Adobe After Effects
6 free alternatives
Top pick:DaVinci ResolveLicense: Free tier
Saves $264 USD a year
Motion graphics & compositing
Animate titles and graphics, and composite visual effects with layers or nodes.
Paid apps and their free alternatives
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Free motion graphics & compositing tools
Every free tool in this category, by name.
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4 alternatives
Cavalry
Procedural 2D motion design app with real-time playback, rigs, data-driven animation and Lottie export.
License: Free tier- Windows
- macOS
Status: Verified- MOV: saves only, partial fidelity. Video render; codec options are narrower than After Effects
- MP4: saves only, partial fidelity. Video render; codec options are narrower than After Effects
This replaces Adobe After Effects
EffectCraft
Open-source motion graphics and compositing app written in Rust, with keyframes, effects, expressions and a render queue.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Self-hosted
Status: Active- MOV: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Exports ProRes MOV with alpha; not independently checked
- MP4: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Exports HEVC and AV1 MP4; H.264 export is not listed
This replaces Adobe After Effects
Friction
Open-source 2D motion graphics app for vector and raster animation, with GPU rendering and scripted expressions.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- MOV: saves only, partial fidelity. Renders video through FFmpeg
- MP4: saves only, partial fidelity. Renders video through FFmpeg
This replaces Adobe After Effects
Natron
Open-source node-based compositor for 2D visual effects, with OpenFX plug-ins, tracking and rotoscoping.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- MOV: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Video through FFmpeg; codec choices depend on the build
- MP4: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Video through FFmpeg; codec choices depend on the build
This replaces Adobe After Effects