A free alternative to Apple Motion

Motion is Apple's motion graphics app: 2D and 3D titles, more than 230 behaviors, mask tracking, and templates that editors adjust inside Final Cut Pro. It costs US$49.99 once, or comes with an Apple Creator Studio subscription, and runs only on a Mac. smooth.video covers the everyday pieces, like titles, lower thirds, logo reveals and animated stats, in a browser on any computer, for free.

Open the editor
  • Free
  • No signup
  • No watermark
The Letterbox title template, playing live. Open it in the editor

smooth.video vs Motion

Price
smooth.videoFree
MotionUS$49.99 once, or in Apple Creator Studio at US$12.99 a month
Platform
smooth.videoAny computer, in the browser
MotionMac only, macOS 15.6 or later
Install
smooth.videoNothing
MotionDesktop app from the Mac App Store
How you animate
smooth.videoPresets and keyframes on one timeline
MotionKeyframes, 230+ behaviors, 2D and 3D space
Transparent video
smooth.videoWebM
MotionProRes 4444 and HEVC with alpha
3D and mask tracking
smooth.videoNo
MotionYes
Final Cut Pro templates
smooth.videoNo
MotionYes

Motion as of September 2026. Plans change, so check theirs before you decide.

When smooth.video fits better

You're on Windows, Linux or a Chromebook, you edit in something other than Final Cut Pro, or you only need an animated title or logo from time to time and don't want to install anything.

When Motion fits better

You edit in Final Cut Pro and want titles and effects your editors adjust in its inspector, or you need 3D, behaviors, mask tracking or ProRes with alpha for a professional pipeline.

How it works

  1. Open smooth.video in any recent browser. Nothing to download.

  2. Start from a title, lower third or logo template, or from an empty canvas, and animate each element on the timeline.

  3. Export an MP4 for your edit, or a transparent WebM for editors that read it.

Start from a template

See all 22 templates

Open one, change the words, export. Every element stays editable.

Channel intro

1920×1080

A badge that turns into place

Subscribe button

1920×1080

One tap, subscribed

Social handle

1920×1080

Your @ in the corner

Progress bar

1920×1080

A chapter, and how far along

Flight route

1920×1080

A plane from one country to the next

Chapter title

1920×1080

A number, a rule, a title wiped in

Free, full stop
No plan, no trial, no credits, no export limit.
No account
Open the page and the editor is already there.
Nothing is uploaded
Your files are read and rendered by your own browser.
No watermark
Every export is clean, at any size, 4K included.

Questions

Can I use smooth.video exports in Final Cut Pro?

Yes. Import the MP4 like any other clip.

Does smooth.video work on a Mac?

Yes, in a recent browser, and just as well on Windows, Linux or a Chromebook.

Is it really free?

Yes, with no watermark, no account and no purchase.

Apple Motion compared with other tools

Try it before you settle on Motion.

It opens in a tab, works without an account, and exports without a watermark.

Open the editor
  • Free
  • No signup
  • No watermark