[2024] Artlist Vs Motion Array - 9 MAIN Differences
Both Motion Array and Artlist Max offer comprehensive solutions for content creators, especially those focused on video production. While Motion Array excels in the variety and quantity of assets, along with excellent customer support, Artlist Max provides more flexible pricing options and a wide range of high-quality assets. Choose the platform that best aligns with your specific needs in terms of asset variety, pricing, and third-party integrations.
December 18, 2023
"Video editors relying on templates lack genuine skill and creativity."
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Artlist is the owner of Motion Array, but they're two separate services with similar offerings. In this post, I'll compare the two so you can get a better understanding of which one to choose.
In this article, I'll look into the following:
The core offerings of Artlist and Motion Array
Unique features that set each platform apart
Subscription models and pricing tiers
Target demographics and ideal use-cases for each platform
By the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll have a clear understanding of which platform aligns best with your creative needs and project requirements. Take it from me, making an informed choice between Artlist and Motion Array can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your work.
Motion Array is a digital assets subscription-based platform. It's essentially an all-in-one subscription-based creative marketplace and technology solution tailored for video creators. It includes presets and templates for all major video editing programs including Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve and More.
Motion Array also provides a wide array of other creative assets, including but not limited to, video footage, music tracks, sound effects, and video templates. Their monthly subscription starts at $29.99, offering unlimited access to these assets, which is a compelling value proposition.
Now, let's see what truly sets Motion Array apart—its integrated tools. The platform offers video collaboration and review tools that streamline the editing process. These tools allow multiple stakeholders to provide real-time feedback on a project, thereby expediting project timelines. (Integrated tools are built-in features that enhance the platform's core functionality, making it a more versatile solution for professionals.)
How It Works
Creators/authors can upload their assets (presets, templates etc.) for other subscribed video creators to download. New users can subscribe to Motion Array to gain access to its vast catalog of digital assets and tools. Once subscribed, you can download anything you want as long as your subscription remains active. The platform's integration with editing software and collaboration tools makes it a seamless experience for creators.
Pros
Quality of Assets: Many users find the templates and presets to be of professional quality, suitable for various video editing software.
User-Friendly Features: The platform has been praised for its easy-to-use filters and tutorials, which help users make the most out of their subscriptions.
Custom Requests: Users can request specific assets that may not be available on the site, and the response time for these requests is reportedly fast.
Swift Follow-Up Service: Some users have mentioned that the company not only responds quickly but also follows up to ensure that issues are resolved.
Specialized Support Staff: Reviews indicate that the support team is not just responsive but also skilled and knowledgeable, providing targeted solutions to specific problems.
Flexible Billing Solutions: While billing issues are a con, some users have noted that the team was willing to adjust invoices based on specific requirements, showing some flexibility in their billing practices.
Educational Resources: The platform offers a variety of tutorials and learning resources, which many users find helpful for making the most out of their subscriptions.
Community Praise: Some reviewers specifically mention that they would highly recommend the platform, indicating a level of trust and satisfaction that goes beyond mere utility.
Cons
Billing Issues: A common complaint is about unexpected charges and difficulties in canceling subscriptions. Some users feel that the cancellation process is intentionally misleading and complicated.
Misleading Free Trials: Some users have complained that they were charged for an annual subscription when they thought they were signing up for a free trial.
Lack of Transparency: A few reviews mention a lack of transparency in company practices, especially concerning how much contributors earn per download.
Quality Control: Some users have reported receiving copyright strikes on platforms like YouTube for using Motion Array's music, suggesting that not all assets are as royalty-free as claimed.
Complexity in Usage: A few reviews mention that the process to get the assets working on their software was unnecessarily long and complicated.
Limited Software Compatibility: Some assets are not compatible with all video editing software, which limits the utility of the platform for some users.
Overview
Rating: 3.2 out of 5 stars based on 605 reviews.
Positive Reviews: Approximately 69% of the reviews are 5-star.
Negative Reviews: Around 27% of the reviews are 1-star.
Customer Service Response: Replies to negative reviews within less than 1 month.
Founded in 2015 by Ira Belsky, Artist io has carved out a significant niche in the music licensing industry. Artist io offers a robust library of over 8,000 tracks, and they're not static about it; they add around 150 new tracks every month. This dynamic addition ensures that you have a continually updated resource for your projects.
For the sake for this comparison, I'll be comparing Motion Array with the specific Artlist Max subscription, which includes royalty free footage and template for video editing programs.
It's pretty much an all-round asset platform for video creation. Artlist themselves call it the "the Ultimate All-in-One Platform for Creators."
To be specific, here's exactly what's included with Artlist Max:
Plugins (for Premiere Pro, After Effects, FinalCut, Davinci Resolve and more)
Pros
Refund Flexibility: One reviewer mentioned that they had to ask for a refund because the templates they were interested in were not available for their current software. Artlist's customer service was understanding and issued a refund promptly. This shows that the company is willing to accommodate customers even when their needs are not met by the existing services.
