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SPECIFICTION
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Adobe After Effects

adobe.com

From $19.99/mo Free trial WindowsmacOS
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Spec score 8.3 #3 of 21 in Vfx Tools

What it is

Adobe After Effects is motion design and visual effects software for animating text, illustrations, and graphics and compositing effects for film, TV, video, and the web. It can animate still images for title sequences and credits, and its 3D workspace combines animated 3D shapes with 2D graphics. AI Object Matte isolates a moving subject, with refinement brushes for stray pixels; object tracking and Content-Aware Fill can remove unwanted elements across frames. Compositions can move into Premiere through Adobe Dynamic Link without intermediate rendering, and layered Photoshop files keep their layers on import. Render projects in the app’s Render Queue or with Adobe Media Encoder. Adobe recommends a dedicated video editor such as Premiere for editing clips. The software runs on macOS and Windows; activation, subscription validation, and online services require internet access and registration. A seven-day trial is available, but there is no free plan. Adobe also provides free training guides and instructor-led video courses.

Spec sheet

Purpose
After Effects is motion design and visual effects software for animating text, graphics, and illustrations and compositing effects for film, TV, video, and the web.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Free plan
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · adobe.com
Headquarters
San Jose, California, USARead 23 Sep 2026 · adobe.com
Founded
1982Read 23 Sep 2026 · adobe.com
3D workspace
Its 3D workspace supports creating, combining, and animating 3D shapes alongside 2D graphics.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
AI matte
AI Object Matte can isolate a moving subject with a hover and click, with refinement brushes for stray pixels.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Editing limit
Adobe recommends using a dedicated video editing app such as Premiere for editing video clips.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Motion graphics
It animates still images, illustrations, and text for motion graphics, including title sequences and credits.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Photoshop integration
Layered Photoshop PSD files can be imported with their layers intact.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Premiere integration
After Effects compositions can be imported into Premiere using Adobe Dynamic Link without intermediate rendering.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Rendering
Projects can be rendered in the app with Render Queue or outside it with Adobe Media Encoder.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Security and compliance
Adobe says it integrates security activities into its product lifecycle and undergoes independent audits for compliance with industry standards and regulations.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
System requirements
The current requirements page lists Windows and macOS and says internet access and registration are required for activation, subscription validation, and online services.Read 12 Oct 2026 · helpx.adobe.com
Tracking and cleanup
The product includes object tracking and Content-Aware Fill to remove unwanted elements across video frames.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Training and support
Adobe offers free training guides through its After Effects Training Portal and within the app, plus instructor-led video training courses.Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com

Plans and prices

Creative Cloud Pro for students and teachers $19.99 a month Annual, billed monthly; first year, then US$39.99/mo 20+ apps including After Effects · 4,000 monthly generative credits · 100GB cloud storage · eligibility required Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
After Effects $22.99 a month Annual, billed monthly After Effects · Adobe Express Premium · Frame.io for Creative Cloud · 100GB cloud storage · 25 monthly generative credits Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Creative Cloud Pro $34.99 a month Annual, billed monthly; introductory price for the first 3 months, then US$69.99/mo After Effects · 20+ apps · 4,000 monthly generative credits · 100GB cloud storage Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
After Effects for teams $37.99 a month Annual, billed monthly; per license After Effects · Adobe Express Premium · Frame.io for Creative Cloud · 100GB cloud storage · 25 monthly generative credits Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com
Creative Cloud Pro for teams $99.99 a month Annual, billed monthly; per license After Effects · 20+ apps · 4,000 monthly generative credits · 100GB cloud storage Read 12 Oct 2026 · adobe.com

Every Adobe After Effects plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Animates text, illustrations, and still images
  • AI matte and object-tracking tools included
  • Imports layered Photoshop files with layers intact
  • Dynamic Link sends compositions to Premiere
  • Runs on macOS and Windows

Limits

  • No free plan
  • Trial lasts seven days
  • Internet access and registration required for online services
  • Not recommended for editing video clips

Who it suits

It suits motion designers and visual-effects creators working with animation, compositing, and 3D elements alongside 2D graphics. Those who need to edit video clips should use a dedicated editing app, as Adobe recommends.

Verdict

After Effects focuses on motion design and visual effects, with tools for animation, compositing, tracking, and cleanup. It has a seven-day trial, but no free plan, and Adobe recommends a separate app for clip editing.

Where Specifiction places it

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