The 35 Best Free Presets for After Effects

After Effects makes it easy to add finishing touches to any video project. However, as great as After Effects is, there is no doubt that certain actions can be tedious and time-consuming. If you’re working with a lot of video files, saving time in your workflow is essential.

That’s exactly where these free After Effect presets come in. They will not only help you save time but also money and allow you to speed up your editing process so you can take on more projects or enjoy more free time.

If you would like to learn how to use and add special effects to your video, you should take a look at our extensive collection of After Effects tutorials.

How to Install an After Effects Preset

After Effects presets make it easy to create your very own library of different animations and effects for your video editing projects. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to install After Effects presets downloaded from the Internet.

Download and unzip After Effects preset you want to use
If you’re on a Windows computer, go to Documents > Adobe > After Effects > User Presets
Copy the downloaded preset folder into the above folder
If you’re on a Mac, go to Applications > Adobe After Effects > Presets
Copy the downloaded preset folder into the above folder
To use the newly installed preset, launch After Effects
Go to Effects and Presets, locate the presets you just installed, select the desired preset, and double-click it to apply it to your composition.

Text Effects Presets for After Effects

Tapered Stroke Preset for After Effects

Use this tapered stroke preset to masterfully and fundamentally change how your text can act for your next video. There is no end to how you can animate your text when you use this fully customizable preset.

70 Glitch Title Animation Presets Pack

Save yourself some time, energy, and money by using this resource for all your glitched text needs. Includes six different types of animation that works with any animated font and is fully editable.

Stranger Things Text Effect for After Effects

Use this preset to add a bit of flair to your next text effects. No keyframe animation is required. Just a simple and customizable fade in and out using layer in and out points.

Motion Type Text Animation Preset

This awesome text preset allows you to animate with and without the need for keyframes, use in/out mirror parameters, reverse text animation directions, and more.

Glitch Text Effects Toolkit

This glitch text effect toolkit gives you 30 different ready-to-go glitch title animations, 32 different glitch maps to choose from, and is 3D perspective ready for your creative compositing.

10 Free After Effects Text Animation Presets

This preset pack offers ten wonderfully animated text options that will be perfect for your next video project. Quick and easy to use, this pack will save you time and energy when the crunch is on.

Animation Presets for After Effects

Squash & Stretch Preset

This preset features handcrafted animations by professionals with an intelligent adjustments method that ensures that all animations and behaviors look good.

150 Splatter Animations

Save precious time and money by using this splatter animation resource. With 150 different animations that are easily customized, this resource is the easiest way to get your effects onto video.

Animography Controller Preset

With this controller preset, you will be able to quickly and effortlessly animate your text, all in one layer. Just drag and drop your characters and create your effects within the create controller function.

CounterPro Preset – Count & Animate Numbers

Use this preset to animate any number in any fashion of your choosing. Easily apply, modify, and customize your prefix and suffix signs, create custom timers or countdowns, all without the need for keyframe animations.

Simple Animation Logo

This preset is all you need for your next video title card. Quickly and easily introduce yourself to the world with this vibrant and colorful animated logo reveal preset. Perfect for your next corporate video.

Mograph Cloner Tool for After Effects

This clever preset recreates the effects of Mograph, found in Cinema 4D, for use in After Effects. Now you don’t need to clone and animate objects in Cinema 4D and then transfer them into After Effects to complete your project, when you can do it all in the shapes layer.

AE Flame – Free Fractal Animation Preset

This preset allows you to explore the depths of mathematical space right in After Effects. Create stunning flames, and you delve deeper into this mathematical space.

Transition Presets for After Effects

Distorted Transitions

For fans of the glitch, this is the ultimate transition pack. Save time and energy with hundreds of different presets. Includes overlays, light leaks, and tv noises so that your glitched transitions fit wherever you need them.

Collection of 25 Free After Effects Transitions

This collection of transitions is perfect for those who work in video editing or motion graphic animation, who want something that is both appealing and non-distracting when a transition is used.

Special Effect Presets for After Effects

Flicker Freak Horror Flicker Preset

If you want to add some dramatic flair to your videos or if you’re a horror movie enthusiast, this plugin will be right up your alley. Quickly add and customize the amount of flicker and duration of flicker with this plugin.

Ugly Box Plugin

Why be obsessed with beauty when ugly can look just as good but better? This plugin makes it easy to create diseased-looking people or those adorable zombies for your next video project.

Film Grain Effect Preset for After Effects

Easily add grain to anything from your videos to still images. The plugin comes with controllers to quickly increase or reduce the amount of grain as well as the saturation density.

Glitch Intro

Save time and energy with this glitch intro pack. Quickly and easily add the glitching effect to your videos or images. The pack is available in 24 and 30 frames per second intervals and is supported in ultra HD, full HD, and HD formats.

Fleko Preset – Stretch Pixels & Distort them Geometrically

This preset enables you to stretch and distort pixels geometrically. Use this preset to create perfect loops, abstract patterns, and keyframe-less animations. The preset is compatible with Adobe CC2014 and up.

