The Bottom Line
Entry price
From $22.99/mo
Biggest pro
Industry standard
Biggest con
Steep learning curve
TL;DR - After Effects
- After Effects is a motion design software for creating stunning motion graphics and visual effects.
- It allows users to animate logos, characters, and add eye-catching visual effects to any video project.
- After Effects is available for individuals, businesses, and students/teachers, with a free trial option.
What is After Effects?
Available on: Web
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry standard
- Powerful features
- Huge plugin ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Subscription cost
- Resource intensive
Ratings Across the Web
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
7-day Free TrialPricing checked Aug 1, 2026
After Effects
$22.99/month (annual)
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Firefly credits
- Adobe Fonts
- Latest updates
All Apps
$59.99/month (annual)
- 20+ Creative apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Firefly
- Premiere Pro included
Students
$19.99/month (annual)
- 66% discount
- All Creative apps
- 100GB storage
- Educational use
Is After Effects worth the price?
Adobe's After Effects pricing is fair for individual users at $22.99/month (annual), offering essential features.
However, the 'All Apps' plan at $59.99/month provides significantly more value for professionals needing a full suite. The 'Students' plan at $19.99/month is exceptionally generous.
It's best for individuals or students deeply integrated into the Adobe ecosystem.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Annual commitment required for listed prices
Higher monthly cost if not annual
No perpetual license option
How After Effects Compares to Competitors
Compared to DaVinci Resolve Studio's one-time purchase of $295, After Effects' $22.99/month (annual) becomes more expensive over time. However, After Effects offers deeper integration with other Adobe tools like Premiere Pro, which DaVinci Resolve lacks natively. Fusion, a part of DaVinci Resolve, offers similar VFX capabilities for free.
How After Effects's pricing compares
At $1.67/mo, After Effects is the most affordable of its 4 direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 1, 2026.
Reviews
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Best After Effects Alternatives
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Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.