Fusion vs Adobe After Effects

Fusion9.1Visit Adobe After Effects9.0Visit

Higher score Fusion #3 in Visual Effects Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Fusion

vs

Adobe After Effects #4 in Visual Effects Software 9.0/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Adobe

• Fusion fits best

  Broad VFX compositing on a budget

• Adobe After Effects fits best

  Motion graphics and mainstream VFX

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Side by side

Feature	Fusion 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Adobe After Effects 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	9.0
Ranking	#3 in Visual Effects Software	#4 in Visual Effects Software
Best for	Broad VFX compositing on a budget	Motion graphics and mainstream VFX
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Phone, Community, Docs	Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	6 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Fusion 5/5 · Adobe After Effects 4/5
Node-based compositing	✓ (best)	—
Keying tools	✓	✓
Rotoscoping tools	✓	✓
3D camera tracking	✓	✓
Simulation tools	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Mac, Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS
Render engine	Gpu	Hybrid
Our review
Pros	Free Fusion page included with DaVinci Resolve Covers keying, rotoscoping, tracking, particles, and true 3D Runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux with GPU processing	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
Cons	Standalone Studio requires a $295 one-time purchase Advanced workflows may require learning node-based compositing Distributed network rendering is listed for Fusion Studio	No free plan is available Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems Uses a layer-based rather than node-based compositing workflow
Our verdict	Fusion is Blackmagic Design’s compositing and visual-effects software for visual-effects artists, broadcast and motion-graphics designers, and 3D animators. Its node-based workflow supports compositing, keying, rotoscoping, motion… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Fusion — where it wins

  • Free Fusion page included with DaVinci Resolve
  • Covers keying, rotoscoping, tracking, particles, and true 3D
  • Runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux with GPU processing

  Where it doesn't

  • Standalone Studio requires a $295 one-time purchase
  • Advanced workflows may require learning node-based compositing
  • Distributed network rendering is listed for Fusion Studio

• 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

• Fusion9.1/10 · Free plan

  A broad VFX toolkit with a free Resolve version and a $295 Studio option.

  Visit FusionFull verdict →
• Adobe After Effects9.0/10 · 7-day trial

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

  Visit AdobeFull verdict →