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Head-to-head · Visual Effects Software

Adobe After Effects vs Silhouette

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Adobe After Effects #4 in Visual Effects Software 9.0/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Adobe
Silhouette #5 in Visual Effects Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Boris FX

Adobe After Effects leads on 0 checks, Silhouette on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe After Effects · 9.0/10
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresAdobe After Effects · 4 of 5

Adobe After Effects scores higher on our rubric for visual effects software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Adobe After Effects is the better fit for motion graphics and mainstream VFX. Silhouette is the better fit for advanced roto and compositing cleanup.

  • Adobe After Effects fits best

    Motion graphics and mainstream VFX

  • Silhouette fits best

    Advanced roto and compositing cleanup

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Side by side

Feature Adobe After Effects 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Silhouette 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Visual Effects Software #5 in Visual Effects Software
Best for Motion graphics and mainstream VFX Advanced roto and compositing cleanup
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $545/yr
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days 14 days
Free trial length 7 days 14 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7 Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance 2FA GDPR
Integrations 5 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe After Effects 4/5 · Silhouette 0/5
Node-based compositing — Not checked yet
Keying tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Rotoscoping tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
3D camera tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Simulation tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS Not checked yet
Render engine Hybrid Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers 2D/3D compositing, tracking, keying, roto, and particles
  • Connects with Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Stock
  • Includes Content-Aware Fill, expressions, and Motion Graphics templates
  • Advanced roto, matte creation, keying, tracking, and cleanup tools
  • 400+ compositing nodes with HDR paint and machine-learning masking
  • Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux with major VFX integrations
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems
  • Uses a layer-based rather than node-based compositing workflow
  • Annual subscription starts at $545
  • Monthly pricing is $103 per month
  • No free plan for ongoing access
Our verdict

Adobe After Effects is desktop software for motion design, compositing, animation, and visual effects. It is aimed at motion designers, video editors, filmmakers, and visual-effects artists who need animated titles, 2D and 3D compositions,…

Read the review →

Silhouette is a GPU-accelerated desktop application and plugin for professional visual-effects artists and studios. Boris FX combines advanced rotoscoping, matte creation, keying, tracking, paint, warping, morphing, and node-based…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe After EffectsVisual Effects Software 9.07-day trial
  2. SilhouetteVisual Effects Software 8.714-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe After Effects — where it wins

    • Covers 2D/3D compositing, tracking, keying, roto, and particles
    • Connects with Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Stock
    • Includes Content-Aware Fill, expressions, and Motion Graphics templates

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems
    • Uses a layer-based rather than node-based compositing workflow

  • Silhouette — where it wins

    • Advanced roto, matte creation, keying, tracking, and cleanup tools
    • 400+ compositing nodes with HDR paint and machine-learning masking
    • Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux with major VFX integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Annual subscription starts at $545
    • Monthly pricing is $103 per month
    • No free plan for ongoing access
  • Adobe After Effects9.0/10 · 7-day trial

    A broad desktop toolkit for motion design, compositing, tracking, and mainstream VFX.

    Visit AdobeFull verdict →
  • Silhouette8.7/10 · 14-day trial

    A deep VFX toolkit for advanced roto and compositing cleanup, priced for professionals.

    Visit Boris FXFull verdict →

More comparisons

All visual effects software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update