Khaberni - Adobe has backed off from its plan to discontinue the Adobe Animate program following a wave of criticism and widespread anger from users, stating that it will keep the app available for all customers, but without adding new features, merely settling for security updates and bug fixes only.
The company confirmed, in an official statement released on Wednesday, that it will not stop the program and will not deprive users of access to their work, explaining that Animate will enter what is known as "maintenance mode", and it will remain available for both existing and new users without a definite end date for its discontinuation.
"Adobe" had announced earlier in the week its intention to stop the program by March 2026, as part of its focus more heavily on artificial intelligence technologies, which caused displeasure among animators, particularly given the lack of alternatives that offer the same functions as Animate, according to a report published by "TechCrunch."
The company said the maintenance mode means continued technical support and security updates without developing new features, confirming that the decision covers individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises alike.
Social media platforms, especially the platform "X", witnessed angry reactions from users, where some demanded to open-source the program instead of abandoning it, while others described the decision as threatening their livelihood, considering Animate one of the main reasons for subscribing to "Adobe" services.
"Adobe" had justified its previous decision by noting that Animate had served its purpose over more than 25 years, and that the evolution of new technologies and platforms no longer aligned with the company’s future direction.
However, it was notable that they did not offer a clear alternative to replace the program, merely suggesting the use of other applications such as After Effects and Adobe Express to compensate for "some" of its functions.
It is worth mentioning that the absence of Animate from the annual Adobe Max conference, and the lack of a 2025 version of the program, was an early indicator of the company’s intention to discontinue it.
According to "Adobe", the program will remain available for subscription, which was previously priced at approximately $34.49 a month, or $22.99 with an annual commitment, while the cost of the pre-paid annual plan is $263.88.
Mutually, some users started recommending alternative programs, including Toon Boom Harmony and Moho Animation, though many confirm that Animate still holds a unique position that is difficult to replace.