15 Camera Shake Presets for After Effects

When you want to add the feeling of a handheld camera shot to your tripod-held shot, this preset pack is just the answer. With 4K and HD resolution and 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm camera presets, you will be able to add in everything from a slight shake to heavy movement in a matter of seconds.

PolyNoise Alphabet Animated Typeface

This resource will save you time and money on your next text animation project. Because of the included EasyType script, you will be able to just enter your text and get your results in real-time.

Light Saber Preset with Motion Blur Preset

This is the perfect preset to use when you want epic lightsabers. Control everything from the turning on and off the lightsaber to the thickness amount, color, and vibrating intensity.

Free Anamorphic After Effects Plugin

This plugin allows you to apply a 40mm lens curve effect to all of your 16:9 footage. With 12 control points, you will be able to fully curve your video to give it that anamorphic feel. This plugin is 4k ready.

Glitchin After Effects Preset

This preset makes it quick and easy to add a glitch effect to your video. Just drop it onto a layer, and it will glitch away; without worrying about keyframes.

Vintage Effects Presets for After Effects

This preset and tutorial combination is all you need to get started with making your own vintage looking videos. You learn the concepts and practice while the presets do all the heavy lifting.

Design Effect Presets for After Effects

Simple Gradient Plugin for After Effects

This plugin is exactly what it says it is, a simple two-color gradient with a center point, width, and direction dial. This tool makes it easy to control gradient effects and apply a gradient mask where you need it.

Sparkle Photo Toolkit

This time-saving resource will help bring your photos to life. You will be able to add a unique particle effect without needing any plugins or pre-rendered footage.

Label Maker Preset

This plugin, when run, scans your selected layers and automatically assigns a colored tile to help speed up your editing or designing workflow. This makes it possible to save time and energy on all of your current and future projects.

Dynamic Slideshow

Save time using this resource for your next multimedia project. This slideshow is perfect for special event openings, such as a photo album or simple slides. Just drop your images or video in, edit your text, add your audio, and finally enjoy the show.

Backdrop Designer Plugin

This plugin is a godsend when you need your own photography backdrops. Pick from hundreds of premade digital backdrops or customize your own. This plugin creates beautiful resolution-independent backdrops, unlike the expensive muslin drapes found in photography studios.

Long & Soft Shadow Creator for After Effects

This preset adds a drop shadow to all your text. Fully customize the shadows’ anchorpoint, determine your shadows’ mode, give your shadow a feather, and then plaster it with colors.

Color Presets for After Effects

20 Free Color Presets for After Effects

Picking the correct color grade is not only important for aesthetics, it’s also important for the storytelling process. Good choices will breathe life into your film, bad choices will be distracting and uninspired. With this preset package, you’ll get the best colors you can.

15 Free Color Presets For After Effects

With this color preset pack, you’ll be adding emotion to your films in no time. With 15 distinct presets, this pack makes it easy for you to apply an effect and breathe life into your film.

Light Presets for After Effects

Auto Bright Lens Flare After Effects Preset

This preset gives you complete control over your lens flare. Put it in where you need it, apply the strength of the effect, and your scene has just transformed from dull to interesting.

Free Light Leaks Preset Pack

This preset gives you complete control of the light in your camera. Perfect for adding more personality to a still image, it also works well in motion photography. Use this preset pack to get the most out of your next video or photography project.

After Effects Preset FAQs

What are After Effects Presets?

Presets in After Effects are pre-made settings or animations that you can apply to layers within your projects, saving time on creating effects from scratch.
Can Beginners Easily Use Free Presets?

Yes, beginners can easily use free presets as they simplify the process of adding complex animations or effects, making them accessible to users with varying skill levels.
Are Presets Customizable After Applying to a Project?

Most presets are customizable. You can tweak various parameters in the Effect Controls panel to suit your specific project needs.
What Types of Effects Can I Achieve with Presets?

Presets can produce a wide range of effects, from simple color corrections and text animations to complex particle effects and transitions.
Do Presets Slow Down After Effects?

Presets themselves don’t typically slow down After Effects, but using many complex presets in a single project can impact performance.
Can I Create My Own Presets in After Effects?

Yes, you can create your own presets by setting up an effect the way you like and saving it as a preset for future use.
Are Free Presets as Good as Paid Ones?

Free presets can be just as effective as paid ones, depending on your project requirements. They are a great resource, especially when working on a budget.
Can I Use Presets for Both Personal and Commercial Projects?

Most free presets can be used for both personal and commercial projects, but always check the licensing terms for any restrictions.
What’s the Difference Between Presets and Plugins?

Presets are predefined animations or effects settings, while plugins are additional software tools that expand After Effects’ capabilities.
Can Presets be Used Across Different Versions of After Effects?

While many presets work across different versions, some might be compatible only with specific versions of After Effects. Check compatibility before downloading.

Conclusion

From adding more color to creating glitchy text, there is a preset for any situation that can be used in After Effects. Fill up your video editing library with the presets from this list and save time and money on your next project.