Adobe After Effects Alternatives

Arguably one of the best video effects editors in the business, Adobe After Effects provides users with a robust suite of tools and documentation to enable both novice and professional video editors to do what they need to in order to create stunning visual effects for video and film.

Alternatives with a similar workflow include HitFilm Pro (which has a free option available), Blackmagic Design Fusion, and NUKE.

For more especially purposed programs that are concentrated on 3D modeling, screen capturing and recording, and advanced motion tracking instead of post-processing and video effect editing, you've come to the right place!

Adobe After Effects alternatives are mainly VFX Software but may also be Video Editors or Motion Graphics Software. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Adobe After Effects.

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Adobe After Effects

190

Paid • Proprietary
VFX Software

Mac
Windows

Adobe After Effects is the premiere digital video effects software used industry wide for film making and TV production as...

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Natron
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VFX Software
Video Editor
Motion Graphics Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
21 alternatives to Natron
Natron is an open source, cross platform nodal compositing application. It is built around industry standard open source tech such as OpenFX, OpenEXR, OpenColorIO and OpenImageIO. The feature set includes realtime playback/RAM cache, multi-threaded rendering, 2d tracking...
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Natron Features
1. Node BasedNatron supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Natron, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. PortableNatron can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Open FX Support
Video filters
Nodal Compositing
Natron vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Most users think Natron is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
fahadhasanpathik
A Node based approach for not only vector and raster image processing and animation but also for OpenGL effects and shader authoring. Also supports OFX. Mainly targeted for VFX compositing.
Top positive comment•
12

Guest
Its simple (when you get the arrangement) but still very powerful, easily works with Blender and its free!!
Top positive comment•
2

Guest
Awful documentation (blank page); The versions change so much that the old tutorials don't help at all; Difficult to learn by just messing around; High learning curve.
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8

ahmed52
free ,open source a bit hard to use at first
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0

gauthierhaas00
Bad support for zoom-in on SVG and fonts
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0

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5 of 9 comments
Blender
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
VFX Software
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Haiku
Steam
Flathub
Flatpak
149 alternatives to Blender
Blender is the free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, video editing, and motion tracking.
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Blender Features
1. 3D SculptingBlender offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Blender, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsBlender can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Animation RiggingBlender supports bone structures to manipulate a 3D model like a puppet for animation.
5. Physically-Based RenderingPrecise rendering method for Blender to represent of how light interacts with material properties.
6. Ad-freeBlender doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Node BasedBlender supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
8. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Blender.
9. Parametric ModelingBlender can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Real time rendering
Compositor
Community-based
Texturing
3D Renderer
Grease Pencil
Texture painting
2D and 3D physics
Rendering
Low memory usage
Blender vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Some users think Blender is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects, some don't.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Yeah, you can edit videos with it... But it's not made for it in specific and isn't it's main purpose. It has lots of purposes.
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28

Guest
It clearly doesn't look like after effects and has a pretty steep learning curve, but it can do anything that after effects can do.
Top positive comment•
8

danielmichel
AE's main purpose: Video effect editing. Blender has a whole range of possibilities, but it's hard to get into and it's not designed to be used solely for video effect editing.
Top negative comment•
43

shaysalad
not meant for video editing or compositing, though it has this functionality. most ae users will find it difficult to use blender for the same type of work
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0

Guest
Blender is a 3D suite and the node based compositing workflow differs a lot from after effects.
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5 of 27 comments
HitFilm Pro
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Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Video Editor
Motion Graphics Software
VFX Software
Mac
Windows
77 alternatives to HitFilm Pro
HitFilm merges FXHome VisionLab Studio , FXHome Effectslab and FXHome CompositeLab into one software.
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HitFilm Pro Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in HitFilm Pro, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Colour GradingHitFilm Pro lets you manipulate color in creative and artistic ways.
3. Ad-freeHitFilm Pro doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Chroma Key / Green ScreenHitFilm Pro supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
Non linear editor
Compositor
Special effects
Create composite HDR photos
Noise Reduction
Unlimited Tracks
Color correction
Customizable
HitFilm Pro vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Almost everyone thinks HitFilm Pro is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Ryvaa
The closest thing to the After Effects experience but lacking on some parts.
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0

Guest
It has some nice features to make 2D and 3D compositings. Very easy to use and free. In this case, free does not mean "cheap".
Top positive comment•
5

Guest
it has a better alternative when it comes to editing
Positive comment•
-1

Guest
The only one in the list that has more similarities with the After Effects Workflow
Positive comment•
3

