Imagine easily creating sleek graphics,mind-blowing visual effects, and slick motion design to make any homemade video look like it came straight out of a Hollywood studio. Well, this video production superpower is now a reality thanks to Adobe After Effects templates!
Pre-made AE project files allow anyone to skip tedious animation work but still harness pro motion graphics to captivate viewers. Simply customize templates by swapping out media to speed up high-quality video output.
In this comprehensive expert guide, I‘ll compare the 10 best After Effects template marketplaces to meet diverse video needs and styles. Read on to discover stellar assets guaranteed to amplify visual storytelling!
Surging Popularity Behind AE Templates
Let‘s first understand why pre-made templates now dominate all video production:
As online video keeps growing exponentially year after year, demand has skyrocketed for attention-grabbing motion graphics. Cisco predicts 82% of online traffic will be video by 2022.
Plus research shows including animations can boost content engagement by 157%. So motion design is now crucial for audiences and algorithms.
But here lies the problem:
Learning advanced skills in Adobe After Effects, Cinema4D and other VFX programs takes most creators years of dedicated practice. Not to mention thousands invested in tools and plug-ins.
This results in studios charging tens of thousands for high caliber animated videos. Yet most businesses don‘t have colossal production budgets.
Enter After Effects templates – the solution bridging this gap!
These pre-made projects allow anyone to leverage pro motion design at a fraction of regular cost. Global Market Insights forecasts the video templates segment will grow from $730 million to over $954 million by 2026 as demand increases.
So by finding AE project files matching your brand style, animating custom videos gets simple! Now let‘s explore top template marketplaces…
1. Envato Elements
As the web‘s largest creative asset platform, Envato Elements gives unlimited access to over 500,000 graphic design and video products including AE templates starting at only $29/month.
With hundreds of new files added daily, creators can stay ahead of latest trends. I especially appreciate Envato‘s promotional video templates catering to social media ads, real estate listings, and other vertical domains.
Standout After Effects Finds:
- Mobile App Promo Kit – Showcase download links, UI previews and feature graphics.
- Startup Business Titles – Introduce companies with slick corporate motion graphics.
- Beach Vacation Slideshows – Transform travel photos into tropical animations.
Envato also offers an intelligent color controller letting you re-theme templates with personalized palettes quickly. And their licensing covers commercial projects allowing monetized video output.
Cost: $29/month for unlimited downloads
Media Rights: Standard License
2. Motion Array
Home to over 56,000 video assets, Motion Array provides a mammoth library of After Effects templates covering every category.
Built to captivate social media audiences, their contemporary templates feature energetic designs with dynamic text animations and transitions. I also appreciate easy organization by video style like slideshows, logo reveals and openers.
Notable Explainer & Promo AE Templates:
- Startup Explainer Toolkits – Visually demonstrate products and services.
- Social Media Showcase Displays – Animate creator portfolios tailored for Youtube, Instagram and TikTok.
- Product Reveal Promos – Highlight features and specs in sleek motions.
With up to 8K resolution across assets, projects work great for HD videos. And Motion Array also offers convenient weekly plans if you only occasionally need templates.
Cost: $29/month Basic or $99/month Pro license
Media Rights:: 100% Commercial Use
3. Storyblocks
Trusted by over 1 million creators globally, Storyblocks provides unlimited downloads of high quality AE templates and stock media.
I especially recommend Storyblocks for business and professional videos needing premium motion graphics without big studio budgets. Their modern business titles, corporate graphics, and infographic displays level up corporate communications.
Essential Graphics for Companies:
- Isometric Infographics – Transform complex data into engaging illustrated animations.
- Product Demo Reels – Showcase uses and benefits of services, apps and tools.
- Business & Finance Titles – Introduce market predictions, earnings and equities reports with polished graphics.
Additionally all Storyblocks‘ videos and images support commercial use without worrying about copyright issues. This provides excellent value at only $169/year for peace of mind.
Cost: Starts at $169/year for unlimited commercial use.
Media Rights:: 100% Commercial
4. FilterGrade
Catering to fashion, lifestyle and artsy brands, FilterGrade offers trend-focused After Effects templates starting at around $30.
While individual sales allow personal video projects, I recommend their Club subscription for only $99/year to gain unlimited commercial use. This ensures you stay on-trend as FilterGrade adds innovative new templates weekly to stand out on social media.
