CyberLink PowerDirector vs Lightworks

CyberLink PowerDirector8.9Visit Lightworks8.5Visit

Higher score CyberLink PowerDirector #4 in Video Editing Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit CyberLink

vs

Lightworks #8 in Video Editing Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Lightworks

• CyberLink PowerDirector fits best

  Value-focused creators needing AI tools

• Lightworks fits best

  Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool

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Side by side

Feature	CyberLink PowerDirector 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Lightworks 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.5
Ranking	#4 in Video Editing Software	#8 in Video Editing Software
Best for	Value-focused creators needing AI tools	Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$79.99/yr	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Tickets, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CyberLink PowerDirector 3/5 · Lightworks 3/5
Desktop app	✓	✓
Web app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile app	✓ (best)	—
4K export	✓	✓
Team collaboration	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Included cloud storage	50 GB	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free plan with no time limit AI video, audio, captions, and generative features Desktop and mobile apps with 4K export support	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
Cons	Essential includes only limited features 365 requires annual recurring billing Cloud storage varies by plan	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
Our verdict	CyberLink PowerDirector is video editing software for beginners, enthusiasts, content creators, brands, and influencers. It combines multi-track timeline editing, keyframes, effects, transitions, color tools, audio tools, captions, stock… 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

• CyberLink PowerDirector — where it wins

  • Free plan with no time limit
  • AI video, audio, captions, and generative features
  • Desktop and mobile apps with 4K export support

  Where it doesn't

  • Essential includes only limited features
  • 365 requires annual recurring billing
  • Cloud storage varies by plan

• 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

• CyberLink PowerDirector8.9/10 · Free plan

  A broad, value-focused editor with free access and extensive AI features.

  Visit CyberLinkFull verdict →
• Lightworks8.5/10 · Free plan

  A capable free desktop editor with broader export and workflow features in paid tiers.

  Visit LightworksFull verdict →