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Final Cut Pro VS DaVinci Resolve

Compare Final Cut Pro VS DaVinci Resolve and see what are their differences

Final Cut Pro logo Final Cut Pro

Professional, non-linear video editing software created by Apple Inc.

DaVinci Resolve logo DaVinci Resolve

Revolutionary new tools for editing, color correction and professional audio post production, all in a single application!
  • Final Cut Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-15
  • DaVinci Resolve Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-04

Final Cut Pro features and specs

  • Performance
    Final Cut Pro is highly optimized for macOS, utilizing hardware acceleration to deliver smooth performance even when working with 4K and 8K footage.
  • Magnetic Timeline
    The Magnetic Timeline feature allows for intuitive and efficient editing by automatically closing gaps, synchronizing, and aligning clips, reducing the need for manual adjustments.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is streamlined and user-friendly, making it accessible for both novices and professionals to quickly become productive.
  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    Final Cut Pro seamlessly integrates with other Apple software and hardware, including Motion for motion graphics and Compressor for encoding, providing a cohesive editing experience.
  • Advanced Color Correction
    Offers a suite of professional color correction tools, including HDR support and advanced color grading capabilities to achieve cinema-quality visuals.
  • Multicam Editing
    Provides robust multicam editing that allows you to sync up to 64 angles of video and quickly switch between them, making it ideal for live event editing.
  • Plugins and Effects
    Supports a wide range of third-party plugins and effects, giving editors the flexibility to expand the software's capabilities to meet specific project requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Final Cut Pro

  • Platform Limitation
    Final Cut Pro is exclusively available for macOS, limiting its use to only Mac users. This can be a disadvantage for those who use other operating systems.
  • Learning Curve
    While the user interface is intuitive, there is still a considerable learning curve, especially for those who are new to video editing or coming from different software.
  • Cost
    The one-time purchase price of $299.99 might be prohibitive for casual users or beginners who are not ready to make a significant investment.
  • Collaboration Limitations
    Final Cut Pro's collaboration features are less robust compared to other professional editing software like Avid or Adobe Premiere Pro, potentially complicating multi-editor workflows.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Occasionally experiences compatibility issues with certain file formats and third-party hardware, requiring additional plugins or workarounds.
  • Resource Intensive
    Requires a high-end Mac to fully leverage all of its advanced features, which may not be feasible for users with older or less powerful hardware.

DaVinci Resolve features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    DaVinci Resolve integrates editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single software application, providing a complete solution for video creation.
  • Professional-Grade Color Grading
    Known for its industry-leading color grading tools, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced controls, color wheels, curves, and secondary color correction tools, making it a preferred choice for professional colorists.
  • Multi-User Collaboration
    DaVinci Resolve Studio allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, supporting collaborative workflows for large teams and complex projects.
  • Free Version Available
    DaVinci Resolve offers a highly functional free version with a comprehensive set of tools, which is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
  • High-Performance Playback
    Optimized for timeline performance, DaVinci Resolve offers smooth playback and quick responsiveness, even with high-resolution and RAW formats.
  • Fairlight Audio
    The integrated Fairlight audio tool provides high-end audio production capabilities, including mixing, ADR, sound design, and full 3D audio support.

Possible disadvantages of DaVinci Resolve

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive feature set and professional-grade tools, beginners may find DaVinci Resolve challenging to learn and master without proper training.
  • Resource-Intensive
    DaVinci Resolve can be demanding on computer hardware, requiring a powerful system with a high-performance GPU, ample RAM, and fast storage for optimal operation.
  • Paid Studio Version
    Some advanced features, such as additional ResolveFX and FairlightFX plugins, HDR grading, and higher GPU acceleration, are only available in the paid Studio version.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes and bugs, particularly when working with large projects or specific hardware configurations.
  • Complex User Interface
    The user interface, while powerful, can be overwhelming for new users, and navigating through the multitude of features and settings can take time to get accustomed to.
  • Limited Third-Party Plugin Support
    Compared to some other video editing software, DaVinci Resolve offers limited support for third-party plugins, which can be a drawback for users relying on specialized tools.

