Head-to-head · Video Editing Software
Avid Media Composer vs Lightworks
Avid Media Composer leads on 0 checks, Lightworks on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAvid Media Composer · 9.2/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Avid Media Composer
- Most featuresAvid Media Composer · 4 of 5
Avid Media Composer scores higher on our rubric for video editing software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
Avid Media Composer is the better fit for broadcast and post-production teams. Lightworks is the better fit for editors seeking a capable free desktop tool.
- Avid Media Composer fits best
Broadcast and post-production teams
- Lightworks fits best
Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool
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Side by side
| Feature | Avid Media Composer 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Lightworks 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #2 in Video Editing Software | #8 in Video Editing Software |
| Best for | Broadcast and post-production teams | Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Avid Media Composer 4/5 · Lightworks 3/5 | ||
| Desktop app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web app | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Mobile app | Not checked yet | — |
| 4K export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Team collaboration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Included cloud storage | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Avid Media Composer is professional non-linear video editing software for film, television, news, broadcast, education, and enterprise production teams. Its toolset covers timeline editing and trimming, color correction, finishing,… Read the review → |
Lightworks is non-linear video editing software for beginners, content creators, filmmakers, and professional editors. Its desktop application runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Free, Create, and Pro editions. The workflow covers… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Avid Media Composer — where it wins
- Transcript and phonetic search with ScriptSync AI and PhraseFind AI
- Shared Projects with bin locking and Avid NEXIS support
- Proxy workflows, multicam editing, subtitles, and Pro Tools round-tripping
Where it doesn't
- Paid plans start at $259.99 per year
- Advanced features are concentrated in higher-priced tiers
- Browser-based editing is not the current desktop workflow
Lightworks — where it wins
- Free timeline editing with automatic saving and 720p HD export
- Multicam, colour, audio, VFX, proxy editing, and subtitles
- Windows, macOS, and Linux support with cloud-library connections
Where it doesn't
- Free export is limited to 720p HD
- 4K, 8K, 10-bit, and advanced features depend on paid tiers
- No mobile or tablet download; it is a desktop application
- Avid Media Composer9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A deep editing suite with collaborative workflows, AI search, and a free entry option.
Visit AvidFull verdict → - Lightworks8.5/10 · Free plan
A capable free desktop editor with broader export and workflow features in paid tiers.
Visit LightworksFull verdict →
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All video editing software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update