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Software · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Affinity Designer

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Software

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Affinity Designer logo

Affinity Designer

Software

Professional graphic design software for everyone

From
$69.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Adobe After Effects the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.; Affinity Designer sold as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription: the Windows or macOS edition was priced at CA$94.99, the cross-platform Universal License at CA$224.99, and the standalone iPad edition at CA$24.99 (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Affinity Designer covers Vector drawing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe After Effects and Affinity Designer actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Affinity Designer differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsAffinity Designer
Starting price$22.99/month$69.99/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, MacosWindows, Macos, Ios
Founded19901994

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics
  • Visual effects
  • 2D and 3D compositing
  • Animation tools
  • Keying and rotoscoping
  • Color correction
  • Text animation
  • Particle systems

Only in Affinity Designer

  • Vector drawing
  • Bezier tools
  • Gradient tools
  • Typography
  • Pixel-perfect editing
  • Artboards
  • Symbols
  • Non-destructive effects

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics creationnot Affinity Designer
  • Visual effects compositingnot Affinity Designer
  • Title sequencesnot Affinity Designer
  • Commercial advertisingnot Affinity Designer
  • Social media contentnot Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer

  • Logo designnot Adobe After Effects
  • Vector illustrationnot Adobe After Effects
  • Icon designnot Adobe After Effects
  • Brandingnot Adobe After Effects

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe After Effects

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.

Affinity Designer

  • Sold as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription: the Windows or macOS edition was priced at CA$94.99, the cross-platform Universal License at CA$224.99, and the standalone iPad edition at CA$24.99 (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe After Effects

$22.99/month
  • After Effects Single App$22.99/month
    • Motion graphics and VFX
    • 3D design space
    • Data-driven animation

Affinity Designer

$69.99/one-time
  • Standard$69.99/one-time
    • Full version
    • All features
    • Lifetime updates

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe After Effects if

  • You need motion graphics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos.
  • You also want visual effects.
Adobe After Effects review

Choose Affinity Designer if

  • You need vector drawing.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
  • You also want bezier tools.
Affinity Designer review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Affinity Designer better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Affinity Designer at $69.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Affinity Designer?
Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Affinity Designer at $69.99/one-time.
Does Adobe After Effects or Affinity Designer run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Affinity Designer runs on Windows, Macos, Ios.
What is Adobe After Effects best used for?
Adobe After Effects is most often used for motion graphics creation, visual effects compositing, title sequences, commercial advertising. Of those, motion graphics creation and visual effects compositing are not what Affinity Designer is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Affinity Designer cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Affinity Designer covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Gradient tools, Typography. Both handle Windows support, Macos support.
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