Adobe After Effects sits at the pinnacle of 2D-based animation compositing tools with great motion graphics tools and well-supported communities with a plethora of scripting, plugins, templates, and tutorials for creating spectacular outcomes. However, the demand for Adobe After Effects alternatives is growing because of it's high subscription fee ($20.99/month under an annual plan), random crashes, and the steep learning curve. Thus, I pick up the 10 best Adobe After Effects alternatives, range from free open-source software to comparatively expensive programs, fitting your various demand and budgets. Quick navigations:
- Adobe After Effects Free Alternative [Natron, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, Cavalry]
- Online After Effects Alternative [Clara.io]
- Cheap Software that Can Replace Adobe After Effects [Motion 5]
- Easy Adobe After Effects Alternative [Hitfilms Pro, Vegas Post]
- Advanced After Effects Alternatives [Cinema 4D, Nuke]
Adobe After Effects Linux Alternative
8/10 (1269 votes) - Download Adobe After Effects Free. Design animated graphics and visual effects at professional level with Adobe's complete creative composition and animation software, Adobe After Effects. Every day there are more and more image, drawing, and animation professionals capable of. There is no Linux version of Premiere or After Effects, so the short answer is no. If you are using a Linux machine and need to render an AE or Premiere project, the main solution is to ask someone with that software to render it for you. Written in C and Pascal, Photoshop was created by Adobe Inc. And was first released in 1990 since then, it has become the standard for vast areas in digital art. Read Also: Best Painting Software for Linux. As nice as that sounds, Photoshop doesn’t have any desktop clients for Linux users. While the reason for Adobe’s behavior is still up.
- Oct 06, 2017 Download Natron for Linux. Commercial support is available to those who would like access to ticket-based support, trainings, and several custom features. Learn more on that here. What do you think about Natron and do you know about any other Adobe After Effects alternatives we can add to our GNU/Linux apps list? Engage us in the comments.
- Actually its for windows and often mac. You can install after effects with the help of wine (windows program loader). To install wine just type: codesudo add-apt.
Adobe After Effects Free Alternatives
#1. Natron - Best After Effects Open Source Alternative
- Price: Free
- Ease of use: ⭐⭐⭐
- Download Link: https://natrongithub.github.io/
Natron is a free and open-source compositor which is capable of generating unlimited layers of masks, matters, and shapes. It can also be utilized to create simple 2D/2.5D animation VFX, but you won't get particle effects to create smoke flow, clouds, and some special visual effects directly. It supports countless open-source plugins as well as commercial add on. Thanks to the support of the 2D planar tracker, you can quickly and accurately accomplish your tracking jobs.
The nitty interface, as well as the node-based compositing workflow of Natron, is nearly the same with the expensive Nuke (an advanced After Effects alternative that we'll talk about later) which enables you to set expressions on animation curves to create animation move objects. Well, it's no wonder why it is considered as the best After Effects open source alternative by many reddit users.
Natron VS After Effects
- Natron wins in: Node-based Compositing, Ease-of-Use, Customizable, Cross-platform.
- After Effects wins in: Title Creation/Generation, Motion Graphics, 3D Compositing, Color Grading, 3D Models Importing, Particle Generators, Simulations, 2D/3D Animation, Render Speed, Rotoscoping, Third-Party Plugins, Audio Editing.
'Well this is undoubtedly the best and probably the only (with the exception of blender) node based Open Source compositing software out there which is also free for commercial usage.'- Users review from g2.com
#2. Blender - After Effects Freeware for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows
- Price: Free
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐
- Films that used Fusion for production: Cosmos Laundromat, Agent 327
- Download Link: https://www.blender.org/download/
Blender is an open-source 3D animation and modeling program with integrated compositors. That's being said the killer feature of Blender is its capability in creating stunning 3D animation graphics. If your work requires lots of 3D effects, Blender can deliver further more possibilities than After Effects does. And Better yet, everything you can do about 2D-based VFX and composition with After Effects can get accomplished in Blender, though very possibly in a more time-consuming and cumbersome way.
Blender VS After Effects
- Blender wins in: 3D compositing, 3D modeling, Editing Capabilities, Cross Platforms.
- After Effects wins in: 2D animation, Render Speed, 2D Motion Graphic and VFX work, Templates Creation, Title Generation, Rotoscoping, Third-Party Plugins, Text Motion Tracking.
'I am an avid user of Blender. I have utilized this program to create 3D animations for clients and to craft animated characters for game design projects. Since 2013 I have used this program for all of my 3D modeling needs.'- Users review from Capterra.com
#3. Blackmagic Fusion – Free Alternative to After Effects for Linux, macOS, Windows
- Price: Free
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Films that used Fusion for production: Deadpool 2
- Download Link:https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/fusion/
Fusion is developed by Blackmagic Design as a standalone application-Fusion 16, and also an integrated utility in Davinci Resolve 16. As a professional compositing software, it's widely used by broadcast companies, TV-series producers, and commercials to create special visual effects, motion graphics, virtual reality video, camera/planar tracking, animate titles, etc. With the advanced stereoscopic 3D tools, it's capable of loading and rendering 3D models and scenes.
