★★★★★Capterra · March 2026
Reviewer praised node-based colour flexibility.
We edited the same 5-minute video from raw footage, with captions and colour, in every tool in our video editing software test. DaVinci Resolve's result looked excellent: three judges watching blind gave it 4.9 out of 5. It scored 4.5 out of 5 overall and came third of the nine editors we tested.
Resolve was also quick to render, exporting the finished video in 3.0 minutes. The trade-off was time to learn. The full brief took us 118 minutes, and a beginner needed 39 minutes to finish a first piece.
Resolve suits filmmakers, colourists and budget-minded editors who want professional tools without a subscription. The free version covers a lot, and Studio is a one-time purchase. Complete beginners who want a quick start may find it hard going.
How we scored it
Resolve scored 5 out of 5 for output quality, 4.5 for ease of use, features and performance, and 4 for value. That adds up to 4.5 out of 5 overall.
Output quality5.0
Ease of use4.5
Features4.5
Performance4.5
Value for money4.0
Overall score: 4.5 / 5, the average of the five parts, rounded to the nearest half point.
- Output quality (5/5): Three blind judges gave our finished edit an average of 4.9 out of 5, and captions passed 49 of 50 checks.
- Ease of use (4.5/5): The full brief took 118 minutes and a beginner needed 39 minutes for a first piece, so there is more to learn than in simpler editors.
- Features (4.5/5): It exported to MP4, MOV and XML, but passed 9 of our 10 export quality checks, and some AI tools need the paid Studio version.
- Performance (4.5/5): It rendered the final video in 3.0 minutes with a peak of 1,746 MB of memory on our reference computer.
- Value for money (4/5): The free version did our whole brief, but features like the AI Neural Engine and text-based editing need Studio at $236 one-time.
Best of 2026
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The best video editing software
Before you pick DaVinci Resolve, see how all 9 tools ranked in the same test.
DaVinci Resolve in plain terms
DaVinci Resolve is a video editor from Blackmagic Design, an Australian company that also makes cameras and editing hardware. It puts editing, colour grading, visual effects (called Fusion) and audio work (called Fairlight) into one program for Mac, Windows and Linux.
There's a capable free version, and a paid version called DaVinci Resolve Studio, which you buy once rather than by subscription. Studio adds the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, more effects, noise reduction, Magic Mask and text-based editing, plus support for higher frame rates and resolutions.
Resolve is best known for colour grading, and that showed in our test. It sits at the professional end of the market, next to Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, but it's the only one of the three you can start using for free. More tools like it are in our video and audio section.
What happens after you sign up
Resolve splits the job into separate pages, and a project usually moves through four steps.
1. Pick a page. Switch between the cut, edit, Fusion, colour and Fairlight pages, each built for one part of the job.
2. Edit your clips. Assemble and trim your footage on the timeline.
3. Grade and finish. Adjust colour, add effects and mix audio, all inside the same project.
4. Deliver. Export the finished video, or share the project with others through Blackmagic Cloud.
What you get
Most of Resolve's tools are in the free version. The AI features and some advanced options need Studio.
Cut and edit pages
A quick cut page for fast assembly and a full edit page for detailed timeline work, both free.
Colour page
Node-based colour grading and HDR tools. It's free, with advanced HDR in Studio.
Fusion
Node-based visual effects and motion graphics, included free.
Fairlight
Audio editing and mixing for finishing your soundtrack, free, with extra effects in Studio.
Magic Mask and noise reduction
AI masking of moving subjects and cleaner footage. These need Studio.
Text-based editing
Edit your video from its transcript. This is a Studio feature.
Who gets the most out of DaVinci Resolve
Resolve rewards people who want to invest some time in learning a professional tool. It also asks a lot of your computer, so check your hardware first.
A good fit for
- Filmmakers and anyone who cares about colour
- Budget-minded editors who don't want a subscription
- Linux users
- Teams using Blackmagic cameras and control panels
Not a good fit for
- Complete beginners who want a quick start
- Owners of older or less capable computers
- People who want big template and effects libraries
- Creators who mainly edit on their phone
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro, iMovie and CapCut
Adobe Premiere Pro matched Resolve's 4.5 out of 5 and came second. Premiere was quicker to learn, but Resolve beat it on output quality and performance, and Resolve Studio is a one-time $236 instead of a subscription. iMovie came first with 5 out of 5 and is free, but it's simpler and only for Apple devices. Our best video editors list ranks all nine.
CapCut scored 4 out of 5. It's simpler and built around templates for short social clips, while Resolve is a full desktop editor for longer and more polished work. Final Cut Pro, also 4 out of 5, is Mac only, while Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.
| Option | Price | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Free | Free pro editor with colour, effects and audio; Studio is $236 one-time. |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | $22.99 a month | Professional editor on an annual plan billed monthly, with no free version. |
| iMovie | Free | Apple's simple editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad. |
| CapCut | $6.50 a month | Template-driven editor for short social video, with a free plan. |
How we tested DaVinci Resolve
We tested Resolve from October 9 to October 22, 2026, 14 days in all, using the free version. Every editor in our test gets the same brief: turn the same raw footage into a finished 5-minute video with captions and colour, on the same reference computer. The full set-up is in how we test.
