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Film & TV · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs KeyShot

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Film & TV

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KeyShot logo

KeyShot

3D & CAD

Real-time 3D rendering and animation

From
$108.25/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.; KeyShot professional plan costs £108.25/month per user; total cost for small teams can be substantial
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, KeyShot covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and KeyShot differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsKeyShot
Starting price$22.99/month$108.25/month
PlatformsWindows, MacosWindows
CategoryFilm & TV3D & CAD
Founded19902003

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 KeyShot

  • Real-time rendering
  • Ray tracing
  • Animation
  • Material library
  • HDR lighting
  • VR output
  • GPU rendering
  • Denoising

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 KeyShot
  • Visual effects compositingnot KeyShot
  • Title sequencesnot KeyShot
  • Commercial advertisingnot KeyShot
  • Social media contentnot KeyShot

KeyShot

  • Product rendering and visualisationnot Adobe After Effects
  • Real-time ray tracing for design reviewnot Adobe After Effects
  • 3D animation and motion graphicsnot Adobe After Effects
  • Interactive 3D product presentationsnot 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.

KeyShot

  • Professional plan costs £108.25/month per user; total cost for small teams can be substantial
  • 3-year commitment reduces to £3,897 per user, but locks in pricing for extended period
  • Network Rendering, Studio VR, and Cloud Rendering are paid add-ons (£29-£99/month additional)
  • No clear platform support information; likely Windows-only based on CAD tool integrations

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

KeyShot

$108.25/month

No published plan breakdown. See the KeyShot 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 KeyShot if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want ray tracing.
KeyShot review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or KeyShot better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and KeyShot at $108.25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or KeyShot?
Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and KeyShot at $108.25/month.
Does Adobe After Effects or KeyShot run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. KeyShot runs on Windows.
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 KeyShot is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that KeyShot cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. KeyShot covers Real-time rendering, Ray tracing, Animation, Material library. Both handle Windows support.
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