Top 5 ActionVFX Alternatives
VFX Options at Affordable Prices
ActionVFX has established itself as a popular provider of high-quality visual effects elements in the VFX industry. It offers an extensive collection of assets that are widely used in projects ranging from amateur productions to Hollywood blockbusters.
However, despite the company’s popularity, several factors have led some users to seek alternatives. You might find yourself seeking an alternative that better suits your project's needs or budget constraints.
Understanding these alternatives can greatly enhance your workflow and creative output. Let’s explore some top contenders that could revolutionize your approach to visual effects and potentially save you time and money in the process.
1. FX Elements: A Comprehensive (and Cheaper) Solution
When searching for a complete alternative to ActionVFX, FX Elements stands out as the top candidate. FX Elements’ strength lies in its straightforward approach, professional quality, and reasonable prices. FX Elements is the only VFX stock footage provider that sells individual clips. Additionally, FX Elements offers easy integration with popular editing software, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced video creators.
Vast Library of Elements
FX Elements offers an extensive library of high-quality 4k visual effects elements encompassing a broad range of VFX categories. Whether you're working on a small indie project or a large-scale production, you'll appreciate the diverse selection of VFX assets available.
Fair Pricing
Unlike ActionVFX's subscription-only model, FX Elements allows for the purchase of individual elements, VFX packs, as well as cost-effective subscription options for users that need a high volume of effects.
- Flexible Purchase Options: With a range of affordable pricing plans, users can select packages that best fit their project scope and budget, whether for single assets or full collections.
- Free Downloads: Get started for free with our growing collection of over 100+ free VFX downloads that are available in full resolution (4k-8k) and quality. If you like the free downloads, you can move up to a paid option when the moment is right for you.
Free Options:
Professional Grade Quality
FX Elements library of thousands of VFX assets is 100% created in-house, ensuring stunning visuals and consistency – we have no 3rd party partners. This means that you get a consistent level of quality and of user experience throughout the broad range of effects categories.
One of the unique features FX Elements offers is the ability to download camera RAW footage. Few other stock footage providers make these files available.
Wide Compatibility
FX Elements VFX overlays are provided in standard file formats that work with all professional-grade NLEs, compositing software, and other popular VFX software.
- Universal Compatibility Across Software: FX Elements assets work seamlessly with major VFX and editing software like Adobe After Effects, Nuke, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, among others.
- User-Friendly Integration: Designed with accessibility in mind, these assets are drag-and-drop ready, making them easy for both beginners and advanced users.
- Multi-Platform Accessibility: Whether you’re working on Mac, Windows, or Linux, FX Elements offers versatile file formats compatible with most systems.
Royalty-Free Licensing
Another benefit of choosing FX Elements is the royalty-free license.
- Hassle-Free Usage: FX Elements offers a royalty-free license, meaning you can use the assets in both personal and commercial projects without additional fees.
- Unlimited Use: Once purchased, the assets are yours to use repeatedly across various projects, enhancing long-term value.
- Clear Terms for Peace of Mind: The straightforward license terms eliminate legal concerns, so you can focus on creating without the fine print.
Impeccable Track Record
FX Elements has been in business for over a decade, actually predating ActionVFX by a few years. Over that decade-plus of business our elements have been used in countless films, TV shows, commercials, video games and other forms of visual media.
- Trusted by Industry Professionals: FX Elements is widely used across the VFX industry, from indie creators to professional studios, which speaks to its reliability and quality.
- Proven Satisfaction: Customer testimonials and feedback consistently praise the quality of FX Element's offerings, highlighting their versatility and ease of use.
- Responsive Customer Service: Known for responsive and helpful customer service, FX Elements provides quick resolutions to user inquiries and technical support, enhancing the overall experience.
For those seeking a more flexible purchasing option, FX Elements offers a compelling alternative to ActionVFX. You'll find it ideal if you need to purchase single VFX clips without committing to subscriptions. You can buy individual effects as needed, which can be more cost-effective for smaller projects or specific requirements.
2. Visual FX Pro
Another budget-conscious option in the VFX landscape is Visual FX Pro. This newcomer to the scene, established in 2020, has made waves with its competitive pricing and free effects bundles.
If you're just starting out or working on a tight budget, Visual FX Pro might be the perfect fit for your needs but unfortunately they don't offer a la carte purchases - subscription only.
Here's what you need to know about Visual FX Pro:
- Offers free effects bundles to get you started
- Provides competitive pricing on paid subscriptions
Caters to beginners and those on a tight budget
While Visual FX Pro's selection may be limited compared to more established competitors, it's an excellent choice for basic VFX needs.
3. Shutterstock Elements (formerly Rocketstock)
Shutterstock Elements (formerly RocketStock), offers three key advantages for VFX enthusiasts. First, you’ll find professionally designed video effects that are easily customizable. Second, you can access their library without a subscription, paying only for the assets you need. Third, they release free templates monthly, adding value to your investment.
Here’s a quick comparison of RocketStock’s offerings:
You can purchase individual VFX assets or bundles, with some packs including over 100 effects. This flexibility allows you to tailor your purchases to your project’s specific needs. However, be mindful that prices can range from $79 to $300+, so budget accordingly for your VFX requirements.
Their library is not the most extensive for VFX, as of this writing they currently have a total of 18 vfx packs available. So the variety of elements available is not as vast as FX Elements or ActionVFX.
4. Production Crate
Boasting an extensive library of thousands of VFX assets, Production Crate is a force to be reckoned with in the world of visual effects.
Production Crate Pros and Cons:
- A wide variety of effects to choose from, but the quality of those assets range dramatically
- Reasonable prices, but purchasing options are limited to a subscription-only model.
- While some users have reported occasional issues with download speeds and customer support, the overall consensus is that Production Crate delivers exceptional value for money.
With a vast library, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing, Production Crate is a viable alternative to ActionVFX, especially for video editors and creators who need to create simple effects quickly.
5. Action Essentials 2 from Video Copilot
Action Essentials 2, created by Andrew Kramer for his Video Copilot brand, is an oldie but a goody when it comes to visual effects stock footage.
This collection of effects footage offers 500 elements, including:
- Explosions, fire, and smoke
- Dust and debris hits
- Muzzle flashes and bullet impacts
Each element has been captured using high-end equipment to guarantee stunning quality and realism.
The pack’s versatility allows you to easily integrate these elements into various projects, from feature films to video games. With its one-time purchase model, Action Essentials 2 provides excellent value for money without the need for recurring subscriptions.
The main downsides to this library are:
- Limited to 2k resolution
- Limited in the range of categories
- Elements sometimes break the frame, which limits the ways in which they can be used
- The QuickTime files are PNG codec, not ProRes, and thus, they are a bit slow to work with
All in all, Action Essentials 2 is a tried and true collection of elements that have been used for over a decade by amateurs and professionals. Additionally, Video Copilot offers a number of effects plugins and effects templates that can be useful for VFX artists.
Conclusion
FX Elements is the only VFX stock footage provider that offers purchase options for individual files and RAW camera files. Additionally, we offer VFX packages and subscription options to reduce the cost per asset even more. While our library is not as big as ActionVFX, there is a tremendous amount of overlap in our effects categories, and the majority of the two libraries are very similar.
The bottom line is that whether you're looking for extensive libraries, single-purchase options, or user-generated content, there's something for every project and budget. Don't limit yourself to one platform; explore FX Elements, Visual FX Pro, Shutterstock, Production Crate, and Video Copilot to find the perfect fit for your needs. With these options, you'll elevate your visual effects game and create stunning content that stands out.