Starting your journey into video editing can be daunting, especially when faced with choosing the right software. If you’re deciding between DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro, you’re about to take a crucial step—and you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, you’ll find a DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro head-to-head breakdown, comparing pricing, workflow, ease of use, and distinguishing features. Let’s see which video editing software is best for your creative needs.
Comparing DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro
DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro are both robust video editors used by amateurs and professionals alike. However, there are some key differences that may make you prefer one over the other. Here’s how they compare.
Pricing and availability
When it comes to pricing and availability, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro have one significant difference. Final Cut Pro is designed exclusively for Apple users and operates only on macOS. In comparison, DaVinci Resolve stands out for its cross-platform compatibility and is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and a dedicated iPad app.
Final Cut Pro offers a generous 90-day free trial for Mac users and costs $299 as a one-time fee. An iPad app is also available as a subscription for $4.99 monthly or $49 annually, along with a one-month free trial. However, projects don’t sync between the Mac version and iPad app, requiring manual export for cross-device editing.
DaVinci Resolve offers a free version which, despite its limitations, is an excellent entry point. The full DaVinci Resolve Studio requires a one-time fee of $299 USD—matching the price of Final Cut Pro. Get the full picture of how the paid Studio version compares with the free version.
The nice thing about both of these options is that you have a way to try them out before you commit to buying the full price version. So if you’re still not sure which one you want to use, you can take them both for a test drive to experience the difference between the two software for yourself and see which one you prefer.
Workflow
Workflow differences can significantly impact your efficiency, capabilities, and creativity. DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro each come with a unique interface, tools, and editing processes, which can make or break your video editing experience.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci is renowned for professional-grade post-production capabilities, especially when it comes to color grading. Its editing process centers around a track-based timeline and a node-based editing system which provides unmatched control and flexibility once mastered.
In DaVinci, each workflow stage has its own dedicated workspace. When beginning a project, you’ll start at the Media page and assemble your clips. Then, you’ll progress to different workspaces for editing, applying effects and subtitles, color grading, mastering audio, and exporting your final project.
It also has a dual timeline feature that enables you to view and navigate different parts of the project simultaneously without constant zooming and scrolling. This approach significantly speeds up the editing process by letting you quickly jump between clips and sequences.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro uses a magnetic timeline with drag-and-drop functionality that makes its workflow much simpler. Everything is available under a single interface, unlike Resolve which splits each stage of the editing workflow into dedicated pages.
Rather than using a node-based system for effects, Final Cut Pro uses a more traditional layering system. Each effect acts as a layer over the clip and other applied effects, making it easier to learn but providing less control.
Final Cut Pro also utilizes compound clips that bundle video and audio into a single track, making them easier to move around when assembling your sequence.
Ease of use
Final Cut Pro, like most Apple products, is designed to be beginner-friendly and intuitive. It’s straightforward to learn and navigate, making it much easier to use for those who don’t need to dive into complex features right off the bat.
In comparison, DaVinci is more advanced and offers more features than Final Cut Pro. Due to this, it has a steeper learning curve and can be confusing to use at first—especially when it comes to the node-based editing system.
In terms of documentation and resources, Blackmagic Design offers a fairly extensive knowledge base of tutorials, videos, and guides for DaVinci Resolve. You can also receive official certification for the software free of cost.
Even better, there are extensive community resources, with more available every day—like Storyblocks’ guide to DaVinci Resolve’s keyboard shortcuts.
However, Final Cut Pro has even more extensive documentation, with training, certifications, books, tutorials, community resources, and more. One drawback is that Apple’s Final Cut Pro certification exams cost $149 to take.
Features
DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro have unique feature sets targeted at different types of users. Let’s take a look at some of the key features that differentiate each platform.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci is a powerhouse in the video editing world, known for an impressive suite of features. The four things that make it stand out most are:
- Color correction and grading. DaVinci Resolve’s color grading tools are the most extensive of any editor on the market. Its industry-leading features provide everything you need to grade footage at the highest level.
