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Entertainment · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs Showtime

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Entertainment

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Showtime logo

Showtime

Entertainment

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/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.; Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Showtime 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 Showtime actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and Showtime differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsShowtime
Starting price$22.99/month$10.99/month
PlatformsWindows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded19901983

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Showtime

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

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

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot Adobe After Effects
  • Sports watchingnot 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.

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid period, per the App Store listing

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

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

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 Showtime if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Showtime review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or Showtime better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Showtime at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or Showtime?
Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and Showtime at $10.99/month.
Does Adobe After Effects or Showtime run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
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 Showtime is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that Showtime cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Showtime covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Sports.
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