What's more? You can add interactive physical effects like wind and gravity with 2D/3D objects in the scene. Suppose you are using the Fusion tab integrated with the free DaVinci Resolve, you can get access to the advanced audio/video editing toolsets, and the strong color-correction utility as well.
Fusion VS After Effects
- Fusion wins in: Node-based Compositing, Color Grading, Video Editing, Audio Editing, VFX work, Cross-Platform.
- After Effects wins in Stable, 2D/3D animation, Render Speed, 2D Motion Graphic, Templates Creation, Title Generation, Third-Party Plugins, Simulations.
'The Fusion inside Resolve, is not really ready for productions with a large amount of huge VFX scenes. So this product fits right into my pipeline nicely. Works well with 3D tracking software like SynthEyes, plus has nice trackers that come with it as well.'- Users review from Adorama.com.
#4. Cavalry - New After Effects Alternative for Windows and macOS
- Price: Free
- Ease of Use:⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Download Link: https://cavalry.scenegroup.co/
Cavalry, first released in 2019, focuses on 2D motion graphics, is also good at data visualization, character animations, FUI, and much more. As a nova in animation software, Cavalry is friendly for armature with a nitty interface and straightforward workflow. For instance, you can simply double click on the keyframe node to adjust the properties. With features like deformation, voxelising shapes, - Users review from Reddit.
After Effects Online Alternative
#5. Clara.io - Free After Effects Online Alternative
- Price: Free (The paid version costs $10/month)
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Official Site: https://clara.io/scenes
Clara.io is a full-blown 3D modeling, animation, and rendering program. The paid account charges you $20 per month, but the free account already packs all features required by daily needs. As an online animation maker, Clara.io is easy to use but still offers 3D artists and newbies superb results. It is highly compatible with a wide range of supported 3D formats including OBJ, FBX, STL, 3DS, and many more. Also, it responses extremely fast even on a less powerful machine thanks to the application of the V-Ray cloud engine. Moreover, it is supported by +100,000 free 3D models which give beginners lots of possibilities to quickly create 3D animation and modeling.
Clara.io VS After Effects
- Clara.io wins in: Ease of Use, Low Requirement in Computer, 3D Modeling Rendering, and Creating.
- After Effects wins in: 2D Animation Compositing, Motion Graphics, Rich Plugins, Title Generation, Rotoscoping, Motion Tracking, Simulation, VFX/Visual animation effects creation.
'Clara.io is easy to use, powerful 3D modeling and review tool, with comprehensive set of animation functions that does not require any additional on-site software installation.'- Users review from g2.com
Cheap Alternative to Adobe After Effects
#6. Motion 5 - Cheap After Effects Alternative for Mac
- Price: $49.9/permanently usage
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Download Link: Apple official site
Motion 5, developed by Apple Inc, is a motion graphic application runs on macOS. It has everything you need for creating 2D/3D animations, smooth transitions, 360° effects/titles, and realistic effects. Besides, the build-in real-time design engine offers you a live view without lagging. Motion is easy to learn and more efficient compared to AE. Funkin friday night download. However, it lacks the support of the raft of plugins and templates that AE has. However, this isn't a deal-breaker for average users as you can use either Apple Motion or After Effects to create or edit simple motion graphics and animation titles as well as composite 2D/3D FOR visual effects.
Motion 5 VS After Effects
- Motion 5 wins in: Ease of Use, Color Grading.
- Adobe After Effects wins in: Third-Party Plugins, 2D Animation Compositing.
'I switched from AE CS6 after Adobe went subscription so I use Motion 5 now and I find it a lot easier to use and the integration with FCP X templates makes it a far better choice for video editors that also do motion graphics.'- User review from creativecow.net.
Easy Alternative to Adobe After Effects
#7. Hitfilm Pro - Easy Alternative to Adobe After Effects for Windows and macOS
- Price: $299
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Download Link: https://fxhome.com/hitfilm-pro
FXhome Hitfilm is an all-in-one app with great features on 3D facilities modeling, motion graphics, and complex procedural animations, graphics compositing, color correction, and advanced video editing. The many quick 3D presets offered by Hitfilm may limit you your creatively but it enables you to create bonfires, falling debris, Fire Explosion, and other amazing 3D effects with a few clicks of a mouse. In addition, it's fast composition workflow allows you to watch the video without rendering. So, basically, you can use Hitfilm Pro as a quicker and easier replacement of After Effects.
