Adobe After Effects AlternativesOnly apps categorised as 3D Animators

The best 3D Animator alternative to Adobe After Effects is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Adobe After Effects and nine of them are 3D Animators so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting 3D Animator alternatives to Adobe After Effects are Blackmagic Design Fusion, Pikimov, TiXL and PopcornFX.

filter to find the best alternatives

Adobe After Effects alternatives are mainly 3D Animators, but if you're looking for Motion Graphics Software or VFX Software you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free, Linux, Android, Motion Graphics, Windows + Free and Mac. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Adobe After Effects.
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Alternatives list

  1. Blender icon

    Blender

     1743 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    139 Blender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
     
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    248
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Adobe After Effects
    Comment summary: Blender is mainly recognized as a 3D modeling and animation tool, with capabilities that extend to video editing and compositing. However, many users highlight that its primary focus differs significantly from Adobe After Effects, which is designed for VFX and motion graphics. While Blender is praised for being open-source and versatile, it isn't typically seen as a direct alternative to After Effects for video effects work. Some users appreciate Blender's potential for specific tasks, but note its steep learning curve and differing workflow.
    Top Positive Comment
    sas_ja
    5

    Blender is has a bit different workflow, that doesn't make it worse than AE. People think that Blender is only a 3D program, but it fact it has greasepencil (2d animation tool), and it also includes node-based compositing, video editing and video tracking. With Blender you can combine 2d animations, 3d renderings and video footage without using any external program.

    Top Negative Comment
    danielmichel
    48

    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.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It’s not a video editor anymore, they removed that feature.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 29 comments
    Adobe After Effects Icon
    Blender icon

    • Some users think Blender is a great Adobe After Effects alternative, some don't.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceAdobe After Effects is Paid and Proprietary
    • Blender is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedAdobe After Effects is not according to our users
  2. Blackmagic Design Fusion icon

    Blackmagic Design Fusion

     52 likes
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    Fusion is the world’s most advanced compositing software for visual effects artists, broadcast and motion graphic designers and 3D animators.

    17 Blackmagic Design Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Blackmagic Design Fusion screenshot 1
     
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    6
    83
    Comments about Blackmagic Design Fusion as an Alternative to Adobe After Effects
    Top Positive Comment
    Paul
    4

    Great software and well integrated with DaVinci Resolve.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Great node-based alternative if you require an advanced control over your compositions. It supports OFX plugins, macros, and software-specific plugins/scripts(Lua & Python)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    7

    High level composition software.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 6 comments
    Adobe After Effects Icon
    Blackmagic Design Fusion icon

    • Most users think Blackmagic Design Fusion is a great Adobe After Effects alternative.

    • Blackmagic Design Fusion is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe After Effects is Paid and Proprietary
  5. TiXL icon

    TiXL

     17 likes
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    TiXL is an open-source solution for creating interactive 3d content and animations. It combines the best aspects of animation, compositing, and coding into a lightweight and intuitive UI. Your designs can be shared as executable or rendered to movies.

    10 TiXL alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    TiXL screenshot 1
     
  6. PopcornFX icon

    PopcornFX

     4 likes
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    A suite of tools dedicated to real-time visual effects creation, along with ready-to-run mainstream game engine integrations and a runtime simulation framework for custom integration.

    25 PopcornFX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Mac
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    PopcornFX screenshot 1
     
  7. Hana by Spline icon

    Hana by Spline

     2 likes
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    Design production-ready interactive content. Design interactivity and animation on an infinite canvas with real-time collaboration. Organized on a shared workspace for your entire team.

    24 Hana by Spline alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Hana by Spline screenshot 1
     
  9. Action Pro icon

    Action Pro

     1 like
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    Action Pro is cutting-edge technology that lets you effortlessly create animated movement using familiar (mouse and joypad) and cutting-edge (Leap Motion) input devices.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Action Pro screenshot 1
     
  10. BluffTitler icon

    BluffTitler

     9 likes
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    BluffTitler is a Windows desktop app for creating, rendering and playing 3D video effects.

    15 BluffTitler alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    BluffTitler screenshot 1
     
  11. Rotato icon

    Rotato

     2 likes
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    The way you showcase your design work is directly related to how many apps you sell, job interviews you're invited to, and designs you get approved.

    29 Rotato alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    Rotato screenshot 1
     
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