Quick Support Resolution: Another reviewer mentioned that they had a few hiccups that were resolved in less than 24 hours. This indicates that the support team is not just responsive but also effective in problem-solving, which can be crucial for creators who are on tight deadlines.
Geographically Sensitive Pricing: A reviewer noted that the pricing is not so high "depending on where you live and how much you earn." This suggests that Artlist may have a flexible pricing model that takes into account the economic conditions of different regions, making it more accessible.
Adaptability of Support Team: One reviewer mentioned that the support team could adapt and offer options for solving problems. This suggests that the support team is not just following a script but is trained to think critically and offer personalized solutions, which can be invaluable for complex or unique issues.
Ongoing Development: A reviewer who had to ask for a refund due to lack of templates for their software mentioned that Artlist is currently working on updating their templates. This shows that the company is committed to continuous improvement and is responsive to customer needs.
Fear-Free Publishing: Another reviewer highlighted the "freedom to publish without fear of lawsuits," indicating that Artlist provides a sense of security and peace of mind for creators who are concerned about copyright issues.
Cons
Download Limit Despite "Unlimited" Claims: One reviewer stated that although Artlist offers "unlimited downloads," they were immediately given a download limit upon purchasing the subscription. This could be considered misleading advertising and is a significant drawback for those who require a large number of assets.
Music Accessibility Tied to Subscription: Another reviewer was disappointed to find out that the music they had added to their 'My Music' panel was not accessible after their subscription ended. This could be a major issue for those who assume that once they've downloaded music, it's theirs to keep.
Lack of Transparency: The same reviewer who complained about music accessibility also mentioned a lack of transparency from Artlist. They felt that they were not adequately informed about the limitations of their subscription, particularly concerning the availability of downloaded music post-subscription.
Limited Software Compatibility: The same reviewer who praised Artlist's customer service for issuing a refund did so because the templates they wanted were not compatible with their current software. This suggests that Artlist's library may not be as universally compatible as one might expect.
Misleading Communication: A reviewer mentioned that they were advised via email that their music would always be available in the 'My Music' panel, only to find out this was not the case. This indicates that the company's communication can sometimes be misleading, which could lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Legal Complexity: While Artlist does provide licenses for their music, a reviewer pointed out that the license is only active as long as the subscription is. This could be confusing for users who are not well-versed in copyright law and may assume that once they've downloaded a track, they can use it indefinitely.
No, although both are now part of the same company, Motion Array is a different product to Artlist.io. So that means if you want to use both, you'll need to pay for both.
As I mentioned above, The two main differences between Motion Array and Artlist.io is the assets they have to offer. Pretty much everything else from the business model to the browse function is the same on either platform. Here's what I mean:
Motion Array
Types of Assets:
Stock Footage: High-quality video clips that can be used in various projects.
Music Tracks: Royalty-free music suitable for background, themes, or soundtracks.
Sound Effects: Diverse sound clips for enhancing video and audio projects.
Video Templates: Pre-made designs for intros, titles, transitions, and more.
After Effects Templates: Dynamic templates for motion graphics and visual effects.
Premiere Pro Templates: Editable templates for Adobe Premiere Pro projects.
DaVinci Resolve Templates: Templates designed specifically for DaVinci Resolve.
Motion Graphics Templates (MOGRTs): Graphics templates for use within Premiere Pro.
3D Objects: Models and elements for 3D design and animation.
Photos & Graphics: High-resolution images and graphics for various design needs.
Software Compatibility:
Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics and visual effects templates.
Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing and MOGRTs.
DaVinci Resolve: For color grading and video editing templates.
Use Cases:
Please note that you can use the assets on Motion Array for absolutely any video project. Here are some examples:
Video Production: Enhance videos with stock footage, music, and sound effects.
Motion Design: Use After Effects templates for intros, animations, and visual effects.
Video Editing: Utilize Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve templates for faster editing workflows.
Presentations: Incorporate stock photos, music, and video clips for impactful presentations.
Digital Marketing: Use assets for promotional videos, ads, and social media content.
Podcasts & Audio Production: Enhance with royalty-free music and sound effects.
Artlist
Types of Assets:
Music Tracks: A diverse collection of royalty-free music across various genres and moods.
Sound Effects: A wide range of sound clips to enhance any audio-visual project.
Footage (Artgrid): Artlist.io has a sister site called Artgrid which offers high-quality stock footage.
Template: As part of the max subscription you also get video templates, as on Motion Array
Software Compatibility:
Artlist.io's assets are generally in standard formats, making them compatible with most video and audio editing software, including:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe After Effects
Final Cut Pro
DaVinci Resolve
Avid Media Composer
Sony Vegas
And other popular editing software.
