DaVinci Resolve review

DaVinci Resolve gives away more than most companies charge for. The free version for Mac, Windows and Linux combines editing, color correction, Fusion visual effects with over 250 tools and the Fairlight audio workstation, and Blackmagic Design says it is used on more Hollywood films and TV shows than any other finishing tool. For beginners, the cut page is the friendly entry point: it is built for fast edits, with dual timelines, a voice over palette and a layout for vertical video. The challenge is everything beyond it. Color, Fusion and Fairlight are full professional pages, and that depth is why we score Resolve lower on ease of use than the phone apps on this list. The paid DaVinci Resolve Studio, shown at $236 instead of $295 on Blackmagic Design's site as we checked, is a one-time purchase that adds IntelliScript, IntelliCut silence removal, animated subtitles and Magic Mask upgrades. On Mac, the App Store build needs Apple silicon.

Who it is for

Ambitious creators who want professional editing and color grading for free and are willing to spend time learning.

Price

Free version for Mac, Windows and Linux; DaVinci Resolve Studio one-time purchase shown at $236, down from $295, on Blackmagic Design's site.

Was $295 Now $236
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Editing, color, Fusion visual effects and Fairlight audio in one app
• Cut page built for fast turnaround edits, with a vertical timeline layout
• Advanced HDR color grading with power windows and tracking
• Blackmagic Cloud for real-time collaboration on the same timeline
• Studio adds IntelliScript, IntelliCut silence removal, animated subtitles and more

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The free version is a full professional editor
• Strength: Runs on Mac, Windows and Linux
• Strength: Studio is a one-time purchase, not a subscription
• Weakness: Pages for color, effects and audio take real time to learn
• Weakness: Mac App Store build needs a Mac with Apple silicon and at least 8GB of memory, 16GB with Fusion
• Weakness: Some AI tools such as IntelliScript need the paid Studio version

Key facts

• Developer: Blackmagic Design
• Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux
• Free option: Yes, free version
• Studio price: $236 one-time, down from $295
• Version: DaVinci Resolve 21

Where it ranks

DaVinci Resolve is No. 3 in our Best Video Editing Software verdict.