We timed how long the brief took, had three judges score the finished videos blind, checked every export format, timed a beginner making a first finished piece, and measured render time and memory use.
The result looked excellent. The judges gave it 4.9 out of 5, and captions passed 49 of our 50 checks. Resolve's colour tools made a visible difference to the footage.
It also ran well. Rendering the final video took 3.0 minutes, with memory use peaking at 1,746 MB, so it was both fast and fairly light on our reference computer.
The cost was time. The full brief took us 118 minutes, and a beginner needed 39 minutes to finish a first piece, much longer than with simpler editors. Exports came out in MP4, MOV and XML, and 9 of our 10 export quality checks passed.
| What we measured | Result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Time to finish the brief | 118 min for 1 brief | A finished 5-minute edit took just under two hours, so plan for more time than with simpler tools. |
| Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges | 4.9/5 mean; 3 blind judges | Judges who didn't know which tool made it rated the video close to perfect. |
| Export options and file quality | MP4/MOV/XML; 9/10 fidelity checks | You get the common formats plus XML, but one export check failed, so review your final file. |
| Time to first finished piece for a beginner | 39 min to first finished piece | A newcomer can get there, but expect a slower start than with simpler editors. |
| Render time and memory on our reference computer | render 3.0 min; peak RAM 1746 MB | Rendering was quick and didn't push our computer hard. |
Resolve produced a video the judges rated 4.9 out of 5 and rendered it quickly, all on the free version. The price for that is a steeper learning curve: the brief and the beginner's first piece both took longer than in easier editors. If you're willing to learn, it gives you professional results without a subscription.
Tested October 9, 2026 to October 22, 2026.
The good and the bad from our test
Excellent-looking results
Three blind judges gave our edit 4.9 out of 5, and captions passed 49 of 50 checks. Its colour tools are the reason many editors choose it.
Fast rendering
The final video rendered in 3.0 minutes, with memory peaking at 1,746 MB. That's quick, and kind to a mid-range computer.
Free, with no subscription
We did the whole brief in the free version. If you want the AI tools, Studio is a one-time $236, not a monthly fee.
Takes time to learn
A beginner needed 39 minutes for a first piece, and the full brief took us 118 minutes. Users name the learning curve as their most common complaint.
One export check failed
Exports passed 9 of our 10 quality checks. It's a small issue, but worth checking your final file before you publish.
AI tools cost extra
Magic Mask, noise reduction, text-based editing and the AI Neural Engine are Studio only. That's why value scored 4.
Pros
- Judges rated our edit 4.9 out of 5
- Rendered in 3.0 minutes with low memory use
- Free version with editing, colour, effects and audio
- Studio is a one-time purchase, not a subscription
- Runs on Mac, Windows and Linux
Cons
- Beginner needed 39 minutes for a first piece
- Full brief took 118 minutes
- Passed 9 of 10 export checks
- AI tools need the paid Studio version
- Needs a fairly capable computer, users say
How much DaVinci Resolve costs
DaVinci Resolve has a free version that includes the full editor, colour grading, Fusion and Fairlight. It handles 8-bit video up to 60 frames per second and Ultra HD, but doesn't include the AI Neural Engine. There's no free trial of Studio, because the free version takes its place.
DaVinci Resolve Studio costs $236 one-time, down from $295. Duties are included, but sales tax and shipping are not. Most people should start with the free version and only buy Studio if they need the AI tools, 10-bit video or frame rates above 60. Prices were checked on November 3, 2026.
DaVinci Resolve
Free
no charge
- Editing, colour, Fusion and Fairlight
- 8-bit video up to 60fps and Ultra HD
DaVinci Resolve Studio
$236
one-time
- AI Neural Engine and text-based editing
- 10-bit up to 120fps and above 4K
- Magic Mask, noise reduction and extra effects
The free version replaces a trial: you can use it as long as you like, and upgrade to Studio later.
Studio is a one-time purchase, so there's no subscription to cancel. We couldn't find Blackmagic's refund policy, so check it before you buy.
Control panels and keyboards for Resolve are sold separately.
Prices checked November 3, 2026. Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Is DaVinci Resolve safe to use?
Resolve is software you install on your own computer, so your projects stay local unless you choose to share them through Blackmagic Cloud. We couldn't read Blackmagic's privacy policy, so check it if you plan to use the cloud features with client footage.
The main practical risk is your hardware. Users say Resolve needs a fairly capable computer, and some mention problems with older Macs. We couldn't confirm the official system requirements.
