While you can now download DaVinci Resolve for free, you might be surprised to learn that the highest-priced DaVinci Resolve system once cost as much as $800,000. Yes, nearly a million dollars. Back then, you didn’t have the option of choosing between DaVinci Resolve vs DaVinci Resolve Studio. That hefty price tag was because DaVinci Resolve originally came bundled as a hardware and software application.
When Blackmagic acquired DaVinci Resolve in 2009, CEO Grant Petty aimed to change how DaVinci Resolve was delivered to the world. He explained, “When we bought that company the cheapest low-end system with hardware was $350,000 and the high-end system was $800,000. We went and changed the business model and made a Mac version and a Linux version. The software we sold for $1,000 and we sold more in the first month than had previously sold in the whole history of the business, which had been running since the early 80s.”
Since then, the cost of Resolve has been lowered even further. We’ve also seen many editing platforms experiment with pricing strategies—from a one-time purchase with incremental upgrade costs to the now-common subscription model. DaVinci Resolve, however, has taken a unique approach among video editing software. It offers a free version alongside a one-time payment $299 Studio Version.
But what exactly is included in these two versions? In this article, I’ll outline the differences between DaVinci Resolve free vs studio to help you can decide if it’s worth paying for the full Studio version.
Understanding the free version of DaVinci Resolve
Unlike comparing a 2016 Toyota RAV4 to a 2024 RAV4, where the newer model is very different, the free version of DaVinci Resolve is not a completely separate product from the Studio version. Instead, it has features that are either restricted or entirely inaccessible.
However, this doesn’t mean the free version is a watered-down, watermark-ridden iteration of the software. Out of the box, you’re still getting a fully-fledged editing suite that can easily handle most of the tasks a budding filmmaker might need. It’s no coincidence that YouTube has been filled with videos over the last five years from creators talking about why they are jumping ship from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve.
It’s truly impressive just how much functionality the free version offers. For example, both the free and paid versions have multi-user collaboration on projects—with a chat function to boot. However, the paid version is where you can access remote grading, monitoring, and sync markers and comments via Dropbox. If this were any other company, you probably wouldn’t have access to multi-user collaboration at all with the free version.
What’s even more impressive, however, is just how many additional tools and functions the studio version of DaVinci Resolve has. Let’s have a look.
DaVinci Resolve (Free) vs. DaVinci Resolve Studio
At a glance, here are some of the core features that are limited in the free version of Resolve:
- Resolution:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): Up to 4K UHD
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Up to 32K
(One thing to note is that 4K UHD is the maximum resolution for export; you can still import, edit, and grade larger resolutions in the free version; you just can’t export them.)
- Frame Rate (FPS):
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): Up to 60fps
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Up to 120fps
- GPU Rendering:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): Yes, single GPU
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Yes, multiple GPUs
- HDR Support:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): Basic support
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Full support, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Noise Reduction:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): No
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Temporal and Spatial Noise Reduction
- Stereoscopic 3D Tools:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): No
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Yes
- Fairlight Audio:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): Basic tools
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Advanced tools, including Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D support
- Neural Engine Features:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): No
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Yes (Magic Mask, Face Detection, etc.)
- Remote Grading:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free): No
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: Yes
If your first thought after looking through this list was, “What is Dolby Atmos?” then there’s no need to spend $300 on the Studio version of Resolve just yet. The key differences between the free and Studio versions primarily revolve around the program’s performance.
For example, while both versions utilize the GPU for processing, only the Studio version can harness multiple GPUs. Due to the free version’s power limitation, several features tucked behind the Studio paywall typically harness more GPU processing.
DaVinci Resolve Studio exclusive features
Below is a list of the features that you will only find in the Studio version of DaVinci Resolve. It’s worth noting that while they have been split between their dedicated pages, many of them, such as the Resolve FX, are accessible across multiple pages.
