DaVinci Resolve vs Avid Media Composer

DaVinci Resolve9.3Visit AMAvid Media Composer9.2Visit

Higher score DaVinci Resolve #1 in Video Editing Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Resolve

vs

AM Avid Media Composer #2 in Video Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Avid

• DaVinci Resolve fits best

  Professional editors wanting maximum free depth

• Avid Media Composer fits best

  Broadcast and post-production teams

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Side by side

Feature	DaVinci Resolve 9.3/10 Visit ↗	AMAvid Media Composer 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Video Editing Software	#2 in Video Editing Software
Best for	Professional editors wanting maximum free depth	Broadcast and post-production teams
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS
Integrations	6 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DaVinci Resolve 4/5 · Avid Media Composer 4/5
Desktop app	✓	✓
Web app	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Mobile app	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
4K export	✓	✓
Team collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Included cloud storage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free plan includes editing, color, VFX, audio and collaboration Supports up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 and 60 fps in the free plan Works across Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS	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
Cons	Advanced AI, HDR and additional effects require the Studio upgrade Studio costs $295 as a one-time purchase Its broad post-production scope may exceed simple editing needs	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
Our verdict	DaVinci Resolve is a professional post-production application for editors who need more than basic cutting. It brings non-linear editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post-production, media organization and… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• DaVinci Resolve — where it wins

  • Free plan includes editing, color, VFX, audio and collaboration
  • Supports up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 and 60 fps in the free plan
  • Works across Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced AI, HDR and additional effects require the Studio upgrade
  • Studio costs $295 as a one-time purchase
  • Its broad post-production scope may exceed simple editing needs

• 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

• DaVinci Resolve9.3/10 · Free plan

  A deep free editor with professional post-production tools across desktop and iPad.

  Visit ResolveFull verdict →
• AMAvid 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 →