Video Editing Software Comparison: What Actually Matters

If you're comparing video editing software, you've probably noticed that every "comparison" article reads like it was written by someone who's never actually edited a video. Let's fix that.

I'll break down the three major players—Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro—plus a few alternatives that make sense for specific use cases. Real pricing, actual limitations, and honest opinions on which one you should pick.

Quick Summary: Which Video Editor Should You Use?

Here's the short version before we dive into the details:

• DaVinci Resolve: Best for most people. Free version is genuinely professional-grade. Pay $295 once for Studio if you need advanced features.
• Adobe Premiere Pro: Industry standard if you're already in the Adobe ecosystem. $22.99/month (annual) hurts long-term.
• Final Cut Pro: Mac-only, $299.99 one-time purchase. Great if you're locked into Apple and want to avoid subscriptions.
• Descript: Best for podcasters and talking-head videos. Edit video by editing text.
• Canva: Best for quick social media clips if you're already using it for graphics.

DaVinci Resolve: The Surprising Winner

DaVinci Resolve is legitimately the best value in video editing. The free version is packed with more features than most paid software applications. You can use it to edit and finish up to 60 fps in resolutions as high as Ultra HD 3840 x 2160.

Originally, DaVinci Resolve was a high-end color grading software used by Hollywood professionals and was very expensive. In 2009, Blackmagic Design acquired it and turned it into a full-fledged video editing software.

DaVinci Resolve Pricing

• Free Version: Completely free with no trial period or watermarks on exports. Seriously.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio: $295 one-time purchase with lifetime updates

The free version includes professional editing tools, color correction, and basic visual effects. For the $295 Studio version, you get additional features such as 8K editing, HDR color grading, noise reduction, AI-based tools, motion blur effects, and multi-user collaboration. The Studio version also enables GPU acceleration for faster rendering.

What Free DaVinci Resolve Can't Do

The free version can export up to 4K UHD at up to 60fps while the paid Studio version can do up to 32K at 120fps with advanced HDR delivery. The Studio version also includes the DaVinci Neural Engine which uses deep neural networks for features like facial recognition, Magic Mask, object tracking, and scene cut detection.

For most content creators, YouTubers, and small business video projects, the free version is more than enough. Many beginners can get everything they need out of the free version of DaVinci Resolve.

Who Should Use DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is the world's only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post production all in one software tool. It's available on Mac, Windows, and Linux—one of the few professional options that works across all three platforms.

If you're doing any serious color grading work, DaVinci is famous for its legendary color grading capabilities. Even Hollywood productions use it for color work.

Adobe Premiere Pro: The Industry Standard Tax

Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry standard, no doubt. But that comes with industry-standard pricing—meaning subscriptions that add up fast.

Premiere Pro Pricing

• Monthly (no commitment): $34.49/month
• Annual (paid monthly): $22.99/month
• Annual (prepaid): $263.88/year ($21.99/month)
• Students & Teachers: $19.99/month for full Creative Cloud
• Business/Teams: $35.99/month per license

If you want the full Adobe Creative Cloud—including After Effects, Photoshop, and everything else—you're looking at $54.99 to $82.49/month depending on commitment level.

The Subscription Problem

Here's the math that should bother you: Premiere Pro for one year costs minimum $263.88 (prepaid annual). Over three years, that's nearly $800. Meanwhile, DaVinci Resolve Studio is $295 once, forever, with free updates.

When you stop paying Adobe, the software stops working. You're not even keeping it in an "as-is" state—you lose access entirely.

When Premiere Pro Makes Sense

Premiere Pro is the right choice if:

• You're already paying for Adobe Creative Cloud
• Your team/clients use Adobe and need native file compatibility
• You need tight integration with After Effects for motion graphics
• You work in an environment where "Adobe" is the expected standard

Cross-platform compatibility is a strength—it works on both Mac and Windows, unlike Final Cut Pro.

Adobe offers a 7-day free trial, which is pretty stingy compared to Final Cut Pro's 90 days.

Final Cut Pro: Apple's One-Time Payment Option

Final Cut Pro is Apple's professional video editing software, and it comes with a $299.99 one-time purchase—no subscription required. That's attractive if you're on Mac and want to avoid Adobe's endless billing.

Final Cut Pro Pricing

• Mac: $299.99 one-time purchase with lifetime updates
• iPad: $4.99/month or $49/year (subscription only)
• Education Bundle: $199.99 for students/educators (includes 5 Apple pro apps)

Final Cut Pro offers a 90-day free trial—generous enough to actually learn the software and decide if it works for you.

The Mac Problem

The obvious limitation: Final Cut Pro is macOS exclusive. If you're on Windows or Linux, it's simply not an option. And if you ever switch away from Mac, your Final Cut skills don't transfer to the software you'd need to use.

What Final Cut Pro Does Well

Final Cut Pro offers pro-grade video editing capabilities exclusively designed for macOS systems. Its wide-ranging feature set facilitates editing 4K to 8K resolution projects. Top features include advanced color correction, 360-degree video editing, advanced titling options, and the ability to sync up to 64 video angles filmed simultaneously from multiple cameras.

The magnetic timeline is divisive—some editors love it, some can't stand it—but once mastered it can save time. Final Cut Pro is great for content creators who frequently upload to platforms such as YouTube thanks to its lightning-fast and minimalist interface.

Reviewers indicate that Final Cut Pro offers good value for money, especially for long-term use, as it requires only a one-time payment rather than a subscription. However, some users feel that the high initial cost can be a barrier for those on tight budgets or who don't edit videos full-time.

Other Options Worth Considering

Descript: Text-Based Video Editing

If you're editing podcasts, interviews, or talking-head content, Descript takes a completely different approach: you edit video by editing the transcript. Delete a sentence from the text, and the video cuts automatically.

It's genuinely innovative for the right use case. Check out our Descript pricing breakdown for details on their plans. For screen recordings specifically, see our best screen recording software guide.

Canva: Quick Social Media Clips

If you're already using Canva for design work and just need to make quick social media videos, their video editor is surprisingly capable for simple projects. Not a replacement for serious editing, but good for what it is.

See our Canva pricing guide and Canva tutorial if you're exploring that direction.

For more options, check our full guide to free video editing software or our best video editing software roundup.

Head-to-Head Comparison

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Pick?

Start with DaVinci Resolve. It's free, it's professional-grade, and you lose nothing by trying it. If the free version can't do what you need, the $295 Studio upgrade is still cheaper than a year of Premiere Pro.

Choose Premiere Pro if: You're already in Adobe's ecosystem, work with teams using Adobe, or need tight After Effects integration. Just go in with eyes open about the ongoing cost.

Choose Final Cut Pro if: You're committed to Mac, want a one-time purchase, and prefer Apple's approach to software design. The 90-day trial gives you plenty of time to decide.

Choose Descript if: You're primarily editing podcasts, interviews, or educational content where the text-based editing approach saves hours of work.

Don't overthink it. The "best" video editor is the one you'll actually learn and use. All of these options can produce professional results—the differences matter less than actually finishing your projects.