For Creative Businesses, Hot AE Templates Include:
- Urban Culture Promo Displays – Showcase clothing lines, gear and events with these high energy graphics.
- Fashion Magazine Intros – Give off editorial polish for online shoppable videos.
- Retro VHS Style Openers – Inject trendy analog 80‘s nostalgia into videos.
So for boutique brands wanting assets with artistic edge, FilterGrade delivers quality and variety.
Cost: Single templates from $30 or Club subscription $99/year
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
5. Shutterstock Elements
Expanding creative possibilities, Shutterstock Elements provides several toolkit libraries with Ae templates, graphics, footage and more.
With thousands of video effects, transitions, animated icons and text assets, you‘ll have unlimited building blocks to engage audiences. Especially useful are their kits for easily creating titles, lower thirds, and infographic sequences.
Standout Animated Template Options:
- Kinetic Typography – Choose from extensive stylized text animation to make messages pop.
- Sci-Fi Transitions – Teleport viewers between scenes with digitized hyperspace warp effects.
- Photo Montage Builder – Effortlessly animate stills into compelling slideshows.
And at only $29/month, Elements makes elevating video production value affordable for all creators.
Cost: Starts at $29/month for unlimited downloads
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
6. MotionVFX
Renowned for cinema-grade visual effects tools, MotionVFX empowers video creators with high quality AE templates for truly show-stopping sequences.
Many leverage sophisticated techniques like 3D camera tracking, particle systems, and simulated liquid dynamics to achieve Hollywood VFX artistry. Must-have templates help you build sci-fi, superhero, and gaming style videos faster.
Epic Cinematic Templates Include:
- Futuristic HUD Graphics – Transform standard displays into interactive cybernetic imagery.
- Atmospheric Title Openers – Awe audiences with these epic cinematic text animations.
- Special Powers Visual Effects – Channel fantasy energy, electric beams and explosions using clever video layering.
While prices start around $39 for starter templates, MotionVFX regular sales let you snag premium assets up to 60% off.
Cost: Around $39 per template
Media Rights: Personal + Commercial Use Allowed
7. Artlist
Escape rigid corporate templates with Artlist‘s imaginative and artistic AE templates embracing freeform visual expression.
In addition to essentials like clean intros, Artlist offers more avant garde sequences playing with shapes, light prisms and cascading color gradients. This stimulates right-brain creativity for memorable branded content across social media.
For Artsy Videos Check Out:
- Kaleidoscope Transitions – Hypnotize viewers sliding between scenes warping through symmetrical patterns.
- Abstract Sound Visualizers – Generate flowing organic forms pulsing to the beat of any music tracks.
- Telescoping Zoom Transitions – Simulate cameras pushing perspective in and out of scenes.
Alongside templates, Artlist provides unlimited royalty-free music, video, images and graphic assets for just $199/year bringing immense value.
Cost: Starts at $199/year for unlimited assets.
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
8. Videvo
In addition to their generous library of hourly updated stock media, Videvo offers both free and premium After Effects templates – an ideal option for beginner video editors.
While their free section covers essentials like basic title animations, map infographics, and text inserts, I recommend checking out expanded offerings in the Videvo Market with more advanced broadcast graphics, stylized transitions and promo displays.
Top Videvo AE Template Picks:
- Split Layer Transitions – Seamlessly push videos and images on and off frame in slices or geometric shapes.
- Newsroom Studio Packages – Make professional video segments emulating real studio production.
- Bold Intro Display Titles – Grab attention fast even in noisy platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
Given quality assets with full customization starting around $16, Videvo provides great ROI. And their new loyalty program grants up to 30% redeemable store credit from purchases.
Cost: Single templates from ~$16. Free options available.
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
9. MonsterOne
I recommend checking out MonsterOne for slick on-trend After Effects templates if you need to create promo videos around apps, services, events and other products.
With easy categorization by industry, you can quickly browse categories like technology overviews, conference event marketing, restaurant menu highlights, and startup business launches. And regular discounts offer professional templates costing only $5!
Well-Designed Brand Promo Display Essentials:
- Flat Animated Icon Promos – Visually communicate business propositions with friendly illustrated graphics.
- Corporate Titles and Bumpers – Maintain executive polish when presenting statistics data, branding, and messaging.
