Adobe After Effects AlternativesOnly Free apps categorised as Video Editors

The best free Video Editor alternative to Adobe After Effects is Blender, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Adobe After Effects and 18 are free Video Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Video Editor alternatives to Adobe After Effects are Blackmagic Design Fusion, CapCut, OpenCut and Pikimov.

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Adobe After Effects alternatives are mainly Video Editors, 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, Motion Graphics, Online, Android and Windows + Free. 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
     1745 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
     
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    29
    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. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

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

    19 Blackmagic Design Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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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
  3. CapCut icon
     64 likes
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    This free video editing app offers features like cutting, speed adjustments, advanced filters, chroma key, and a vast music library. Enjoy non-destructive editing, keyframe animation, transitions, and 4K support across multiple devices without ads or registration.

    164 CapCut alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
    • CapCut is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Adobe After Effects.

    • CapCut is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe After Effects is Paid and Proprietary
    • CapCut is LightweightAdobe After Effects is not according to our users
  4. OpenCut icon
     14 likes
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    The open source video editor that gets the job done. Simple, powerful, and works on any platform.

    58 OpenCut alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Docker
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
     
    • OpenCut is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Adobe After Effects.

    • OpenCut is Free and Open SourceAdobe After Effects is Paid and Proprietary
    • OpenCut is Privacy focusedAdobe After Effects is not according to our users
  5. Edits icon
     12 likes
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    Edit videos with the Edits app, offering high-quality capture up to 10 minutes. Utilize AI animations, customizable captions, and share watermark-free videos. Access creative tools like filters and stickers, green screen overlay, camera settings, and detailed engagement insights.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
     
  6. LightCut icon
     7 likes
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    LightCut is an AI-powered video editing app with awesome templates and effects that help you create stylish videos and vlogs with ease. Try the AI video editor for unique videos with just a tap, or the Inspire Cam feature, which lets you shoot like a pro.

    92 LightCut alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
     
  7. VidMix icon
     4 likes
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    A high power web based video editor with a couple of bugs. It supports keyframing, video effects, integrated free stock footage, photo's, gifs. it has motion-tracking, transitions, masking, splitting, drawing. and many more.

    38 VidMix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
     
  8. Mastershot icon
     2 likes
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    Mastershot’s intuitive web-based video editor will have you churning out high quality videos in no time at all. And best of all, it's 100% Free

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  9. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Project Violet is a high performance, iOS-native video editing app written from the ground up for iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
12 of 18 Adobe After Effects alternatives