Entropy vs Stardust
Stardust, from Superluminal, is a node-based particle plug-in for After Effects. Entropy is a newer GPU particle plugin with a one-time license. This page is a fair comparative overview: where Entropy is a Stardust alternative, and where Stardust is still the better pick.
What artists are usually weighing
People searching for a Stardust alternative often care about three things: how the interface fits the way they work, what the plug-in costs and for how long, and whether the other tool can finish the same class of shots in After Effects.
Entropy simulates and renders on the GPU, with systems you can branch and revise, as a one-time purchase of $299 (one key, two machines, two years of updates). Stardust is GPU-accelerated too, and uses a node-based interface.
- Stardust is sold as the standard aescripts Single User License, at $249.00.
- Stardust has builds for macOS on Apple Silicon, macOS on Intel, and Windows. Stardust works in After Effects 2025 and newer.
- Stardust’s last feature release was 1.6, in 2020. Updates since have been fixes. The latest build is 1.6.0d (May 20, 2025), a crash fix for Apple Silicon; the Windows and Intel Mac builds are 1.6.0c.
Where Entropy is a strong Stardust alternative
- Built for current After Effects. Entropy supports After Effects 2025 and 2026, on Mac with Apple Silicon and on Windows with Direct3D 12.
- GPU-native simulation and look development. Change a system, keep branching, revise without flattening the idea.
- Particles as real geometry. Both tools can render lit 3D meshes. Entropy can render every particle as a lit 3D mesh, built-in or your own OBJ, with reflections and refracting glass.
- Systems thinking. Both tools nest emitters. Entropy nests them several levels deep and runs several independent systems side by side.
- A localized interface. Entropy’s interface is localized. Stardust is English only.
- Trial and refunds. A 7-day trial, and 7-day refunds on purchase.
None of that makes Entropy a drop-in replacement for Stardust. Presets do not import, and project setups do not transfer automatically.
Where Stardust is still the better pick
- A node-based interface. If you think in node graphs, Stardust is built that way.
- OpenVDB volume tools. Stardust offers OpenVDB volume tools with booleans and filters.
- Collisions. Stardust has collisions. Entropy has none.
Entropy has no fluid simulation either. We state those cases on purpose. A comparison that only lists Entropy wins is not useful.
Interface languages
| Feature: Localized interface | |
|---|---|
| Entropy | English, Japanese, German, Korean, Simplified Chinese, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Hebrew and Arabic |
| Stardust | English only |
Questions
Is Entropy an alternative to Stardust?
Yes. Both are particle plug-ins that run inside After Effects. Entropy simulates and renders on the GPU and is a one-time purchase. Stardust is GPU-accelerated too, and uses a node-based interface.
Which platforms does each one run on?
Entropy supports After Effects 2025 and 2026, on Mac with Apple Silicon and on Windows with Direct3D 12. Stardust has builds for macOS on Apple Silicon, macOS on Intel, and Windows, and works in After Effects 2025 and newer.
Can Entropy open Stardust presets?
No. Presets do not import, and project setups do not transfer automatically. A look has to be rebuilt in Entropy.
When is Stardust the better pick?
When you want a node-based interface, OpenVDB volume tools with booleans and filters, or collisions. Entropy has no collisions and no fluid simulation.
How to verify the details
For feature-by-feature cells against Stardust, Trapcode Particular, Furikake, and Plumebus, use the full comparison checklist. That table is the durable record; this page is the Stardust-focused narrative for people who landed on “Stardust alternative” searches.
Already own Stardust? Here’s how to move over.
Then try Entropy for 7 days on your own comps.
Next step
See the product, run the trial, or read how Entropy compares across the wider After Effects particle field.
Stardust is a product of Superluminal. Wild Construct is not affiliated with Superluminal.