Use Cases:
Film Production: Enhance films with mood-appropriate music and realistic sound effects.
Video Editing: Incorporate royalty-free music and sound effects to elevate video projects.
Podcasts: Use background music or sound effects to enhance the listening experience.
Advertisements: Create impactful ads with the right music and sound.
YouTube & Content Creation: Use royalty-free assets to avoid copyright issues and enhance content quality.
Games & Apps: Incorporate sound effects and music for a more immersive experience.
The Connection: Artlist Acquires Motion Array
In December 2020, Artlist announced its acquisition of Motion Array for $65 million. This move was a significant step towards Artlist's goal of becoming a comprehensive creative stock solution for video creators. The acquisition allows Artlist to expand its digital stock media portfolio, reaching more than six million users worldwide and growing its catalog by over half a million stock assets.
The merger of these two platforms is a testament to their shared vision of providing creators with quality, affordable solutions. By combining the strengths of both platforms, they aim to cater to all creators' needs, ensuring that they have all the options and avenues they'd ever want to get the right look and feel for their projects.
Library Comparison
Artlist
For obvious reasons, the template and video footage library on Artlist is significantly smaller compared to Motion Array's, but that's because Artlist is a specialized service for royalty free music and SFX. Templates and footage are just an added bonus.
Music: Artlist.io offers a diverse range of music tracks, meticulously curated from independent artists globally. The audio quality of these tracks is known to surpass industry standards, ensuring an optimal listening experience.
Sound Effects: These are essential for enhancing the auditory aspect of any project, and Artlist.io offers a variety of them.
Stock Footage: For those in need of visual content, the platform provides stock footage suitable for various projects.
Templates (with Artlist Max): These are pre-designed formats that can be customized as per the user's requirements.
To facilitate the discovery of the right asset, Artlist.io has implemented three distinct browsing methods:
Browse: This is the conventional method where users can search for music using filters such as genre, BPM, and more.
Spotlight: This feature showcases a curated collection of music and playlists, influenced by the user's previous interactions on the platform.
For You: This is akin to Spotlight but offers tracks tailored to the user's individual music preferences.
Within the 'Browse' interface, users can employ various filters to narrow down their search. These filters are:
Mood: Options include Uplifting, Epic, Powerful, Exciting, Happy, Funny, Carefree, Hopeful, Love, Playful, Groovy, Sexy, Peaceful, Mysterious, Serious, Dramatic, Angry, Tense, Sad, Scary, and Dark.
Video Theme: Filters here are Business, Vlog, Commercial, Trailer, Weddings, Documentary, Technology, Food, Education, Lifestyle, Road Trip, Travel, Gaming, Sport & Fitness, Slow Motion, Urban, Party, Fashion, Science, Medical, Industry, Drone Shots, Landscape, Nature, and Time-Lapse.
Genre: This filter categorizes music and SFX by style. Options include Acoustic, Ambient, Blues, Children, Cinematic, Classical, Corporate, Country, Electronic, Fantasy, Folk, Funk, Hip Hop, Holiday, Indie, Jazz, Latin, Lofi & Chill Beats, Lounge, Pop, Reggae, Retro, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Soul & RnB, World, Worship.
Instrument: Users can filter tracks based on the instruments used. Choices are Acoustic Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Bass, Bells, Brass, Claps & Snaps, Electric Guitar, Electronic Drums, Ethnic, Keys, Mandolin & Ukulele, Orchestra, Pads, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Synth, Vocal, Whistle, Woodwinds, and Special Wind Instruments.
Motion Array
By having such a vast and organized collection, users can seamlessly navigate and select the tools they require, ensuring that their creative vision is realized to its fullest potential. The library's structure is designed in a way that every creative decision, from colors to lighting, can be made with precision and ease.
Templates: This section encompasses Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Motion Graphics, Adobe Premiere Rush, Davinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro templates. With Motion Array boasting the largest collection of Premiere Pro templates globally, users have a vast array of options to choose from.
Presets: Here, users can find presets for Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve Macros. These presets are designed to streamline the post-production process, offering predefined settings for various effects and transitions.
Audio: This category is rich with over 100,000 Royalty-Free Music tracks and an additional 11,000 Sound Effects. These audio assets can be the backbone of any video, providing the necessary ambiance and mood.
Videos: This section houses Footage and Motion Graphics, with over 100,000 pieces of footage and 17,000 motion graphics. These video assets can be pivotal in enhancing the visual narrative of any project.
Photos: Stock Photos are abundant in this category, with a collection of over 100,000 images. These photos can be integrated into various projects, providing visual context and depth.
