The Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternatives – Ranked

Adobe After Effects is an amazing software for video effects creation, but it can be a bit pricy if you are not making a living with it. For the amateur video creators, here are some great free alternatives to Adobe After Effects.

1. DaVinci Resolve: Best for Broadcast Graphics

DaVinci Resolve is an advanced, node-based compositing software used by visual effects artists and motion graphic designers for broadcast TV and feature films. It’s an incredibly powerful free alternative, especially for automating repetitive graphics.

Resolve’s node-based system offers immense flexibility, allowing you to mix footage of different resolutions and formats. It features powerful 3D tools, particle effects, and GPU acceleration for real-time previews of complex effects like fog and mist. Resolve is available for free within DaVinci Resolve, providing a full post-production suite.

Pros

• A robust, professional-grade free tool.
• Can import 3D models from other major software.
• Excellent for building a career in VFX.

Cons

• Node-based workflow has a very steep learning curve, even for those familiar with After Effects.

Key Features:

• Advanced chroma keying with matte finesse controls.
• 3D particle effects that simulate gravity, friction, and turbulence.
• Automated object tracking, stabilization, and match moving.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

2. Blender: Best for Animators

Blender is a renowned open-source powerhouse perfect for 3D animation, modeling, and rendering. Its integrated VFX and motion graphics tools make it a formidable free alternative to After Effects.

Blender features a full compositor, motion tracking, 2D and 3D animation, and particle simulation. It’s an all-in-one package for intermediate to advanced users looking to create complex 3D motion graphics. It has a massive, supportive community and is regularly updated with significant improvements.

Pros

• Completely free and open-source.
• Extremely powerful for 3D animation and modeling.
• Huge, active community with extensive learning resources.

Cons

• Very high learning curve and an unintuitive interface.
• Can be demanding on older computer hardware.

Key Features:

• A full suite of 3D animation tools, including rigging and rendering.
• Automatic and manual motion tracking with camera reconstruction.
• Powerful video editing and compositing nodes.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

3. Natron: Best for Flexibility & Compositing

Natron is an open-source digital compositor that specializes in visual effects. It is highly flexible, with powerful rotoscoping and 2D tracking tools, making it a great free alternative for VFX professionals.

Like Fusion, Natron uses a node-based interface and is often compared to high-end software like Nuke. It supports over 250 community plug-ins and uses RAM/Disk cache technology for fast rendering and real-time playback. As it is community-maintained, updates can be infrequent, so it’s best used as a learning tool or for personal projects.

Pros

• Fast rendering and real-time playback.
• Highly flexible and customizable node-based interface.
• Large library of community-created plug-ins.

Cons

• Can be unstable with large, complex files.
• Lacks support for creating 3D effects.

Key Features:

• Powerful multi-layered rotoscoping for unlimited masks and shapes.
• Planar and 2D tracking.
• Edit clips and keyframes directly in the timeline.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

4. Wax: Best for Beginners

Wax is a simple, efficient video compositing and special effects application. Its straightforward interface makes it an ideal free alternative for beginners who want to learn the basics of VFX without being overwhelmed.

Despite its outdated interface (the last update was in 2008), Wax is high-performance and lightweight. It offers real-time graphics acceleration, 3D compositing, and hundreds of effect presets. It works both as a standalone application and as a plugin for other editing software.

Pros

• Very easy to learn and use.
• Lightweight and doesn’t consume many computer resources.
• Completely free.

Cons

• Outdated interface and only supports older video formats like AVI.
• Lacks modern tools and technologies.

Key Features:

• Hundreds of easy-to-apply effect presets.
• 3D compositing with objects, lighting, and shadows.
• Simple layering of videos, sounds, and images.

Compatibility: Windows

5. HitFilm: Best for All-in-One VFX & Editing

HitFilm is a solid free alternative that combines professional-quality visual effects with comprehensive video editing in a single application. It’s designed to help beginners and indie filmmakers add cinematic effects to their projects.

The free version includes over 127 visual effects, 3D compositing, a particle simulator, and motion tracking. You can animate characters, import 3D models, and work with unlimited audio and video tracks. However, it has high system requirements, and many advanced features are watermarked in the free version.

Pros

• Familiar interface that is easier to learn than After Effects.
• Combines VFX and video editing in one tool.
• Supports various third-party plug-ins.

Cons

• Many VFX features are watermarked in the free version.
• High system requirements and can be slow to render.

Key Features:

• Point tracking to apply graphics and text to moving objects.
• 3D compositing with camera tracking and object integration.
• Library of professional presets for color correction.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

How to Choose the Best Free Adobe After Effects Alternative

• Skill Level: If you’re a beginner, start with PowerDirector or Wax. For professionals, Blackmagic Fusion or Blender are more suitable.
• Project Needs: For 3D animation, choose Blender. For broadcast-level compositing, choose Fusion. For an all-in-one editor and VFX suite, choose PowerDirector or HitFilm.
• Compatibility: Ensure the software runs on your operating system and that your computer meets the system requirements, as VFX software can be resource-intensive.