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Software · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs ZBrush

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Software

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
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.; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and ZBrush differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsZBrush
Starting price$22.99/monthOn request
PlatformsWindows, MacosWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded19901986

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

  • Cinema 4D
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Adobe After Effects

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

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot Adobe After Effects
  • High-polygon organic form designnot Adobe After Effects
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot Adobe After Effects
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot 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.

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

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

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush 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 ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and ZBrush at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or ZBrush?
Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and ZBrush at On request.
Does Adobe After Effects or ZBrush run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
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 ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that ZBrush cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Cinema 4D, Windows support.
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