Nuke vs Fusion

Nuke9.4Visit Fusion9.1Visit

Higher score Nuke #1 in Visual Effects Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Foundry

vs

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

• Nuke fits best

  Professional compositing and deep-image work

• Fusion fits best

  Broad VFX compositing on a budget

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Side by side

Feature	Nuke 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Fusion 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Visual Effects Software	#3 in Visual Effects Software
Best for	Professional compositing and deep-image work	Broad VFX compositing on a budget
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Nuke 3/5 · Fusion 5/5
Node-based compositing	✓	✓
Keying tools	✓	✓
Rotoscoping tools	✓	✓
3D camera tracking	—	✓ (best)
Simulation tools	—	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows	Mac, Windows, Linux
Render engine	Not checked yet	Gpu
Our review
Pros	More than 200 creative nodes with deep-image compositing Integrated 3D, keying, rotoscoping, and 32-bit image processing Python, PySide, C++, and BlinkScript extensibility across three platforms	Free Fusion page included with DaVinci Resolve Covers keying, rotoscoping, tracking, particles, and true 3D Runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux with GPU processing
Cons	Commercial plan pricing varies by region The free offering is limited to non-commercial work Core Nuke does not include the broader NukeX or Nuke Studio toolsets	Standalone Studio requires a $295 one-time purchase Advanced workflows may require learning node-based compositing Distributed network rendering is listed for Fusion Studio
Our verdict	Nuke is Foundry’s desktop compositing and visual-effects software for artists working on feature films, episodic content, animation, commercials, and other large-scale post-production projects. Its node graph supports more than 200… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Nuke — where it wins

  • More than 200 creative nodes with deep-image compositing
  • Integrated 3D, keying, rotoscoping, and 32-bit image processing
  • Python, PySide, C++, and BlinkScript extensibility across three platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Commercial plan pricing varies by region
  • The free offering is limited to non-commercial work
  • Core Nuke does not include the broader NukeX or Nuke Studio toolsets

• 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

• Nuke9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A deep compositing system for professional film, television, and large-scale post-production.

  Visit FoundryFull verdict →
• Fusion9.1/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit FusionFull verdict →