12 Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023 [Free & Paid]

Adobe After Effects has been the industry standard in visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing for 30 years. Professional VFX artists and editors have used After Effects in countless Hollywood films, video games, and television shows. 

As a video editing and special effects platform, After Effects is an uncontested favorite amongst seasoned editors. But it comes with a sharp learning curve and a significant price tag that leaves many searching for an Adobe After Effects alternative.

There are several great Adobe After Effects alternatives that deliver similar results and make high-quality video enhancement easier and faster than their much-pricier Adobe counterpart.

We’ve made a list of the best paid and free After Effects alternatives in 2023. There is something on our list for every skill level, from beginner to advanced, and every kind of editor - Hollywood professional, influencer, hobbyist, business owner, and more. So let’s dive in!

• Top 3 Adobe After Effects Alternatives Snapshot
• How to Choose the Best Adobe After Effects Alternative
• 6 Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. Blackmagic Fusion - Best for Broadcast Graphics
3. Blender - Best for Animators
4. HitFilm - Best for VFX
5. Wax - Best for Beginners
6. Natron - Best for Flexibility
• 6 Best Paid Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023
1. Houdini - Best for Simulations
2. Nuke - Best for Professionals
3. Apple Motion - Best for Final Cut Pro Users
4. Cinema 4D - Best for Aspiring 3D Artists
5. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate - Best for Intermediate Editors
6. Moovly - Best for Marketing
• Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives Comparison Chart
• How to Edit Videos Using an Adobe After Effects Alternative
• Download the Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternative
• Adobe After Effects Alternatives FAQ

Top 3 Adobe After Effects Alternatives Snapshot

How to Choose the Best Adobe After Effects Alternative

Budget

The first question to ask yourself is if you want free or paid software. If you are a beginner or just need minimal VFX for your social media videos, then a free After Effects alternative should do the trick. However, if you are a professional, you may need to pay to get the features you require. If you decide to pay for software, next you need to decide on a realistic budget. The Adobe After Effects alternatives on our Paid list range from more affordable than After Effects to much more expensive. 

Compatibility 

VFX software tends to require a lot of RAM and CPU. And the more advanced the software, the more it will require. Make sure you have the proper computer and the correct OS to handle your preferred Adobe After Effects alternative.

Features

These are not one-size-fits-all Adobe After Effects alternatives. It is important to know how you plan to use the software and make a list of the tools you need before you decide on software. Also decide if you only need VFX software, or an all-in-one VFX and video editing software.

Skill Level 

Many of you are looking for an Adobe After Effects alternative because you want software that is easier to use. Others may be proficient in After Effects and just need something cheaper. There are even some of you who are professionals and are looking for something even more advanced than what Adobe has to offer. We have options on our list to cover all of you - from first-timer to professional VFX artists. Just make sure to pick software that matches your skill level, to save yourself hours of frustration. 

6 Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Key Features

1. Slow and fast motion effects
2. Split-Screen animations
3. Footage stabilization
4. Blending effects

Who It’s For 

PowerDirector is a free After Effects alternative that offers a variety of top-rated video editing and special effects tools for Windows and Mac, making it easy to edit videos and create polished, professional-grade visual effects from one convenient location. PowerDirector comes as both paid and free After Effects alternatives to match any budget and has tools for both beginners and pros. Independent filmmakers, YouTubers, business owners, and hobbyists can use PowerDirector’s robust toolset to fulfill all their video editing needs.      

Why We Picked It

PowerDirector has unique, AI-powered tools like sky replacement, object detection, speech enhancement, and wind removal. With Smart Background Music, you can automatically fit music to the length of your video. This free After Effects alternative also includes a host of premium features such as cutting-edge mask tools, motion controls, compositing effects, video overlays, frame-by-frame motion tracking, manual color adjustments, and a powerful chroma key tool. 

If you opt for the reasonably priced PowerDirector 365, you will get access to an 8,000,000+ photo, video, and music stock library. You'll also have access to thousands of unique design packs of premade effects and templates. 

Bottom Line 

In all, PowerDirector packs a punch with an array of pro-level VFX, color, and motion tools that can be applied automatically and adjusted manually, making it the best Adobe After Effects alternative for all skill levels. And unlike many of the other free After Effects alternatives on our list, PowerDirector is updated monthly, so you always have access to the latest technologies and trends.

