Free Adobe After Effects Alternatives

The best free alternative to Adobe After Effects is Natron, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Adobe After Effects and 19 is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Adobe After Effects are Blender, Blackmagic Design Fusion, Hitfilm Express and OpenToonz.

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
Do you think this is a good alternative?
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.
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12

Guest
Its simple (when you get the arrangement) but still very powerful, easily works with Blender and its free!!
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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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Blender
Do you think this is a good alternative?
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.
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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.
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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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0

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5 of 27 comments
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.
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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.
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-1
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
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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.
ButtleOFX
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VFX Software
Linux
21 alternatives to ButtleOFX
ButtleOFX is a simple, user-friendly and open source compositing software. It is based on TuttleOFX, an open source, modular and sustainable image processing architecture.
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ButtleOFX Features
1. Node BasedButtleOFX supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
Photo effects
Discontinued
as evidenced by their github page, the team is no longer developing it any further. They are looking for a maintainer. The last commit is over a year old.

ButtleOFX vs Adobe After Effects opinions
Most users think ButtleOFX is a great alternative to Adobe After Effects.
Expressive Animator
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Animation Maker
Vector Graphic App
Motion Graphics Software
Online
69 alternatives to Expressive Animator
Create beautiful 2D motion graphics and vector animations for any platform in matter of minutes.
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Expressive Animator Features
1. Works OfflineExpressive Animator can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Expressive Animator, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. No Coding RequiredExpressive Animator can be used without an coding or programming skills.
4. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Expressive Animator simultaneously.
5. Pressure SensitivityExpressive Animator can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
6. Drawing Tablet SupportExpressive Animator supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
7. Color PickerExpressive Animator allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
8. LightweightExpressive Animator consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in Expressive Animator.
Dark Mode
Node Based
Cloud Sync
Onion skinning
Ad-free
Portable
WYSIWYG Support
Automated Tweening
No registration required
Support for Layers
Cavalry
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Animation Maker
Mac
Windows
12 alternatives to Cavalry
Cavalry is a brand new 2d animation application combining the power and flexibility of 3d with the ease of use of 2d.
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Cavalry Features
1. Support for LayersCavalry supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Works OfflineCavalry can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Cavalry, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Attribute Editor
Cavalry vs Adobe After Effects opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Mosrod
Wow! Cavalry is one of the closest free softwares I have seen with a similar interface and flow to After Effects. Although Cavalry doesn't contain all the bells and whistles of After Effects, it is a great and free software that allows you to create advanced compositions. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to composite within 2d and doesn't want to pay the expensive fee of After Effects.
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