After Effects vs Maya: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between After Effects and Maya comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Maya wins this matchup. Our overall Animation pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Animation pick is Keynote. Pick After Effects if you need video editing.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
After Effects
Motion graphics and visual effects
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
- • You want powerful features
Maya
3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard 3D
- • You want animation tools
| At a Glance | After Effects | Maya |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $19.99/month (annual)Students | $168/moMonthly |
Best For | Video Editing | 3D Design |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose After Effects or Maya?
Choose After Effects if
Motion graphics and visual effects
- You want industry standard
- You want powerful features
- Budget matters ($19.99/month (annual) vs $168/mo)
- Your work is video editing-shaped, not 3d design-shaped
Choose Maya if
3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
- You want industry standard 3D
- You want animation tools
- Your work is 3d design-shaped, not video editing-shaped
| Feature | After Effects | Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 1,093 reviews | ★4.3/5 267 reviews |
| Categories | Video EditingAnimation | 3D DesignAnimation |
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
- +Industry standard
- +Powerful features
- +Huge plugin ecosystem
Weaknesses
- -Steep learning curve
- -Subscription cost
- -Resource intensive
Key features
Maya
3D animation and modeling by Autodesk
Maya costs $1,945/year (annual) or $245/month, a 7% price increase from $1,875 in 2025.
Watch out
Annual price creep: Maya went from $1,875/year (2025) to $1,945/year (2026), a $70/year increase. Autodesk has raised prices 3 times since 2022, averaging 4-5% annually. Expect $2,000+/year by 2027.
Strengths
- +Industry standard 3D
- +Animation tools
- +VFX capabilities
- +Good for film
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Very expensive
- -Steep learning curve
- -Resource intensive
- -Complex interface
- -Subscription only
Key features
Pricing: After Effects vs Maya
| Plan | After Effects | Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $22.99 month (annual) After Effects | $305 Maya Indie |
| Tier 2 | $59.99 month (annual) All Apps | $168 Monthly |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 month (annual) Students | $1875 Annual |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on After Effects pricing and Maya pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Maya
Want the highest-rated option?
After Effects: 4.6/5 (1,093 reviews). Maya: 4.3/5 (267 reviews).
Go with: After Effects
Value user reviews?
After Effects: 1,093 reviews (4.6/5). Maya: 267 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: After Effects
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
After Effects is a video editing tool. Maya is in 3d design. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
After Effects is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Maya
- Our pick for this comparison
After Effects
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (1,093 reviews)
- Better fit for video editing
The Bottom Line
Maya wins this matchup. Our overall Animation pick is Adobe Creative Cloud. Our free Animation pick is Keynote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is After Effects or Maya better?
Maya is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
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 is a paid tool. Maya is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.