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Film & TV · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Twinmotion

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Film & TV

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Twinmotion logo

Twinmotion

3D & CAD

Real-time visualization for architecture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Twinmotion 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.; Twinmotion epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Twinmotion differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsTwinmotion
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
CategoryFilm & TV3D & CAD
Founded19901991

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Windows, Macos), 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 Twinmotion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Easy import
  • Vegetation
  • Phasing
  • VR export
  • Video export
  • Direct link to CAD
  • Revit

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

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

Twinmotion

  • Architectural visualizationnot Adobe After Effects
  • Design presentationnot 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.

Twinmotion

  • Epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.

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

Twinmotion

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Non-commercial
  • Professional$499/month
    • Commercial use

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 Twinmotion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want easy import.
Twinmotion review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Twinmotion better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Twinmotion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Twinmotion?
Twinmotion has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects and Free for Twinmotion.
Does Adobe After Effects or Twinmotion run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Twinmotion runs on Windows, MacOS.
Can I use Twinmotion for free?
Yes. Twinmotion 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 Twinmotion is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Twinmotion cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering, Easy import, Vegetation, Phasing. Both handle Windows support.
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