Top 6 Motion Graphics Software for Beginners & Professionals

Motion graphics have quietly become part of almost everything we watch online. App screens move, ads animate, logos shift and breathe, and even simple text rarely stays still anymore. At some point, static visuals just don’t feel enough.

That’s where motion graphics software comes in. But picking the right one is something where most people struggle. Some tools are built for clean 2D animation, others lean heavily into 3D motion, and a few are designed specifically for UI and web work.

However, there are also surprisingly powerful free options that don’t feel limiting at all.

In this guide, we have curated a limited but most popular motion design tools list, covering beginner-friendly software, professional-grade platforms, and free motion graphics software. You can choose according to your skill level and budget.

Let’s move…

Motion graphics software comparison infographic showing Adobe After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Cinema 4D, Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Jitter with best use cases and skill levels from beginner to advanced.

Compare Motion Graphics Software for Beginners and Professionals

This table compares the top motion graphics software based on use case and skill level to help you choose the right tool quickly.

Motion Graphics Software	Best Use Case	Skill Level
Adobe After Effects	Professional 2D & 3D motion graphics, text animations, and visual effects	Beginner to Advanced
DaVinci Resolve (Fusion)	Cinematic motion graphics and VFX inside a complete video editing workflow	Intermediate to Advanced
Cinema 4D	High-quality 3D motion graphics, logo reveals, and brand animations	Intermediate to Advanced
Autodesk Maya	Advanced 3D motion graphics, procedural animation, and studio-grade visuals	Advanced
Blender	Free 2D & 3D motion graphics, simulations, and creative animations	Beginner to Advanced
Jitter	UI animations, web motion graphics, and product design transitions	Beginner to Intermediate

Top Motion Graphics Softwares: Features, Pros, and Cons

Here, we have kept Adobe After Effects at the top due to its vast range of features and popularity.

1. Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects interface showing 2D and 3D motion graphics animation with visual effects and object tracking tools

Adobe After Effects is one of those motion graphics software that you will get suggested by every motion graphic designer.

This tool is perfect if you want to dive deeper into motion graphics, as it has a lot of features. You can animate text, logos, or entire scenes. It gives you the control to shape every frame.

It is widely used all over the world as it’s beginner-friendly, has a number of learning resources, and ready-made templates available. Once you get comfortable, it becomes a powerful playground for creative motion work.

Adobe After Effects CC for teams

4.5

Starting Price

₹ 29628.00 excl. GST

Key features:

Animate text, shapes, images, and illustrations easily. Create engaging motion graphics for videos, ads, or social media.
Get a true 3D workspace where you can work with 3D objects alongside 2D elements.
Track moving objects in your footage, which makes replacing screens easier. Attach text to subjects, or add effects that move naturally with the video.
Remove unwanted objects using Content-Aware Fill. It will save you tons of hours of manual cleanup.
Extract objects from backgrounds using AI-powered Roto Brush.
Create and share Motion Graphics templates, so you or your team can reuse animated titles and lower thirds directly inside Adobe Premiere Pro.
Faster playback lets you preview your full timeline smoothly, which helps you spot issues early and work more confidently on complex compositions.
Integrate it with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and even 3D software such as Maya or 3ds Max.

Pros

Extremely strong for both 2D and 3D motion graphics, which is why professionals rely on it for serious work
Lets you import footage quickly and start building effects without a messy or time-consuming setup
Handles simple text animations and complex visual effects in the same workspace, which keeps workflows flexible
Ready-made templates help speed things up when deadlines are tight, especially for lower thirds and titles

Cons

Not built for basic video editing
Heavy projects often slow systems down, and long render times are common on mid-range machines
Smooth previews usually require a powerful computer, especially for complex animations
The interface can feel overwhelming at first and takes real time to get used to
Pricing may feel expensive for beginners or independent creators who don’t use it daily

Best for: Beginners who want to grow into professional-level motion graphics

Supported platforms: After Effects works on both Windows and macOS.

Adobe After Effects Pricing and Plans:

Plan	Pricing	Notes
Monthly	INR 1,100.94 / month	Cancel anytime, no fee
Annual (Billed Monthly)	INR 733.96 / month	Fee applies if you cancel after 14 days
Annual (Prepaid)	INR 8,425.20 / year	No refund after 14 days
After Effects for Teams	INR 3,019 / month per license	Includes Adobe Express Premium and business features

2. DaVinci Resolve (Fusion)

DaVinci Resolve Fusion interface demonstrating cinematic motion graphics and node-based VFX animation workflow

Fusion is the motion graphics and VFX tool built into DaVinci Resolve.

This motion graphics software is used for creating cinematic animations and complex effects without leaving your edit. You don’t have to switch between different software – editing, motion graphics, color, and audio, all happen in one place.

Fusion works on a node-based system. It looks unfamiliar at first, but once you get used to it, you get much better control over your work.

