After Effects is one of the most popular software tools used for motion graphics and visual effects. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or just starting out, this powerful tool can help you bring your creative ideas to life. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the process of downloading After Effects and show you everything you need to know to get started. This software can be a bit expensive, but did you know that you can get Adobe After Effects for free? In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to get Adobe After Effects for free without breaking any laws or violating any terms and conditions.
Legal Methods to Get Adobe After Effects for Free
There are a few legal methods to get Adobe After Effects for free. Here are some of them:
Adobe Creative Cloud Free Trial
Adobe offers a free trial of the Creative Cloud suite, which includes Adobe After Effects. You can sign up for a free trial on the Adobe website and get access to Adobe After Effects for seven days. During the trial period, you can use all the features of the software and create amazing visual effects and animations.
Adobe Creative Cloud Student and Teacher Edition
If you are a student or a teacher, you can get Adobe Creative Cloud at a discounted price through the Student and Teacher Edition. This edition is available to students and teachers who are enrolled in a degree-granting institution. You can purchase this edition through the Adobe website or an authorized reseller.
Adobe Creative Cloud for Nonprofits
If you work for a nonprofit organization, you may be eligible for the Adobe Creative Cloud for Nonprofits. This program provides nonprofits with access to the Creative Cloud suite at a discounted price. You can learn more about the program and apply for it on the Adobe website.
Unlawful Methods To Get Adobe After Effects for Free
Please note that using any illegal methods to get Adobe After Effects for free is not recommended and is against the law. These methods include downloading cracked versions of the software, torrenting, and using unauthorized serial keys. Not only are these methods illegal, but they also come with a high risk of viruses and malware.
How to get Adobe After Effects for free
If you want to use Adobe After Effects, you need to subscribe to one of the plans offered by Adobe, because After Effects is part of the Creative Cloud, a suite of editing and design programs. These plans can be paid for on a monthly or annual basis, and you have guaranteed updates at no additional cost, 24/7 support, and several other extras.
The plans offered by Adobe to be able to use After effects are the following:
Option 1. Single application
The first option is the individual program. Here you can buy only Adobe After Effects and the extra content that comes with all the plans: 100GB of cloud storage, Adobe Fonts, Adobe Portfolio, and Adobe Spark.
There are three different payment methods:
- Annual plan, with a monthly payment of $20.99/mo.
- Annual plan (prepaid) of $239.88/yr.
- Monthly plan for $31.49/mo.
Option 2. All Apps Plan
The All Apps Plan includes the entire Creative Cloud: more than 20 editings, design, illustration, photo retouching, and video programs, among others, completely at your disposal. You can make use of all the available programs, as well as the extras that come with each package, which I mentioned in the previous plan.
The prices for this plan are:
- Annual plan, with a monthly payment of $52.99/mo.
- Annual plan (prepaid) for $599.88 /yr.
- Monthly plan for $79.49/mo.
Option 3. Discount for students
Students and teachers get preferential attention at Adobe. If you’re studying or teaching, you automatically opt for the “Students and teachers” discount, a way for Adobe to help young people’s college budgets.
Once you’ve proven to Adobe that you’re an active student or teacher, you’ll be rewarded with more than a 60% discount on All Adobe Apps. The discount is only available for that plan.
You can choose between the following forms of payment:
- Annual plan, with a monthly payment of $19.99/mo.
- Annual plan (prepaid) of $239.88/yr.
This is the official way to get After Effects or any other Creative Cloud program. If you don’t want to pay but still want to use the program, I’ll show you how to get Adobe After Effects for free.
How to get Adobe After Effects Free Trial
Here’s the best way to get Adobe After Effects for free: a free trial. The company offers a free trial that you can access and use for free any of the programs found in the Creative Cloud. In order to start using After Effects for free, you must download the free trial from the Adobe website. This trial lasts 7 days, and during that time you can use not only one but several programs of the Creative Cloud. To begin the download, go to the After Effects website, and in the upper part of that window, you will see a button called “Free trial”. Click here to continue.
Once you press the button, you will get a new window with a couple of options:
After Effects: This first plan includes Adobe After Effects completely free, plus the extras: step-by-step tutorials, 100GB of cloud storage, your own portfolio website y full access to Premium fonts.
