DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro

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

Final Cut Pro

• Mac-based editors who want an editor tuned for Apple silicon
• Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase for the Mac app
• Creators who also want Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro in one subscription

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.

Final Cut Pro

• Apple lists it for Mac and iPad: the Mac app needs macOS 15.6 or later, and the iPad app an M1 or later iPad, iPad (A16) or iPad mini (A17 Pro).
• The iPad version comes through the Apple Creator Studio subscription; the $299.99 one-time purchase covers the Mac app.
• After a subscription ends, projects stay on your devices but opening or editing them needs an active subscription.
• Visual Search and Transcript Search are available only in U.S. English and need Apple silicon.

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.

Final Cut Pro

Magnetic Timeline

Move and trim clips while the rest of the edit stays in sync, which makes it quick to try different versions of a story.

Magnetic Mask and Object Tracker

Isolate people and objects from the background without a green screen, and track their movement to attach titles and effects.

Automatic captions and search

Captions are created from spoken audio. Visual Search finds objects and actions in clips, and Transcript Search finds spoken phrases.

Color grading and effects

Color curves, hue and saturation curves, color wheels and LUTs, plus a library of titles, transitions and effects that third-party plug-ins extend.

Final Cut Pro for iPad

Touch-first editing with Apple Pencil support, and Live Multicam recording from up to four iPhone or iPad devices. Projects can be exported to the Mac.

Motion and Compressor

Companion Mac apps for motion graphics and custom encoding, included in Apple Creator Studio or sold as one-time purchases.

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.

Final Cut Pro

• Apple Creator Studio$12.99

  per month, or $129 per year

  Subscription with Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad, plus Motion, Compressor, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro and MainStage. Shareable with Family Sharing.

• Final Cut Pro for Mac$299.99

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  The Mac app bought outright. Some premium content is available only to Apple Creator Studio subscribers.

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.

Final Cut Pro

• Annual discount

  About 17% less on the yearly plan

  Apple Creator Studio is $129 per year or $12.99 per month. Twelve monthly payments come to $155.88, so the yearly plan costs about 17% less.

• Education

  Students and educators: $2.99 a month

  Verified college students and educators pay $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year for Apple Creator Studio. Apple calls it a limited-time offer for individual use.

• Lifetime license

  One-time purchase for $299.99

  Final Cut Pro for Mac is also sold as a one-time purchase on the App Store for $299.99, with some premium content reserved for subscribers.

• Other savings

  3 months free with a new Mac or iPad

  Buyers of an eligible new Mac or iPad can try Apple Creator Studio free for 3 months, claimed within 3 months of activating the device.