Guest
It has a free version, also has a lot of built-in tools to help you achieve everything you can imagine. It has TRUE 3d space, unlike some other solutions.
Positive comment•
3
Blackmagic Design Fusion
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
VFX Software
Motion Graphics Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
21 alternatives to Blackmagic Design Fusion
Blackmagic Fusion (formerly known as Fusion and eyeon Fusion) is an image compositing software program created by eyeon Software Inc, now developed by Blackmagic Design. It is typically used to create visual effects and digital compositing for movies, TV-series and commercials.
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Blackmagic Design Fusion Features
1. Node BasedBlackmagic Design Fusion supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
2. Colour GradingBlackmagic Design Fusion lets you manipulate color in creative and artistic ways.
3. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Blackmagic Design Fusion.
Camera tracking
Planar tracking
Nodal Compositing
3D Renderer
Non linear editor
Deep Pixel Compositing
VR support
Blackmagic Design Fusion vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Most users think Blackmagic Design Fusion is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Guest
It may not be entirely free, but still works VERY WELL if I could only understand it XD
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3

Maxi_Mega
It's really powerful, but also very difficult to understand.
Top positive comment•
6

POX
Great software and well integrated with DaVinci Resolve.
Positive comment•
3

Guest
High level composition software.
Positive comment•
6

Guest
Very hard to understand alone.
Positive comment•
-1
NUKE
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
VFX Software
Motion Graphics Software
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
23 alternatives to NUKE
NUKE is a powerful compositing application that delivers unparalleled speed, an efficient multi-channel scanline rendering engine, and a first-class feature set that is unrivalled in the desktop market.
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NUKE Features
1. Node BasedNUKE supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
2. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the NUKE.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in NUKE simultaneously.
4. File VersioningNUKE has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Video Masking
Nodal Compositing
MultiTrack
Color correction
NUKE vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Most users think NUKE is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Guest
There is a free commercial version, nuke is also more industry standard for compositing
Positive comment•
6
Apple Motion
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
VFX Software
Video Editor
Motion Graphics Software
Mac
32 alternatives to Apple Motion
Motion is a compositing application used to create and edit motion graphics, titling for video and film production, and 2D and 3D compositing for visual effects.
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Apple Motion Features
1. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Apple Motion.
Apple Motion vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Most users think Apple Motion is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Guest
Cheap, not free, and there are some plugins.
Positive comment•
8

Guest
better than ae and one-time payed
Positive comment•
1

POX
A great software for motion design and 2D/3D animation, especially if you're already using Final Cut Pro.
Positive comment•
0
Hitfilm Express
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Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Video Editor
VFX Software
Motion Graphics Software
Mac
Windows
93 alternatives to Hitfilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free editor & compositor for Mac & PC. Includes over 410 powerful effects & presets.
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Hitfilm Express Features
1. Support for LayersHitfilm Express supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Intuitive Interface
Hitfilm Express vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Almost everyone thinks Hitfilm Express is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Guest
Because it can do precisely similar things to what things Adobe After Effects can do.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
It's free I have used black magic's da'vinchi resolve. After effects is mainly for vfx. Hitfilm too is! As per its latest update it has been optimised to a high level.no lag. It's really good.its forums are very active! I don't think any free software can compete with hitfilm express in case of VFX:)
Positive comment•
4
OpenToonz
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Digital Painting Tool
Vector Graphic App
Mac
Windows
Linux
36 alternatives to OpenToonz
OpenToonz is an animation program that is a free software version of Toonz, the animation software used by Studio Ghibli, amongst others.
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OpenToonz Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in OpenToonz, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Support for scriptingOpenToonz supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Automated TweeningOpenToonz can automatically generate the inbetweens from two keyframes, to carry out a smooth transition.
Pen Stabilization
Plugin API
Stop Motion
Scanned drawings cleanup
3d camera
Expressions system
Particle Engine
Color correction
Powerful nodal effects system
Remote Camera Control
OpenToonz vs Adobe After Effects opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
shaysalad
while this has video creation functionality, it is intended for animation rather than video editing and compositing. an ae user would find it difficult to do their type of work in this program
Negative comment•
0
enve
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Animation Maker
Windows
Linux
52 alternatives to enve
Enve is a free and open-source 2D animation app. It can create both vector and raster animations and even use sound and video files. It has been created with flexibility and expandability in mind.
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enve Features
1. Support for Layersenve supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in enve, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Works Offlineenve can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Timeline-based
Animate Vector Illustrations
enve vs Adobe After Effects opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
groundjet
Free and open source, much easier on the memory; still a lot of bugs and features missing but it is an absolutely amazing piece of software that will hopefully one day do to Adobe what Blender did to Autodesk.
Positive comment•
0
CapCut
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Online
107 alternatives to CapCut
CapCut apk is nothing but an all-inclusive video editor we were all waiting for. CapCut or ViaMaker has not become the newest sensation of the video making and editing world for all.
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CapCut Features
1. Ad-freeCapCut doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in CapCut, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. LightweightCapCut consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Chroma Key / Green ScreenCapCut supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.