific requirements using simple drag-and-drop and customizable tools.

Based on our experience, it’s simple to add a shot, specify the aspect ratio from 4:3 to 2.39:1, input the required movement and lens, upload an image for the scene, and create a shot list.

After we’ve finalized a shot list and storyboard, we can print it for on-site production use or share it online for easy access anytime.

To access the platform’s storyboard feature, you’d have to pay a reasonable monthly fee since the free version doesn’t include it.

Key Features

• Upload photos to start a storyboard
• Specify aspect ratios, types, lenses, and movements for shots
• Create a custom shot list
• Share storyboards online

Why You Should Try

StudioBinder allows your storyboard artists to streamline your pre-production and update everyone on the progress effortlessly.

Although media productions can use StudioBinder, we think the platform best suits marketing agencies with video content services because of its time-saving tools, project management features, and collaboration options.

Plus, its multiple monthly plans work within a marketing agency’s budget and are scalable.

6. Adobe Photoshop – Most Versatile

Although Adobe Photoshop isn’t commonly used for storyboarding, it’s versatile enough to create a storyboard from scratch.

It provides sophisticated drawing tools to sketch various scenes, styles, and storyboard types.

You can even download free storyboard templates for Photoshop if you prefer using one.

Honestly, we find using Photoshop a bit tedious, especially when re-arranging frames.

However, no other software can match the level and variety of artistic styles you can do with Photoshop to visualize and enhance your storyboards.

Key Features

• Upload and edit images for the storyboard
• Includes various features to sketch a storyboard
• Produce files in multiple formats (e.g., PSD, PDF, JPEG, PNG, etc.)
• Share storyboards and collaborate with others online

Why You Should Try

If you use an Adobe Photoshop account, you already have good software to create basic sketches and plans for your storyboard.

We recommend this for storyboard artists or teams who prefer the artistic versatility Photoshop provides and don’t need the extra features from other storyboard software.

7. MakeStoryboard – Most User Friendly

MakeStoryboard provides the most straightforward and user-friendly storyboard platform we’ve encountered.

This intuitive app provides different pen tools to draw stick figures and sketches and allows you to upload camera shots quickly. Note that the built-in drawing tool responds to any drawing tablet.

Also, the platform allows you to edit and duplicate frames easily, set the aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1), back up your progress, organize your folders, and share storyboards via a private link. 

However, unlike others on the list, MakeStoryboard only allows you to publish a PDF file, limiting your export options.

Nonetheless, it’s the best storyboard software if you need a beginner-friendly platform for basic storyboards.

Key Features

• Navigate and use the interface easily
• Use different sketching options
• Upload photos to the storyboard
• Add and customize frames
• Change aspect ratios
• Organize storyboards with flexible folders
• Create and back up storyboard versions
• Publish to PDF format

Why You Should Try

MakeStoryboard is the best online storyboarding software for those who need a quick, no-nonsense way to create a storyboard.

It’s perfect for beginners who want to try their hands on storyboarding and professional teams that need simple but efficient software to create a basic storyboard template.

The platform offers a free starter pack with essential tools but limited access and a monthly plan with unlimited storyboards and additional features for a reasonable price.

8. Canva – Ideal for Students and Freelancers

Canva is a free online graphic design tool that offers various templates and assets for different graphics and marketing.

We particularly like that it’s accessible and helpful, even with a free account.

They offer monthly or yearly plans to help you unlock more features and assets, but the available features and graphics in the free account are already enough to create a storyboard.

Aspiring and professional storyboard artists will enjoy the various templates and assets in Canva.

Also, it’s so user-friendly that students can use the platform to plan a video project.

Key Features

• Find thousands of free and paid storyboard templates
• Add free or paid images, illustrations, icons, and stickers from the web
• Upload images and other graphics
• Use a drag-and-drop tool to move or arrange graphics
• Publish and share your work online

Why You Should Try

Canva provides a good balance of accessibility, convenient features, and various assets using their free account.

Although it doesn’t specialize in storyboarding, it’s good enough for students or freelancers who want to try creating decent storyboards.

What Makes a Good Storyboarding App?

What should you consider before you buy or subscribe to storyboard software? Look for these factors as a guide.

1. Provides a User-friendly Interface

Good storyboarding software should make your life easier, not harder. This starts with providing an intuitive interface that’s easy to use and navigate.

Ideally, you should see all the features you need at a glance.

Make sure to look for storyboard software with drag-and-drop tools, as these are the easiest to learn and use.

If you’re not used to storyboarding, it’s best to look for user-friendly apps like MakeStoryboard and Canva.

Overall, using a storyboarding tool shouldn’t require highly technical computer skills. So, look for the simplest one that meets your needs.

2. Offers Relevant Features

Does a specific storyboard software provide relevant and convenient features?

Look for storyboarding apps that allow you to sketch shots from scratch, upload images, and add other assets (e.g., graphics and clipart) to create a scene for better flexibility.

If you also want an all-in-one tool, many storyboard software include tools relevant to the pre-production process, such as shot listing and script integration.

Ultimately, the best storyboarding software for you should have all the features necessary to create quick and detailed boards.

3. Allows Collaboration Options

If you’re working with a team, check if the software allows collaboration options.

The best storyboarding software will enable you to share storyboards via a private link and receive comments for client feedback.

Consider this feature when getting a storyboarding app to make changes easier and keep track of your progress.

4. Available at a Reasonable Price

Although cost is subjective, it’s equally important to consider.

Storyboard software is available either as a one-time payment or a subscription-based plan. Free, open-source options are also available, like Storyboarder.

Regardless of your budget, ask yourself the following before buying storyboarding software or paying a monthly fee for a plan:

• How many features and tools can I use or access?
• Will most of the features answer my storyboarding needs?
• Will I be able to use most, if not all, of the features?

Ultimately, carefully evaluate if buying or subscribing to a storyboarding software will bring you value, especially in the long run.

Use the Best Storyboarding App to Create Relevant Content

Whether you’re making a marketing video, short film, or TV commercial, producing meaningful content starts with proper storyboarding.

We hope these storyboarding tools will help you find the right fit for you and speed up your creative process.

Remember to consider your needs before paying for storyboard software.

Also, don’t hesitate to use free, open-source software if it provides all your needs.

Explore our list above, and let us know which one is the best storyboard software for you.