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Entertainment · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Pluto TV

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Entertainment

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pluto TV logo

Pluto TV

Entertainment

Stream movies, TV shows and clips for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pluto TV 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.; Pluto TV pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Pluto TV covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Pluto TV differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsPluto TV
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded19902013

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

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 Pluto TV

  • Streaming
  • Live TV channels
  • Movies
  • TV shows
  • Recommendations
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account management

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

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

Pluto TV

  • Free streamingnot Adobe After Effects
  • Live TVnot Adobe After Effects
  • On-demand contentnot 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.

Pluto TV

  • Pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

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

Pluto TV

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full content
    • Live channels
    • Ad-supported

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 Pluto TV if

  • You need streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want live tv channels.
Pluto TV review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Pluto TV better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Pluto TV at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Pluto TV?
Pluto TV has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects and Free for Pluto TV.
Does Adobe After Effects or Pluto TV run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Pluto TV runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Pluto TV for free?
Yes. Pluto TV 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 Pluto TV is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Pluto TV cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Pluto TV covers Streaming, Live TV channels, Movies, TV shows.
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