These 10 After Effects plugins saved me 1000+ hours
If you're working in After Effects, you know how time-consuming some tasks can be. From syncing animations to voiceovers, to managing complex compositions, it can sometimes feel like you're stuck in the slow lane while others zoom by. That's where plugins come in. They’re like the turbo boost for your workflow, speeding up tedious tasks and unlocking new creative possibilities.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the top 10 After Effects plugins that have completely transformed our process, saved us thousands of hours, and made working in AE way more efficient. Let’s dive in!
#10: Universal Audio
Syncing animations to voiceovers or music can be a nightmare, especially when working with pre-comps. Universal Audio by Steve Lewis fixes this by allowing you to hear the master composition’s audio in every pre-comp.
This makes timing animations so much easier, especially for explainer videos and motion graphics projects.
Price: $9.99
#9: Void
Void by BattleAxe is a powerful tool for creating Null layers with a single click.
Not only does it create perfectly centered Nulls for parenting multiple layers, but it also allows you to parent effect controls, paths, puppet pins, and shape positions. If you work with complex layer setups, Void is a huge time saver.
Price: Free
#8: FX Console
FX Console by Video Copilot is one of the best free plugins available.
With a simple shortcut, it opens a search bar that lets you find and apply effects instantly. You can also assign hotkeys to your most-used effects and take quick snapshots of your work for reference. Once you start using FX Console, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Price: Free
#7: Layout
Aligning and distributing layers in After Effects can be tedious. Layout by PluginPlay changes that.
This plugin gives you advanced alignment tools, letting you create grids, distribute elements evenly, and build complex layouts with ease. It’s a huge improvement over After Effects' built-in alignment options.
Price: $49.99
#6: MotionToolsPro
MotionToolsPro by Motion Design School is like the Swiss Army knife of After Effects.
From merging shape layers to sequencing compositions, it has a ton of tools designed to make your workflow faster and more efficient. You can even create custom buttons for scripts and expressions, applying them with just one click.
Price: Free
#5: Pins and Boxes
If you work with templates, motion graphics templates (MOGRTs), or lower thirds, Pins and Boxes by Mamoworld is a must-have.
This plugin allows you to create responsive text boxes and attach elements to specific points on text layers. Whether you’re working with subtitles, UI animations, or dynamic lower thirds, Pins and Boxes makes layout adjustments much easier.
Price: $39.99
#4: ProIO
Asset management can be a nightmare, but ProIO by HyperBrew simplifies the process.
With Watch Bins, you can link system folders directly to After Effects project bins. Any new file added to a folder is automatically imported into your project—no manual updates required.
It also features powerful export presets, letting you queue multiple renders with custom names, formats, and destinations, making rendering much more efficient.
Price: $99
#3: EaseCopy
EaseCopy by Mike Overbeck solves a frustrating problem—matching animation curves between different keyframes and layers.
It allows you to copy and paste easing from one keyframe to another, regardless of property type or values. If you’ve ever struggled to get consistent motion across multiple elements, this free tool will save you a ton of time.
Price: Free
#2: Curves
Curves by PluginPlay makes working with animation curves effortless. Instead of constantly jumping into the Graph Editor, you can apply smooth movements, create bouncy animations, and tweak custom easing with just one click.
It also comes with a library of pre-made curves, plus the option to save your own favorites. For anyone dealing with motion graphics daily, this plugin is a game-changer.
Price: $79.99 (one-time) or $12.99/month as part of PluginPlay's subscription
#1: Overlord 2
When it comes to saving time, Overlord 2 by BattleAxe is the undisputed champion.
Overlord lets you seamlessly import and export shapes, text layers, and images between Adobe Illustrator and After Effects while keeping all styling properties intact. Fonts, masks, gradients, and rounded corners all stay editable, making your workflow significantly smoother.
But the best part? It now supports Figma, meaning no more messy PDFs or clunky SVG exports. If you work with Illustrator or Figma, Overlord 2 is a must-have.
Price: $75
Honorable Mentions
These two plugins didn’t make the top 10 because they serve more niche purposes, but they’re still incredibly useful.
Deep Glow 2
Deep Glow 2 by Plugin Everything takes After Effects' standard glow effect to a whole new level. It’s faster, more customizable, and produces better-looking results right out of the box.
Price: $49.99
Comp Setter
If you work with automation or video versioning, Comp Setter is an essential tool. It allows you to batch-edit composition settings, changing resolution, duration, and frame rate across multiple comps in just a few clicks.
Price: Free
Final Thoughts
These 10 plugins will save you time, frustration, and probably a few gray hairs. Whether you’re looking for better animation tools, improved asset management, or just a way to speed up your workflow, there’s something on this list for every After Effects user.
