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Particle Illusion
What Particle Illusion is
Particle Illusion is desktop software for creating particle simulations and compositing them into visual projects. It combines simulation tools with node-based compositing and 3D camera tracking, allowing effects work alongside scene-integration tasks. Rendering uses a GPU engine. The application supports macOS and Windows. Particle Illusion follows a freemium model with a free plan and paid Pro choices. Particle Illusion Pro Monthly costs $25 a month and is billed monthly. Particle Illusion Pro Annual costs $195 a year and is billed annually, with the plan marked best value. The listed paid starting price is $25/mo. Its feature set is aimed at workflows that need generated particle effects, compositing controls and camera tracking in one desktop application. Particle Illusion was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The listed supported platforms are macOS and Windows. Users can begin with the free plan, then choose monthly or annual Pro billing when they need the paid offering. GPU rendering is part of the listed engine, supporting the software's simulation and compositing workflow.
Who it suits
Particle Illusion suits visual creators who need particle simulations, node-based compositing and 3D camera tracking on macOS or Windows. It is also relevant to users who want to start with a free plan before selecting a monthly or annual Pro subscription.
What it does well
- Free plan available
- Particle simulation tools included
- Node-based compositing workflow
- 3D camera tracking support
- GPU render engine
- Runs on macOS and Windows
What to know first
- Paid Pro access starts at $25/mo
- Supported platforms listed are macOS and Windows
- Annual plan requires $195 a year
Limits
The free plan is available, while Pro access is priced from $25/mo. The listed Pro choices are $25 a month billed monthly or $195 a year billed annually.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Particle Illusion Pro Monthly | billed monthly | $25 a month |
| Particle Illusion Pro Annual | best value | $195 a year |
As borisfx.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Boris FX Particle Illusion website
- Choose the free plan or a listed Pro plan
- Install the application on macOS or Windows
- Select monthly or annual Pro billing if upgrading
- Use simulation, compositing and camera-tracking tools with GPU rendering
Verdict
Pick Particle Illusion for desktop particle-effects work that benefits from simulation, node compositing and 3D camera tracking. The free plan offers a starting point, while Pro adds a paid path at monthly or annual billing.
Questions
Is Particle Illusion free?
Yes. Particle Illusion has a free plan under its freemium pricing model.
What does Pro cost?
Particle Illusion Pro Monthly costs $25 a month, billed monthly. Pro Annual costs $195 a year, billed annually.
Which operating systems are supported?
Particle Illusion supports macOS and Windows.
Does it include 3D camera tracking?
Yes. 3D camera tracking is a listed feature.
How does it render effects?
The listed render engine is GPU-based.
What compositing workflow does it use?
Particle Illusion includes node-based compositing.
Facts from Particle Illusion's own pages
- Founded
- 1995 · borisfx.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States · borisfx.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where Particle Illusion stands on Freedom251
- Visual Effects Software#22 of 37