Cristian, here.
I am running a video post production agency called Veedyou Media.
So I am editing videos on a daily basis, or working with other editors and clients.
As a power After Effects and Premiere Pro user, I know how important is to have access to the absolute best plugins but also to templates, transitions, LUTs, presets, title templates and all kind of Premiere assets.
And if you can get your hand on a couple of good After Effects plugins it will make your work as a video editor much easier and your videos will look way cooler.
At the end of the day, if you can turn in your work in time and make the client extra happy you have done a great job.
I understand that creating professional-looking videos take time, which might be in short supply if you’re working under a strict deadline.
In no time you’ll be inundated by hundreds of options if you go looking for plugins on search engines.
I don’t want you to waste time looking.
So, as a professional video editor, here are my top 15 After Effects plugins to create awesome videos.
1. Superluminal Stardust 1.5.0
Creating stunningly beautiful motion graphics took days a couple of decades ago. Not anymore.
Now, you can design futuristic 3D graphics – particle effects – in a matter of seconds with this After Effects plugin.
Particles, 3D models, and graphic effects are combined into one neat plugin.
Users can apply one or combine these effects to create dynamic graphics in one place.
The plugin comes with hundreds of presets that make your task of creating complex effects quite easily.
The Superluminal Stardust plugin is available for Windows and Mac. The makers also provide a free update to the customers.
2. Video Copilot Reflection Plugin
Adding reflections to graphic elements will never be time-consuming again.
The Reflections plugin by Video Copilot allows users to create beautiful 2D reflections on 3D spaces.
This After Effects plugin is the ideal fit for slideshows, presentations, in-product videos, and more.
The plugin allows users to add the refection effect to objects and texts.
The video tutorial on the download page will guide you through the various settings and how to implement the reflection effect on an object.
The ability to tweak styles, tint, skew, blur, etc. gives the users total control over the effect.
3. Motion Array Adobe Integrations
Impressed by the assets library of Motion Array? Do you wish to access all that Motion Array has to offer?
Pick the Integration plugin and gain full access to everything they have to offer right from the After Effects software.
The plugin offers a powerful search feature with filters so that no time is wasted in finding what you need.
The plugin allows seamless workflow, even when multiple assets are downloading in the background.
With this plugin, you won’t have to visit the Motion Array website again.
To add an asset – template, effect, music, video, and more – just drag and drop from the control panel.
4. Deep Glow Plugin
The glow effects that other plugins offer are outdated and unimaginative.
To impress the audience, you need a true celebration of colors that the Deep Glow Plugin offers.
The plugin comes with a heap of new styles that’ll create awesome glow effects.
Apply beautiful deep color glows to texts and shapes. Also, the plugin allows the users to combine digital effects.
The plugin permits easy customization and corrections.
The glow spread, glow ratio, and other elements can be adjusted to bring out the glow effect the user desires.
5. Plexus 3 Plugin
Are you having trouble creating generative forms and shapes?
The Plexus 3 plugin is here to solve your problem and save your time.
With this plugin, users can create awesome 3D particles, shapes, and digital assets.
Users can adjust various parameters to create interesting graphics that could add style and dynamism to the video.
The Plexus 3 plugin is also known for its user-friendly control panel.
Organizing Plexus Objects, adding effects, and rendering is quick and easy.
If you want to create, visualize, and manipulate data on After Effects, then Plexus 3 is the plugin for you.
6. Parrot Plugin
Parrot Plugin – a suitable name for the function this plugin performs.
This awesome After Effects plugin frees the users from the cumbersome task of copying and pasting keyframes.
Unlike other plugins, this one enables the users to create a master animated layer and then pass it on to other layers.
The Parrot Plugin helps simplify complex tasks. Plus, it’ll reduce repetitive work, thereby saving time and effort.
This is a must-have plugin for any After Effects user. Users will never have to use null layers again.
The plugin allows users to work with each animation point of an element separately.
