Best Runway Alternatives for Visual Effects in 2026
Runway has made waves in the VFX world with AI-driven tools like generative fill, object removal, and green screen — but professional visual effects demand more control, compositing depth, and pipeline integration than Runway currently offers. Whether you're an indie filmmaker or part of a studio, these alternatives deliver serious VFX capabilities with growing AI assistance.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Pricing | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe After Effects | Free plan $22.99/month (annual) or $34.99/month (monthly) | 4.5 |
| Blackmagic Fusion (DaVinci Resolve) | Free plan DaVinci Resolve Studio $295 one-time purchase | 4.4 |
| Nuke (Foundry) | Free plan Nuke Indie $499/year, Nuke $4,815/year | 4.8 |
| HitFilm | Free plan Creator $7.99/month, Pro $12.99/month | 4 |
| Wonder Dynamics (Wonder Studio) | Free plan Lite $16.99/month, Pro $83.25/month | 4.2 |
Detailed Reviews
Adobe After Effects
The industry-standard compositing and visual effects tool with AI-powered rotoscoping, content-aware fill, and a massive plugin ecosystem for professional VFX work.
Pros
- +AI-powered Roto Brush 3.0 makes rotoscoping dramatically faster
- +Content-Aware Fill removes objects from video with minimal manual work
- +Thousands of VFX plugins and scripts available from third parties
Cons
- -3D compositing capabilities are limited compared to dedicated VFX tools
- -Subscription cost is ongoing with no perpetual licence option
- -Can struggle with very long or high-resolution compositions
Pricing
Blackmagic Fusion (DaVinci Resolve)
A node-based compositing powerhouse included free inside DaVinci Resolve, offering professional VFX capabilities with no subscription or upfront cost.
Pros
- +Completely free with no watermarks or export limitations
- +Professional node-based compositing rivalling Nuke for many tasks
- +Integrated into DaVinci Resolve's editing, colour, and audio tools
Cons
- -Steep learning curve, especially the node-based workflow
- -AI-powered features lag behind Adobe and dedicated AI tools
- -Documentation and tutorials are less abundant than for After Effects
Pricing
Nuke (Foundry)
The gold standard for film and television VFX compositing, used on virtually every major Hollywood production with unmatched precision and pipeline integration.
Pros
- +Used on nearly every major film — the definitive industry standard
- +Unmatched precision for compositing, keying, and 3D integration
- +CopyCat ML nodes bring AI-powered workflows directly into the compositor
Cons
- -Pricing is prohibitively expensive for individuals and small studios
- -Very steep learning curve aimed at dedicated compositing artists
- -Overkill for simple VFX tasks or social media content
Pricing
HitFilm
A combined video editor and VFX compositor that makes visual effects accessible to indie creators with an impressive free tier and growing AI toolset.
Pros
- +Generous free version includes hundreds of VFX effects and presets
- +Combined editor and compositor reduces the need for multiple apps
- +Active community with extensive free tutorials and resources
Cons
- -Performance can be inconsistent with complex compositions
- -AI features are basic compared to Runway or After Effects
- -Professional studios rarely use it, limiting career transferability
Pricing
Wonder Dynamics (Wonder Studio)
An AI-powered VFX tool that automates the process of replacing actors with CG characters, handling motion capture, lighting, and compositing automatically.
Pros
- +Automates CG character integration that traditionally takes days
- +AI handles body tracking, lighting estimation, and scene composition
- +No motion capture suits or green screens required
Cons
- -Narrowly focused on CG character replacement — not a general VFX tool
- -Results still require manual cleanup for hero shots
- -Pricing is aimed at professional production budgets
Pricing
Our Verdict
For professional VFX, nothing touches Nuke — it's the industry standard for a reason. But for 90% of creators, Blackmagic Fusion inside DaVinci Resolve offers astonishing value at literally zero cost. After Effects sits in the sweet spot between accessibility and power. If you specifically need AI-driven CG character work, Wonder Studio is doing things that were impossible for small teams just two years ago.