There is no doubt Adobe After Effects is one of the industry-leading software when it comes to video editing. However, there are much more quality and feature-rich photo editors in the market.
Many video creators often talk about how expensive the new Adobe After Effects package is. So today, in this post, we will talk about some great alternatives to Adobe After Effects to step up your video editing game.
Adobe After Effects is a video editing and compositing software capable of making animations, transactions, effects and much more. It is an all-in-one package for any video editing need a video or film creator ever wants.
However, there are other video editing and compositing software available in the market, which are equally good, and some of them are even free! So let’s start with our list of top Adobe After Effects alternatives list to know them.
Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives in 2023
Here are some of the best video editing and compositing software for your Windows machine. We have handpicked each one of them and ranked it according to their features and price. So take a thorough look before planning to install one of them.
1. FXhome HitFilm
You probably have heard about HitFilm Express before. This is FXhome HitFilm and it is a complete package replacement for Adobe After Effects. It has got everything you might need for video editing or compositing.
The best feature bout HitFilm is that both editing and compositing can be done without importing or exporting. You can apply as many transactions and effects to multiple composite shots and they will run smoothly.
Pros:
- Supports 2D & 3D video compositing
- Similar UI as to After Effects
Cons:
- Stability issues
- It does not work with 14″ or 12″ laptops
2. Blender
Blender, ever heard of it? It is a completely free and open-source content creation tool for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Blender’s main purpose is modeling and composting, but it can be actively used for video editing as well.
It supports 2D modeling, 3D modeling, compositing, Keyframe adjustments and much more. Do check this out co it’s free, and that’s a great price!
Pros:
- Completely free and open source
- Smooth keyframing
Cons:
- Hard to understand, complex to build video edits
3. Autodesk Smoke
Autodesk is a reputed brand name in the software industry. From sketching to modeling, they have got it all. Autodesk Smoke is a brilliant video editing and compositing software for Mac users. With native support for industry-standard media formats, you can finish projects faster than ever!
Pros:
- Supports various industry-leading media formats
- It supports making 3D text/titles with animation features
Cons:
- Expensive $145 per year subscription
4. Eyeon Fusion
Fusion is a video editing solution from Davinci Resolve. It is an industry-standard product that comes with robust team-working tools and features. It is widely used to create visual effects and digital compositing for film, HD and commercials. Fusion can run both in Windows and Linux (using a customized Wine. )
Pros:
- It belongs to DaVinci Resolve so you can make visual effects along with Resolve
- It is a film-making industry maker for professionals
Cons:
- The steep learning curve for most the users
- $299 one-time purchase package
5. Wax
Sometimes you don’t really want to do heavy video editing besides some basic video compositing. For such users, Wax is the best software up to date. It is free, easy to use and comes with all modern features, which are quick and handy.
The app comes with 2D and 3D plugins. There is also an option for editing 3D objects, light, shadow and texture. In addition, this alternative to After Effects allows you to apply the effects of the explosion, fire, smoke, etc. So a great tool for exploring your creativity.
Pros:
- Supports 3D files
- Many video effects
- Supports import into other formats
Cons:
- Outdated design
- It doesn’t support the import of Flash files
6. Natron
Natron is a great alternative to After Effects. It is open-source software supported on Windows/ Linux and Mac. It provides you with a much better hold and more control over OpenFX, as compared to After Effects.
Moreover, it comes with GPU rendering for acceleration and offers a variety of plugins. You can further create several layers of masks and shapes for generating better effects.
Pros:
- Offers 250+ plugins to create exclusive visual effects
- Supports 2D and 2.5D effects
Cons:
- It doesn’t support 3D visuals
7. Nuke
Nuke is a mighty VFX maker often used in the film industry to create mind-blowing effects. It is a multi-channel processing software with further customizable options.
Besides, you can use it for personal use and major projects such as VR projects and more. However, it might not be easy to use for beginners, but you could always help from the tutorials.
Pros:
- Effective tool for creating high-quality VFX
- Offers tutorials for new users
Cons:
- A complicated one for beginners
- Very expensive as an After Effect alternative
8. Fusion 16
Looking for an animation tool that doubles as a full-fledged video editing suite? Look no more. Fusion 16 is an all-in-one animation solution to create animated videos and edit them on the go.
Pros:
- VR editing support.
- Live-action shots and reconstructs 3D camera movement.
9. Camtasia Studio
If you are looking for a simple-to-use yet a power video editing tool with active composition windows, then this is what you should choose. It’s available on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
Camtasia Studio also comes with a screen recorder, so it is ideal for Youtube, How to guides and tutorial videos.
Pros:
- Supports screen recording natively
- pre-made animation/composition available
- eye-catching tiles, annotations, and callouts.
10. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
Featured with many advanced tools, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate could be one of the best choices when it comes replace Adobe After Effects. You can edit a video the way you want and the quality such as HD, 4K, and 360.
Paint effects, seamless transition, and color gradient functionality can produce a video like a pro. Frame-accurate customization is another nice feature that needs to be mentioned.
Pros
- Screen recording and editing.
- Video Stabilization.
- 360 video editing.
- Split screen template creator.
From Editor’s Desk
So that’s the end of this list, guys. We hope you have found your next video editing and compositing software from this list. Let us know if we missed any worthy of adding software to this list. We will keep updating this list as new software launches. So bookmark our website and don’t miss any updates.
