VHS Effect

Apply VHS to images and videos online

Apply authentic VHS effect with tape degradation, tracking errors, color bleeding, and analog video artifacts. Recreate the look of classic VHS camcorders and worn video tapes from the 1980s–90s instantly online. Also known as: VHS tape filter, retro video effect, analog camcorder effect

Original image before applying VHS effect Before
Image with VHS effect applied After

Ideas for using the effect

Lo-fi music videos & vaporwave

Create authentic VHS aesthetics for lo-fi hip hop, vaporwave, synthwave music videos, and retro visual art.

Retro home video look

Simulate VHS camcorder footage from family videos, home movies, and nostalgic 80s–90s recordings.

Horror & found footage films

Add unsettling VHS tape degradation for horror films, creepypasta videos, and found footage narratives.

Retro commercials & infomercials

Recreate vintage TV commercials, infomercials, and broadcast aesthetics from the VHS era.

Made with this effect

More inspiration on Instagram @effect_app

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Start creating with VHS for free

Test out the app with no strings attached. No registration or credit card information is required.

Monthly Yearly -10%

Free

$ 0

Non-commercial use. Explore the core toolkit to test ideas and share quick drafts.

Launch app
  • Version history
  • Export up to 1080p
  • Export up to 10s video
  • Figma plugin

Pro

$ 12
/month billed monthly

Commercial license with full features. High-resolution exports, longer clips, and work without watermarks.

  • No watermarks
  • Animated videos from still images
  • 4k resolution export
  • 120s video export
  • Save & share up to 10 custom presets

Enterprise

Custom price

For teams with specific needs. Custom licensing, integrations, and priority support.

Contact us
  • Everything in Pro
  • Custom integrations
  • Priority support
  • Volume licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VHS effect?

VHS effect simulates magnetic tape degradation from VHS video cassettes — including tracking errors, color bleeding, tape dropout, wobble, grain, and chromatic artifacts that define the authentic VHS aesthetic.

Is this the same as TV/CRT effect?

No. VHS effect focuses on magnetic tape degradation (tracking errors, color bleeding, tape artifacts), while TV/CRT effect focuses on screen display characteristics (scan lines, phosphor dots). They can be combined for authentic ‘VHS played on old TV’ look.

What does the VHS effect include?

This effect combines resolution reduction, tracking noise, vertical jump, tape crease artifacts, color fringing, wobble, sparkle (dropout), flicker, grain, color bleeding, temporal softness, and chroma delay for authentic VHS tape simulation.

Can I use this on videos?

Yes. The VHS effect is specifically designed for video — it includes temporal artifacts like wobble, tracking errors, and flicker that animate over time.

What era does this recreate?

The VHS effect recreates the look of consumer VHS tapes and camcorders from the 1980s–1990s — the peak analog home video era before digital video.

Can I control tape degradation intensity?

Yes. You can adjust individual parameters like tracking noise strength, color bleeding amount, tape crease visibility, dropout frequency, and wobble intensity to simulate anything from fresh tapes to heavily degraded footage.

Is this similar to After Effects VHS plugins?

Yes. This creates the same authentic VHS look as professional plugins like Universe VHS or Red Giant VHS — but runs directly in your browser with real-time preview.