DaVinci Resolve vs Lightworks (2026): which should you pick?

Pick DaVinci Resolve if

• Fits if you want editing, color, effects and audio in one app
• Works for learning professional post-production tools without paying, on the free version

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you only trim clips for social media, as this is a full post-production suite with a learning curve
• Not for you if you shoot 10-bit video or 120fps and won't pay, since those need Studio
• Pricey if you only want magic mask or voice isolation, because the AI tools are in Studio at $236, a cut from $295 with no end date given
• Watch out: text-based editing and AI noise reduction are Studio only, and Studio on iPad is a separate $94.99
• Not for you if you want to edit on a phone or in a browser, as neither is offered

Pick Lightworks if

• Fits if you want a desktop editor with 1080p export for nothing
• Works for people who need AAF, XML or EDL exchange formats

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you need 4K, which starts at Create, $20 a month
• Tight if you upload anywhere but YouTube and Vimeo on the free plan
• Watch out: advanced transitions, titles and TotalFX aren't on Linux
• Not for you if you want a phone or browser editor, since it's desktop only
• Watch out: we couldn't read yearly or one-time prices, only monthly

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.

Lightworks

• The Free plan exports up to 1080p and uploads only to YouTube and Vimeo; 4K needs Create and 8K needs Pro.
• The yearly and one-time license prices sit behind toggles on the pricing page and were not read, so only monthly prices are recorded.
• Some Linux functionality is restricted, and the advanced transitions, advanced titles and TotalFX are not available on Linux.
• The pricing page showed the Free plan as £0 and the paid plans in dollars, and says prices are offered in USD, GBP and EUR.

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.

Lightworks

Timeline and trim tools

Multiple video, audio and FX tracks with simple and advanced trimming and audio track sync, plus bins, tags and search for organizing footage.

Background processing

Import, rendering of complex effects and export can run in the background while you keep editing.

Color and audio

Color correction and grading with scopes on every plan. Native audio effects such as compressor, limiter and noise reducer come with the paid plans.

Exchange formats

The pricing page lists AAF, XML, OMF and EDL interchange, and sequence exchange with Premiere, Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Pro Tools and Reaper.

Cloud and stock media

Connects to Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive, pulls stock footage from Pexels and Pond5, and publishes to YouTube and Vimeo.

In-edit quality control

QScan checks for issues such as video levels, missing audio and loudness and shows markers on the timeline. This is listed among the paid features.

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$236

  to buy a license; no subscription period is listed

  Shown as Now $236, Was $295, with no end date. Adds the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, more Resolve FX, noise reduction, text-based editing and 10-bit up to 120fps.

Lightworks

• Free$0

  Timeline editing, effects and transitions, color correction, multitrack audio and export up to 1080p.

• Create$20

  per user / month, paid monthly

  Adds 4K export, BRAW and ProRes decode, NewBlue Titler Pro, audio effects and noise reduction, and cloud storage integration.

• Pro$35

  per user / month, paid monthly

  Adds up to 8K and 10-bit video, HDR editing and full scopes, Apple ProRes encoding, and AU, VST3 and LADSPA plugin support.

DaVinci Resolve

• Other savings

  Studio key included with editing hardware

  The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor ($349, shown down from $435) and Editor Keyboard ($535, down from $669) both list a DaVinci Resolve Studio activation key under What's Included.

Lightworks

• Lifetime license

  One-time license

  The pricing page offers a Once option beside Monthly and Yearly, described as a perpetual license. The price was not readable in this check.