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Entertainment · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Clip Studio Paint

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Entertainment

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Clip Studio Paint logo

Clip Studio Paint

Video Production

Professional illustration and animation software

From
$4.49/month
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.; Clip Studio Paint monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe After Effects and Clip Studio Paint actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Clip Studio Paint differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsClip Studio Paint
Starting price$22.99/month$4.49/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWindows, MacosWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad
CategoryEntertainmentVideo Production
Founded19901991

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Clip Studio Paint

  • Natural drawing feel
  • Comic/manga tools
  • Animation features
  • 3D reference
  • Vector support
  • Photoshop files
  • 3D models
  • Graphics tablets

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 Clip Studio Paint
  • Visual effects compositingnot Clip Studio Paint
  • Title sequencesnot Clip Studio Paint
  • Commercial advertisingnot Clip Studio Paint
  • Social media contentnot Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint

  • Manga creationnot Adobe After Effects
  • Comic illustrationnot Adobe After Effects
  • 2D animationnot Adobe After Effects
  • Character designnot Adobe After Effects
  • Digital paintingnot 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.

Clip Studio Paint

  • Monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses
  • Limited built-in photo manipulation features compared to general-purpose image editors

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

Clip Studio Paint

$4.49/month
  • PRO Perpetual License$54/one-time
    • Full brush engine
    • 3D model integration
    • Basic animation (24 frames)
  • PRO Monthly Subscription$4.49/month
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • PRO Annual Subscription$26.99/year
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • EX Perpetual License$237/one-time
    • All PRO features
    • Unlimited animation frames
    • Multi-page management

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 Clip Studio Paint if

  • You need natural drawing feel.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad.
  • You also want comic/manga tools.
Clip Studio Paint review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Clip Studio Paint better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Clip Studio Paint at $4.49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Clip Studio Paint?
Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Clip Studio Paint at $4.49/month.
Does Adobe After Effects or Clip Studio Paint run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Clip Studio Paint runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad.
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 Clip Studio Paint is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Clip Studio Paint cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel, Comic/manga tools, Animation features, 3D reference. Both handle Windows support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clip Studio Paint: What are the differences between Clip Studio Paint PRO and EX?

PRO includes basic animation (24 frame limit) and is best for digital painting. EX includes unlimited animation frames, multi-page management for publishing, LT conversion, and professional animation timelines.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Can I use Clip Studio Paint on mobile?

Yes. Clip Studio Paint offers monthly and annual plans that cover both desktop and mobile access. Desktop-only perpetual licenses are available but do not include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: What payment options does Clip Studio Paint offer?

Clip Studio Paint offers one-time perpetual licenses for desktop ($54 PRO, $237 EX), monthly subscriptions ($4.49 PRO, $9.99 EX), and annual subscriptions ($26.99 PRO, $75.99 EX) that include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Does Clip Studio Paint include 3D model integration?

Yes. Both PRO and EX versions include 3D model integration for digital artists to use as reference or directly in compositions.

Source
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