After Effects on mobile devices: Alight Motion
Adobe After Effects is a computer program that is widely used in a number of industries, some of which include marketing, graphic design, animation, VFX, and more. It’s known for its extensive set of tools for creating visual effects and motion graphics animations.
I use After Effects for several things as well, but most notably, I use it to bring my illustrations to life. I divide everything that’ll move into separate layers, then I import it into the program to animate each individual piece, and finally I end up with an animated illustration.
However, as a long-time (as long as I can be with my tiny 21 years of age in comparison to older professionals, around 8 years or so) mobile device, more specifically iPad, illustrator; sometimes I just want to animate my illustrations directly on my mobile device. That is, instead of having to export everything and send it over to my computer so I can animate in After Effects.
That’s where Alight Motion comes in. Alight Motion is the world’s first professional motion graphics toolset for mobile platforms, as they say themselves. Not only is it possible to work on keyframe animation and video compositing, but visual effects as well, and all that from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. How cool is that?
And before you undermine Alight Motion for being a mobile app, thinking it can’t be that good because it’s not a computer program, you haven’t seen its possibilities and the things some people are able to do with it. It’s even possible to replicate After Effects motion graphics on Alight Motion, so that alone can be pretty telling.
Some of its tools include keyframe animation, camera control, multiple layers, images, videos, and graphics, hierarchical parenting, advanced easing, over 150 visual effects, powerful compositing, versatile sharing and vector illustration. It can work for stuff as simple as montage video editing, or as complex as more complicated edits or visual effects.
I remember using it back in 2019 when it was just released globally, and I was obsessed. There have been multiple really impressive mobile video editing apps, such as Kinemaster, Video Star, or even CapCut - all of which I’ve tried out before as well - but none have served the same purpose to me as Alight Motion has. It’s somewhat similar to After Effects in the way it has a lot of visual effects tools and options, and its keyframe + easing options are pretty intuitive.
In conclusion, having a more accessible, mobile option for professional computer programs, such as Alight Motion existing as a mobile alternative for After Effects, is a great opportunity for artists to bring their artwork to life. Not only that, which is the use I personally give it, but also being able to work on complex motion graphics animations or visual effects with something as portable as your phone or tablet.
References
Desktop, N. (2026, 19 abril). Which industries & professions use after effects? https://blog.nobledesktop.com/learn/after-effects/after-effects-industries-and-professions
Introducing alight motion. (s. f.). Alight Motion. https://alightmotion.com/es/
Clark, S. C. (2025, 20 octubre). Best Video Editing App of 2025: Recommended video editor apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. RechRadar. Recuperado 2 de julio de 2026, de https://www.techradar.com/best/best-video-editing-apps