Creative Cloud All Apps: More than 20 applications, among which you can find Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and many more. This plan includes all of that and the extras mentioned above.
Under each plan is the “Start free trial” button. Depending on the plan you choose, press the corresponding button.
Start your After Effects Free Trial
When you press the button, you will automatically be sent to another page, the last one before starting the download. Here you must fill in all the information that the page requires, as well as log in with your Adobe ID. You must have an Adobe ID account to continue. If you don’t have one, don’t worry, the page allows you to create your account, a quick and completely free process. Once you have entered your data and verified that everything is correct, you can click on the “Start free trial” button.
Once you press the button, the trial version of Adobe After Effects will start downloading. Note that this trial version lasts only 7 days from the time you install it, so try to have enough free time to enjoy After Effects or all the programs you want to use, as there are no limitations beyond time. If you just want to use the free trial, make it worth it!
After Effects Free | No piracy
Downloading a pirate application is always going to carry certain risks, but do you really know how dangerous they are? Hackers hide behind big names like Adobe to create their viruses and offer them “pirate versions” of Creative Cloud programs, reaching a wider audience.
Here are some of the risks of downloading pirate versions:
- Malware/viruses: The main risk: inside the application, during the installation process, or even during the download, it is possible to find viruses or malware. Some of these viruses register everything you do on your computer and send that information by mail, risking your security and your online accounts.
- Zero updates: The programs in the Creative Cloud suite are constantly being updated. If you download a pirate version, you will not be able to enjoy the upgrades and you will miss out on the new features and options available in the programs.
- No help from Adobe: If you don’t have a valid serial code or Adobe ID, you won’t be able to use Adobe’s 24/7 customer support. If you have any questions or problems, you will not be able to call for help.
- Malfunctioning: People who create pirated versions of programs do so by hacking, and blocking certain functions of the program that would otherwise be available.
- It’s illegal: Piracy is illegal worldwide, but on some sites, it is punished more severely than on others, so you can get in trouble by downloading and using pirated software.
Understanding the System Requirements
Before you start the download process, it’s important to make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for After Effects. This software is quite resource-intensive, so you’ll want to ensure your system is up to the task before you start the download.
The minimum system requirements for After Effects include:
- Windows 7 or later, or Mac OS X 10.11 or later
- 64-bit processor with at least 2 GHz of performance
- 8 GB of RAM
- 5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation
- 1366 x 768 display resolution
Choosing the Right Version of After Effects
Once you’ve confirmed that your system meets the minimum requirements, the next step is to choose the right version of After Effects for your needs. There are two main options: After Effects CC, the latest version of the software, and After Effects CS6, an older version that is still widely used.
After Effects CC offers a range of new features and enhancements, including a new motion graphics workflow, advanced animation tools, and improved performance. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date and advanced version of After Effects, this is the one to choose.
After Effects CS6, on the other hand, is a more basic version of the software that is still widely used by professionals and beginners alike. If you’re just starting out with After Effects, or if you’re working on a tight budget, this version may be a good choice.
Downloading After Effects
Now that you’ve chosen the right version of After Effects for your needs, it’s time to start the download process. Here’s how:
- Go to the Adobe website and sign in to your account.
- Click on the Creative Cloud app, and select the “Apps” tab.
- Scroll down to find After Effects and click on the “Download” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Activating After Effects
Once the download process is complete, the next step is to activate After Effects. This is a simple process that involves entering your Adobe Creative Cloud account information to verify your subscription.
Here’s how to activate After Effects:
- Launch the software and click on the “Help” menu.
- Select “Sign In” and enter your Adobe Creative Cloud account information.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation process.
Getting Started with After Effects
Congratulations! You’ve successfully downloaded and activated After Effects. Now it’s time to start using this powerful software to bring your creative ideas to life.
Whether you’re new to After Effects or have been using it for years, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. From tutorials and video courses to online forums and user communities, there’s something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Get started with After Effects today and start creating amazing motion graphics and visual effects!