You can download this free After Effects alternative by clicking the link below:

2. Blackmagic Fusion - Best for Broadcast Graphics

Image from Blackmagic Fusion.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: Free
*Fusion Studio available for $295

Key Features

1. Integrated 2D and 3D compositing in an animation environment
2. Two-level proxy system for fast interactive response
3. Custom vector shapes
4. Import 3D models from Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and more

Who It’s For 

Blackmagic Fusion is an advanced compositing software for visual effects artists, broadcast and motion graphic designers, and 3D animators. Blackmagic Fusion is typically used for creating visual effects and digital compositing in professional-level commercials, TV shows, and feature films. Fusion is available as a free After Effects alternative in a limited form in DaVinci Resolve or a full-paid version in Fusion Studio. 

Why We Picked It

Fusion is a node-based system allowing for a large amount of flexibility. Mix and match footage of different resolutions, aspect ratios, and formats within a single project. Animation curve modifiers will automatically change animations when the duration of the composition changes. There are traditional text formatting controls, plus 3D extrusion, reflections, bump maps, shadows, and more. This free After Effects alternative uses GPU acceleration, which means you can instantly see how atmospheric effects like fog or mist will interact within a scene, without waiting for rendering. 

Bottom Line 

If you have never worked in a node-based editor, it will require some patience and time to learn but the results will be worth it. Also, many of the leading VFX/motion graphics software use a node-based system, so if you are looking to do this as a career, that knowledge will come in handy. Fusion is not an Adobe After Effects alternative for beginners or those looking for fast results.

3. Blender - Best for Animators

Image from Blender Artists.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: Free

Key Features

1. 3D painting with textured brushes and masking
2. CPU, GPU, and VR rendering
3. Animation support with Onion Skinning
4. Audio adjustment tools

Who It’s For 

Blender is an open-source free After Effects alternative perfect for anything from video editing and compositing to creating special effects, 3D applications, and more. It features tools for all types of animation but specializes in 3D animation and modeling. Users can complete anything from basic video editing actions (cutting, splicing) to more challenging editing tasks (grading, masking). This broad capability makes Blender a popular free After Effects alternative for intermediate and advanced video editors alike, a level of accessibility that has earned Blender rave reviews from across the VFX community. 

Why We Picked It

Blender is a more-than-worthy free After Effects alternative – especially for those who enjoy broad customizability. It includes numerous filters, speed control functionality, keyframes, and transitions for performing complex video editing tasks. Blender’s wide-ranging capabilities also include motion tracking, 2D and 3D animation, and even particle simulation. 

Bottom Line 

Blender is a great free After Effects alternative because it has all the advanced motion graphics tools you’d find in the expensive Adobe software, plus basic editing tools, making Blender an all-in-one package. However, Blender has an extremely high learning curve, making this Adobe After Effects alternative the wrong choice for beginners.

4. HitFilm Pro - Best for VFX

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Motion Graphics: 4.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator or $12.99/month for Pro

Key Features

1. Particle simulator
2. 3D geometry effects
3. 360-degree video support
4. Distortion effects

Who It’s For 

HitFilm is another solid free After Effects alternative, providing professional-quality video editing software. It’s a 3D compositor, visual effects tool, and comprehensive video editor all rolled into one. HitFilmprovides reliable high-speed effects and video editing to users around the world. HitFilm’s capable free version allows beginners and low-budget filmmakers to add cinematic effects to their films without the need for a pricey Adobe subscription.

Why We Picked It

Currently, HitFilm maintains a catalog of more than 820 visual effects and presets. With this free After Effects alternative you can animate images and characters, use waveforms for audio element visualization, import 3D models, and apply behavioral effects to your videos. HitFilm has 3D muzzle flashes for any kind of weapon, and a library of sci-fi effects like lasers and star fields. There is also a puppet tool that adds natural motion to graphics, shapes, and text. And it offers unlimited audio and video tracks for unlimited creativity.

Bottom Line 

If you read our 2022 edition of this article, you may have noticed we included HitFilm in the Paid section of Adobe After Effects alternatives. A recent restructuring of the software convinced us that Hitfilm’s free version was worthy enough to be a stand-alone free After Effects alternative. In general, HitFilm’s unique mix of VFX and video editing makes it easier than After Effects, although beginners will still have a learning curve. It comes packed with professional VFX tools but takes up a ton of computer space. 