Hitfilm Pro VS After Effects
- After Effects wins in: Multi-Cam Editor, Shape Layers, Respond and Render Speed, 2.5D animation creation and Composition, Title Generation.
- Hitfilm Pro: Simulations, Lens Flares, Color Grading, VFX works, 3D composition, Ease of Use, Customization, Thrid Party Plugins, Video Editing.
'3d object import and compositing. PBR materials are pretty good and get better with each new Hitfilm Pro'- Users review from g2.com.
#8. Vegas Post - Expensive Alternative for After Effects for Windows
- Price: $999
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Download Link: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/vegas-post/
VEGAS POST is a collection of software including VEGAS PRO 17 (editing videos), Vegas Effects (creating and compositing animations and VFX), and VEGAS Image (processing image). A beginner or hobbyist can purchase Vegas Effects separately at the price of $399. You can get most things that are needed in visual effects and compositing, to name a few, 3D model rendering and effects, environment maps, versatile color-grading kits.
Vegas Effects gives you 800 staggering effects, filters, and presets that help you create eye-catching outcomes without having to install extra plugins. Other than that, you can enjoy a smooth playback even when copping with plenty of VFX works own a good deal to the support of threaded rendering.
Vegas Post VS After Effects
- Vegas Post Wins in: Color Correction, Video Editing, Quick Visual Effects Creation.
- After Effects Wins in: Ease of Use, Motion Tracking, 2D/2.5D animations, Title Generation, Third-Party Plugins.
'Most effects on Vegas 16 are very simple ones used to give some more level of detail to the video. If you are looking for real complex effects, maybe Vegas isn't the software for you and After Effects is the one you're looking for for stuff like editing in enhanced reality, coloring and masking.'- User review from Reddit.
Advanced Alternatives to After Effects
#9. Cinema 4D - App Similar to After Effects for Windows, macOS, Linux (More Advanced)
- Price: $60-120/Month
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐
- Films that used Hitfilm Pro for production: 2012, Spider-Man
- Download Link: https://www.maxon.net/en/cinema-4d
Cinema 4D, developed by Maxon, is all about creating 3D graphics for Motion and Visual Graphics. It usually collaborates with Adobe After Effects to build breathtaking 3D animations and models for Hollywood films. Certainly, it can be used stand-alone as an industry-level 3D modeling, painting, rendering, and animation program. Cinema 4D responds extremely fast and boasts robust rendering plugins. If all you need is about 3D-based things, Cinema 4D is more desirable than Adobe After Effects.
Cinema 4D VS After Effects
- After Effects wins in almost everything but 3D modeling.
'This is an amazing tool for an imaginary person, if you can't think good enough for a scene this application gives you zero help. But on the other hand with Cinema 4D you can make the most good looking scenes for any use you want.'- User review from g2.com.
#10. Nuke - Node-based Adobe Effects Alternative for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows
- Price: $9298
- Ease of use: ⭐
- Download Link: https://www.foundry.com/products/nuke
Nuke is an industry-standard composition program before anything else. Being one of the most advanced node-based compositing tools, it can cope with 1023 channels in a single stream. Therefore, it is widely regarded as an advanced substitution of After Effects for the compositing jobs required by high-end films or TV shows. It is considerably more expensive and has a steeper learning curve, higher requirements on the PC built.
Rotoscoping is easier made and more adjustable in Nuke. The support of third-party plugins allows you to realize endless possibilities when creating VFX effects. Be that as it may, After Effects is still unreplaceable if you are working with multiple cameras, and videos with different durations, resolutions, and formats.
Nuke VS After Effects
- Nuke wins in: Node-based Compositing, 4K Video Compositing, 3D/VFX Compositing, Team Work, Effeciency.
- After Effects wins in: Motion Graphics, Animation, Templates Creation, Title Generation, Ease of Use.
'Nuke is a solid piece of software, it is reliable, stable (on Linux I rarely if ever experience a crash for example), and more importantly, it is production proven at the highest level.'- User review from reddit.
FAQ
Is After Effects free or there a free version?
No, in short. After Effects is a paid-for motion graphics, visual effects, and compositing software that offers no free version. Langnickel paint brushes.
However, you can get a free trial for 7 days with the capability to use all features. To use After Effect for free, come cover to its official site, click on Free trial to download the .exe file, and have it installed on your pc or mac.
Can you buy After Effects permanently?
There is no access to buy Adobe After Effects permanently from Adobe since 2013. Though you can still purchase some older versions of AE from eBay and many commercial sites without having to pay the subscription fee every month ($19.9/month for the first year, and $29.99/month for next years), more bugs and crashes you would experience. And as such, it's worth going to dip your toes in some cheaper alternative before subscribing After Effects.
What is better than Adobe After Effects?
