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Film & TV · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Babylon.js

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Film & TV

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Babylon.js logo

Babylon.js

AR/VR & Metaverse

Powerful 3D engine for the web with WebXR

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Babylon.js has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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.; Babylon.js javaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe After Effects and Babylon.js actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Babylon.js differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsBabylon.js
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacosWeb, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native
CategoryFilm & TVAR/VR & Metaverse
Founded19901975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Babylon.js

  • WebGL/WebGPU rendering
  • Physics engines
  • GUI system
  • Node material editor
  • WebXR
  • glTF
  • Havok physics
  • Azure

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics creationnot Babylon.js
  • Visual effects compositingnot Babylon.js
  • Title sequencesnot Babylon.js
  • Commercial advertisingnot Babylon.js
  • Social media contentnot Babylon.js

Babylon.js

  • Web 3D rendering engine for games, e-commerce product configuration, and interactive experiencesnot Adobe After Effects
  • Cross-platform 3D development with native runtime and React Native supportnot 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.

Babylon.js

  • JavaScript-only framework; requires developer expertise to implement and maintain

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

Babylon.js

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Babylon.js review.

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 Babylon.js if

  • You need webgl/webgpu rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native.
  • You also want physics engines.
Babylon.js review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Babylon.js better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Babylon.js at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Babylon.js?
Babylon.js has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects and Free for Babylon.js.
Does Adobe After Effects or Babylon.js run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Babylon.js runs on Web, Native (via Babylon Native Runtime), React Native.
Can I use Babylon.js for free?
Yes. Babylon.js has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month.
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 Babylon.js is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Babylon.js cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Babylon.js covers WebGL/WebGPU rendering, Physics engines, GUI system, Node material editor.
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