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Mocha AE is a cut down edition for After Effects that covers planar tracking and roto. Mocha Pro uses the same tracker and adds the Remove, Stabilize, Insert, Lens and 3D Camera Solve modules, 360/VR and stereo tools, a standalone app, Linux support, OFX and Avid hosts, and 3D and lens exports. Upgrade when you need cleanup, matchmoves or another host, not just to track a surface.
What both editions share
In the comparison of Mocha Pro vs Mocha AE, the shared core is larger than many people expect. Both use the same planar tracking engine, the same layer based roto with X splines and Bezier splines, AdjustTrack for fixing drift, and the simplified Essentials workspace. Both export tracking data and spline masks back into After Effects, which is enough for screen replacements, sign swaps and tracked masks for color work.
Mocha AE comes with After Effects, so every After Effects user can try the planar workflow at no extra cost before deciding.
Feature comparison
The rows below follow the vendor's own comparison and data export tables. Mocha Vegas is a similar cut down edition for Vegas Pro.
| Feature | Mocha AE | Mocha Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Planar tracking and roto | Yes | Yes |
| AdjustTrack and Essentials workspace | Yes | Yes |
| Remove module (object and wire removal) | No | Yes |
| Stabilize module | No | Yes |
| Insert module with mesh warp | No | Yes |
| Lens module | No | Yes |
| 3D Camera Solve | No | Yes |
| 360/VR and stereoscopic 3D | No | Yes |
| Standalone app | No | Yes |
| Linux | No | Yes |
| Export to After Effects | Tracking and splines | Tracking, splines, 3D, lens |
| Export to Nuke, Flame, Fusion, Maya, Houdini | No | Yes |
| Hosts | After Effects | Adobe, OFX and Avid hosts |
What the extra modules are for
The Remove module rebuilds the background behind rigs, wires, logos or people by aligning clean pixels from other frames. Stabilize locks or smooths camera motion and can flatten a warped surface for paint. Insert composites replacement footage onto a tracked surface with motion blur. Lens calibrates distortion so a composite matches the plate. The 3D Camera Solve, built on SynthEyes technology, produces a camera and point cloud you can export to 3D apps.
Mocha Pro also carries the newer tracking modes, PowerMesh for bending surfaces and Point Track ML, plus the AI matte tools covered in the Mocha Pro review.
When to upgrade
- Stay on Mocha AE if you only track flat surfaces and send corner pins or masks to After Effects
- Upgrade if you remove objects, wires or rigs often
- Upgrade if you need 3D camera data or lens distortion data
- Upgrade if you work in Nuke, Fusion, Flame, Premiere Pro or Media Composer
- Upgrade if you need Linux or a standalone app
The single host annual licence at $295 is the usual entry point; the Mocha Pro pricing page lists the other options. If neither edition fits, the Mocha Pro alternatives cover other trackers.
Try the full version for 14 days
Install the trial next to Mocha AE and run the same shot through both. The download page has the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mocha AE free?
Mocha AE comes with Adobe After Effects, so After Effects subscribers get it with no extra charge. It is limited to planar tracking and roto for After Effects.
Can Mocha AE remove objects?
No. The Remove module, which fills in the background behind removed objects, is only in the full product. Mocha AE can track and mask the object, but the cleanup must be done another way.
Does Mocha AE export 3D camera data?
No. Mocha AE exports tracking and splines to After Effects. 3D camera and lens exports need the full product and the free importer plugins for After Effects.
Can I open Mocha AE projects in Mocha Pro?
Both editions are built on the same Mocha project format, so you can move work from the AE edition to the full product, which has the same tracking and roto tools plus more modules.
Is Mocha Pro worth it over Mocha AE?
It is worth it if you need object removal, stabilization, inserts, lens tools, 3D solves or hosts beyond After Effects. For flat surface tracking and masks in After Effects only, Mocha AE is usually enough.