Adobe Premiere vs DaVinci Resolve

Adobe Premiere

• Professional editors who also use other Creative Cloud apps
• Teams that review and approve cuts through Frame.io
• Creators who start a social video on a phone and finish it on desktop

DaVinci Resolve

• Editors and colorists who want editing, color, effects and audio in one app
• Learning professional post-production tools on the free version
• Teams working on the same project through Blackmagic Cloud

Adobe Premiere

• The desktop app is subscription only; Adobe says it cannot be bought as a perpetual license.
• The US$22.99 price needs an annual commitment billed monthly, and the seven-day trial converts to a paid membership unless cancelled.
• Premiere on mobile is free, but its generative AI features use paid credits and are currently available on iOS only.
• The desktop app requires Windows 11 v24H2 or macOS Sonoma (version 14) or later.

DaVinci Resolve

• The free version stops at 8-bit formats, 60fps and Ultra HD 3840 x 2160; 10-bit video, 120fps and higher resolutions need Studio.
• The DaVinci AI Neural Engine tools, temporal and AI spatial noise reduction and text-based editing are in Studio only.
• The App Store version is for iPad, where Studio is a $94.99 in-app purchase; no browser version is listed.
• Rental licenses for Studio are described for companies using Blackmagic Cloud Organizations; individuals buy a license.

Adobe Premiere

Timeline editing

Three-point editing on a professional timeline, with footage from nearly any camera and export to formats including H.264, HEVC and Apple ProRes.

Text-Based Editing and captions

AI transcribes footage on import so a rough cut can be built by copying and pasting text. Captions can be translated into 18 languages.

Generative Extend and Object Mask

Generative Extend uses Firefly to add frames and ambient sound to a clip. Object Mask selects a subject with a click and tracks it.

Media Intelligence search

Describe a clip in everyday language and the Search panel finds it by the objects, locations and framing it contains.

Color and audio tools

Color wheels, curves and video scopes for grading. Enhance Speech cleans up dialogue and removes background noise, and Remix retimes music to fit.

Premiere on mobile

A free phone app with a multi-track timeline, auto-captions and background removal. Paid desktop members can continue mobile projects on desktop.

DaVinci Resolve

Cut and edit pages

Two editing workspaces: the cut page for fast turnarounds and multicam work, and the edit page with a traditional track layout, trimming tools and subtitles.

Color page

Node-based color correction with primary sliders, qualifiers, PowerWindows, trackers and HDR grading tools. HDR grading is in the free version.

Fusion effects and motion graphics

A node-based compositor in a 3D workspace for visual effects, animated 2D and 3D titles and particle systems.

Fairlight audio

Audio post-production with up to 2,000 tracks, ADR and Foley tools, and effects such as reverb, de-esser, hum remover and AI Voice Isolation.

Multi-user collaboration

Editors, colorists, effects artists and sound engineers can work on the same project at once, with projects hosted through Blackmagic Cloud.

DaVinci AI Neural Engine

Studio-only AI tools including magic mask, smart reframe, Super Scale upscaling, speed warp retiming and object removal.

Adobe Premiere

• Premiere on mobile$0

  Free standalone app for iOS and Android with core editing and watermark-free 4K exports. Generative AI features use paid credits and are iOS only.

• PremiereUS$22.99

  per month, on an annual plan billed monthly

  Premiere on desktop and iPhone, Adobe Express Premium, Frame.io for Creative Cloud, 100GB of cloud storage and 25 monthly generative credits.

• Premiere for teamsUS$37.99

  per license / month, on an annual plan billed monthly

  The single-app plan for businesses, with 1TB of cloud storage, 25 monthly generative credits and business features.

• Creative Cloud ProUS$69.99

  per month, on an annual plan billed monthly

  20+ apps including Premiere, Photoshop and After Effects, plus Firefly AI, 4,000 monthly generative credits and 100GB of cloud storage.

• Creative Cloud Pro for teamsUS$99.99

  per license / month, on an annual plan billed monthly

  The multi-app Creative Cloud Pro plan, including Premiere, licensed per person for teams.

DaVinci Resolve

• DaVinci Resolve$0

  Editing, color, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio for 8-bit formats up to 60fps and Ultra HD, with multi-user collaboration and HDR grading.

• DaVinci Resolve Studio for iPad$94.99

  in-app purchase on iPad; billing period not shown

  Upgrade inside the free iPad app that adds DaVinci AI Neural Engine tools such as magic mask, smart reframe and voice isolation.

• DaVinci Resolve Studio$295

  to buy a license; no subscription period is listed

  Adds the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, more Resolve FX, noise reduction, text-based editing, 10-bit video up to 120fps and resolutions beyond 4K.

Adobe Premiere

• Education

  Students and teachers: US$19.99 a month

  Eligible students and teachers pay US$19.99 a month for Creative Cloud Pro, including Premiere, in the first year and US$39.99 a month after that, on an annual plan billed monthly.

DaVinci Resolve

• Other savings

  Studio key included with editing hardware

  The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor ($435) and Editor Keyboard ($669) both list a DaVinci Resolve Studio activation key under What's Included.