DaVinci Resolve

4.3

Starting Price

₹ 28980.00 excl. GST

Key features:

Work with a node-based system instead of layers, which helps you clearly see how every effect connects.
Design and animate both 2D and 3D titles, including text that extrudes, reflects light, and animates word by word or character by character.
Add motion graphics like lower thirds, infographics, and animated overlays that stick perfectly to moving objects using built-in tracking tools.
Remove unwanted objects and clean up shots using advanced paint, planar tracking, and masking tools.
Work in a true 3D space, letting you combine 3D models, text, lights, cameras, and particles into one realistic scene.
Add cinematic effects like fog, smoke, rain, fire, and particles that move naturally around objects in 3D space.
Key out green and blue screens cleanly and place characters into completely new environments.
Create reusable motion graphics templates so editors can apply your designs without breaking your animation setup.
Automate repetitive animation tasks using scripting

Pros

The free version is capable of helping you with serious motion graphics work.
The interface is easy to use, and once you understand the workflow, you can work very fast.
Autosave and timeline handling are reliable and helpful for large projects.
It’s cost-effective for long term as it has one-time pricing.

Cons

The node-based workflow can feel overwhelming if you’re completely new to motion graphics.
Keyboard shortcuts and controls take time to get used to.
It’s not ideal for beginners who want quick, simple animations.
You need a modern desktop or laptop, as older systems may struggle or glitch.

Best for: Creators and editors who want advanced motion graphics and VFX inside a complete video editing workflow.

Supported platforms: DaVinci Resolve with Fusion works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Plan	Price	Notes
DaVinci Resolve 20	Free	Includes Fusion page with powerful motion graphics and VFX tools
DaVinci Resolve Studio 20	INR 29,980 (one-time)	Includes advanced AI tools, extra effects, and free future upgrades

Since it’s a one-time purchase, you don’t have to worry about monthly subscriptions.

3. Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D motion graphics software showing MoGraph tools for procedural 3D animation and broadcast design

Cinema 4D is one of the most loved motion graphics software when it comes to 3D motion graphics, especially for broadcast-quality animations.

If your goal is to create smooth logo animations, kinetic typography, or abstract 3D motion graphics, Cinema 4D makes that process feel surprisingly natural. It also integrates with Adobe After Effects, which is a big plus for motion designers.

Cinema 4D

4.5

Starting Price

₹ 12262.86 excl. GST

Key features:

The MoGraph toolset helps you to duplicate, arrange, and animate objects quickly.
Create procedural animations using Fields. Control motion with shapes, sounds, textures, or even custom data.
Animate typography easily, making it simple to design kinetic text, animated titles, and logo reveals.
Add realistic motion using effectors that control position, scale, rotation, and timing across multiple objects.
Advanced simulations like particles, cloth, fluids, and smoke to add realistic movement and depth to your scenes.
Use spline deformers to create unique effects like waves, pulses, or patterned motion along paths.
Redshift integration for realistic lighting and fast GPU rendering.
Extend your workflow with plugins and render farms to speed up heavy renders and scale large projects.

Pros

The interface is beginner-friendly compared to many other 3D tools.
It’s very stable and reliable, even for complex motion graphics projects.
Strong integration with After Effects and Unreal Engine fits well into modern pipelines.
Has a large community and a number of learning resources to learn and improve skills.
Powerful simulation tools help you add realistic interactions to your animations.

Cons

The pricing is high for individuals, especially freelancers just starting out.
Complex scenes and detailed renders require powerful hardware and longer render times.
The newer UI design can feel less intuitive, with icons that are harder to distinguish.

Best for: Designers and motion artists who want to create high-quality 3D motion graphics, titles, and brand animations with a simple interface.

Supported platforms: Cinema 4D runs on Windows and macOS.

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Billing
Cinema 4D (with Redshift)	INR 7,389.35 / month	INR 88,672.22 billed annually
Cinema 4D (with Redshift – higher tier)	INR 10,877.88 / month	INR 1,30,534.64 billed annually

4. Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya workspace displaying complex 3D motion graphics with procedural animation and MASH node system

Autodesk Maya is a high-end 3D software widely used in films, TV, and advanced motion graphics projects. While it’s often known for character animation and VFX, it also offers powerful tools for creating abstract and procedural motion graphics.

This motion graphic software gives you deep control over shapes, movement, and transformations. One can’t say that it’s a simple tool to learn, but once you start learning and get comfortable with it, it opens up creative possibilities.

Autodesk Maya

4.7

Starting Price

₹ 13000.00 excl. GST

Key features:

Create 3D text using any installed font and animate it by line, word, or even character, which is perfect for dynamic titles and logo animations.
Import 2D SVG files and instantly turn them into 3D objects.
Use MASH to create procedural motion graphics. Duplicate, scatter, or break apart objects and control everything with node-based effects.
Chain multiple MASH effects together and build complex animations without manually keyframing every element.
Connect Maya directly to Adobe After Effects using Live Link
Transfer cameras, lights, meshes, and animation data smoothly into After Effects
Automate repetitive animation tasks using Python scripting, which saves time in large or recurring projects.

Pros

The Python API is fairly easy to use and makes scripting and plugin creation accessible.
Offers a massive community and learning resources
It fits well into studio pipelines that already use Maya for modeling, animation, or VFX.
Powerful procedural tools allow you to create highly customized motion graphics.