- Isometric Product Demos – Show functionality of tools, software and apps using engaging 3D visual perspective.
Boasting thousands of contemporary templates for every purpose, MonsterOne simplifies animating sleek graphics fast!
Cost: Single templates from ~$19. Frequent sales up to 70% off.
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
10. MotionElements
Lastly, MotionElements hosts an enormous library with over 15,000 premium AE templates available for unlimited use through annual subscriptions starting at only $99.
I suggest browsing their sizable collections by mood like playful, elegant or futuristic to find a design style matching your brand. Useful search filters also help isolate templates by duration, video genre, niche and more.
Some Stylized Standouts Worth Eyeing:
- Neon Urban Opener Templates – Electrify scenes with vibrant neon glows and graffiti textures.
- Magical Fantasy Titles – Enchant viewers with these whimsical glowing fonts straight from fairy tales.
- Sci-Fi Digital Glitches – Add cybernetic flair with these high-tech distortions perfect for gaming channels.
And MotionElements offers free weekly templates to try before buying a plan. This allows properly testing projects before purchasing.
Cost: Subscriptions from $99/year for unlimited use. Some freebies.
Media Rights: 100% Commercial Use
Evaluating After Effects Template Marketplaces
When assessing template marketplaces, consider these key factors:
Cost: What plans fit your budget? Monthly or yearly subscriptions? Per template pricing?
Selection: Are enough project files offered for your niche?
Customization: Can all elements like text and colors be edited?
Render Resolution: Will quality hold up on modern HD displays?
Media Rights: Can you use templates commercially or just for personal use?
New Releases: Are new timely templates added regularly?
Now let‘s compare marketplaces across these criteria:
| Platform | Pricing | Size of Library | Customization | Resolution | Media Rights | New Content Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envato | $29/mo unlimited | 500,000+ assets | Fully editable | Up to 4K | Commercial use | Hundreds added daily |
| Motion Array | $29+/mo subscriptions | 56,000+ templates | Fully editable | Up to 8K | Commercial use | Dozens added daily |
| Storyblocks | $169+/yr subscriptions | Unlimited templates & media | Fully editable | Up to 4K | Commercial use | Hundreds added weekly |
| FilterGrade | $30+/template | 300+ templates | Fully editable | Up to 4K | Commercial use | 5 added weekly |
| Shutterstock Elements | $29+/mo subscriptions | Over 4,000 templates & media | Fully editable | Up to 4K | Commercial use | Handfuls added weekly |
This covers fundamental factors helping match your video goals to the ideal marketplace!
Tips for Finding The Perfect After Effects Templates
Wondering how to narrow options from 5,000+ incredible AE project files down to ones suiting your exact video needs?
As online video expert with over 10 years experience directing animated content, here are my insider tips for pinpointing ideal templates every time:
Consider Final Video Length
Common formats include promos (~15 seconds), intros (~5 seconds), transitions (~1 second) and lower thirds (< 1 second). Ensure candidates match intended runtimes.
Define Visual Style
Minimal, glitchy, dynamic? Vintage, high-tech, playful? First establish target mood and aesthetic so templates align.
Understand Editing Complexity
Factor in your skill level. More layers and embedded media require advanced compositing skills. Seek user-friendly picks if new to After Effects.
Mind Motion Design Features
Are custom backgrounds, animating logos or particles effects crucial for your vision? Seek templates sporting the exact elements contributing to wow-factor.
Keeping these aspects in focus when browsing galleries helps yield designs fulfilling your creative direction!
And if still undecided between a few options, most marketplaces offer preview downloads to test drive templates using your own footage. This confirms what aesthetic and features best suit goals before purchasing.
Leveraging Pre-Made Templates for Eye-Catching Videos
After reading this extensive guide comparing the top 10 After Effects project file marketplaces, you now hold tremendous power to make exceptional videos at your fingertips!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a plan matching your budget and needs. Then start building stunning broadcasts, advertisements, film trailers and more that captivate audiences and boost engagement through the roof!
Be sure to check out my YouTube channel where I share tutorials using After Effects templates from Envato, Motion Array and more to create professional animated videos fast even with no experience.
Here‘s to effortlessly making memorable videos that leave lasting impressions! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to offer animation guidance to help your video content shine.
