After Effects vs Maya: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for After Effects and Maya side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, After Effects leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
After Effects
Motion graphics and visual effects
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
Maya
3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard 3D
| At a Glance | After Effects | Maya |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $22.99/mo, billed monthly After Effects plan | From $305/year Maya Indie plan |
Category | Video Editing Animation | 3D Design Animation |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,093 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 267 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No perpetual license: Autodesk eliminated perpetual licenses in 2016. Stop paying and you lose access to everything, including your own .ma/.mb files (limited third-party support). You are renting, not owning. |
Choose After Effects or Maya?
Choose After Effects if
- You want industry standard
- You want powerful features
- You work in video editing, not 3d design
Choose Maya if
- You want industry standard 3D
- You want animation tools
- You work in 3d design, not video editing
In-Depth Analysis
After Effects
Motion graphics and visual effects
Adobe's After Effects pricing is fair for individual users at $22.99/month (annual), offering essential features.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Powerful features
- Pro: Huge plugin ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Subscription cost
- Con: Resource intensive
Key features
Maya
3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
It remains the industry standard for character animation, rigging, and VFX pipelines in film and games, but the value proposition has eroded significantly.
Watch out
No perpetual license: Autodesk eliminated perpetual licenses in 2016. Stop paying and you lose access to everything, including your own .ma/.mb files (limited third-party support). You are renting, not owning.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard 3D
- Pro: Animation tools
- Pro: VFX capabilities
- Pro: Good for film
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Very expensive
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Complex interface
- Con: Subscription only
Key features
Plans and prices: After Effects vs Maya
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| After Effects |
| adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html read Oct 31, 2026 |
| Maya |
| autodesk.com/maya read Oct 7, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on After Effects pricing and Maya pricing.
Key Takeaways
After Effects
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
Maya
- Choose if you want 3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
What the data shows
On the data below, After Effects leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- After Effects has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 1,093 reviews for After Effects, 4.3/5 from 267 reviews for Maya).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: After Effects $22.99/mo, billed monthly; Maya $305/year.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do After Effects and Maya compare in 2026?
On the data below, After Effects leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. After Effects has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 1,093 reviews for After Effects, 4.3/5 from 267 reviews for Maya). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: After Effects $22.99/mo, billed monthly; Maya $305/year.
What are After Effects and Maya used for?
After Effects: Motion graphics and visual effects. Maya: 3D animation and modeling by Autodesk.
What does After Effects cost vs Maya?
After Effects's cheapest paid plan is After Effects at $22.99/mo, billed monthly. Maya's cheapest paid plan is Maya Indie at $305/year. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between After Effects and Maya?
After Effects's main strength: industry standard. Maya's main strength: industry standard 3D.