Adobe After Effects is undoubtedly one of the industry-leading software programs for video editing. However, there are many more quality and feature-rich photo editors on the market.
Many video creators often discuss the cost of the new Adobe After Effects package. In this post, we will discuss 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 is other video editing and compositing software available in the market that is equally good, and some of them are even free! So, let’s start with our list of top Adobe After Effects alternatives to learn about them.
Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives
Here are some of your Windows machine’s best video editing and compositing software. We have handpicked each one and ranked it according to its features and price. So take a thorough look before installing one.
1. FXhome HitFilm
You have probably heard about HitFilm Express before. This is FXhome HitFilm, a complete package replacement for Adobe After Effects. It has everything you might need for video editing or compositing.
The best feature of HitFilm is that both editing and compositing can be done without importing or exporting. You can apply as many transactions and effects as you like 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
Have you heard of Blender? 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 also be actively used for video editing.
It supports 2D and 3D modeling, compositing, Keyframe adjustments, and much more. Do check this out—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 with robust team-working tools and features. Fusion is widely used to create visual effects and digital compositing for film, HD, and commercials. Fusion can run on 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 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 available. It is free, easy to use, and comes with all modern features that are quick and handy.
The app comes with 2D and 3D plugins. It also offers an option for editing 3D objects, light, shadow, and texture. This alternative to After Effects allows you to apply the effects of explosions, fire, smoke, etc. It’s 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. Compared to After Effects, it provides a much better hold and more control over OpenFX.
Moreover, it comes with GPU rendering for acceleration and offers a variety of plugins. You can also create several layers of masks and shapes to generate 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 and major projects such as VR projects. It might not be easy for beginners to use, but you can always get 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 also functions as a full-fledged video editing suite? Look no further. Fusion 16 is an all-in-one solution for creating animated videos and editing 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 powerful video editing tool with active composition windows, then you should choose this. It’s available on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
Camtasia Studio also comes with a screen recorder, making it ideal for YouTube tutorial videos, how-to guides, and other similar 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 to replacing 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.
