Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

Stick Nodes

70
User verdict / 100 High confidence Loved, with caveats

Stick Nodes is a well-regarded animation app, especially for beginners, offering intuitive frame-by-frame animation without redrawing, but it faces criticism for its steep learning curve, frequent crashes, and limitations in the free version.

4.6★ lifetime (14,167) Free to download since 2014 by ForTheLoss Games, Inc updated 1.3 mo ago recent negative 12% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ease of Use Paid Features Stability & Saving Content/Customization Disturbing Content
5★625
4★132
3★55
2★36
1★70
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

Stick Nodes is a popular animation application praised for its ease of use in creating stick figure animations and its ad-free experience in the free version. However, many recent users find it difficult to learn without a tutorial, report issues with saving and app stability, and are frustrated by features locked behind a paywall.

What users like

  • Easy for beginners to create animations without redrawing framesR5R17R25R35
  • Allows creation of custom characters and modelsR4R34R42
  • Generally ad-free in the free versionR4R15R17R35
  • Offers smooth animation capabilitiesR21R42

What users complain about

  • Steep learning curve and lack of clear tutorials make it hard for new usersR11R22R32R33
  • Frequent issues with animations not saving or the app crashing, leading to lost workR28R102R183R307
  • Many essential features, like MP4 export and sounds, are locked behind a paid 'Pro' versionR3R76R80R227
  • Some users report a 'jumpscare' or 'demon stickman' that is disturbingR31R312R558R608
  • Difficulty in editing or customizing stick figures and charactersR32R169R233R242
  • Reports of lag, especially with custom stick figures, and compatibility issues with certain iOS versionsR49R364R39R484

Latest update · v4.3.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

◆ A few small changes, including a fix for flipping triangles/trapezoids with certain color gradient issues. ◆ (4.3.0) Sprite distortion/skew (toggle with button in Sprite menu or docked quick tools) ◆ (4.3.0) Added local project backup system, overridden saved projects are stored temporarily (see Open Project dialog) ◆ (4.3.0) Added sideways gradient for triangles ◆ (4.3.0) Improved docked quick tools to have new buttons: separate X/Y scale for Sprites, an "edit" button for Movieclips, and a "toggle shape type" in Creation Mode ◆ (4.3.0) Improved undo/redo with some quirky behavior with certain actions/repeated actions

Recurring themes

Ease of Use mixed
Many users praise the app for being easy to use for animation, especially for beginners, as it eliminates the need to redraw every frame. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight a steep learning curve and confusion due to a lack of tutorials, making it difficult to understand controls and features.R5R17R25R35
Paid Features negative
A recurring complaint is that many essential features, such as exporting animations as MP4 files, adding sounds, and accessing certain character options, are restricted to the paid 'Pro' version. This frustrates users who want to share their creations on platforms like YouTube.R3R76R80R227
Stability & Saving negative
Despite the developer's notes mentioning a local project backup system, many recent reviews report significant issues with the app crashing and not saving user's work, leading to hours of lost progress. This directly contradicts the claimed improvements in the latest update.R28R102R183R307
Content/Customization mixed
Users appreciate the ability to create their own characters and import models. However, some find the process of editing or customizing stick figures to be overly complicated or limited, with specific complaints about drawing hair, shoes, or adjusting character width.R4R34R42R32
Disturbing Content negative
Several users, including children, reported being scared by a 'jumpscare' or 'demon stickman' appearing in the app, which they found inappropriate for a 4+ rated app.R31R312R558R608

Who it's for

Stick Nodes is for aspiring animators and beginners who want to create stick figure animations without the need to redraw every frame R5R17. It's particularly suitable for those looking for a creative hobby and willing to invest time in learning its interface . It is not for users who expect a simple, intuitive experience from the start, those who need to export MP4s or use sounds without paying, or those who are easily disturbed by unexpected scary content R22R76R31.

Evidence note: The recent reviews show a negative trajectory compared to the lifetime rating, with many complaints about crashes, saving issues, and the paywall for essential features. The developer's notes mention a backup system, but recent reviews indicate this fix is not fully effective for many users.