- Fairlight audio post-production. Fairlight is a full-fledged digital audio workstation (DAW). It helps editors perform comprehensive audio editing, mixing, and mastering within the software, allowing for multiple audio tracks, effects, and dynamic processing.
- Fusion visual effects. Fusion is DaVinci’s tool for compositing and visual effects. With Fusion, you can create complex effects and motion graphics with a node-based workflow, handling everything from keying and tracking to 3D particle effects.
- Collaboration features. With Resolve, multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously. This feature is invaluable for larger projects and teams, allowing editors, colorists, sound designers, and VFX artists to contribute in real-time.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro also has several standout features that appeal to both novice and experienced editors. Here are four of its key features:
- Advanced multicam editing. Final Cut Pro has robust multicam editing capabilities, allowing you to sync up to 64 angles of video and still images. While editing, you can easily switch between angles, apply effects, and make adjustments, making it perfect for concerts, events, and interviews.
- 360-degree video editing. Final Cut Pro includes tools for 360-degree video editing. You can import, edit, and export 360-degree video with motion graphics and effects. It’s also possible to use a VR headset for real-time playback, helping improve the experience.
- ProRes RAW support. With Final Cut Pro, you gain access to the ProRes RAW video format. It’s a flexible and rich format with efficient file sizes, making it easier to handle in editing workflows.
- Integration with other Apple software. Final Cut Pro integrates easily with Apple’s other creative software, including Motion and iMovie. Create complex animations, title sequences, and visual effects in Motion and bring them into Final Cut Pro projects easily. Likewise, you can export iMovie projects for more advanced features in Final Cut Pro.
Third-party support
DaVinci Resolve has a massive amount of third-party support, especially within the professional filmmaking and post-production industries. As the industry standard for color grading, it has several integrations with hardware like control surfaces and panels that enhance the grading process.
Additionally, Resolve supports a wide range of third-party plugins for visual effects, transitions, and audio. Blackmagic Design also consistently updates its software, offering improvements and new features at no additional cost to the user.
Final Cut Pro, on the other hand, benefits from Apple’s extensive ecosystem. While it doesn’t have the same level of third-party hardware support as Resolve, its integration with other Apple software—like Motion and Compressor—helps create a seamless editing experience.
It also has extensive third-party plugins, especially for transitions and effects. Similarly to Blackmagic Design, Apple regularly updates Final Cut Pro, providing enhancements and new features without charge.
Which is better: Final Cut Pro vs DaVinci Resolve
While they’re both capable video editors, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro cater to different segments of the market—though there is some overlap. If you’re struggling to choose between them, here’s where DaVinci Resolve shines:
- Professional filmmakers and post-production studios. It has more advanced editing features that cover the entire filmmaking workflow, and it’s the gold standard editor when it comes to color grading.
- Independent filmmakers. With the combination of professional-level tools and a free version, DaVinci Resolve is also a powerful editor for independent filmmakers and content creators who need high-quality production capabilities without an immediate investment.
Final Cut Pro is better for:
- Apple enthusiasts and Mac users. Given its optimization for macOS, Final Cut Pro has excellent performance and integration benefits for filmmakers in the Apple ecosystem.
- Content creators and YouTubers. Final Cut Pro’s ease of use and efficiency make it appealing for content creators who need to produce content quickly. It’s intuitive and powerful enough for semi-professional editors to produce high-quality videos.
Note: If you still aren’t convinced, maybe you should check out a third powerful option: Adobe Premiere Pro. See how Premiere Pro compares with DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro before you make your final decision.
Selecting the perfect software for your needs
Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve are top contenders in the video editing software arena, each with unique strengths and features. Final Cut shines with its Apple integrations and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for Mac users. In contrast, DaVinci Resolve offers unparalleled editing, color grading, and collaborative features for professional editors.
Regardless of which editing software you choose, Storyblocks has your back with tons of high-quality, royalty-free stock footage and audio, as well as pre-made templates for DaVinci Resolve and Motion. Start your subscription today to fast-track your editing process.
