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The best Adobe After Effects Alternatives have powerful software for visual effects, no matter how much you know or how much money you have. For the past 30 years, Adobe After Effects has been the standard for visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing. After Effects has been used by VFX artists and editors in a huge number of Hollywood movies, video games, and TV shows.
After Effects is the go-to platform for video editors who want to add special effects and edit videos. There are several great alternatives to Adobe After Effects that do the same things and make it easier and faster to improve high-quality videos than the much more expensive Adobe version. We’ve put together a list of the best alternatives to Adobe After Effects in 2023.
Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives
HitFilm Pro
HitFilm Pro is a tool that lets you edit videos and add music all in one place. You won’t have to switch between programmes like you do with AE and Premiere Pro. This will make your workflows smoother and faster. Since you’re only using one app, effects are added to a non-linear editing timeline. This is different from AE, which works with layers.
Those who are already familiar with non-linear editing will find this easier to learn. HitFilm Pro is two programmes in one, but that doesn’t make the effects features any less powerful. This is a good alternative to After Effects when it comes to VFX tools.Overall, it is one of the best Adobe After Effects Alternatives that you can download.
Features
Pros
- Editing and VFX in one streamlined app
- Biggest and best feature set
- Over 875 VFX presets
Cons
- Expensive one-off price
Blackmagic Fusion
Fusion by Blackmagic Design is a visual effects workspace with a lot of features. It’s been used in a lot of Hollywood movies, which tells you everything you need to know about how good its features are. These include advanced VR and 3D compositing. In Fusion’s node-based effects workspace, you can use a web of nodes to connect different effects and filters.
Beginners might think that the pro-level system is hard to understand. This free editing software is harder to learn than After Effects and takes some time to master. But once you get used to it, it’s a very effective way to put together effects. Fusion is a part of Blackmagic’s great post-production programme DaVinci Resolve, which does everything.
Features
Pros
- Large range of advanced features
- Efficient node-based interface
- Available for free
Cons
- Steep learning curve
Apple Motion
Adobe After Effects has more advanced features than Apple Motion, which is only available for Macs. It’s simple, has few features, and works. But it works great with Apple’s Final Cut Pro. In our guide, Adobe Premiere Pro vs. Apple Final Cut Pro, you can see how Apple’s video editor stacks up against its main competitor.
Motion has the silky smooth feel you’d expect from Apple, which is always good-looking. Motion works best on Apple hardware and runs on mac OS. The easy-to-use interface makes it one of the best After Effects alternatives if you want a programme that is much easier to learn.
Features
Pros
- Works great with Final Cut Pro
- Great title design features
- Easy to learn
Cons
- Lacks depth of After Effects
- Mac only
PowerDirector
PowerDirector is a free alternative to After Effects that has a wide range of high-quality video editing and special effects tools for both Windows and Mac. This makes it easy to edit videos and create polished, professional-quality visual effects all in one place.
PowerDirector has free and paid versions, so it can fit any budget, and it has tools for both beginners and experts. PowerDirector has a wide range of tools that can be used by independent filmmakers, YouTubers, business owners, and hobbyists to edit videos.
Features
Pros
- Fast project rendering
- Clear, usable interface
- Loads of effects and AI tools
- Multicam and motion tracking
- Screen recording
Cons
- Number of options can be overwhelming at times
Blender
Blender is an open-source, free alternative to After Effects that can be used to do everything from edit and combine videos to make special effects, 3D apps, and more. It has tools for all kinds of animation, but it is best at 3D modelling and animation. Users can do anything from simple video editing tasks to more difficult ones. This is one of the Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives.
Blender is a popular free alternative to After Effects for both intermediate and advanced video editors because it has a wide range of features and is easy to use. The VFX community has given Blender high marks for its ease of use. Blender is a great free alternative to After Effects, especially for people who like to change things a lot.
Features
Pros
- Open-source
- Great for 3D animation
Cons
- Less suited to 2D effects
Wax
Wax is free to use for both personal and business needs. Wax is a versatile piece of software that can be used to put together videos and add visual effects. Wax can be used to make both 2D and 3D effects. The software can be used in two different ways: as a stand-alone programme or as a “plug-in” to a video editor. You can download Wax from here.
These presets can then be used as a chain to create unique effects. Wax has features like graphic acceleration, which lets you see effects in real time, unlimited audio or video tracks, which let you use different compositing modes, and plug-ins that let you do things like full 3D compositing, 3D modelling, texturing, and shadow manipulation, to name a few.
Features
Pros
- Wax is easy to learn/use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Audio tools are limited
- Outdated interface
Hitfilm Express
Hitfilm Express works on both Windows and Mac OS. Hitfilm Express is free video editing software that also has professional VFX tools. This makes it a great alternative to Adobe After Effects. With Hitfilm Express, you can make all kinds of content, edit movies, do basic colour correction, and polish FX to look like they came from a professional studio.
The features of this really creative tool include high-speed FX making, 2D and 3D compositing, tracking without limits, and a professional video editor so you can integrate your workflow. Hitfilm Express is great for beginners and has a forum where you can get help. Hitfilm Pro, which costs money, is also available and is used by a lot of professionals.
Features
Pros
- Professional-grade software for free
- Great selection of online tutorials
- Welcome updates
- Highly extendable (for a fee)
Cons
- High system requirements
- Steep learning curve
FAQs
What is the best alternative to After Effects?
- Natron.
- Wondershare FilmoraPro.
- Wondershare Filmora X.
- Blender.
- Apple Motion.
- Nuke.
- Autodesk Smoke.
- Corel VideoStudio 2020.
Is animate or After Effects better?
Adobe After Effects is better if you are a professional animator or motion graphics artist. Adobe After Effects is more powerful and has more tools than Adobe Animate. But it takes time to learn how to use all of its parts.
Is DaVinci better than After Effects?
When it comes to how they work, these programmes are very different. DaVinci Resolve is the clear winner if you want to do more colour correction work. In the same way, if you’re mostly interested in animation and other visual effects, you’re probably going to use After Effects.
Is Filmora better than After Effects?
The results are: Adobe After Effects CC (9.0) vs. Filmora (9.5) for overall quality and usefulness; Adobe After Effects CC (82%) vs. Filmora (96%) for user satisfaction rating. Check out what they do well and what they don’t, and then decide which software is better for your business.