by 
The short answer
Looking for an Excalibur alternative for Premiere Pro? BetterFX puts every effect, preset and third-party plugin one shortcut away, for $29.99 one-time with lifetime updates.
Press Option + Space on a Mac or Alt + Space on Windows, type a few letters and press Enter. There is no command list to learn. If you can name the effect, you can apply it.
Watch the intro
What BetterFX does for your edit
Most of the time you reach for a command tool, you want one thing: an effect on a clip. BetterFX makes that move as fast as it can be, and it stays out of the way the rest of the time.
- Intelligent search. Type a name, an abbreviation or a few remembered letters. gb finds Gaussian Blur, no scrolling required.
- All-in-one search. Built-in effects, your custom presets and third-party effects from plugins like Sapphire and Boris FX, all in one search bar.
- Batch apply. Select a row of clips and apply the effect to all of them in one go.
- Usage-based ranking. BetterFX learns which effects you reach for most and puts them first.
- Custom shortcuts. Give any effect, preset or third-party plugin its own keys.
- Built for big projects. It is optimized to stay fast, even in large, effect-heavy timelines.
Step 1: Install BetterFX
Your download is ready right after checkout and also arrives by email. Run the guided installer for Mac or Windows and it sets up the BetterFX app and the Premiere Pro plugin for you.
That's the whole setup. BetterFX works with Premiere Pro 2021 to 2026, and future updates install automatically.
Step 2: Search and apply an effect
Select a clip, press your BetterFX shortcut and type the first letters of the effect, such as lum for Lumetri Color. Press Enter and it is applied, right there in Effect Controls.
The search bar floats over your timeline, so your eyes and your pointer stay where the edit is. Open it with an empty search and your last five effects are waiting, newest first.
Step 3: Apply one effect to every selected clip
Select a whole row of clips in the timeline, open BetterFX and pick the effect once. It lands on every selected clip, so a look across twelve shots takes one search instead of twelve drags.
This is a fast way to start a consistent grade. To match the look from shot to shot afterwards, see how to copy color grading in Premiere Pro.
Step 4: Turn your favorite looks into one-key commands
Save your own presets, keyframes included, and they show up in search like any built-in effect. New to presets? Learn how to create a preset in Premiere Pro.
Then give your go-to effects and presets their own keys. Click the shortcut field next to one in the BetterFX panel and press something like Option + 1. BetterFX warns you about clashes, and from then on you select clips, press the keys, and it's done.
Step 5: Keep results clean and your setup portable
Click the eye next to any effect you never use and it's gone from search. One switch keeps Premiere's legacy copies out of your results, and you can bring anything back from the Hidden tab.
Star your favorites, pick a Dark, Light or Glass look with one of nine accent colors, and save it all as a profile. Export the profile as one small file and import it on any other computer for the same shortcuts, favorites and look. Our full BetterFX guide walks through every setting.
A free companion for timeline jobs
For one-click timeline jobs like adjustment layers, color mattes, freeze frames and nesting, dock the free Mako panel next to BetterFX. Together they keep your hands on the keyboard and your eyes on the edit.
FAQ
What is the best Excalibur alternative for Premiere Pro?
For finding and applying effects, BetterFX. One shortcut searches built-in effects, your presets and third-party plugins, and applies the result to every selected clip.
Does BetterFX work on Mac and Windows?
Yes. BetterFX supports Premiere Pro 2021 to 2026 on both macOS and Windows, with one installer for each.
Can I apply an effect to many clips at once?
Yes. Select the clips in your timeline, open BetterFX and choose the effect. It is applied to all of them in one step.
Are future updates included?
Yes. Your $29.99 purchase includes lifetime access, free updates that install automatically and a commercial license.
Every effect, preset and plugin, one shortcut away. Get BetterFX for Premiere Pro.
