Summary: Here are the top 10 After Effects alternatives for video and photo editing. Enhance your films and video games with 3D effects, templates, plugins, and more.
After Effects is a powerful post-production software developed by Adobe, designed for compositing, motion graphics, and digital visual effects. However, it can be complicated to use and requires a lot of processing power, which may cause delays in your projects. Additionally, its high price tag may not be feasible for some users. This article will explore After Effects alternatives that offer similar or even better features, helping users enhance their photos or videos and improve their film or video game post-production. By providing a variety of options, this article aims to help users find the right software for their needs and budget.
Many after effect alternative apps are on the market, so we have chosen the ten best ones. We have ranked them based on price and the tools they provide. Do give them a try!
Top10 Best After Effects Alternatives
| Product Name | 3D Effects | Templates | Plugins | Stock Footage |
| Aescripts | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Video Copilot | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Motion Array | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mixkit | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Video Hive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rocket Stock | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mister Horse | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Natron | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Apple Motion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Blender | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
1. Aescripts
Notable features: Blender AE for 3D data export, Matte Tools for layer and matte work, Textor for text animations, and a depth scanner for detailed enhancements.
Aescripts offers a variety of After Effects plugins with useful tools for video and picture editing. With its Blender AE, 3D data from Blender can be selected and exported to After Effects. Matte Tools can simplify working with layers and mattes, while Textor makes creating text animations effortless. Additionally, a depth scanner is available for detailed enhancements. However, some plugins are expensive and must be downloaded separately, and compatibility is limited to Adobe After Effects.
Aescripts offers various tools for video and picture editing, such as Blender AE for 3D data export and Matte Tools for layer and matte work. Textor allows for easy text animation creation, and a depth scanner is available for detailed enhancements. However, the plugins can be costly and must be downloaded separately, with limited compatibility with Adobe After Effects.
Pros
- Various tools with different functions are available.
- Compatible with Adobe After Effect.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Need to be downloaded separately.
- Unable to work with Adobe After Effect.
2. Video copilot
Notable features: Element 3D for 3D effects visualization, Optical Flares for 3D animation, and dynamic group folder reflections.
Video Copilot is another website that has several Adobe After Effects plugins. One of the most used ones is Element 3D. As the name suggests, Element 3D can visualize 3D effects in films or video games.
Its features include Matter reflection mode, group symmetry creation mode, dynamic group folder reflections, etc. You can create 3D shadows in your films and videos to make them look more realistic. All these allow you to import 3D objects to After Effects. It has an excellent interface but might be complicated to use if you are starting. Another tool is Optical Flares which can be used for 3D animation, compositing, commercials, motion graphics, etc.
Pros
- Excellent for 3D effects.
- It can make videos look realistic.
- Excellent interface.
Cons
- It is a bit complicated to use.
- Expensive.
3. Motion Array
Notable features: accessible after-effects templates for intros, titles, and logo reveals, Adobe Premiere plugins for visual effects in pictures and videos, and an AI photo retoucher for improving picture quality.
Motion Array is a professional platform for filmmakers, with templates, presets, motion graphics, plugins, and more. It offers accessible after-effects templates for intros, titles, and logo reveals, as well as Adobe Premiere plugins for visual effects in pictures and videos. An AI photo retoucher is also available to improve picture quality. However, everything must be downloaded, and there are no advanced features compared to other platforms.
Motion Array provides a range of features and templates for professional video editing, including accessible after-effects templates for intros, titles, and logo reveals, Adobe Premiere plugins for visual effects, and an AI photo retoucher. However, everything must be downloaded, and there are no advanced features compared to other platforms.
Pros
- It has several features and templates which can allow you to edit your videos professionally.
- It is good After Effect Alternative.
Cons
- Everything has to be downloaded.
- No advanced features than others.
4. Mix kit
Notable features: a high number of tools and templates for video editing, a vast stock of videos, and music stockpile.