Adobe After Effects alternatives
If for any reason, Adobe After Effects is not your thing or your trial period is over and you want to try something else, I leave here some programs that I consider good alternatives:
Blender
Blender is an open-source 3D modeling and animation tool, completely free of charge and compatible with Windows and Linux. It is an excellent alternative to After Effects because it is a suite with hundreds of options oriented not only to the 3D world but also to video editing and retouching. A blender is a powerful tool from which you can work complex three-dimensional graphic compositions, as well as the most extensive or simple videos.
It can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water simulations, skinning, animation, rendering, particles, and other simulations, nonlinear editing, composition, and creation of interactive 3D applications, rigid body dynamics, fluids, fabrics, and soft bodies, modifier-based modeling tools, powerful character animation tools, node-based material and composition system, and Python for embedded scripts
Fusion 9
Fusion is here to cover all aspects of 3D animation. You can use it to work on projects in 3D or augmented reality, using its GPU acceleration for excellent performance and results. With Fusion 9 you can create the most powerful scenarios and graphical representations, serving as an excellent alternative tool to After Effects.
You have the option to use free charge Fusion 9 version, an integrated 2D and 3D compositing and motion graphics software, VR tools with a massive set of tools including paint, rotoscope, titling, animation, multiple manipulators (including Primatte), an amazing 3D particle system, advanced frames, GPU acceleration, and support for importing and rendering 3D models and scenes from other applications. This free version includes technical support through Blackmagic Design’s community forums.
Hitfilm Express
Since Hitfilm was founded in 2011, this editing software company has grown stronger every year. Its free HitFilm 4 Express program surprisingly includes many of the features you’ll find in its paid version HitFilm Pro. Despite being a video editor, you’ll also find tools to create special effects such as 2D and 3D compositing, match moving to insert graphics into a video, or chroma removal.
Perhaps one of the most outstanding features of this application is that it allows you to expand its features by buying extra content for about $10. That means you can create the editor to suit what you really need. A good example of these extensions is the package ‘Sci-Fi Adventure’, very popular among users because it allows the creation of laser beams, laser swords, and laser guns.
If this option doesn’t convince you, you might want to take a look at other packages that will add lens sparkles, color treatment, ambient light, or those typical effects from classic films.
Download After Effects: What you need to know
In the fields of digital design, movies, games, and television, Adobe After Effects is a visual effect, motion graphics, and compositing program used for animation and post-production. This industry-standard tool is at the heart of the workflows of many skilled motion graphics, VFX, and 3D artists and animators. Its capabilities range from keying and tracking to complete 3D stereo compositing.
Many additional Creative Cloud applications can be used in conjunction with After Effects. You can include media from programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Character Animator, Adobe XD, and Animate, for instance. You can also utilize C4D Lite, which is free with an After Effects membership, to directly insert 3D components into your compositions.
FAQs about Adobe After Effects for free
You may get a free After Effects trial by clicking this button.
You can use all the capabilities of After Effects during the seven-day trial period to produce motion graphics and visual effects for film, television, and the web.
Additionally, you’ll receive access to 100GB of cloud storage, Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Express on mobile and the web.
During the seven-day trial, you can end it at any moment or keep using After Effects for US$20.99/month.
Starting a free trial of the Creative Cloud All Apps Plan is the alternative method for getting After Effects for nothing.
Yes, After Effects is a motion graphics and animation application considered the industry standard.
After Effects is a program used by designers, animators, and filmmakers worldwide to produce 2D and 3D animations using vector and rasterized artwork.
You may also include images and other tangible media in your animations to create titles, motion graphics, and other things.
Although After Effects isn’t very challenging to learn, you will need to devote some time to mastering the fundamentals.
It’s a time-consuming and fussy program as well, especially if you want to use all the tools to produce engaging animations.
After using it for a while, you’ll learn which effects to utilize and how to apply them to maximize efficiency.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, there are a few legal methods to get Adobe After Effects for free, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud free trial, the Student and Teacher Edition, and the Creative Cloud for Nonprofits. We recommend that you use these methods to get Adobe After Effects for free, as they are safe and secure. Remember, using any illegal methods to get Adobe After Effects for free is not recommended and is against the law.
We hope that this comprehensive guide has helped you learn how to get Adobe After Effects for free. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
If you would like to learn about Adobe After Effects check our article What is the best way to learn After Effects?
