VFX & Compositing Software
VFX, compositing, and real-time simulation tools.
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| After Effects | Motion graphics and compositing. | Paid | Motion Graphics · Adobe Suite | Motion design, light VFX | |
| Boris FX Optics | Photo and film stylization plugin and standalone. Filters, grain, lens FX, color. | $9.99/mo or $149/yr; perpetual $199 | Paid | Stylize · Lens FX | Film/photo stylization |
| Boris FX Particle Illusion | Standalone particle generator. Free version; Pro features available inside Continuum. | Freemium | Free · Particle Library | Quick particle FX library | |
| ButtleOFX | Simple open-source node-based compositing software. | Open Source | |||
| Continuum | Boris FX broadcast/post effects collection. Titles, particles, image restoration, color. | $32–$112/mo; perpetual $365–$2,195 by host | Paid | Plugin Suite · Broadcast | Broadcast finishing and titling |
| DaVinci Resolve Fusion | Node-based compositing, free with Resolve. | Freemium | Node-based · Free with Resolve | Compositing, VFX | |
| Effekseer | Real-time VFX editor and runtime. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
Open Source | Real-time VFX · Games | Game VFX particles | |
| EmberGen | Real-time volumetric fluid sim (fire, smoke, explosions). | Paid | Real-time Sim · Fire/Smoke | Game VFX, real-time effects | |
| Fusion | Free node-based compositing software from Blackmagic Design. | Free | |||
| GeoGen (JangaFX) | Real-time terrain generation. | Paid | Terrain Gen · Real-time | Game environments | |
| IlluGen | Real-time procedural node-based generator for tiling noise, normal maps, flowmaps, 3D FX meshes, caustics, masks, distortions. | Paid | Real-time · Procedural Materials | Real-time VFX and tech-art asset/material generation | |
| KeenTools | Face and geometry tracking plus FaceBuilder for Blender, Nuke, AE, Houdini. See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking |
$18/mo or $179/yr per plugin (Studio $499/yr floating) | Paid | Face Tracking · VFX | Face/geo tracking for VFX |
| LiquiGen | Real-time liquid simulation. | Paid | Real-time Sim · Liquids | Game fluid effects | |
| MadMapper | Projection mapping software. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
Paid | Projection Mapping · Live | Projection mapping | |
| Magic Animator | Web-based animation creator. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
Freemium | Web · Quick Anim | Quick animated graphics | |
| Mocha Pro | Boris FX planar tracker for VFX. Roto, object removal, screen replacement, lens distortion. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities, Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking |
$48/mo or $325/yr; perpetual from $765 | Paid | Industry Standard · Planar Tracking | Planar tracking, roto, screen replacement |
| Natron (community fork) | Free open-source node compositor, Nuke-like. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Inspiration |
Open Source | Node-based · Nuke-like | Indie VFX compositing | |
| Nuke | Industry-standard node-based compositing software by The Foundry. Free non-commercial version available. | Freemium | |||
| Nuke (Foundry) | Industry-standard compositing. Non-Commercial free version available. | Paid | Industry Standard · Node-based | Film VFX compositing | |
| Red Giant Complete | Maxon-owned VFX/motion suite. Trapcode, Magic Bullet, VFX Suite, Universe. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
$85/mo or $639/yr | Paid | Plugin Suite · Motion Graphics | Motion graphics and VFX in AE/Premiere/Resolve |
| Resolume | Live visuals and VJ software. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
Paid | VJ · Live Visuals | VJ, live visuals | |
| Sapphire | Boris FX 270+ VFX/transition plugins for AE, Premiere, Resolve, Nuke, Flame, Avid, OFX hosts. | $80/mo or $545/yr; perpetual $1,865+ | Paid | Plugin Suite · VFX | VFX and transition plugins across hosts |
| Silhouette | Boris FX node-based roto/paint compositor with AI-driven matte tools. See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking |
$165/mo or $875/yr; perpetual standalone $2,195 | Paid | Industry Standard · Roto/Paint | Feature-film roto and paint |
| TOOLL3 | Graph-based procedural real-time motion graphics for live performance or rendering. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Inspiration |
Open Source | Real-Time · Procedural | ||
| TouchDesigner | Node-based real-time visual programming for interactive media, installations, and live visuals. See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities |
Freemium | Real-time · Node-based | Interactive installations, live visuals, projection mapping |
Related:
- ActionVFX. VFX stock elements (explosions, fire, debris).
- JangaFX Docs. Official EmberGen/LiquiGen documentation and how-to guides.
- NukePedia. Canonical Nuke community library. Gizmos, scripts, tutorials, plugins.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Compositing Learning, Books & Industry - SAC Script Auditor. Open-source Nuke tool that audits and cleans comp scripts, flagging issues and optimizing node graphs.