Doodly alternatives: whiteboard animation, and when to skip the whiteboard

Whiteboard animation has a simple magic: a hand draws, and the viewer can't look away until the drawing is finished. Doodly is one of the best-known tools for it. People look for alternatives for three reasons: they want to work in a browser, they want other styles besides doodles, or they'd rather not draw the thing themselves.

Here is an honest look. Prices are as listed on their site in September 2026.

What does Doodly do well?

Doodly makes doodle sketch videos with whiteboard, blackboard, glassboard and green screen backgrounds. It is desktop software for Windows and Mac, and you can install it on as many computers as you like. It has a 14-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee (as listed on their site in September 2026).

Doodly now comes as part of Voomly Cloud, which costs $49 a month or $490 a year and includes the Standard versions of Doodly and sister tools. Voomly Pro, at $79 a month, includes the Enterprise versions (as listed on their site in September 2026). If you also want the other tools in the bundle, that is decent value.

The main Doodly alternatives compared

Competitor details are the vendors' own, as listed on their site in September 2026. Nine's price is filled in for today and excludes VAT.

Is VideoScribe better than Doodly?

VideoScribe is the closest like-for-like swap. It does whiteboard animation plus other styles, and it runs in the browser as well as on desktop. Its Lite plan is $150 a year, Core is $225 a year with videos up to 10 minutes and no watermarks, and there is a 7-day free trial with no credit card (as listed on their site in September 2026).

Doodly's advantage is the bundle and its four background styles. VideoScribe's is the browser. If you work across several machines and hate installing things, VideoScribe. If you already use other tools in Doodly's family, Doodly.

Can you do whiteboard animation in Animaker?

Yes. Animaker lists whiteboard animation among its styles, alongside explainers and character animation. It won't feel as focused as a dedicated doodle tool, but if you want a whiteboard intro and a cartoon middle in the same project, having both in one editor helps. There's a free plan with a watermark, so you can try it before paying.

What should you look for in a whiteboard animation tool?

Look at four things before the price: where it runs, which backgrounds it offers, how long your videos can be, and whether downloads carry a watermark on the plan you can afford. After that, check the voice. A whiteboard video without a clear voice is a silent drawing lesson, so make sure you can record or add narration easily.

• Where it runs: desktop, browser, or both.
• Backgrounds: whiteboard only, or chalkboard and glass too.
• Limits: maximum length and downloads a month.
• Voice: recording and adding narration without fuss.

How long should a whiteboard video be?

Shorter than you think. A whiteboard explainer holds attention best when each drawing matches one idea. For a social post or a website, 30 to 90 seconds covers most messages. For training, split long topics into several short videos rather than one long one.

• The 20-second teaser One problem, drawn. One answer, drawn. Your name.
• The 60-second explainer Problem, three steps, next step. Classic whiteboard territory.
• The how-to series Five videos, one step each, instead of one 10-minute marathon.
• The chalkboard lesson Blackboard background, one rule, one example. Teachers love it.

How to pick the right tool for your first whiteboard video

1. Step 1

   Write the script as pictures. For each sentence, note what gets drawn. If you can't picture it, rewrite it.

2. Step 2

   Time it aloud. About two to three words a second is a comfortable read.

3. Step 3

   Try it in two trials. Doodly and VideoScribe both have free trials. Make the same 30 seconds in each.

4. Step 4

   Watch on a phone. Hand-drawn lines can get thin on a small screen. Check they still read.

5. Step 5

   Keep the one you enjoyed. You'll make more videos with the tool you like opening.

For scripting help, see how to write a script for a 30 second animation and 30 second explainer script examples. Budgeting? What a 30 second animation costs lays out the ranges.

When a drawn film beats a whiteboard

Whiteboard is one kind of drawn animation. If your real goal is "a short, friendly drawn video that explains something", you don't have to be the one holding the pen.

Nine makes short drawn films from your words. Paste a script (each paragraph becomes a scene), type one sentence, record your voice and let the film run as long as you talk, or give your website address and it picks up your name, colors and typeface. The crew makes it while you watch, with a voice, music and sound effects, and checks it before you see it. Then say what to change in plain words, or adjust it in the chamber.

The honest difference: Nine won't give you a hand drawing on a whiteboard, and its films are short. The Film plan is $29 a month for films up to 20 seconds. Production ($639 a month) goes to 90 seconds. Prices exclude VAT. Look at pricing or try it.