Cons

The pricing is high, making it less suitable for freelancers or small teams on a budget.
The software is heavy and requires significant storage space.
You need a strong graphics card and modern hardware for smooth performance.
The learning curve is steep, especially if you are new to 3D tools.

Best for: Advanced motion designers and studios

Supported platforms: Autodesk Maya works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Autodesk Maya Pricing and Plans:

Plan	Price	Billing
Annual Subscription	INR 10,719 / month	Paid annually
Monthly Subscription	INR 16,520 / month	Paid monthly
Flex	INR 29,500 / 100 tokens (minimum)	Uses approx. 6 tokens/day

5. Blender

Blender software interface illustrating free 3D motion graphics creation using geometry nodes and procedural animation

Blender is open source!

It combines 3D animation, motion graphics, simulations, and even 2D animation into a single package. You can create everything from abstract motion visuals to full 3D scenes without paying anything.

While every motion graphic tool may look overwhelming at first, once you are comfortable, you can work at a fast pace. A similar thing is with Blender.

Blender

4.7

Starting Price

Price on Request

Key features:

Use Geometry Nodes to build procedural and non-destructive motion graphics.
Add realistic motion using built-in physics like cloth, fluids, and rigid bodies to make your animations feel more natural.
Animate using keyframes, the NLA editor, sound sync, and motion paths.
Combine 2D and 3D animation using Grease Pencil, letting you draw directly in the viewport and mix hand-drawn elements with 3D scenes.
Create and animate text easily, including text-on-a-curve and text-as-geometry for logo and title animations.
Control how effects spread across objects using falloffs and fields. It is something that makes complex animations easier to manage.
Duplicate and arrange objects using array modifiers and collection-based setups for grids, radial patterns, or random layouts.
Offers add-ons like Animation Nodes, Mograph, Rigify, and Flip Fluids.
Choose between Eevee for fast previews and Cycles for photoreal renders, depending on your project needs.

Pros

It offers a wide range of tools and plugins
It works smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Has plenty of free tutorials and a very active community for learning support.
Geometry and simulation nodes help automate tasks and save a lot of manual effort.
Being completely free makes it accessible for students and independent creators.

Cons

It tries to do everything, so some areas can feel less polished than dedicated tools.
The interface and feature set can feel intimidating for beginners.
Performance may slow down on heavy scenes, especially on lower-end systems.

Best for: Creators and motion designers who want a free, all-in-one tool for 2D and 3D motion graphics.

Supported platforms: Blender runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Blender Pricing and Plans: Blender is completely free to use for personal, educational, and commercial projects. It’s released under the GNU General Public License, so you don’t have to worry about subscriptions or usage restrictions.

6. Jitter

Jitter motion design tool interface used for creating web and UI animations with action-based motion effects

Jitter is a motion graphics software built specifically for web and UI animations, and it feels very familiar if you already work with graphic design tools like Figma.

You can jump in, import your designs, and start animating within minutes without dealing with complex timelines or keyframes. Jitter works entirely in the browser, making collaboration and quick approvals easy.

If your focus is clean, modern UI motion rather than heavy 3D work, Jitter fits perfectly.

Jitter

4.4

Starting Price

$ 19.00

Key features:

Import designs directly from Figma in one click, which helps you turn static UI screens into animations instantly.
Animate using simple actions instead of complex keyframes
Work on an infinite canvas, so managing multiple sizes, versions, and formats in one place feels effortless.
Reuse animations across layers to stay consistent and move faster on brand-focused projects.
Get a smart timeline that lets you align, stagger, and organize animations with precision.
Create kinetic text animations using presets that animate lines, words, or individual letters.
Add polish with animated gradients, blurs, shadows, masks, and depth effects.
Animate vector paths and morph shapes, which is useful for modern UI transitions.
Import videos, sound effects, and voiceovers to create richer, more engaging animations.
Export in multiple formats like 4K video, GIF, or Lottie, ready to use across websites, apps, and ads.

Pros

Offers easy collaboration to share work with team members.
The interface is very intuitive and requires almost no technical learning.
Pre-built templates are easy to use and help you create animations quickly.
It offers just the right set of features for clean and attractive UI animations.
Browser-based performance is fast with smooth previews and quick exports.

Cons

There is no dark mode or theme customization available.
Export options are limited when it comes to transparent backgrounds or higher resolutions in some plans.
Advanced motion controls like custom easing curves and complex path animations are limited.

Best for: UI/UX designers, product designers, and marketers

Supported platforms: Jitter runs entirely in the web browser, so it works on Windows and macOS without any installation. You just need a modern browser and a stable internet connection.

Jitter Pricing and Plans:

Plan	Price
Free	USD 0
Pro	USD 19 / editor / month
Team	USD 49 / editor / month
Enterprise	Custom

Conclusion

There is no single ‘best’ motion graphics software. The tool, which is perfect for one designer, can be complicated for the other designer.

If you are new to motion design, you can start with motion graphics software for beginners or a free tool. You will learn timing, movement, and visual flow without fighting the software. As your projects grow, you can always move to more advanced motion design software that matches your pace.

In the end, good motion graphics come from ideas and execution – the tool just helps you get there a little faster.