5. Wax - Best for Beginners

Compatibility: Windows

G2 Rating: 3.8/5

Motion Graphics: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features

1. Offers hundreds of presets
2. Offers real-time effects for most graphic cards
3. Unlimited video and audio tracks
4. Top-down compositing and many compositing modes

Who It’s For 

Wax serves as an efficient video editing and special effects Adobe After Effects alternative, providing a simple, easy-to-use editing platform without the complexities or cost of Adobe software. As a video editing resource, Wax’s simple user interface design may initially throw a few people off, though the tool’s multitude of effects and useful features more than make up for it. Wax is high-performance, easy to grasp, and offers a special effects capability that keeps it on par with others in the VFX market. 

Why We Picked It

Used for both commercial and personal use, this free After Effects alternative provides graphics acceleration for creating mind-boggling effects in real-time. Wax has 3D compositing with objects, lighting, shadows, texture, and more. It also offers project management with media bins and folders for ease of use. Wax is great for compositing and works both as a standalone tool and a software plugin.

Bottom Line 

Wax’s user interface and website look like they haven’t been updated since the 90s, but as it is a free After Effects alternative, it’s hard to complain. Unlike HitFilm, the software is easy to learn and won’t take up room on your computer. However, it lacks some tools that more advanced VFX editors have. We recommend PowerDirector as a great alternative for anyone who wants advanced VFX tools without sacrificing ease of use.  

6. Natron - Best for Flexibility

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Motion Graphics: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features

1. Powerful curve and dope-sheet editor
2. GPU and Network rendering
3. Enables 2D/2.5D special effects
4. Multi-Layered rotoscoping with stroke capability

Who It’s For 

Natron is a visual effects platform and free After Effects alternative specializing in open-sourced digital compositing, rotopainting, and 2D tracking solutions for VFX professionals. Effects creators and editors typically use Natron for its flexibility, especially its flexible Roto and Rotopaint tools for unlimited layers of masks, shapes, and mattes. 

Why We Picked It

Natron makes special effects and video editing solutions easier to find, access, and use than other video effects programs, including Adobe After Effects, making it a fantastic free After Effects alternative. And like Fusion, Natron is node-based and employs many node organizational tools.

Bottom Line 

This visual effects software is a cross-platform, free After Effects alternative for anyone preferring more control over After Effects-related functions – and who enjoys a higher level of interface customization. However, like most visual effects-heavy editors, Natron is not beginner-friendly. In our updated list of free After Effects alternatives, we moved Wax above Natron because it has better tools to create 3D effects, is lighter on system resources, and is easier to learn.

6 Best Paid Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023

1. Houdini - Best for Simulations

Image from SideFX.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

PC Mag Rating: 4.5/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: $269/year for Indie, $1,995/year for Core, and $4,995/year for FX

Key Features

1. Character animation and rigging
2. Procedural modeling
3. Curve advect tool for hair/fur grooming
4. Node-Based workflow

Who It’s For 

Houdini is a professional Adobe After Effects alternative for CG and VFX artists working in film, television, or gaming industries. We think it is best used to create realistic simulations. Create explosions with fire, smoke, dust, or debris and define every aspect such as viscosity, surface tension, and collision rate. Perfectly control fluids, snow, sand, and cloth using Houdini’s multi-physics environment. 

Why We Picked It

Houdini is probably the best 3D modeling software on the market. Use this Adobe After Effects alternative to create instant crowds or stampedes and apply rag-doll dynamics, terrain adaptation, and crowd layout adjustment to precisely control the movement. 

Bottom Line 

There’s a bit of a good news/bad news situation for anyone willing to give Houdini a try. As you may have guessed, Houdini has an incredibly steep learning curve. It can also get very expensive if you want to utilize all that this Adobe After Effects alternative has to offer. However, Houdini offers a discounted Indie version (with all the tools found in FX) for companies that make less than $100,000 a year. There’s also a completely free Apprentice version for anyone who wants to learn the software and a very affordable version for Educators. Plenty of free tutorials available are also available online. 

2. Nuke - Best for Professionals

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: $3,999/year for Nuke, $4,499/year for Nuke X, and $5,499/year for Nuke Studio

Key Features

1. Vector paint tools
2. Lens distortion handling
3. Advanced 3D feature preview
4. Stereoscopic workflow

Who It’s For 

Nuke is a cutting-edge Adobe After Effects alternative for node-based compositing, 3D tracking, and model building. Nuke is typically seen as a family of programs consisting of Nuke, NukeX, and Nuke Studio. Together they provide flexibility and collaborative workflows for the highest quality results possible. 

