Free Adobe After Effects alternatives

Adobe After Effects is a motion graphics and visual effects tool used by video editors, animators and motion designers. It is licensed through a subscription, which adds up for occasional compositing. Blender includes motion and compositing tools in one free 3D package, while Natron is a free node compositor.

Best free alternative to Adobe After Effects: Blender. Node-based compositing, motion tracking and a built-in video editor, plus 3D.

  1. Blender

    You get: Node-based compositing, motion tracking and a built-in video editor, plus 3D.

    You miss: After Effects' layer-based motion design, large plugin ecosystem and expression workflow.

    Get BlenderBlender vs Adobe After Effects

  2. Natron

    You get: Node-based compositing, rotoscoping and tracking for VFX work, free and open source.

    You miss: After Effects' layer-based motion design, template library and Adobe app integration.

    Get NatronNatron vs Adobe After Effects

Side by side

OptionWhat you getWhat you miss
BlenderNode-based compositing, motion tracking and a built-in video editor, plus 3D.After Effects' layer-based motion design, large plugin ecosystem and expression workflow.
NatronNode-based compositing, rotoscoping and tracking for VFX work, free and open source.After Effects' layer-based motion design, template library and Adobe app integration.

Questions people ask

What is the best free alternative to Adobe After Effects?

Blender. Node-based compositing, motion tracking and a built-in video editor, plus 3D.

Is there a free version of Adobe After Effects?

Not a full one, but Blender and Natron are free and cover most of what Adobe After Effects does.

What do you miss with a free Adobe After Effects alternative?

After Effects' layer-based motion design, large plugin ecosystem and expression workflow.