Yes, there is a free version of After Effects called Essential Edition.
Yes, there is a free version of After Effects called Essential Edition.
Yes, there are alternatives to After Effects such as OpenToonz and Blender.
Joining an adobe account offers access to download CS2 along with other tools like After Effects. It’s not a formal license, but it’s easy to use and doesn’t include any spyware. You can find more details at the provided link.
You can purchase After Effects CC for $19 monthly with a one-year agreement, or pay $29 each month and have the option to cancel at any time. It’s quite affordable if you only need it for a short period—just 2 to 3 months to explore. I personally spend over $30 weekly on fast food, so this could be a worthwhile investment.