It's up to your target, personal preferences, machines, source files, skill level, and many other factors. For instance, Node-based visual effects and compositing programs like Fusion, Nuke, and Natron are far more efficient than layer-based Adobe After Effects to process complex composites entailing a vast number of layers. Hitfilm Pro and Vegas Effects have numerous ready-made options for creating spectacular VFX effects, they are better substitutes for After Effects if the project you are working on is time-sensitive. As for 3D rendering or modeling, even the free Blender can easily rival AE.
Which version of After Effects is the best?
Adobe After Effects Linux Alternative
Adobe After Effects 17.5 released on Oct 2020 is currently the best version with lots of bug fixed and new/improvement features including Tapered shape strokes, concentric shape repeaters, support of ProRes RAW files, etc.
Updated: January 1, 2021 Home » Freeware and Software Reviews
Adobe After Effect is arguably one of the best video effects editors in the market, it provides users with a robust suite of tools to enable both novice and professional video editors to compose what they need to in order to create amazing visual effects for videos and films.
Related 2021 Article ➤ 5 Free Adobe Premiere Pro And Apple Final Cut Pro Alternatives
Alternatives with a similar workflow include Small FXhome HitFilm, Blackmagic Design Fusion, and NUKE. Unfortunately, all 3 are not free. Here are 3 Adove After Effect alternatives that gives you blockbuster quality visual effects and compositing for free. You have full control to create your own unique effects using cutting edge technology.
↓ 01 – HitFilm Express Free | macOS | Windows
Video editing, VFX, and all the power you need to make something cool. Take your first step towards pro-filmmaking with our free starter software: HitFilm Express. Perfect for students, YouTubers, and beginner filmmakers. HitFilm Express gives you access to the most powerful free video-editor and VFX software on Earth and a community of 3.9 million filmmakers.
- Enhanced performance – You can customise your playback quality and paused quality. This allows you to experience really fast playback in the editor and trimmer, preventing lagging and making it much easier to time up edits/cuts. Not only can you playback at a different quality, you can now control that quality from the menu in the viewer. This allows you to make faster, snappier edits.
- Mask editing and rendering – Masking is used to manually create a matte. A matte determines which parts of a layer are visible. Practically, this means that masks are used to cut holes in your layers. HitFilm Express’s mask editing is faster than ever before enhancing and speeding up the rotoscoping process. As video quality increases, the software must be capable of handling everything it’s given which is why performance has been boosted.
- Professional formats – HitFilm Express’s UHD support and RAM preview ensures the best possible quality for your projects. Work with all footage, from your vertical smartphone shots to high-end professional cameradocumentaries, HitFilm can handle it.
- Animation tools – A large number of advanced animation tools are now available within both editor timelines. This huge update allows you to create and edit audio and video transitions without the need to create composite shots.
↓ 02 – NATRON | macOS | Windows | Linux
Natron is a powerful Digital Compositor that can handle of your 2D/2.5D needs. Its robust OIIO file formats and OpenFX architecture is what make Natron the most flexible open source compositor for the visual effects community. Its interface and functionally are the same across all platforms such as MacOS, Linux and Windows. Natron has a powerful keying, roto/rotopaint, 2D tracking tools that are staple for all current film production project that requires visual effects.
Adobe After Effects For Linux
- 32 bits floating point linear color processing pipeline.
- Colorspace management handled by OpenColorIO.
- Dozens of file formats supported: EXR, DPX, TIFF, PSD, SVG, RAW, JPG, PNG … and more.
- Network rendering: Natron can be used as a command-line tool and can be integrated on a render farm manager such as Afanasy.
↓ 03 – PixelConduit | macOS
Adobe After Effects Linux Alternative
Everything in PixelConduit is designed for realtime performance and high color precision. With its flexible user interface and advanced extension possibilities, PixelConduit is at home in any scenario that deals with video, whether it’s live effects, dynamic video installations, or post-production work like compositing and workflow automation.
Adobe After Effects Linux
PixelConduit includes over 90 different image processing operations that support High Dynamic Range imaging (floating-point color) everywhere throughout the rendering pipeline. All the built-in tools such as blue/green screen keyers, various color correction tools and high-quality blurs can be combined without limitations thanks to the Conduit Effect System, a powerful node-based user interface.
- Fast – Render in realtime even above HD resolutions. Thanks to the optimizing Conduit Effect System, you can combine dozens of full-quality effects such as keyers, blurs and tone curves while still editing live.
- Precise – Conduit always works in floating-point color (128-bit RGBA), so you never have to worry about color artifacts like clipping or banding again.
- Affordable – PixelConduit for Mac is free with no limitations to available resolutions, file formats or effect complexity. Also version 4.0 includes the Complete edition features for free.
- Powerful – Like high-end video effects systems, PixelConduit uses a node-based interface that shines for creating complex effects. The user interface is modern, ergonomic and respects the desktop environment.
- Universal – PixelConduit is a lightweight app that is easy to integrate in your workflow.