Side by side
Adobe After Effects vs RealFlow
Both stand on vfx tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial MacWindows
After Effects focuses on animation and visual effects, with useful links to Premiere and Photoshop workflows. Check its internet and registration requirements, and use a dedicated editor for video clips.
Visit Adobe After Effects Free trial LinuxMacWindows
RealFlow covers large water scenes, multiphysics materials, ocean surfaces, body dynamics, integrations, and network simulation. It runs on all three listed desktop platforms, but purchase pricing is requested and demo limitations apply.
Visit RealFlowThe facts
| Adobe After Effects | RealFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Creative Cloud Pro for students and teachers: $19.99 a month | See the plans |
| Plans published | 5 | 9 |
| Maker | Adobe After Effects | Not published |
| Website | adobe.com | realflow.com |
| On vfx tools | #11 of 21 | #15 of 21 |
Adobe After Effects: what it does well
- Animates text, still images, and illustrations
- 3D workspace combines 3D shapes and 2D graphics
- AI Object Matte isolates moving subjects
- Links compositions to Premiere without intermediate rendering
- Includes free training guides
What to know first
- No free plan
- Seven-day trial
- Internet access and registration required for activation and online services
- Adobe recommends another app for editing video clips
RealFlow: what it does well
- Supports large-scale flood and ocean simulations
- Simulates liquid, granular, rigid, and elastic materials
- Includes Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, and Maya plugins
- Reads and writes major simulation formats
- Offers network-distributed processing
What to know first
- Pricing is on request
- No free plan
- Demo features may be limited
- Demo support excludes technical and installation help
Alternatives to Adobe After Effects Alternatives to RealFlow The whole list