Frequently asked

Does Stick Nodes have ads?
The free version of Stick Nodes is generally ad-free, which is a positive point highlighted by many users R4R15R17R35.
Is it hard to learn Stick Nodes?
Many users find Stick Nodes to have a steep learning curve and report difficulty understanding how to use the app due to a lack of clear tutorials R11R22R165R270.
Can I export my animations as MP4s for free?
No, exporting animations as MP4 files is a feature that requires purchasing the 'Pro' version of Stick Nodes R76R227R539.
Does Stick Nodes have an auto-save feature?
Despite developer claims of a local project backup system, many recent users report that the app frequently crashes and does not save their work, leading to significant loss of progress R28R102R183R307.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] 5/5 · US This is so damn good: I used to use other animating apps like FlipaClip (no hate to them) but it was always so hard because evey frame I had to draw it manually. What I like about this app is when you add another frame instead of drawing the previous frame it'll already be there, and it isn't even required in low frames like 5 and my personal settings recommend is 5 fps and auto tween and dark mod
  2. [R17] 5/5 · US This is perfect for me!😂😂😂: Okay so i just started animating and im 12 and stickman fights appeal to me. So stick nodes is perfect because i can animate a stickman fight without worrying to have to draw the stickfigure 100 times over. If you look at this review without getting the app and hour a beginner and want to animate stick fights like me? You should imediatly download this free app with no
  3. [R25] 5/5 · US Stick nodes IS AWSOME: Stick nodes the BEST ANIMATION APP EVER. It’s really easy to learn and way to much fun only downside is that premium costs money but free is just as great VERY GOOD APP.
  4. [R35] 5/5 · US Very good: I’ve had this app and have been on it for around 2 hours and I haven’t seen a single ad! It’s easy to use and learn so I can make good animations with it.
  5. [R4] 5/5 · US AWESOME: This game is super cool it lets you create your own characters let’s you add characters and present them I really recommend this to anyone who wants to be a animator or a movie creator because this would be great practice and it feels like you are a animator and when your done you great you to show it off and blab about how long it took this game is really awesome to any one read you shou
  6. [R34] 5/5 · US Just great: Easy to use, after a few years of barely using the app, I figured out how to make stick figures!
  7. [R42] 5/5 · US Peak: Because you can make it smooth and cool and get models from any people
  8. [R15] 5/5 · US T: I really love the app especially since the are no adds.
  9. [R21] 1/5 · US Great app!: If you are looking for a animation app that is easy and smooth, this app is perfect! I’ve been using it for years and it’s still really good! 10/10 would recommend :)
  10. [R11] 3/5 · US Could be better: It’s tricky to figure out and idk how you get more characters.
  11. [R22] 3/5 · US Confused: I’m very confused on how this app works on animating cause there’s too many buttons
  12. [R32] 1/5 · US So garbage: Like I don’t even know how to draw hair all these segments and stupid stuff just put an option that says hair and the color you want for it and make options that say shoe and what shoe you want like you make it so difficult I hate this junk ong.
  13. [R33] 1/5 · US To annoying: It made me crash out like what is the point of the game it’s still hard is there a reason that I made this so hard for you gets this game? What are they gonna do? Just keep it on their iPad and do nothing with it. Change the age to like nine or something because what in the heck maybe other people could do this one but no why this is why I gave him one star too annoying
  14. [R28] 1/5 · US Meh: I would not recommend I was working on a thing and then my phone died then it DIDNT SAVE!! This game SUCKS SO MUCH!!
  15. [R102] 1/5 · US Ts suck😭: Stick nodes delete all my hard work
  16. [R183] 1/5 · US I don’t ilke this I was making something and it deleted what I was making I hate it!: 1 star
  17. [R307] 1/5 · GB I don’t like it: When i save it doesn’t save and one time I had like 100 pieces of work and all of it is gone