Final Cut Pro videos

NEW Final Cut Pro X: Features and first-impressions!

DaVinci Resolve videos

DaVinci Resolve 16 Review - Is it best?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve)
Video
40 40%
60% 60
Video Editors
39 39%
61% 61
Video Tools
33 33%
67% 67
AI
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve

Final Cut Pro Reviews

Top 20+ Free Video Cropping Software in 2022
As for cropping videos, Final Cut Pro is pretty similar to iMove, featuring 2 options, basic cropping and Ken Burns style. But Final Cut Pro X does cropping more precisely. Besides the crop windows and four corner handles, you can also adjust each edge of the clip individually by setting parameters in the video inspector.
Windows Best Video Editing Software
4K and gif support are standard features in today’s video editing software, but Filmora excels at titles. While Filmora’s title tool doesn’t have the functionality of, say, an Apple Final Cut Pro X, which can superimpose 3D titles over your videos and rotate them on three axes, it does have some snazzy titling features for the money you’re spending.
8 Adobe Premiere/Kdenlive/OpenShot Alternatives in 2019 - Pros, Cons and Price
Equipped with non-linear and non-destructive editing features, Final Cut Pro X is one of the best Adobe Premiere alternative for Mac users. You can edit your videos by cutting, cropping, adding motion graphics, color grading and compressing videos as you like. Compared to Premiere, it has an easier workflow, cleaner user interface and simpler process. Also, it's easy to...
The Complete List of Video Marketing Tools (Updated for 2022)
Final Cut Pro is the go-to software for video editors who are glued to the Mac OS and the Apple environment in general. It can help you produce a powerful 4k, HDR and 360 videos.

DaVinci Resolve Reviews

10 Best Video Editors for YouTube in 2024
DaVinci Resolve stands out as a top-notch video editing and color correction software, delivering professional-grade, advanced features for free! Renowned for its exceptional color grading, multi-track editing, and VFX options, it’s perfect for experienced editors or YouTubers aiming to craft high-quality content. However, the steep learning curve means it’s best for those...
13 Best Green Screen Software For Windows (2024)
We should also mention Shotcut and DaVinci Resolve 18. Shotcut is free and works on many platforms, with many green screen features. DaVinci Resolve 18 has a high-powered color grading, which is helpful for green screen projects.
Source: mixilab.com
9 Best Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives in 2022 (FREE & Online)
While absolute beginners may find themselves scratching their heads as they come to terms with some of the more complex tools available, DaVinci Resolve rewards patience in spades, while more seasoned videographers will find its comprehensive tools exceptionally attractive.
Source: shotkit.com
Windows Best Video Editing Software
DaVinci supports both offline and online editing, and its high-performance playback engine speeds up editing and trimming, even for processor-intensive file formats like H.264 and RAW. The complex features of DaVinci Resolve may be too much for some users, but the free version is ideal for more advanced projects.
Best Free Video Editing Software for Linux
If you have a high-end computer and need advanced features you can go out with Lightworks or DaVinci Resolve. If you are looking for more advanced features for 3D works, Blender has got your back.
Source: itsfoss.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Premiere Pro - Edit video faster than ever before with the powerful, more connected Adobe Premiere® Pro CC.

iMovie - Turn your videos into movie magic.

Kdenlive - Free and open-source, full-featured video editor.

Filmora - Filmora is a trusted, legacy video editing platform that's strong in the fundamentals but lacks some of the bells and whistles that come with some other video editing software.

Magisto - Magisto online video editor is a fast & powerful video maker. Turn your photos and video clips into video stories with Magisto movie editor. Start free!

Lightworks - Lightworks is an editing powerhouse, delivering unparalleled speed and flexibility, fully...