Ranked chart · Design, Video & Audio

Best Visual Effects Software in 2026

Visual effects software supports a range of production tasks, including compositing, keying, tracking, rotoscoping, and simulation. Compare node-based compositing and render engines alongside 3D camera tracking, keying tools, and rotoscoping tools to see how each option fits your work. Simulation tools and supported platforms may also shape your choice; free plans and paid-from pricing add access and cost details.…

37 appsSorted 25 Oct 2026How we rank

18.0

PopcornFX

PopcornFX is a suite for authoring and simulating real-time visual effects, using visual programming, engine integrations, and a runtime framework for custom engines.

Free planAndroidiOSAPI

From €250 a year

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27.6

Houdini

Houdini is SideFX’s procedural 3D creation software for fields including film, television, games, motion graphics, virtual reality, and synthetic data.

Free planWindowsmacOSLinux

From $95 a year

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37.6

Terragen

Terragen builds, renders and animates natural environments for landscape visualization, visual effects and artistic work.

Free planAPILinuxmacOS

From $96 a year

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4
Fusion
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
7.0$295 one-time
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5
Mistika VR
Mistika VR is macOS and Windows software for stitching and calibrating VR360 and VR180 footage.
macOSWindows
7.0From €499 a year
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6
Autodesk Maya
macOSLinux
6.9
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7
Mistika Boutique
Mistika Boutique is a post-production system for conforming, visual effects, color grading, Stereo 3D and VR/360 finishing.
Free planmacOSWindows
6.9From €990 a year
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8
RenderMan
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
6.9From $250 a year
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9
Gaea
Gaea is a Windows terrain design platform for visual effects, games, and virtual production.
Free planWindows
6.8$99 one-time
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10
TouchDesigner
TouchDesigner is a real-time 2D and 3D interactive animation product for authoring interactive art, media, and visualization.
Free planmacOSWindows
6.8$300 one-time
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11
EbSynth
EbSynth is VFX software for retouching, rotoscoping, and stylizing video.
Free planWebWindows
6.7From $20 a month
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12
Adobe After Effects
macOSWindows
6.6From $19.99 a month
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13
Notch
Notch is a real-time 3D motion-design tool with GPU-accelerated graphics.
macOSWindows
6.6From $279 a year
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14
RealFlow
RealFlow is software for fluids and multiphysics simulation in visual effects and 3D production.
LinuxmacOSWindows
6.6$545 one-time
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15
Cavalry
Cavalry is a 2D animation and motion graphics application for macOS and Windows.
Free planmacOSWindows
6.5Free plan
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16
Nuke
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
6.4From €416 a year
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17
Apple Motion
macOS
6.3From $12.99 a month
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18
Flame Painter
iOSWindowsmacOS
6.3From $49.99 a month
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19
Natron
Natron is a free, open-source application for visual-effects compositing in digital post-production, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
6.3Free plan
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20
PFTrack
PFTrack is a node-based spatial intelligence application combining camera tracking, photogrammetry, scene reconstruction, and LiDAR integration.
APILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
6.3£35 one-time
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21
Autograph
Autograph is an application for motion graphics, VFX and compositing, and 2D and 3D projects on Windows and macOS.
Free planmacOSWindows
6.2Free plan
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22
World Creator
Windows
6.2From $59 a year
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23
3DEqualizer4
LinuxmacOSWindows
6.1From €146 a month
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24
EmberGen
LinuxWindows
6.1$3,001 one-time
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25
Gaffer
Gaffer is a free, open-source node-based VFX application for building and rendering scenes.
Free planLinuxWindows
6.1Free plan
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