After Effects Pricing 2026
Plans, hidden costs, and cheaper alternatives compared
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.
Pricing Plans
7-day Free TrialAfter 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
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Annual commitment required for listed prices
Higher monthly cost if not annual
No perpetual license option
Which Plan Do You Need?
Motion graphic designers
Visual effects artists
Students learning creative tools
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.
After Effects Pricing FAQ
How much does After Effects cost?
After Effects starts at $1.67/month on the Students plan. It offers 3 paid tiers ranging from $1.67/month up to $1.67/month.
Does After Effects have a free plan?
After Effects does not offer a permanent free plan. However, a free trial is available for 7 days.
Does After Effects offer a free trial?
Yes, After Effects offers a free trial lasting 7 days. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.
What is the cheapest After Effects paid plan?
The cheapest paid plan for After Effects is "Students" at $1.67/month. Key features include: 66% discount, All Creative apps, 100GB storage.
Is there a cheaper alternative to After Effects?
Yes. Popular alternatives to After Effects include Adobe Premiere Pro, Filmora, CapCut. Free alternatives include Filmora, CapCut. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to After Effects
Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.
