Final Cut Pro vs Lightworks

Final Cut Pro9.1Visit Lightworks8.5Visit

Higher score Final Cut Pro #3 in Video Editing Software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Apple

vs

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

• Final Cut Pro fits best

  Apple users wanting polished editing

• Lightworks fits best

  Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Final Cut Pro 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Lightworks 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Video Editing Software	#8 in Video Editing Software
Best for	Apple users wanting polished editing	Editors seeking a capable free desktop tool
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$29.99/yr	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs, Community	Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Final Cut Pro 4/5 · Lightworks 3/5
Desktop app	✓	✓
Web app	—	Not checked yet
Mobile app	✓ (best)	—
4K export	✓	✓
Team collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Included cloud storage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Mac and iPad workflows with project transfer between platforms AI captions, Magnetic Mask, multicam, audio, color, and 4K HDR export Broad Apple ecosystem support, including iMovie, Logic Pro, and Motion	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	No free plan after the 30-day trial Mac access requires a $299.99 one-time purchase or a bundle Limited to macOS and iOS rather than web or broader platforms	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	Final Cut Pro is Apple’s video editing application for creators, filmmakers, and professional editors working on Mac and iPad. Its feature set covers timeline editing, media organization, audio, color correction, titles, transitions,… 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

• Final Cut Pro — where it wins

  • Mac and iPad workflows with project transfer between platforms
  • AI captions, Magnetic Mask, multicam, audio, color, and 4K HDR export
  • Broad Apple ecosystem support, including iMovie, Logic Pro, and Motion

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan after the 30-day trial
  • Mac access requires a $299.99 one-time purchase or a bundle
  • Limited to macOS and iOS rather than web or broader platforms

• 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

• Final Cut Pro9.1/10 · Paid

  A full-featured editor for Apple users who want desktop and iPad workflows.

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

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

  Visit LightworksFull verdict →