If you searched “how much does a shed cost sapphire plugin you were likely trying to type how much does the Sapphire plugin cost.” Sapphire, made by Boris FX, is a popular visual effects plugin suite used by video editors. As of 2026, pricing starts at $80 per month or $545 per year for a single host, and goes up to $3,075 for a full multi-host perpetual license.
In this guide, we’ll break down every pricing tier, explain which license fits your setup, and share tips to help you get the best value.
Quick Answer: Sapphire Plugin Pricing
Sapphire pricing depends on two things: how many host apps you need it to work with, and whether you want a subscription or a one-time purchase. Here is the short version.
- Single-host subscription: $80/month or $545/year
- Multi-host subscription: $144/month or $985/year
- Single-host perpetual license: $1,865 (one-time)
- Multi-host perpetual license: $3,075 (one-time)
Sapphire also includes over 270 effects and more than 3,000 presets, plus Mocha tracking and masking tools. That’s a lot packed into one plugin suite, which is part of why it costs more than smaller plugin packs.
What Is Sapphire Plugin?
Sapphire is a professional visual effects plugin suite built by Boris FX, originally created by GenArts. It’s designed for editors working in Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, and OFX hosts like DaVinci Resolve, Nuke, and Flame.
The suite includes lens flares, glows, blurs, stylize effects, and transitions. It also has an Effect & Transition Builder, so you can create your own custom looks instead of relying only on presets.
One of Sapphire’s biggest strengths is its Mocha integration. Mocha is planar tracking software that has even won an Academy Award for its technology. Sapphire uses Mocha for tracking and, since 2025, for AI-powered masking too.
Sapphire Pricing Tiers (2026)
The clearest way to understand Sapphire pricing is a table. Here’s what it costs in 2026, based on license type and host coverage.
| License Type | Host Coverage | Monthly | Annual | Perpetual |
| Single-Host (Adobe/OFX or Avid) | One host | $80 | $545 | $1,865 |
| Multi-Host | All hosts (Adobe, Avid, OFX) | $144 | $985 | $3,075 |
| Upgrade & Support Renewal | Same as original license | N/A | $545 (single) / $985 (multi) | N/A |
A single-host license only works in one app family, like Adobe. A multi-host license works across all supported apps, which is useful if you switch between Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, for example.
If you buy a perpetual license, the first year of Upgrade & Support is usually included. After that, renewing it costs the same as an annual subscription.
Host Compatibility
Sapphire works with most major video editing and compositing apps, but which license you buy depends on which app you use. Here’s a quick breakdown.
| Host Application | Supported License Type |
| Adobe After Effects | Single-Host, Multi-Host |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Single-Host, Multi-Host |
| Avid Media Composer | Avid-only, Multi-Host |
| DaVinci Resolve | OFX (Multi-Host or Adobe/OFX) |
| Foundry Nuke | OFX (Multi-Host or Adobe/OFX) |
| Autodesk Flame | OFX (Multi-Host or Adobe/OFX) |
| VEGAS Pro | OFX (Multi-Host or Adobe/OFX) |
A common mistake is buying the wrong host license, like getting an Avid-only license when you actually edit in Adobe Premiere Pro. Always check which app you use most before you buy.
Subscription vs. Perpetual: Which Is Better?
There’s no single right answer here. It depends on how long you plan to use Sapphire. A perpetual license costs more upfront but can save money over several years.
For example, a single-host subscription costs $545 per year. Over three years, that’s $1,635. A perpetual license costs $1,865 upfront, but after that, you only pay for Upgrade & Support if you want new features, which many editors skip for a version or two.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Choose subscription if you’re not sure how long you’ll need Sapphire, or if you want to spread out the cost.
- Choose perpetual if you plan to use Sapphire for 3+ years and want to own it outright.
Subscriptions also come with a downside some editors worry about: if you cancel, you may lose access to the plugin. Perpetual licenses don’t have that risk, since you own the software permanently.
Free Trial and Student Licensing
Yes, you can try Sapphire before paying anything. Boris FX offers a 14-day free trial so you can test performance on your own computer first.
Full-time students get an even better deal. Students can get the entire Boris FX Suite, which includes Sapphire, free for one year with a valid academic ID. This is a great way for film students or hobbyists to try professional VFX tools without spending money.
Faculty and schools don’t get it completely free, but they do get a discount. Academic pricing for faculty is $195 per year, per product, which is far below the standard commercial price.
What’s New in Sapphire 2026.5?
Sapphire 2026.5 was released on May 21, 2026, and it added several new features. This update focused on realistic lens and lighting effects.
New additions include Advanced Defocus, Texture Ridges, and Reimagined Glare, along with 5 new Pro Lens Flares. Boris FX also added more than 100 new and updated presets in this release.
The update also improved the Effect Builder with new nodes, including Dots, Noise, and ClampRange. If you’re already subscribed or have an active Upgrade & Support Plan, this update is included at no extra cost.
System Requirements
Before buying Sapphire, make sure your computer can actually run it smoothly. The requirements aren’t extreme, but GPU support matters a lot for performance.
- 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU (4+ cores, with AVX support)
- 8GB or more RAM
- NVIDIA GPU (Compute 3.5+) or an AMD/Apple Silicon Metal-enabled GPU
- Windows 10 (1903 or later), macOS, or Linux (for OFX hosts like Nuke and Flame)
If your GPU isn’t supported, Sapphire may run slowly or some effects may not render properly. It’s worth checking your specs before buying, especially if you’re on an older machine.