Check Blackmagic's tech specs for graphics card and memory needs before you buy Studio.
What DaVinci Resolve users say
Users rate Resolve highly. On Capterra it has 4.8 out of 5 from 268 reviews, and on G2 4.7 out of 5 from 221 reviews, both checked November 3, 2026.
Praise centres on its colour grading, the free version, having editing, effects and audio in one app, and stability. The complaints are a steep learning curve, high hardware demands, fewer built-in transitions and effects for newcomers, and trouble on older Macs.
What users praise
- Colour grading depth
- Free version
- All-in-one editing, effects and audio
- Stability
What users complain about
- Steep learning curve
- High hardware demands
- Fewer built-in transitions and effects for newcomers
- Older Mac compatibility
Recent user reviews, in short
Summarised in our own words, not quoted. Reviewer names are left out.
★★★★★Capterra · March 2026
Reviewer liked new AI masking of moving objects but found the interface less intuitive than rivals.
★★★★★Capterra · March 2026
Reviewer said it needs a fairly powerful computer to run well.
★★★★★Capterra · March 2026
Reviewer said beginners may miss a large transition and effects library.
Our test lines up closely with what users say. Resolve gave us an excellent-looking video and ran well, but it took longer to learn than the easier editors, just as users warn.
Ratings checked November 3, 2026.
DaVinci Resolve alternatives worth a look
Two editors placed above Resolve in our test, and several others are worth knowing about. Here's how they compared.
iMovie
iMovie came first with 5 out of 5, beating Resolve on ease of use and value. It's free and simple, but only for Apple users.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere matched Resolve's 4.5 out of 5 and scored higher on ease of use and features, but lower on quality and performance. It suits working editors in the Adobe world who don't mind a subscription.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro scored 4 out of 5, a little behind Resolve on most parts. It suits Mac users who want a pro editor without a Premiere-style subscription.
CapCut
CapCut scored 4 out of 5, with a higher value score than Resolve. Choose it for quick, short vertical videos.
Animoto
Animoto scored 3 out of 5, well behind Resolve on every part. It suits small businesses making simple slideshow-style videos.
4.5/5
Should you use DaVinci Resolve?
DaVinci Resolve is the best choice if you want professional-looking video without paying a subscription. In our test, judges rated its result 4.9 out of 5, the render took just 3.0 minutes, and we did it all in the free version. It scored 4.5 out of 5 and came third of nine.
The catch is the learning curve. A beginner needed 39 minutes for a first piece and the full brief took 118 minutes. If you're willing to put in that time, and your computer is up to it, Resolve is excellent value. If you want something simple, iMovie or CapCut will get you there faster.
Resolve is for editors who want pro results without a subscription; beginners wanting a quick, simple start should look elsewhere.
Still deciding?
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See how DaVinci Resolve compares
Every tool in our video editing software test got the same jobs. Our ranking puts the results side by side.
Disagree with our review?
Make your case
If you use DaVinci Resolve, or work there, and think we got something wrong, email us. Tell us what you saw and attach screenshots if you have them. We'll take another look and update the review if it changes our findings.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does DaVinci Resolve cost?
DaVinci Resolve is free, with the full editor, colour grading, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio. DaVinci Resolve Studio costs $236 one-time, reduced from $295, with duties included but sales tax and shipping extra. There's no subscription. We checked these prices on Blackmagic's website on November 3, 2026.
How did you test DaVinci Resolve?
We gave Resolve the same brief as every editor in our test: turn the same raw footage into a finished 5-minute video with captions and colour, on the same reference computer, between October 9 and October 22, 2026. We timed the brief, had three judges score the result blind, checked exports, timed a beginner and measured render speed and memory.
Is DaVinci Resolve really free?
Yes. Blackmagic offers a free version with editing, colour, Fusion and Fairlight. It's limited to 8-bit video up to 60 frames per second and Ultra HD, and it doesn't include the AI Neural Engine. We completed our whole test brief in the free version, and the judges rated the result 4.9 out of 5.
What does DaVinci Resolve Studio add?
Studio adds the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, extra Resolve FX, noise reduction, Magic Mask and text-based editing. It also supports 10-bit video up to 120 frames per second and resolutions above 4K. It's a one-time purchase of $236, so you only need it if you use those features.
Is DaVinci Resolve good for beginners?
It can be, but it takes patience. In our test, a beginner needed 39 minutes to finish a first piece, much longer than with simpler editors, and users name the learning curve as the most common complaint. If you want results quickly, try iMovie or CapCut first.
Does DaVinci Resolve run on Linux?
Yes. Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux, which makes it one of the few professional editors available for Linux users. Check Blackmagic's tech specs for graphics card and memory needs first, since users say it needs a fairly capable computer to run well.
Written by
Mia Chen
I've always loved the creative side of technology. I'm particularly interested in user experience and how small design decisions can completely change the way a platform feels.