After Effects already includes a powerful set of tools, but plugins and scripts can make repetitive tasks much faster.

Some tools improve easing, while others provide better glow effects, text controls or faster access to frequently used features.

For example, a plugin that reduces several repetitive actions to one click might save only a few seconds each time. Across hundreds of actions in a project, however, that time quickly adds up.

The important thing is not to install every plugin you discover. Too many tools can make your workflow unnecessarily complicated.

Instead, identify tasks you repeatedly perform and find tools that solve those specific problems.

This list of the best After Effects plugins covers both free and paid options designed to improve different parts of the motion design workflow.

Plugins should make a good workflow faster, not replace the fundamentals of animation.