Why We Picked It

Nuke has Deep Image compositing tools for images that contain multiple opacity and colors. With Nuke, there’s no need to re-render elements when content changes. Nuke has a suite of machine learning tools that automatically complete tasks with the CopyCat node, such as matte generation, removing motion blur, and more. Finally, Nuke offers a limitless 3D environment where users can create scenes composed of 3D models, 2D footage, models, cameras, lights, and so on. 

Bottom Line 

If you are looking for the industry standard for compositing, Nuke is it. It is more expensive than After Effects but for good reason. Like Houdini, Nuke is an Adobe After effects alternative specifically for professional VFX artists. Although they have the same rating, we placed Houdini on top because it offers more affordable options for students and independent filmmakers.

3. Apple Motion - Best for Final Cut Pro Users

Image from Apple Support.

Compatibility: Mac

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: $49.99

Key Features

1. Accurate, one-step chroma key
2. Over 200 pre-set particle emitters
3. Automatically detect and track object movement
4. Neon filter

Who It’s For 

Apple Motion is the perfect Adobe After Effects alternative for Final Cut Pro users because of how closely intertwined they are. Plus, they have very similar interfaces and you can use Apple Motion to create templates and themes for Final Cut. As usual, Apple has made a tool optimized to run seamlessly in their ecosystem. This helps decrease the need for rendering time. 

Why We Picked It

Apple Motion is a powerful motion graphics tool used to create realistic effects in real-time. Create cinematic 2D and 3D titles from scratch, or with a pre-made template. Then animate your titles with one of over 100 drag-and-drop behaviors, and customize them with more than 90 3D materials like metal, wood, and stone. Transition any space from 2D to 3D, then set up shadows or reflective surfaces that move with the camera and lighting. 

Bottom Line 

Though not as feature-heavy, Apple Motion is a great Adobe After Effects alternative for those interested in motion graphics, 2D and 3D compositing, and visual effects. Although it can be used as a stand-alone editor, the software really works best when paired with Final Cut Pro. In our updated list, we moved Nuke ahead of Apple Motion because Nuke is better for pros. 

4. Cinema 4D - Best for Aspiring 3D Artists

Image from Tool Farm.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Motion Graphics: 5/5

Price: $719/year 

Key Features

1. Unified simulation system
2. Supports OCIO color management
3. Cloner tool duplicates objects in different ways
4. ZRemesher tool automatically changes the look of mesh

Who It’s For 

Cinema 4D is a professional 3D modeling and motion graphics software. It is easier to use and more intuitive than other professional software, and new features have helped eliminate the monotony that comes with modeling. This Adobe After Effects alternative also has thousands of video tutorials available, which makes this a realistic choice for beginners - especially those who want to create digital content as a career.   

Why We Picked It

Cinema 4D uses a modeling and animation toolset called MoGraph to create high-quality and complex motion graphics quickly. Any object can be animated using keyframes, and you have your choice of manual, automatic, or parametric keyframing. With this Adobe After Effects alternative, you can also create realistic simulations such as smoke and fire, and define numerous aspects like smoke density, fire temperature, and so on. 

Bottom Line 

While Houdini and Nuke are better professional software overall, Cinema 4D is much easier to learn and use, with brand-new tools that make the 3D modeling process more artist-friendly. Price-wise it falls between the two - much cheaper than Nuke, but without a budget-friendly Indie option like Houdini. We recommend Blender as the best Adobe After Effects alternative for aspiring pros on a budget. 

5. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate - Best for Intermediate Editors

Image from PCMag.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Motion Graphics: 4.5/5

Price: $129.99

Key Features

1. Support for 360-degree editing
2. Advanced color grading including 34 LUTs
3. 3D motion titles
4. Blend modes

Who It’s For 

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is an Adobe After Effects alternative that we feel is perfect for intermediate editors. It is just out of reach of professional-level software but is easy to use. It comes with lots of advanced effects and allows precise adjustments. If you are an editing enthusiast needing fast and powerful software, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate could be for you. 

Why We Picked It

This Adobe After Effects alternative has a great deal of masking tools, including Magic Wand and Paintbrush tools. You can create slow-motion and fast-motion effects, stabilize video, and edit from multiple cameras. Pinnacle’s powerful keyframing tool allows you to control each effect’s size, rotation, opacity, and more. You can even increase/decrease the effect over a specified time. 

