Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve Studio are both professional editors you can buy outright, which sets them apart from subscription-only tools. Final Cut Pro is limited to Apple platforms; Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Final Cut Pro values come from Apple Canada's specifications page and Resolve values from Blackmagic Design's Studio page, both re-read on 2026-11-02. Apple's page shows prices with a dollar sign but no currency code.
Key differences at a glance
- Platforms: Mac and iPad for Final Cut Pro; Mac, Windows and Linux for Resolve.
- Price shown: $399.99 one-time or Apple Creator Studio at $17.99 per month or $179 per year, against US$236 one-time for Resolve Studio (promotional) and a free Resolve.
- AI features: Transcript Search, Visual Search, Magnetic Mask, Enhance Light and Color and more in Final Cut; the Neural Engine set in Resolve Studio.
- Mac requirements: Final Cut needs macOS 15.6 or later, 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended); Blackmagic's page lists no requirements.
- Delivery: Final Cut exports formats including ProRes, MV-HEVC, H.264 and MXF; Resolve Studio adds IMF and unencrypted DCP.
Specification comparison
| Feature | Final Cut Pro | DaVinci Resolve Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac and iPad | Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Price (page) | $399.99 one-time; Apple Creator Studio $17.99/mo or $179/yr | $236 (promotional), free version $0 |
| Mac requirement | macOS 15.6+; 8GB min, 16GB recommended; 7.2GB disk | Not stated |
| iPad requirement | iPadOS 18.6+; M1 or later, iPad (A16) or iPad mini (A17 Pro) | Not applicable |
| Formats mentioned | ProRes transcoding; Final Cut Camera captures ProRes RAW; exports include MV-HEVC, H.264, MXF | 10-bit codecs, hardware H.264/H.265, IMF, DCP |
| AI features | Visual Search and Transcript Search (iPadOS 26+) | Neural Engine tools (magic mask, smart reframe, etc.) |
| Color / audio / VFX in one app | Not stated in the cited source | Page describes colour, Fairlight audio and Resolve FX features |
Shaded cells mean the cited sources did not state the value. We do not fill gaps from memory.
Platforms and ecosystem
Final Cut Pro runs on Macs (macOS 15.6 or later) and iPads with Apple M1 or later, iPad (A16) or iPad mini (A17 Pro). Its tight integration with Apple hardware and Final Cut Camera, which can capture ProRes RAW, suits Apple-only workflows. Resolve's cross-platform support matters if you edit on Windows or Linux or collaborate with people who do.
AI-assisted editing
Apple lists Transcript Search and Visual Search (Apple silicon and recent iPads, US English), Magnetic Mask for isolating people and objects without a green screen, Enhance Light and Color, Object Tracker, Smooth Slo-Mo, Automatic Reframe, Automatic Captions, Voice Isolation and Beat Detection. Blackmagic lists the Neural Engine tools in Resolve Studio, including magic mask, smart reframe, object removal, Super Scale, Speed Warp and AI voice isolation. The lists overlap substantially; we have not tested quality.
Colour, audio and delivery
Resolve is built around professional colour grading and includes Fairlight audio and Fusion compositing; Studio adds Dolby Vision and HDR10+ mastering, IMF and DCP. Apple's specifications page lists export formats including ProRes, MV-HEVC for spatial video, H.264 and MXF; it does not position colour grading as deeply. For broadcast and cinema deliverables, Resolve Studio's documented formats are broader.
Pricing models
Apple offers Final Cut Pro as a $399.99 one-time Mac purchase or within Apple Creator Studio at $17.99 per month or $179 per year, with student and educator plans. Resolve has a free version and Studio was US$236 on 2026-11-02. Both are cheaper over time than an indefinite subscription, if you keep using them.
Strengths and limitations
Final Cut Pro
Strengths
- One-time purchase option; Mac and iPad versions.
Limitations
- Apple platforms only; app-wide pricing vs Resolve unclear for equivalent features.
DaVinci Resolve Studio
Strengths
- Cross-platform; free version available; deep colour and audio toolset.
Limitations
- Minimum system requirements not stated on the page.
Pricing not verified
Prices change; check the vendor page.
Which should you choose?
- Mac/iPad-only workflow: Final Cut Pro — native on both
- Windows/Linux or integrated colour/audio: DaVinci Resolve Studio — cross-platform, all-in-one
Our verdict
If you only use Apple devices, either works and workflow familiarity matters most. If you need Windows or Linux, Resolve is the option here.
Frequently asked questions
Does Final Cut Pro run on Windows?
No. Apple's specifications page lists Mac and iPad only. DaVinci Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Is Final Cut Pro a one-time purchase?
Apple lists a one-time $399.99 Mac purchase and, alternatively, Apple Creator Studio at $17.99 per month or $179 per year.
What Mac do I need for Final Cut Pro?
Apple lists macOS 15.6 or later, 8GB RAM minimum and 16GB recommended, and 7.2GB of disk space for Final Cut Pro.
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How this was checked
Specifications compiled on 2026-11-02 from the sources below. The cited sources were re-opened and the key table values re-checked on 2026-11-02.
Apple and Blackmagic pages re-read on 2026-11-02; listed values matched.
Disclosure: AYORAHUB did not hands-on test these products or services. Nothing on this page is a lab measurement, benchmark or review score; analysis explains what the cited specifications mean in practice.
- Currency of Apple's prices was not specified on the Canada page.
- Resolve price was promotional.
Sources
- Final Cut Pro – Technical Specifications — Apple Canada (manufacturer/official)
- DaVinci Resolve Studio — Blackmagic Design (manufacturer/official)