Plugins: Specifically for Adobe Premiere Pro, these plugins can optimize the editing process, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms have near-identical pricing. Here's a closer look:
Artlist Max
So the Max plan is exaclty the same price as the monthly plan for Motion array, as you'll see below. It's up to you to decide based on the features each one has to offer now.
Max Social
$29.99/month when billed annually. Prices exclude VAT. Alternatively, $59.99/month when billed monthly.
Footage (up to 8K), Music, SFX, Video templates, Plugins, and an option to upgrade to get RAW/LOG footage. It also includes a Video editing app (Pro level) with unlimited exports up to 8K, Mocha HitFilm camera tracking tool, Boris 3D Objects title creation tool, and Foundry 3D Camera Tracker.
Motion Array
Each pricing plan of Motion Array is designed to cater to different needs, ensuring that users have all the options and avenues to achieve the desired outcome for their projects. Whether you're an individual creator, a team, or someone exploring the platform, there's a plan tailored for you.
Monthly Plan
Cost: $29.99 per month.
Features: This plan provides a full usage license, unlimited downloads of all assets in the library, exclusive plugins, 250GB of storage, a Video Review tool, and a Portfolio Site Builder. When you're looking to access a vast array of assets for a short duration, this plan offers a comprehensive set of tools and resources. It's designed in a way that you can quickly access and utilize the assets, ensuring that you have all the options you'd need for your projects.
Annual Plan
Cost: $20.83 per month or $249.99 per year (billed annually).
Features: Like the monthly plan, the annual plan encompasses a full usage license, unlimited downloads, exclusive plugins, 250GB of storage, a Video Review tool, and a Portfolio Site Builder. If you're someone who consistently creates content throughout the year, this plan is tailored for you. By opting for the annual billing, you set everything up in a manner that gives you uninterrupted access, allowing you to dial in and utilize the resources whenever you need, providing avenues for creative decisions throughout the year.
Team Plan
Cost: $18.75 per month or $224.99 per year for each member (available for teams of 2-20 people).
Features: This plan is structured for teams, offering each member a full usage license, unlimited downloads, exclusive plugins, 250GB of storage, a Video Review tool, and a Portfolio Site Builder. When working in a team setting, it's crucial to have a unified platform where everyone can access the same high-quality assets. This plan ensures that each team member can tweak and customize their projects using the vast library, making collaboration seamless and efficient.
Free Plan
Cost: $0.
Features: The free plan offers limited access with free downloads, shifter plugin access, a one-month trial of the Video Review tool, a one-month trial of the Portfolio Site Builder, and up to 1GB of review and upload storage. While it doesn't grant access to the entire library, it provides a glimpse into the platform's capabilities. It's set up in such a way that newcomers can explore the platform, making informed decisions about potential upgrades.
Which One to Choose - Artlist Max Vs Motion Array
When it comes to choosing between Motion Array and Artist io, the decision largely depends on your specific needs, occupation, and the type of project you're working on. Each has its unique strengths and offerings that cater to different creative requirements.
If you were to ask me. I currently use Artlist Max because I need both music, footage and templates for my field of work as a freelance editor. You might need Motion Array if you specifically need video templates more than stock assets.
Here's a quick comparison to help you decide if you're still stuck on choosing between the two.
Motion Array
Best For: Video editors, marketers, multimedia professionals, freelancers, and agencies.
Unique Features: Integrated video collaboration and review tools, website portfolio builder, Premiere Pro templates, and plugins.
Asset Types: Video footage, music tracks, sound effects, video templates.
Pricing: Starts at $29.99 per month for unlimited access to all assets.
Use Cases: Ideal for complex video projects that require collaboration among team members, or for freelancers who need a portfolio to showcase their work.
Artist io
Best For: Filmmakers, YouTubers, content creators, and small agencies.
Unique Features: Royalty-free music with a universal license that never expires.
Asset Types: Over 8,000 music tracks with approximately 150 new tracks added monthly.
Pricing: Information not provided, but operates on a flat-rate model for unlimited access.
Use Cases: Perfect for projects that require diverse and high-quality music tracks, especially if you're working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Which One to Choose?
For Video Editors and Marketers: If your work involves extensive video editing and you need a variety of assets beyond just music, Motion Array is the better choice. The integrated collaboration tools are a boon for team projects.
For Filmmakers and YouTubers: If your primary need is high-quality, royalty-free music for your films or YouTube videos, Artist io is the platform to go for. The universal license offers flexibility and peace of mind.
For Freelancers and Small Agencies: If you need a platform that offers both high-quality assets and a portfolio builder to attract clients, Motion Array is ideal. On the other hand, if your agency specializes in projects that require a diverse range of music, Artist io would be more suitable.
In any case, both platforms offer exceptional value, but your choice should align with your specific needs, the scope of your projects, and your budget constraints. Take it from me, understanding your requirements and how each platform can meet them is crucial for making the right choice.
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