DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro
Both can be bought once instead of rented, but they differ on platform and on what you get before paying. DaVinci Resolve has a free version and a $295 Studio licence, and it runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. Final Cut Pro costs $299.99 once and runs only on Mac (plus an iPad version through the Apple Creator Studio subscription), with no free version listed.
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Choose DaVinci Resolve ifyou need editing and grading in one program, want to start free, or have Windows or Linux machines alongside Macs.
Choose Final Cut Pro ifyour whole team works on Macs, you want a single purchase for the editor, and you value the Magnetic Timeline and built-in automatic captions.
DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro side by side
| DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our video editing software rank | #5 of 12 | #9 of 12 |
| Established in | Australia | United States |
| List price, 2 November 2026 | Studio: 295 US dollars one-time; a free version also exists | One-time purchase for Mac at 299.99 US dollars; Apple Creator Studio costs 12.99 per month or 129 per year |
| Free tier | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Self-hostable | — | — |
| Built for | Teams that want one program for editing and grading, with no subscription | Mac-based teams who want to buy an editor once |
| Not for | Beginners who just need to trim and caption one clip | Teams that mix Windows and Mac workstations |
Both are reviewed in full in our video editing software ranking: DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro.
Where they differ
DaVinci Resolve 2 · Final Cut Pro 0 · open 3- 01
Starting cost
Resolve has a free version, and Studio is a one-time purchase at 295 US dollars. Final Cut Pro is a one-time purchase at 299.99 US dollars for Mac, and the Apple page states a 30-day trial only for the Creator Studio subscription, not for the one-time route. Resolve lets you work before paying anything.
Edge: DaVinci Resolve
- 02
Which computers it runs on
Resolve is listed for Mac, Windows and Linux. Final Cut Pro needs macOS 15.6 or later on Mac, or iPadOS 18.6 on iPad, and some features need Apple silicon. A studio with any Windows workstation cannot standardise on Final Cut Pro.
Edge: DaVinci Resolve
- 03
Limits of the cheapest route
Free Resolve is limited to 8-bit footage, Ultra HD and 60fps; Studio adds 10-bit, 120fps and resolutions beyond 4K, plus the AI Neural Engine, noise reduction, magic mask and text-based editing. Final Cut Pro's one-time price covers the editor, but Apple says some premium content is only for Creator Studio subscribers. Both leave a gap between the base purchase and everything on offer.
Depends on the buyer
- 04
Editing tools Apple highlights
Final Cut Pro advertises the Magnetic Timeline, Magnetic Mask and automatic captions as part of the editor. Resolve puts editing, colour, effects and audio in a single program, and even the free tier has multi-user collaboration and HDR grading. If your work is cutting and captioning, Final Cut Pro is the narrower and quicker route; if it includes grading, Resolve covers more.
Depends on the buyer
- 05
Who sells it
Resolve comes from Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd of South Melbourne, Australia, a company whose page also lists cameras, ATEM switchers and broadcast converters. Final Cut Pro comes from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California. Neither is European, so jurisdiction does not separate them for an EU buyer.
Depends on the buyer
When neither fits
If you want a rented editor with cloud collaboration or a very simple browser tool, neither fits. Kdenlive is a free alternative, and Adobe Premiere Pro suits teams already inside Creative Cloud.
DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro: questions
3 answersIs DaVinci Resolve really free?
The free version is limited to 8-bit video, Ultra HD and 60fps, but has multi-user collaboration and HDR grading. Studio costs 295 US dollars once and adds 10-bit, 120fps and beyond 4K, plus AI features.
Can Final Cut Pro be used on a Windows PC?
No. Apple lists macOS 15.6 or later for Mac and iPadOS 18.6 for iPad, and some features need Apple silicon.
What does Final Cut Pro cost?
Mac buyers pay 299.99 US dollars once. The alternative is the Apple Creator Studio subscription at 12.99 per month or 129 per year, with a 30-day trial.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026- Blackmagic Resolve overview: free version limits, Studio features, the 295 dollar price, supported systems.
- DaVinci Resolve Studio page: Studio sold once for 295 dollars.
- Blackmagic Design company page: cameras, ATEM switchers, disk recorders and broadcast converters alongside Resolve.
- Blackmagic Design privacy page: Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd, South Melbourne, Australia.
- Final Cut Pro product page: 299.99 dollar purchase, Creator Studio pricing, trial, Magnetic Timeline, Magnetic Mask, captions.
- Final Cut Pro specs: macOS 15.6 requirement, Apple silicon for some features, trial only for Creator Studio, subscriber-only premium content.
- Apple site terms: Apple Inc., Cupertino, California.