Non-Subscription Alternatives to ActionVFX

ActionVFX is a prevalent choice for VFX assets; however, the shift to a subscription-based model has left many users feeling frustrated and unhappy. The new pricing structure is complex and potentially more expensive for those who don't need constant access to the library.

You're now forced to pay for assets you might not use, and there's less flexibility in purchasing options. If you only need a few specific elements for a project, the subscription model doesn't make sense.

While ActionVFX's products are still high-quality, these drawbacks have led many users to explore alternatives. So let's have a look at the choices available that do not require a subscription.

FX Elements

Aside from having fewer total assets FX Elements is arguably as good or better than ActionVFX in every other regard.

MotionVFX

While mostly known for its plugins, MotionVFX also offers a variety of VFX stock footage for editors and compositors.

BIGFILMS

BIGFILMS has a variety of VFX stock footage aimed at creating effects for action and sci-fi genre films.

Video Copilot

Action Essentials 2 from Video Copilot remains a viable source of VFX compositing assets.

Compositing Academy

Compositing Academy has a small but growing collection of VFX stock footage and assets.

Honorable Mention

Here are a couple of other alternatives that you might want to consider:

Action Essentials 2k

The Action Essentials 2 collection from Video Copilot is a bit outdated but still a valid alternative to ActionVFX. The biggest downside of this collection is that it hasn't been updated in over 10 years and doesn't offer the level of variety that the other providers above do. The pricing is fair but a bit high for 2k elements. Their license is standard and can easily be found and read on their support page.

Compositing Academy

Compositing Academy is a source of VFX tutorials as well as a small library of VFX assets. While its library is not the biggest the assets available appear to be fairly high quality. They offer a mixture of both live-action and CGI effects. The price of the elements is a bit expensive, with rates starting at $200 for about 25 elements. A license agreement for their elements could not be found, so we are unable to comment on its contents (assuming one exists).

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are plenty of valid alternatives to ActionVFX that do not require a subscription to access and download VFX assets.

Our recommended pick is FX Elements. While it has fewer total assets, it absolutely holds its own against ActionVFX and even outshines the competitor in many aspects.

Aside from having fewer total assets FX Elements is arguably as good or better than ActionVFX in every regard. Plus, given that they offer a wide variety of free elements, it's easy to get started and test out their products without a financial commitment.

With FX Elements (or any of these options), you can buy whatever you need for a cheaper rate than ActionVFX. And if you need a particular piece of footage from ActionVFX, you can subscribe for one month, download that asset, and then cancel your subscription.

FAQs

Are There Any Free Alternatives to Actionvfx for Amateur Filmmakers?

Yes, FX Elements, Compositing Academy, and BIGFILMS all offer free downloads to help artists get started without paying anything.

Which Alternative Offers the Widest Variety of VFX Elements?

FX Elements offers the most diverse collection of elements spanning a wide variety of effects categories.

Which Alternative Is Best Suited for Creating Sci-Fi or Fantasy Visual Effects?

BIGFILMS offers a variety of effects that are aimed at filmmakers creating films that visually align with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. FX Elements also has an assortment of elements that are perfectly suited for a sci-fi or fantasy film.

Can These Alternatives Be Used in Commercial Projects?

Yes, with the exceptions of Compositing Academy and BIGFILMS, all of these alternatives have clearly stated license agreements that allow for a wide range of commercial uses.