Sapphire vs. Red Giant Universe
Red Giant Universe is Sapphire’s main competitor, and it’s considerably cheaper. But the two suites aren’t quite equal in scope.
| Feature | Sapphire | Red Giant Universe |
| Effects Count | 270+ | 130+ |
| Presets | 3000+ | 1000+ |
| Pricing (Annual) | $545–$985 | $99 |
| Perpetual License | $1,865–$3,075 | $399 (lifetime) |
| Mocha Integration | Yes | No |
| AI Masking | Yes (2025.5+) | No |
| Host Support | Adobe, Avid, OFX | Adobe, FCP, Resolve |
If budget is your main concern and you don’t need Mocha tracking or AI masking, Red Giant Universe may be enough. But if you need advanced tracking, masking, or work across many host apps professionally, Sapphire’s extra cost reflects real extra capability.
Free Alternatives to Sapphire
If Sapphire is out of your budget right now, there are free options worth trying first. DaVinci Resolve’s built-in Fusion page has many effects that can replicate simpler Sapphire looks. Blender also has a strong compositor with free node-based effects.
Some editors also use free preset packs from smaller creators, like Mister Horse, or community-made presets shared online. These won’t match Sapphire’s depth, but they can work for smaller projects or while you’re learning.
Common Questions About Sapphire Pricing
Is Sapphire subscription-only? No. Sapphire offers both subscription and perpetual licensing. You can pay monthly, yearly, or buy it outright.
Can I use Sapphire on multiple computers? Standard licenses are tied to one user. If you need multiple installs, you’ll need a floating or enterprise license.
What happens if I cancel my subscription? You lose access to Sapphire once your subscription ends, since it’s not a permanent license like the perpetual option.
How much is Upgrade & Support renewal? After the first free year, renewal costs the same as the annual subscription: $545 for single-host or $985 for multi-host.
Is there a volume discount for teams? Boris FX offers enterprise and floating licenses for teams, though pricing details are handled directly through sales rather than posted publicly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few mistakes come up again and again when people buy Sapphire. Avoiding these can save you money and frustration.
- Buying the wrong host license, like Avid-only when you actually need Adobe.
- Not renewing the Upgrade & Support Plan, which means missing new features.
- Ignoring GPU requirements, leading to slow performance.
- Assuming multi-host means unlimited installs — it’s per user, not per machine.
- Not trying the free trial before committing to a purchase.
Expert Tips for Getting the Best Value
If you want to make the most of your Sapphire purchase, a few habits help. Start with the 14-day free trial so you know it runs well on your system before spending anything.
Use the Effect Builder to make your own custom effects instead of only using presets — it pays off over time. If you already use Mocha for tracking work, lean into that integration for complex shots.
Students should claim the free academic license right away, since it’s a full year of Sapphire and the rest of the Boris FX Suite at no cost. And if you plan to use Sapphire for several years, running the numbers on perpetual versus subscription is worth the five minutes it takes.
Latest Updates (2025–2026)
Boris FX has released several updates to Sapphire over the past two years. Here’s a quick timeline of what changed and when.
| Version | Release Date | Key Features |
| Sapphire 2025 | Nov 2024 | S_VHS Damage, S_PixelSort updates, GPU acceleration |
| Sapphire 2025.5 | May 2025 | AI masking (Object Brush ML, Matte Assist ML), AMD GPU support |
| Sapphire 2026 | Nov 2025 | Physical media effects, 350 new presets |
| Sapphire 2026.5 | May 2026 | Advanced Defocus, Texture Ridges, Reimagined Glare, 5 Pro Lens Flares, 100+ presets |
The biggest shift in this period was the addition of AI masking in Sapphire 2025.5, powered by Mocha. This made object isolation and rotoscoping much faster for editors doing detailed VFX work.
FAQs
Q1: How much does the Sapphire plugin cost in 2026? Pricing starts at $80/month or $545/year for a single host (Adobe/OFX or Avid). Multi-host licenses cost $144/month or $985/year. Perpetual licenses are $1,865 for single-host or $3,075 for multi-host.
Q2: Is Sapphire plugin subscription-only? No. Sapphire offers both subscription and perpetual licensing. Subscriptions start at $80/month, while perpetual licenses start at $1,865.
Q3: Can I get Sapphire plugin for free? Full-time students can get the whole Boris FX Suite, including Sapphire, free for one year with a valid academic ID. Everyone else can use the 14-day free trial.
Q4: What is the difference between single-host and multi-host licenses? Single-host licenses work with one host app, like Adobe After Effects or Avid. Multi-host licenses work across all supported hosts, including Adobe, Avid, and OFX apps like DaVinci Resolve, Nuke, and Flame.
Q5: How much is the Upgrade & Support Plan renewal? After the first free year, renewal costs match the annual subscription price: $545/year for Adobe/OFX or $985/year for multi-host.
Conclusion
So, how much does the Sapphire plugin cost? In short: $80/month or $545/year for one host, up to $3,075 for a full multi-host perpetual license. The right choice depends on how many apps you use and how long you plan to keep the software.
Students should grab the free academic license right away. Everyone else should start with the free trial, check their GPU compatibility, and pick single-host or multi-host based on their actual editing workflow. With updates like Sapphire 2026.5 adding new lens flares and defocus tools, the suite continues to earn its place as one of the most complete VFX plugin packs available today.