Compared · checked 2026-10-24
The best free motion graphics software
Animated titles, logo reveals and social clips used to mean an After Effects subscription. These four tools animate for free, from editors that run in a browser tab to professional desktop programs.
We make Motion Graphics, one of the tools on this page. Every fact about the other tools comes from their own pages, linked under each one, as they read on 2026-10-24. Prices and features change: check each site before you choose.
How we compared them
- Free exports: resolution and watermark
- Animation tools: keyframes, graph editor, effects, text
- Export formats, including transparent video and Lottie
- Where it runs and whether it needs an account
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free limits | Runs where | Account needed | Watermark on free exports | Transparent export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Graphics ours | Free | None; compositions of 0.1 to 600 seconds | Browser | No | No | Yes: PNG sequence |
| Cavalry | Free for individuals; Enterprise through Canva | None stated for individuals | macOS, Windows | Yes, a Canva account | Not stated | Yes: PNG sequence, ProRes 4444 |
| Blender | Free, open source (GPL) | None | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | Not stated | Yes: PNG, FFV1, VP9 WebM, QuickTime Animation |
| Jitter | Free; paid Pro, Max and Ultra plans | 3 workspace files, 720p at 30 fps, 20 MB uploads | Browser | Not stated | Yes | Max plan and up |
| Feature | Motion Graphics ours | Cavalry | Blender | Jitter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyframes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Graph editor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D | No | No | Yes | Partly |
| Effects | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audio | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MP4 export | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transparent export | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Lottie export | No | Yes | Partly | Yes |
| AI assistant that uses the app | Local model or your own key | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free export size | Up to 7680×4320 | Not stated | Up to 65536×65536 | 720p, 30 fps |
| No watermark on free exports | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | No |
| Runs in a browser | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Desktop app | Works in the browser | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| No account needed | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Collaboration | No | Partly | Partly | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No |
1. Motion Graphics (ours)
Best for: Simple titles and social clips in the browser, free with no watermark, account or upload.
Good
- Layers, keyframes and easing, a graph editor and seeded random motion
- Blur, drop shadow, glow, colour, grain, vignette and glitch, all keyframable
- Sizes from Shorts to 4K and custom up to 7680×4320; WebM, MP4 and PNG sequence
- Nothing is uploaded: editing and rendering happen in your browser
- An AI button that can do the work in the app for you, with a model on your device, Ollama or LM Studio on your computer, or your own key for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and others
- Works on your phone, tablet and computer in the browser, even offline
Not so good
- Still in beta
- No audio yet: renders are silent
- MP4 and WebM render in real time; no 3D and no Lottie export
- A limited set of fonts and text options
2. Cavalry
Best for: Professional 2D and procedural motion design on the desktop, now with all its Professional features free.
Good
- Real-time animation; the paid Professional features became free in version 2.7
- Graph editor, procedural tools such as the Duplicator and falloffs, JavaScript scripting
- Renders MP4 with audio, PNG sequence with alpha, ProRes 4444, Lottie, SVG, GIF, WebM and more
- Sound-driven animation
Not so good
- Signing in needs a Canva account
- A desktop install; not on mobile
- Command-line rendering is for Enterprise licences only
Cavalry website · Sources: Cavalry home, Cavalry 2.7 release notes, Cavalry render manager, Cavalry graph editor, Cavalry docs: referencing, Cavalry additional terms
3. Blender
Best for: 3D and 2D animation, compositing and video in one free, open source program.
Good
- Free and open source forever, also for commercial work
- Modelling, animation, rigging, rendering, simulation, compositing and video editing
- Grease Pencil for 2D and motion graphics; graph editor for animation curves
- Video out through FFmpeg: MP4, WebM, QuickTime with H.264, H.265, AV1 or ProRes
Not so good
- A large desktop program with a lot to learn
- Lottie export is not listed
Blender website · Sources: Blender home, About Blender, Blender download, Blender features, Blender manual: graph editor, Blender manual: video formats, Blender extensions: Lottie export, Blender render resolution (source), Blender extensions: Multi-user
4. Jitter
Best for: Designers who animate Figma designs in a browser and collaborate in real time.
Good
- Web-based, with simple actions instead of complex keyframes
- Real-time collaboration, comments and link sharing, also on the free plan
- 400+ templates, Figma import, AI effects
- Video, GIF and Lottie export on the free plan; audio with sound effects, music and voiceover
Not so good
- Free exports carry a watermark and stop at 720p 30 fps
- Transparent export is on the Max plan and above
Jitter website · Sources: Jitter home, Jitter pricing, Jitter help: what is Jitter, Jitter changelog: custom easings, Jitter help: 3D orbit effect, Jitter terms
Which one to choose
Motion Graphics is our pick for simple titles and social clips: layers, keyframes, a graph editor and effects in a browser, with exports up to 7680×4320 and no watermark, account or upload. It is in beta and has no audio yet.
Choose Cavalry if you need professional 2D and procedural motion design, with audio and Lottie, and will install it and sign in with a Canva account. Choose Blender for 3D, free and open source, with a steeper learning curve. Choose Jitter if you animate Figma designs and collaborate in real time, with a watermark and 720p on its free plan.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to After Effects?
For titles and social clips in a browser with no account or watermark, Motion Graphics. For professional 2D motion design on a desktop, Cavalry, now free for individuals. For 3D, Blender. For Figma designs and teamwork, Jitter.
Which free motion graphics tool has no watermark?
Motion Graphics exports without a watermark. Jitter's free exports carry one. Cavalry's and Blender's pages we read do not mention a watermark.
Can I export a transparent video for free?
Cavalry (PNG sequence, ProRes 4444), Blender (PNG, FFV1, VP9 WebM) and Motion Graphics (PNG sequence) do. Jitter keeps transparent export for its Max plan and above.
Can I add music?
Cavalry, Blender and Jitter handle audio. Motion Graphics has no audio yet; add the sound in a video editor such as Video Editor.
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