comparison
TL;DR: Not better, just different and cheaper, with a free way in. Physics Now is a mature, well-liked tool in the same spirit as MatterAE. If you want to compare them on your own footage, MatterAE has a free Lite tier and costs less. ;)
This one is closer to home than the Newton comparison, because Physics Now and MatterAE share a philosophy: keep physics integrated inside After Effects, tag layers as dynamic or static, simulate, and bake to the timeline. Physics Now is a polished, established plugin with a loyal following, and that is well earned.
Both live inside AE rather than shipping you off to another app. Both let you tag layer behaviour and simulate directly against your comp. Both create keyframes you can edit afterwards. Both are sold direct on Gumroad. If you have used one, the other will feel familiar.
Physics Now is the more established option, currently around $89 in its v2, with features like joints, randomize, text-splitting and a debug layer. MatterAE is younger and leans into a few specific things: a dockable real-time panel, collision groups, frame-accurate collision markers for sound design, vertex-accurate hitboxes with chamfer and padding, and a kinematic hold-then-release workflow. It also comes in cheaper at $35, with a free Lite tier so trying it costs nothing.
| MatterAE | Physics Now v2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 one-time | around $89 one-time |
| Free option | Lite tier, free forever | - |
| Integrated in AE | Yes, dockable panel | Yes |
| Real-time preview | Yes | Yes |
| Bakes keyframes | Yes | Yes |
| Collision groups and SFX markers | Yes | Check current docs |
| Maturity | Younger, fast-moving | Established |
If you are already happy in Physics Now, there is no reason to switch for the sake of it. It is a good tool. If you are choosing fresh, want the lowest cost, or just want to try real physics on a real project without paying first, MatterAE makes that easy. The fairest answer is: run the free Lite tier on something you actually have to deliver, and let the work decide.
Grab the free Lite tier and put it head to head on your own footage. That beats any table I could write.
Free Lite tier to try it for real, or the full thing for $35, one time, no subscription.