DaVinci Resolve vs Adobe After Effects

DaVinci Resolve9.4Visit Adobe After Effects9.0Visit

Higher score DaVinci Resolve #1 in Multimedia Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Try DaVinci Resolve

vs

Adobe After Effects #5 in Multimedia Software 9.0/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Adobe

• DaVinci Resolve fits best

  Editors seeking an all-in-one post-production suite

• Adobe After Effects fits best

  Motion designers and visual-effects artists

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Side by side

Feature	DaVinci Resolve 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Adobe After Effects 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.0
Ranking	#1 in Multimedia Software	#5 in Multimedia Software
Best for	Editors seeking an all-in-one post-production suite	Motion designers and visual-effects artists
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS	Windows, macOS
Integrations	6 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DaVinci Resolve 0/2 · Adobe After Effects 0/2
Team collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
AI media tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Media types	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Primary workflow	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Windows, macOS
License type	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines editing, color grading, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio tools Free version supports Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 and multi-user collaboration Studio adds up to 120 fps, up to 32K resolution and AI features	Combines tracking, keying, rotoscoping, and simulation tools. Supports both 2D and 3D composition workflows. Integrates with Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Cons	Studio's $295 price is a substantial one-time purchase The broad workflow may be more than editors needing only basic cuts require Blackmagic Cloud collaboration may not suit teams seeking cloud storage included	Desktop-only, with support limited to Windows and macOS. No free plan; the supplied trial lasts 7 days. Node-based compositing is not supported.
Our verdict	DaVinci Resolve brings video editing, color correction, Fusion visual effects, Fairlight audio post-production and media delivery into one application. Its mix of dedicated workspaces is aimed at editors who want to handle more of a… Read the review →	For motion designers, video editors, filmmakers, and visual-effects artists, After Effects brings animation, compositing, and effects work into a desktop application. Its toolkit covers animated titles, 2D and 3D compositions, object and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• DaVinci Resolve — where it wins

  • Combines editing, color grading, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio tools
  • Free version supports Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 and multi-user collaboration
  • Studio adds up to 120 fps, up to 32K resolution and AI features

  Where it doesn't

  • Studio's $295 price is a substantial one-time purchase
  • The broad workflow may be more than editors needing only basic cuts require
  • Blackmagic Cloud collaboration may not suit teams seeking cloud storage included

• Adobe After Effects — where it wins

  • Combines tracking, keying, rotoscoping, and simulation tools.
  • Supports both 2D and 3D composition workflows.
  • Integrates with Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only, with support limited to Windows and macOS.
  • No free plan; the supplied trial lasts 7 days.
  • Node-based compositing is not supported.

• DaVinci Resolve9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad post-production suite with a free version and a $295 one-time Studio upgrade.

  Try DaVinci ResolveFull verdict →
• Adobe After Effects9.0/10 · 7-day trial

  A deep motion-design and compositing tool for artists working across 2D and 3D.

  Visit AdobeFull verdict →