A node-based application designed to specialise in real time compositing, you can use Natron to create visual effects, with over 250 ready-made plugins to utilise.

With the development of digitisation, the gap between still and motion photography has decreased, and creativity often moves seamlessly between the two.

Hybrid cameras which shoot both video and photography to an extremely high level have been popular since the Canon 5D Mark II.

They opened up new possibilities to shoot both video and photography at a professional and amateur level and are now the norm.

The best-known video editing and effects program, Adobe After Effects, is primarily thought of as a moving image toolset but has provided great opportunities for still photographers for some time.

In this article, well look at a wide range of Adobe After Effects alternatives, from those that are free through the mid-range prices and up to the professional level.

Animated Aftereffects Free After Effects

So, if youve ever asked yourself: is there an app like Adobe After Effects this is the guide for you;-) Table of Contents Best Free After Effects Alternatives 1.

Blender 2. Wax 3.

Natron 4. Hitfilm Express 5.

ButtleOFX Best Paid After Effects Alternatives 1.

Apple Motion 4. Autodesk Smoke 5.

NUKE After Effects Alternative FAQ Final Words Best Free After Effects Alternatives After Effects provides users with a robust and wide-ranging set of tools that will enable both professionals and new users to create stunning visual effects.

It does cost money to use but luckily, weve compiled a list of the best After Effects alternatives available for free 1.

Blender If youre looking for a free alternative to After Effects, we have to start with the open-source app Blender.

Cross-platform available for macOS, Windows, Linux and incredibly versatile, Blender is much loved by many users.

Because Blender is open source, its free to download and use.

Blender is also useful for modelling, sculpting, drawing and animations.

So whether youre looking to undertake rigging, texturing, compositing or UV unwrapping, Blender can fulfil all the tasks you need.

The rendering quality is also incredibly realistic, really helping you create effective video FX.

Whats more, Blender includes camera reconstruction and object tracking (tracking can be set to manual or automatic).

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All in all, Blender is an incredibly adaptable and responsive piece of open source software and if youre a beginner, theres a full community support network available via the Blender website, to help you get started.

Wax Wax is available for free, for personal or business use.

Wax is a flexible piece of software, adept at video compositing and visual effects.

The software works in two different modes: the first is a standalone application (ideal for beginners and non-professionals), the second is as a plug-in to video editors (ideal for more professional use).

You can easily create, save and use presets in Wax which can then be used as a chain to help create unique effects.

Features available when using Wax include graphic acceleration enabling effects in realtime, unlimited tracks for audio or video which enable different compositing modes, and plug ins that enable full 3D compositing and 3D modeling, texturing and shadow manipulation, to name just a few.

It must be said that Wax only supports AVI and WAV when importing files.

But overall, Wax offers a lot for no investment so if youre looking for free software for 2D3D effects, Wax is well worth considering.

Natron Natron is another free piece of cross-platform software to consider as an alternative to After Effects.

Free Animated Aftereffects