7. Random Text Generator Plugin
The ‘random numbers in the background’ scene of the Matrix movies is one of the most iconic scenes that sci-fi fans remember.
To create such an effect in your tech or si-fi videos use the Random Text Generator plugin.
The plugin allows you to create shapes, lines, and grids and choose numbers or alphabets randomly.
You can also adjust the parameters to create cool effects, change direction, and more.
The animation created with the plugin can be used in a wide range of video projects.
8. Cineblur Instagram Plugin
We have seen many hilarious uses of animal filters on photos, video calls, etc.
Instagram has a huge library of color filters that users can apply with a click.
The Cineblur Instagram plugin lets users add filters to their videos with ease.
This is a handy plugin to have because you can certainly use many popular color filters in your projects.
Moreover, the Cineblur Instagram Plugin is free. So why not give it a try.
9. Red Giant Trapcode Particular Plugin
The Trapcode Particular plugin is a must-have for all After Effects users.
User reviews and testimonials suggest the Red Giant product is way better than any other AE particle plugin available online.
This plugin allows you to create custom particles which can be then used to construct clouds, snow, smoke, rain, and other shapes.
Furthermore, you can combine multiple effects to create complex animation.
The latest version of the Trapcode Particular plugin is faster and easier to use.
10. Mocha Pro Plugin
Why settle for the second-best when the best After Effects plugin for tracking is available at an affordable price.
The Mocha Pro is feature-rich and more advanced than its previous versions.
This plugin makes challenging tasks such as planar tracking, object removal, masking, and rotoscoping simple and easy.
The Mocha Pro plugin was used in some of the best Hollywood blockbusters and Academy Award-winning movies.
Users can learn about the features and functions of the plugin from the training manual on the official website.
11. Red Giant Magic Bullet Colorista V
Color correction option directly on the editing timeline is a wonderful feature that can save time while working on a video project.
This plugin is the latest version of the popular color correction and grading tool.
The brilliant features allow users to get the best out of their video in just a few clicks.
The plugin guarantees the best results for everyone including beginners.
With the Magic Bullet Colorista V plugin, you’ll never have to leave the editor page for coloring and grading.
The plugin has been tested by some of the biggest names in the movie industry.
12. AfterCodecs
AfterCodecs is a great After Effects plugin to have.
One of the biggest headaches of many video editors is encoding the video to the right format.
The AfterCodecs plugin makes coding possible in the most possible and latest formats.
The plugin features codes for HAP / H264 / H265 / ProRes and more.
Plus, After Effects users don’t need QuickTime anymore.
The plugin is available for both Mac and Windows.
13. Lenscare Plugin
Lenscare is a small plugin that does big work.
Normally, computers require considerable time to create ‘Depth of Field’ effects with the traditional tracing technique.
The Lenscare plugin reduces rendering time and creates high-quality DoF effects in no time.
Also, the Out of Focus feature of the plugin creates a realistic blur effect without the depth input.
The plugin also comes with other functionalities that After Effects users will find to be very useful.
14. PQ FUI Toys 3
Enhance your videos with simple motion graphic elements creating using PQ FUI Toys 3 plugin.
The pre-made After Effects comp is a massive time saver.
The adjustable parameters allow users to tweak the pre-made comps to create new graphics.
The plugin also makes available a user guide for After Effects beginners to master graphics creation in no time.
The PQ FUI Toys 3 is a useful plugin that every AE user should have.
15. Flow Plugin
Are you frustrated about the time you spend on the After Effects graph editor? Here is a plugin that’ll make your job a lot easier.
The Flow Plugin frees the users from the clutches of the graph editor.
The plugin provides a user-friendly interface to customize animation curves.
The Flow Plugin comes with 25 pre-defined curves to make your task quick and effortless.
That said users can create new motion curves and share the presets with other animators.
Cristian Stanciu is a freelance video editor, owner, and post-production coordinator of Veedyou Media – a company offering video editing services to videographers, marketing agencies, video production studios, or brands all over the globe.