General edit and performance features
- Supports clean feed viewer mode on an additional display
- Frame.io integration
- Dropbox replay integration
- Create timeline using an IMF or DCP Composition Playlist (CPL)
- Camera LUT in a node
- Supports AVCHD
- Supports Encoding AVC Intra 50, 100, and 200
- Supports External Scripting (Javascript, LUA, and Python)
- Timeline and render resolution higher than UHD
- Timeline Frame Rates greater than 60fps
- Network, remote, and headless rendering
- Multiple Image-Processing GPUs
- Multiple Red Rockets
- CDL export
- HEVC decoding
- High 10 profile H.264 decoding
- IMF based renders
- Sony XAVC renders
- FusionFX:
- CCTV
- Drone overlay
- Camera tracker
- Lens distortion correction
- Match Move
- Stereoscopic 3D tools
- VR toolset
Color
- HDR:
- Dolby Vision support
- HDR10+ support
- HDR metadata and mastering
- HDR Scopes for ST.2084 and HLG
- HDMI 2.0a metadata
- Node in HDR
- Gamut mapping (Improved)
- Neural Engine (Resolve’s AI Engine):
- Deinterlacing
- Face detection
- Magic mask
- Object removal
- Scene cut detection
- Smart reframe
- Retime – Speed Warp – Optical Flow
- ResolveFX:
- Abstraction
- Alpha Matte Shrink and Grow
- Analog Damage
- Aperture Diffraction
- Automatic Dirt Removal
- Beauty
- Camera Shake
- Chromatic Aberration Removal
- Chromatic Adaptation
- Color Compressor
- Color Palette
- Color Stabilizer
- Contrast Pop
- DCTL
- Dead Pixel Fixer (Improved)
- Deband
- Deflicker
- Dehaze
- Detail Recovery
- Dust Buster
- Face Refinement
- False Color
- Film Grain
- Halation
- Lens Blur
- Lens Distortion
- Lens Flares
- Lens Reflections
- Motion Trails
- Patch Replacer
- Pencil Sketch in DaVinci
- Sharpen
- Sharpen Edges
- Smear
- Soften and Sharpen
- Stylize
- Texture Pop
- Tilt-Shift Blur
- Warper
- Watercolor
Fairlight
- Fairlight B-Chain Support for Audio Monitoring
- Fairlight Format Support for Auro-3D
- Fairlight Format Support for Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H, and SMPTE ST.2098
- Supports 96 KHz and 192 KHz Sample Rates at a project level
- Power Mastering
Delivery
- AMD-accelerated Decoding of H.264 and H.265
- Hardware Accelerated Decoding of H.264 and H.265
- HEIF Decoding on Windows 10 and Linux OS
- IMF Based Renders
- Kakadu JPEG 2000 Renders over 2Kx2K
- Noise Reduction (Temporal and Spatial)
- Remote Grading and Rendering
- Export of a wide range of Gallery Still Formats
That is undoubtedly a list of lists—and it’s not even complete! DaVinci Resolve 19 is currently in beta testing, and several new features have been added to the software that will only be available in the studio version. These tools could be removed upon its official release later this year.
Cut & edit
- Text-Based Editing and Audio Transcription (aka auto-subtitles)
- IntelliTrack
- UltraNR Noise Reduction
Color
- UltraNR Noise Reduction
- Film Look Creator
- IntelliTrack
- Face Refinement (Improved)
Fusion
- Speed Warp (Faster in 19)
- Face Refinement
Audio / Fairlight FX
- Immersive 3D Audio with Ambisonic Surround Sound
- Auto Panning (IntelliTrack-powered)
- Music Remixer FX
- Dialog Separator (Improved in 19)
- Voice Isolation (Improved in 19)
If you were undecided about buying the studio version of DaVinci Resolve, seeing just how much is locked behind the studio license might already have you searching for a credit card. But do you need all those additional features?
Which version of DaVinci Resolve is right for me?
One of the best things about Blackmagic Design as a company is that they keep their customers’ best interests in mind. Someone creating a 60-second presentation video for their startup won’t have to pay for the studio version just to export their video.
While the list of features included in DaVinci Resolve Studio seems endless, it’s important to note that many of these features are tools that professional and working editors will need. If you’re planning to use Resolve for creating Instagram Reel, a short film to post on YouTube, a music video shot on a mirrorless camera, or a travel vlog, you’ll probably never need to use the studio-only color features.
What’s so great about the free version of DaVinci Resolve is that you can essentially test-drive the software until you know whether you need the studio version. If you’re editing and keep seeing the “Ready to Upgrade?” pop-up, it’s a clear sign that you’re bumping up against the limitations of the free version. But if you rarely see this pop-up, is spending $300 worth it? Probably not.
A good analogy is something I’ve struggled with throughout my career: the constant urge to upgrade to the next best camera. You should only upgrade your equipment when you genuinely need to—not just because a company suggests you should or you’re tempted by having the best new thing. For example, if you’re on a shoot and find that your camera is having a hard time with the low light setting, upgrading to one with better low light performance or low ISO sensitivity would make sense. Similarly, if you’ve been hired for a sports shoot and need slow motion at 240 frames per second, but your camera only handles 60, that’s when it’s time to upgrade.
The same principle applies to DaVinci Resolve. The free version offers plenty of features for most content and video creation needs. You should only consider upgrading when you start feeling held back by the studio-exclusive features.
And here’s something else to consider: with most Blackmagic products, the studio version is often included—whether it’s bundled with new cameras or hardware—so you might not have to spend $300 on a separate software license. If you’re considering investing in something like the latest Ursa 6K, the studio version will likely come with it.
Work faster in Resolve with customizable templates
Blackmagic doesn’t set you up for failure compared to other software companies. Their free version offers so much functionality that trying the software before deciding to buy is simple and straightforward. But with Storyblocks, you might find yourself in an even better position with just the free version of DaVinci Resolve.
Thanks to our vast collection of DaVinci Resolve templates, you can create and implement a variety of transitions and effects in your projects without needing to own the studio version. With the free version of Resolve and a Storyblocks subscript you can easily achieve professional results without breaking the bank.
