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Entertainment · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Frame.io

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Entertainment

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Frame.io logo

Frame.io

Video Production

Cloud-based video review and collaboration platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Frame.io 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.; Frame.io storage limits on Free and Pro tiers can be restrictive for large video projects.
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Frame.io covers Time-coded review comments.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Frame.io differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsFrame.io
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macosweb, ios, android
CategoryEntertainmentVideo Production
Founded1990Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Frame.io

  • Time-coded review comments
  • Camera to Cloud
  • Editing app integrations
  • Custom-branded sharing
  • Forensic watermarking
  • Single sign-on

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics creationnot Frame.io
  • Visual effects compositingnot Frame.io
  • Title sequencesnot Frame.io
  • Commercial advertisingnot Frame.io
  • Social media contentnot Frame.io

Frame.io

  • Reviewing and approving video edits with remote clientsnot Adobe After Effects
  • Live camera-to-cloud uploads during a shootnot Adobe After Effects
  • Managing media assets across a production teamnot Adobe After Effects
  • Enterprise video workflows requiring SSO and watermarkingnot 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.

Frame.io

  • Storage limits on Free and Pro tiers can be restrictive for large video projects.
  • Per-member pricing on Pro and Team plans scales quickly for larger teams.
  • Advanced security features like forensic watermarking and DRM require the custom-priced Enterprise tier.
  • Free plan caps projects and members too low for regular production use.

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

Frame.io

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 2 members
    • 2GB storage
    • Up to 2 projects
  • Pro$15/month
    • Up to 5 members
    • 2TB included storage
    • Unlimited projects
  • Team$25/month
    • Up to 15 members
    • 3TB included storage
    • Internal comments

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 Frame.io if

  • You need time-coded review comments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android.
  • You also want camera to cloud.
Frame.io review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Frame.io better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Frame.io at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Frame.io?
Frame.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects and Free for Frame.io.
Does Adobe After Effects or Frame.io run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Frame.io runs on web, ios, android.
Can I use Frame.io for free?
Yes. Frame.io 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 Frame.io is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Frame.io cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Frame.io covers Time-coded review comments, Camera to Cloud, Editing app integrations, Custom-branded sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Frame.io: What does Frame.io cost?

Frame.io offers a Free plan for up to 2 members, a Pro plan at $15/month per member, and a Team plan at $25/month per member, plus a custom-priced Enterprise tier.

Source
Frame.io: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The Free plan supports up to 2 members, 2GB of storage, and up to 2 projects, including Camera to Cloud, transcription, and captions.

Source
Frame.io: Does Frame.io integrate with editing software?

Yes, all plans include integrations with Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Lightroom.

Source
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