Deep Glow is a premium GPU-accelerated plugin for After Effects developed by Plugin Everything. While there is no official "free" full version of the latest Deep Glow 2, you can access a free trial or use high-quality free alternatives that replicate its physically accurate look. How to Get Deep Glow (Official & Trial)
The most stable and updated version is available on aescripts + aeplugins.
Free Trial: You can download a trial version from the Deep Glow product page by clicking "Try". Note that trial versions typically render with a watermark until a license is purchased.
Latest Version: Deep Glow 2 (v1.1.1 as of late 2025) includes new features like image-based glow, cinematic tonemapping, and lens dirt texturing. Best Free Alternatives (No Watermark)
If you want the "Deep Glow look" without the cost, these community-trusted tools and methods are updated for modern After Effects versions:
AfterGlow (Free Preset): A highly recommended free preset from Creation Effects that provides a much better falloff than the default AE glow.
Crate’s Glow (Free Script): A powerful extension from ProductionCrate that generates professional optical effects for free.
The "Stacking" Method: You can replicate the effect manually by selecting your layer and applying multiple instances of the Drop Shadow effect with 0 distance and increasing softness, then adding a standard Glow effect on top. Installation Guide for .aex Plugins
If you have downloaded a plugin file (like a trial .aex or .plugin file), follow these steps to install it in After Effects 2024/2025:
Locate the File: Find the .aex (Windows) or .plugin (Mac) file. Paste into Plugins Folder: deep glow after effects plugin free updated
Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects [Year]\Support Files\Plug-ins. Mac: Applications/Adobe After Effects [Year]/Plug-ins.
Restart After Effects: The plugin will appear in your Effects & Presets panel under the "Plugin Everything" or "Stylize" category.
Check out these tutorials for installing the plugin and exploring free alternatives to achieve the Deep Glow look: How To Install DEEP GLOW In After Effects 2024 82K views · 2 years ago YouTube · FLIXITY A Free, Better Glow for After Effects - AFTERGLOW Tutorial 20K views · 2 years ago YouTube · Creation Effects
How to replicate DEEP GLOW effect for FREE!!!! | After Effects tutorial 67K views · 5 years ago YouTube · Anurag Raturi Deep Glow 2: Quickstart Guide & What's New? 43K views · 1 year ago YouTube · Plugin Everything Deep Glow 2 - aescripts.com
New Features. Cinematic Tonemapping•RGB Radius Multipliers. Lens Dirt Texturing•Multicolor Tint. Image Based Glow•Higher Quality & A Free, Better Glow for After Effects - AFTERGLOW Tutorial
Deep Glow After Effects Plugin: A Free Update for Stunning Visuals
The Deep Glow After Effects plugin has been a favorite among motion graphics artists and video editors for years, and now, it's available for free with an updated version that's more powerful than ever. This plugin is designed to add a realistic, deep glow effect to your footage, giving your projects a professional and eye-catching look.
What is Deep Glow?
Deep Glow is a plugin for Adobe After Effects that allows users to create a realistic glow effect that simulates the way light behaves in the real world. It's commonly used in motion graphics, visual effects, and color grading to add depth and dimension to footage. The plugin uses advanced algorithms to create a natural-looking glow that's similar to the effect seen in high-end cinematic productions. Deep Glow is a premium GPU-accelerated plugin for
What's New in the Updated Version?
The updated version of Deep Glow comes with several new features and improvements, including:
Key Features of Deep Glow
How to Use Deep Glow
Using Deep Glow is straightforward. Simply follow these steps:
Conclusion
The updated Deep Glow After Effects plugin is a must-have for any motion graphics artist or video editor looking to add a professional touch to their projects. With its realistic glow effect, ease of use, and advanced customization options, Deep Glow is an essential tool for creating stunning visuals. And with its free updated version, there's no reason not to try it out.
Download Deep Glow
You can download the updated Deep Glow plugin for free from the official website. Simply click on the download link and follow the installation instructions. Improved Performance : The plugin has been optimized
System Requirements
FAQs
If you cannot find a free updated Deep Glow, these tools come close:
| Plugin | Free? | Updated for AE 2025? | Pros | |--------|-------|----------------------|------| | Deep Glow Trial | 14 days | ✅ Yes | Full features | | RG Universe – Glow | Freemium (watermark) | ✅ Yes | GPU optimized | | AE Scripts – FXGlow | 100% free | ✅ Yes (v2.0) | Open source, no banding | | Saber (by VideoCopilot) | 100% free | ⚠️ Unofficial patch | Best for neon/energy beams |
Winner for 100% free & updated: FXGlow (search "FXGlow aescripts free"). It includes Deep Glow’s threshold and gamma correction.
The interface is compact and intuitive. It avoids the cluttered "Scientific" look of standard AE effects.
Assuming you have obtained a legitimate trial or a free alternative, here is the installation path:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects [Version]\Support Files\Plug-ins\Applications/Adobe After Effects [Version]/Plug-ins/.aex (Windows) or .plugin (Mac) file into a new subfolder named Deep Glow.Effect > Plugin Everything > Deep Glow.If you are using a free open-source alternative:
Effect > Generate > Volumetric Glow.