Starts atFree
- Free option listed
- No watermark on free exports
Head-to-head
DaVinci Resolve vs Final Cut Pro: which editor should you buy in 2026?
At a glance
Starts at$299.99 one-time, or $12.99/mo / $129/yr in Apple Creator Studio; 30-day trial
- No free option listed
DaVinci Resolve is free on Mac, Windows and Linux, and the free version exports up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at 60fps. Final Cut Pro is Apple only: $299.99 once on Mac, or part of Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month or $129 a year. If you are on Windows, the choice is made: Resolve.
Quick verdict
- Choose DaVinci Resolve if you want to pay nothing, edit on Windows or Linux, or want pro color grading.
- Choose Final Cut Pro if you edit on a Mac or iPad and want a simpler, faster editor that Apple keeps tuned for its chips.
- Upgrade path: Resolve Studio is $295 once. It adds 10-bit, up to 120fps and resolutions beyond 4K.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. Studio: $295 one-time | $299.99 one-time (Mac), or Apple Creator Studio $12.99/month or $129/year |
| Free version or trial | Free version, no time limit | 30-day free trial of Apple Creator Studio (new subscribers) |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac (macOS 15.6+) and iPad (iPadOS 18.6+, M1 or later and some A-chip models) |
| Max export (free) | Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at up to 60fps, 8-bit | No free version after the trial |
| Watermark | None on free exports (per Blackmagic's what's new page in our data) | None |
| Commercial use | Yes | Yes, it is a paid license |
| Student price | Not stated on the DaVinci Resolve Studio page (checked 16 Oct 2026) | $2.99/month or $29.99/year for students and educators |
| Best for | Free, cross-platform, color work | Mac and iPad editors who want speed |
For Shorts, TikTok and Reels
Both edit vertical 9:16 timelines. Final Cut Pro's Smart Conform reframes a 16:9 edit for social sizes, which helps if you cut one long video into several vertical versions. Resolve lets you set a vertical timeline and export it free at up to 4K UHD, so a phone-first creator on a Windows laptop loses nothing by staying free.
If you shoot on an iPhone and want to start on the iPad and finish on the Mac, Final Cut Pro covers both. Resolve has no iPad edition listed on the page we checked.
How to choose
- Check your computer. Windows or Linux means DaVinci Resolve.
- On a Mac, try both. Resolve costs nothing and Final Cut Pro has a 30-day trial.
- If you plan to edit for more than two years, $299.99 once beats $129 a year for Final Cut Pro.
- Buy Resolve Studio ($295) only if you need 10-bit, 120fps or more than 4K.
Questions
Is DaVinci Resolve better than Final Cut Pro?
Not across the board. Resolve is free and runs on Windows and Linux, and has stronger color tools. Final Cut Pro is Mac and iPad only and is the simpler editor to learn.
Is Final Cut Pro a one-time purchase?
Yes on Mac, at $299.99. Apple also sells it inside Apple Creator Studio for $12.99 a month or $129 a year, which is how you get the iPad version.
Does DaVinci Resolve free have a watermark?
Blackmagic's product page does not mention a watermark on the free version, and free exports go up to Ultra HD at 60fps.
Related: CapCut vs DaVinci Resolve, desktop video editors.
Sources: blackmagicdesign.com DaVinci Resolve, apple.com/final-cut-pro. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.