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AEAfter Effects

Datamosh

by Plugin Play·VFX

Images © Plugin Play. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Datamosh stands out in the toolfarm library for putting glitch-art moshing under marker-based control, with 60+ algorithms and the ability to swap motion between clips — a capability the developer says isn't found elsewhere on the market.

What is Datamosh?

Datamosh 2, developed by Plugin Play, is a glitch-art plugin for After Effects built to break video files in numerous ways. Datamoshing works by tampering with how video compression stores frames: some frames are kept as full pictures while others store motion vectors that describe where pixels move from frame to frame, and Datamosh manipulates those techniques. This release ships with 60+ moshing algorithms, two moshing engines, and 16x more precision than the original.

The plugin uses a modular marker workflow, where you set mosh markers to define where moshing happens and combine multiple markers for layered results. You can remove frames through rebuilt I-frame deletion, hijack motion, and swap motion from marked areas elsewhere in your timeline. Mosh Maps let you add a map marker and use grey-scale values to control mosh intensity regions, while parameters for Intensity, Acceleration, Blend, and Threshold add further control.

Datamosh is compatible with After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, and Creative Cloud 2022 through 2019, and a demo video is available. It's cataloged in the toolfarm library.

Who is Datamosh best for?

Datamosh is best for motion designers and video artists creating datamoshing and glitch effects in After Effects.

How much does Datamosh cost?

Datamosh is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • 60+ moshing algorithms, with two moshing engines and 16x more precision than the original
  • Modular marker workflow for setting where moshing happens and combining multiple mosh markers
  • Remove frames via rebuilt I-frame deletion, plus hijack motion controls
  • Swap motion from marked areas elsewhere in the timeline
  • Mosh Maps that use grey-scale values to control mosh intensity regions
  • Parameters for Intensity, Acceleration, Blend, and Threshold

Tags

#datamosh#datamoshing#glitch#glitch-art#after-effects#motion-vectors#video-effects

Frequently asked questions

Which After Effects versions does Datamosh support?

Datamosh supports After Effects 2025, 2024, and 2023, plus Creative Cloud 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, covering a broad range of releases across several years. If you switch between older and newer projects, the plugin lists compatibility with all seven of these versions. Because supported releases can shift with updates, check Plugin Play's page for the current details before you install, especially if you're on a recently released version of After Effects.

Is Datamosh free to use?

Datamosh is listed as free in this catalog. We don't publish a specific price here, and licensing terms can change over time, so check Plugin Play's page for the current details before you download. The developer has updated licensing in past releases, including a rollback tied to a licensing issue, so confirming the latest terms directly with the developer is worth doing before you commit to using it in a project.

Does Datamosh work with Premiere Pro?

Datamosh added beta support for Premiere Pro in its December 2024 changelog, alongside built-in ffmpeg executables and signed ffglitch executables. Since that support was noted as beta, it may not be as settled as the After Effects workflow the plugin was built around. For confirmation of the current state of Premiere Pro compatibility and whether it has moved beyond beta, check Plugin Play's page before relying on it in a Premiere Pro project.

What are Mosh Maps in Datamosh?

Datamosh includes Mosh Maps, which let you add a map marker, place it over a map layer, and use grey-scale values to control the mosh intensity regions. This gives you regional control over how strongly the effect is applied across the frame. Mosh Maps are one part of the marker-based workflow, which also covers removing frames through I-frame deletion, hijacking motion, and swapping motion from marked areas elsewhere in your timeline.

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