Bottom Line 

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is the most like our choice for the best Adobe After Effects alternative, PowerDirector. Both programs have powerful VFX engines, yet remain beginner-friendly. However, PowerDirector beats Pinnacle Studio Ultimate in ease of use and performance (some of the masking and motion tracking tools in Pinnacle took us time to get right). Also, PowerDirector is the faster of the two, although Pinnacle is still much faster than a majority of the editing software on this list. 

6. Moovly - Best for Marketing

Compatibility: Online

GetApp Rating: 4.2/5

Motion Graphics: 4/5

Price: $33.25/month for Pro and $49.92/month for Max

Key Features

1. Transition and overlay effects
2. Chroma key
3. Slow-mo and speed-up tools
4. Voiceover with 100s of artificial voices

Who It’s For 

Moovly is an easy-to-use online animation tool for business owners and content creators. 

It is cloud-based and accessible on a web browser from any computer, with no downloading of software needed. 

This online tool has stunning animations and effects but also tools a video editor needs to make a project from start to finish - making this a great Adobe After Effects alternative. Moovly has 1.3 million royalty-free images, sounds, music, and videos in its free stock library. Moovly has screen and webcam recording capabilities, social-media-friendly aspect ratios, and direct uploads to Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube.    

Why We Picked It

There are also motion graphics and animation tools that are more beginner-friendly than After Effects. Any visual object - image, text, or video - can be animated independently. There are also 1,000s of pre-animated graphics and titles that are fully customizable, so you can add cool motion graphics to your projects at any skill level. Create videos in an array of different styles, like cartoon, animated illustration, or handwriting on a whiteboard (with different hand animations and types available). Moovly has tons of cool drag-and-drop templates, or you can upload and manipulate your own branding materials like colors, fonts, and logos. 

Bottom Line 

Moovly is the perfect Adobe After Effects alternative for business owners and influencers who want to add cool motion graphics and animations to their marketing and YouTube videos, but lack the skill set necessary. Professionals will be unimpressed and want more control over effects, but beginners will find Moovly the perfect online tool to get their feet wet. 

Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives Comparison Chart

How to Edit Videos Using an Adobe After Effects Alternative

Here is a step-by-step guide for using PowerDirector - the #1 Adobe After Effects alternative - to add motion graphics to a scene.

Download PowerDirector for free below and follow along: 

1. Click on the clip you want to use and drag it to the Editing Timeline. 
2. Click and hold on the Tools Menu, just above the timeline. Then select Motion Tracker from the dropdown menu.


The motion tracker panel will pop up. It contains controls for the motion tracker and a viewer for the video clip you selected.

3. Click Add a Tracker found underneath the viewer.


The tracker, a rectangular box with handles, will appear on your video. Use the handles to resize the tracker box to fit the object you want to track fairly tightly. 

4. Now push the Track Button to the left of the timeline in the Motion Tracker Viewer Panel. 

Your clip will play and your box will now follow the object you selected. If the box is not following the object closely, try making the box smaller, cropping in on a small area of the subject, or a splash of bright color.

5. When you are happy with your tracker, click OK. 

Now you can add a title, video clip, image, or effect to the tracker box.

Check out this video tutorial for adding motion tracking to your videos. 

Download the Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternative

We’ve given you a long list of great Adobe After Effects alternatives. Since VFX and motion graphics are complicated features, many of the software on the list were good options for professionals, but not beginners or amateurs. Others were good for beginners but lacked some more advanced tools needed to make a high-quality video. 

We chose PowerDirector as the number one Adobe After Effects alternative because it successfully bridges the gap between amateur and professional, with a user-friendly interface and After Effects-like features such as cutting-edge mask tools, motion controls, compositing effects, frame-by-frame motion tracking, chroma key, and more. In fact, PowerDirector won PC Mag’s Best Editing Software of 2023 Editor’s Choice award.

And unlike many others on our list, PowerDirector is a superb stand-alone video editor, so you won’t have to download several different applications to finish a project. PowerDirector is offered in both a free version and a reasonably-priced paid version, so you can find the right set of tools for your skill-set and budget. 

Download PowerDirector today by clicking the link below and start adding amazing, cinematic effects to your projects - quickly and easily.