  18. [R3] 4/5 · US Buena pero: It's good but it lacks more freedom it's very restricted for us to buy the money one
  19. [R76] 1/5 · US Why did you made exporting a mp4 COST MONEY: so I was trying to find a app that is easy to animate and doesn’t has ads,and I find this,it was basically just perfect for the animation I. Was about to do,so I downloaded it,and it was easy to use,and I made a good animation after a view minutes,but.. when I tried to exporting to am mp4 I FIND OUT IT COST MONEY,but at least their no ads,BUT STILL,COME
  20. [R80] 3/5 · US You can at least make a stick noodles pro free: Quite tired that we have to pay to get stick noodles pro at least make it free for some of us. Can you make it a little bit easier? To animate.
  21. [R227] 3/5 · GB Why is export as mp4 PRO!?!?: …This is a very good app, and I REAAALLLYYY LOVE IT… But… WHY THE HELL DOES EXPORTING IT AS A MP4 PRO!? IM NOT SPENDING MONEY JUST SO I CAN PUT IT ON YOURUBE, PLS TELL MEEE WHYYY STICK NODES😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
  22. [R31] 2/5 · US delete jumpscare rn: pls delete the jumpscare. When i went in to the app, the stickfigure had a scary face, then after, it jumpscared me with an open mouth that had BLOOD IN IT. REMOVE THIS RN!!!!!!!!!!!! PLS!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE IT! ALSO, WDYM 4+ THERES A JUMPSCARE WHY DID YOU DO THIS???????? PLEASE DELETE ITTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  23. [R312] 2/5 · GB I’m scared: When I last used this I saw a creepy Easter egg and instantly quit, please remove it then I will use it again
  24. [R558] 3/5 · CA good but also creepy: When I got in the game the stickfigure was glitching then 2 seconds after the glitching was terrifying it had the weird strict dad face and also fog behind him then 1 sec later I got out of the game then went back on and it was tottaly normal 😨😨🤯🤯
  25. [R608] 3/5 · CA About the demon…: This is a pretty good animation game, i really enjoyed it! Until one day, at around 3:00 PM, the so called “Demon Stickman” appeared on my screen. I was around 6 at the time, and it scared me so much that to this day i rethink my decisions to get this game again. I really hope you see this message and delete the Demon, or at least fix so it appears at the correct time (3:00 AM).
  26. [R169] 2/5 · US HOW: I can’t do anything I saw in the add I all I can do to customize my Stickman is change it’s skill color but the animating is mid too
  27. [R233] 1/5 · GB Great game🙂.: You can’t edit your stickman😐,great game bro,really great game 😐
  28. [R242] 1/5 · GB Horrible: It’s way too complicated. I can’t even make the body of a new character long. The animation tools are horrible. JUST TRASH AND HORRIBLE LOW QUALITY EVERYTHING. Review 2: Still bad. I understand a bit better, but making a new stick figure is way too complex. This is the only animation app thing like this, and making a single stick figure is too hard. Asks for ALL your photos, videos
  29. [R49] 3/5 · US Not supportive of certain iOS versions: I love the app, but my version of iOS (14.2.2) won’t let me open the app.
  30. [R364] 1/5 · GB BAD GAME DO NOT DOWNLOAD: It is terrible I can’t get on the game bit
  31. [R39] 1/5 · US Crashing: Bruh, I want to use this animating app so bad but I can’t use it when I’m on Mac because it keeps crashing. I looks very good but I can’t use it. And I want to use this app in my videos but I can’t.
  32. [R484] 3/5 · CA Lag: My game keeps lagging when I spawn a custom stick man
  33. [R165] 2/5 · US i don’t think it’s a really bad app, just a suggestion: maybe adding a tutorial for this would be nice? when i download it, there wasn’t much of a tutorial showing what controls do what and etc. so, that’s all i wanted to say, i hope you see this review :)
  34. [R270] 3/5 · GB Needs tutorial: The game is very good to animate with and recommended by most animators but it is very complicated for a beginner to use and most people end up giving up and using a different app because they don’t know what to do
  35. [R539] 3/5 · CA Nice But Kinda Ripoff: BEST APP EVER but let us export MP4 for free. im a youtuber and want to post my project because YouTube doesn’t accept the normal file format

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store