Top 8 AI Tools for Video Object Tracking

What to look for in AI video object tracking

Object tracking uses AI to follow subjects, objects, or regions across video frames. This enables effects attachment, motion stabilization, subject isolation, and automated reframing. Modern AI trackers handle occlusion, scale changes, and complex motion far better than traditional point-based tracking. Here is what matters.

• Tracking accuracy — Ability to follow subjects through occlusion, scale changes, rotation, and deformation
• Subject types — Support for people, faces, hands, objects, and abstract regions
• Initialization — How much manual setup is needed (single click vs. manual masking)
• Speed — Real-time tracking vs. batch analysis with forward/backward processing
• Output types — Position data, masks, stabilization, effects attachment, or isolation
• Recovery — How the tracker handles temporary loss of the subject

Object tracking at the clip level is different from object search at the library level. Tracking follows a subject within a single clip. Searching finds every clip in your library that contains a particular subject—a capability powered by AI media analysis tools.

The 8 best AI object tracking tools

1. Adobe After Effects (AI tracking)

After Effects provides the most comprehensive tracking toolkit available. Its AI-powered features include Roto Brush 3 for subject segmentation, Content-Aware Fill for object removal, and point/planar/camera tracking for effects attachment. The combination of AI-assisted and manual tools makes it the professional standard for any tracking-dependent VFX work.

Best for: Professional VFX artists who need the deepest and most precise tracking toolkit.
Pricing: Included with Creative Cloud, ~$23/mo.

2. DaVinci Resolve (Magic Mask + Tracker)

DaVinci Resolve's Magic Mask uses AI to automatically segment people, features, and objects with a simple stroke-based interface. Combined with the Fusion page's 3D camera tracker, planar tracker, and point tracker, it covers tracking needs from color correction isolation to full VFX compositing. The AI-powered approach means less manual work than traditional rotoscoping. See our CapCut vs DaVinci Resolve comparison.

Best for: Editors who need AI tracking integrated into their color grading and editing workflow.
Pricing: Free version available; Studio from ~$295 one-time.

3. Mocha Pro (planar tracking)

Mocha Pro from Boris FX is the industry standard for planar tracking. Its AI-enhanced algorithms track surfaces rather than points, producing stable results for screen replacements, sign removal, and effects attachment to flat surfaces in motion. It handles motion blur, partial occlusion, and camera movement better than point-based trackers.

Best for: Planar tracking for screen replacements, sign removal, and surface-based VFX.
Pricing: From ~$295/yr or ~$895 perpetual; included with Continuum.

4. CapCut AI Subject Tracking

CapCut includes AI subject tracking that automatically follows people and objects in your footage. Apply effects, text, stickers, or blur that stick to tracked subjects as they move. The tracking is automatic with no manual setup required. While not as precise as professional tools, it handles social content workflows where speed matters more than pixel-perfect accuracy.

Best for: Social media creators who need quick, automatic subject tracking for effects and text.
Pricing: Free; Pro from ~$8/mo.

5. Premiere Pro Object Tracking

Premiere Pro's masking tools include automated object tracking that follows subjects across frames. Apply masks, effects, or color adjustments that track with the subject. The tracking has improved significantly with AI-enhanced motion analysis. Combined with Premiere's effects panel, it covers common tracking needs without leaving the editor.

Best for: Premiere Pro editors who need tracking for effects and color isolation without After Effects.
Pricing: Included with Creative Cloud, ~$23/mo.

6. Final Cut Pro Object Tracker

Final Cut Pro includes an AI-powered object tracker that automatically detects and follows subjects, faces, and objects. Attach titles, effects, and color corrections that follow tracked elements. The tracker is tightly integrated with Final Cut's effects system and processes efficiently on Apple Silicon hardware.

Best for: Final Cut Pro editors who want integrated object tracking on Apple hardware.
Pricing: ~$300 one-time or ~$5/mo subscription.

7. Runway ML (object tracking)

Runway ML includes AI-powered motion tracking as part of its creative suite. The tool tracks objects, generates masks, and enables effects attachment with minimal manual input. Its strength is accessibility—the cloud-based approach means no local processing requirements. See our Adobe Firefly vs Runway comparison for broader context on Runway's capabilities.

Best for: Creative teams who want accessible cloud-based tracking without installing professional VFX software.
Pricing: Free tier; paid from ~$12/mo.

8. HitFilm (free tracking)

HitFilm offers point tracking, mask tracking, and basic AI-assisted subject detection in its free version. While not as sophisticated as After Effects or DaVinci Resolve, it provides functional tracking for students, hobbyists, and budget-conscious creators. The free version includes more tracking features than most paid consumer editors.

Best for: Students and hobbyists who want free tracking tools for learning and personal projects.
Pricing: Free version available; paid from ~$8/mo.

Comparison table

Recommendations by use case

For professional VFX

After Effects with Mocha Pro is the most capable combination. After Effects handles subject-level AI tracking and compositing; Mocha Pro handles planar tracking for screen replacements and surface effects. DaVinci Resolve provides a strong alternative with everything in one application.

For editorial tracking

Use the tracking built into your NLE. Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve all include tracking sufficient for color isolation, blur effects, and text attachment without round-tripping to VFX software.

For social content

CapCut provides the fastest path from footage to tracked effects for social media. Automatic subject detection with no setup required. HitFilm offers more control for free if you are willing to invest the learning time.

For finding subjects across a library

Tracking follows a subject within a clip. But finding every clip that contains a specific subject across your entire footage library is a search problem. Wideframe provides AI media analysis that understands what is in your footage, enabling semantic search that finds specific subjects, objects, and moments across your content collection, then assembles Premiere Pro sequences from the results.

Frequently asked questions