Mix kit is a website that can be an excellent asset for your next video project. It has tools templates for every use. Its plethora of stock videos can add aesthetic shots to your videos that you might not be able to shoot yourself.
Its music stockpile makes every video exciting and fun. Moreover, it has sound effects for games, instruments, and more. That is not all, though; it even has free After Effects templates that can be downloaded and used to bring visual impact to your videos.
Pros
- It has a high number of tools that can be used to edit videos.
- Templates and shots that can be used with After Effects.
- Nice interface.
Cons
- Its templates are a bit basic and simple.
5. Video Hive
Notable features: a massive stock of videos available, graphics, audio, and 3D effects for videos.
Video Hive (videohive.net) is another app that can be used by video professionals all over the world. It has millions of video effects and stock footage which can be downloaded for free. It allows you to add graphics, audio, and 3D effects to your videos.
Hence, it is a great After Effects alternative. That is not all. Through Video Hive, you can download openings, logo strings, templates, and much more for After Effects.
Pros
- A massive stock of videos available.
- Mutiple tools to aid your video editing
- Cheaper than other after effect altenatives.
6. Rocket Stock
Notable features: a considerable stock of high-quality videos and templates, including AI templates for promos, logo reveals, overlays, and lower thirds.
Rocket stock (www.rocketstock.com) is a project by the famous shutter stock with a considerable stock of video templates added to your videos and films for effects. It also has AI templates which include promos, logo reveals, overlays, and lower thirds.
All this does not come free, though. You have to pay a lot for these templates. However, if you need to enlarge your images without decreasing their quality, you must go for VanceAI Image Enlarger.
Pros
- A considerable stock of high-quality videos and templates supported.
Cons
- Iimited video editing features.
7. Mister Horse
Notable features: a high number of plugins, including animation composer, motion presets, text presets, and more.
Mister Horse is another website with plugins that improve After Effects definition. It has a wide range of plugins which include animation composer, motion presets, text presets, and many more, which allow you to add aesthetic effects to your videos. These plugins are an editor's dream come true because they encompass almost every video editing feature.
However, it can only be used if you have After Effects, and it is not a good After Effects alternative.
Pros
- It has a high number of plugins.
- Great interface.
Cons
- It can only be used if you have After Effect .
- Not a good After Effect alternative.
8. Natron
Notable features: open-source software for VFX and motion graphics, including flexible rotoscoping and keying tools.
Natron (natrongithub.github.io) is a proper After Effect alternative because it is open-source software for VFX and motion graphics.
By that, it means it has many editing features, including flexible rotoscoping, keying tools, etc. Any professional video editor can use this tool to make their videos perfect.
Pros
- Mainstream video editing features supported.
- It is compatible with almost every OS.
Cons
- It has to be downloaded.
9. Apple Motion
Notable features: a powerful video editing tool for adding special effects, creating cinematic titles, and motion graphics.
Apple motion is another After Effect alternative and one of the most powerful video editing tools out there. You can add special effects to your videos and create cinematic titles through apple motion.
What's more, you can create motion graphics at very high speeds through this. Thus, it is an excellent tool for all video editors. (www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/motion)
Pros
- Multiple videos editing options supported.
Cons
- Macs available only.
10. Blender
Notable features: a high number of video editing tools, including an inbuilt compositor and motion tracking.
Blender (www.blender.org)is a website that allows you to edit your videos by adding special effects, graphics, and templates. It has a plethora of options to choose from, including an inbuilt compositor, motion tracking, etc.
In addition, if you are looking to create a portrait for yourself or a loved one, then you must try VansPortrait.
Pros
- A high number of video editing tools.
Cons
- It is a bit expensive.
Conclusion
All these websites provide great after-effect alternatives for image or video editings. Have you tried using an AI image enhancer? If not, it is a must-try for all those who love taking distant pictures! So, if you are tired of using Adobe's products and need something new or different, then do give these a try!
More useful tips for you: How to Make Pictures Come to Life - Best 5 Ways.
