When it comes to video production, many people are focused heavily on the filming process. And while capturing the right shots is important, it is truly a disservice to not focus just as much on the post-production process.
Video editing is an essential part of creating your ideal final product. Even if you’ve got tons of film to utilize, if you don’t have the right editing software, then your final product won’t end up quite right. Video editing software has evolved significantly over the past few years, with DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro taking the top two spots.
So what’s the difference between DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro? How do you know if DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro is right for you? Read on as we discuss the differences between the two tools as well as the pros and cons of each and how to determine which video editing software is right for you.
Differences Between DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro
DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro had significantly different starts. And because of this difference in the beginning stages of each tool, they have developed into video editing software tools that do have important differences.
DaVinci Resolve was initially created as a tool for advanced color correction. It was often used in tandem with Premiere Pro or other video editing software because it could do color correction better than any other tool but didn’t have the functionality that other video editing tools offered. DaVinci Resolve has since been transformed into a full-service, non-linear editing (NLE) platform.
Premiere Pro, on the other hand, could be considered a jack of all trades when it comes to video editing software. Unlike DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro does not specialize in any one specific function, so it’s not considered the leader for any specific element of the video editing process. However, it is highly rated due to the range in functionality offerings.
Pros and Cons of DaVinci Resolve
As with all software platforms, DaVinci Resolve has both pros and cons.
Pros of DaVinci Resolve:
- Color Correction – As mentioned above, DaVinci Resolve is the leader in color correction. It’s the reason that the software was created and that is abundantly clear. DaVinci Resolve’s color correction functionality has a variety of different unique benefits, but one of the standout functions is the ability to correct color down to the pixel.
- Price – DaVinci Resolve does have a free version that includes a surprising amount of features. If you are looking for the full version (DaVinci Resolve Studio), then it’s just a one-time fee of $295. While this may seem like a hefty upfront cost, if you’re planning to use the platform for more than a year, it may be worth it in comparison to other platforms with a monthly fee.
Cons of DaVinci Resolve:
- Audio Editing – While BlackMagicDesign has made strides in improving the audio editing functionality in recent releases of DaVinci Resolve, it is certainly not one of its standout functions.
Pros and Cons of Premiere Pro
Similarly, Premiere Pro has features that could be considered pros or cons.
Pros of Premiere Pro:
- Visual Effects – Premiere Pro includes a variety of basic and advanced visual effects. One of the biggest ones to note is the warp stabilizer, which is a tool you likely will not find in other NLE platforms.
- Support – As is to be expected with all Adobe products, the support offered for Premiere Pro is high-quality. There are also a ton of tutorials available that can help guide you through the interface and help teach you how to utilize the functionality.
Cons of Premiere Pro:
- Price – Unlike DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro only offers a monthly subscription and there aren’t any free versions available. It’s important to note that if you do have other Adobe subscriptions, you may be able to get a reduced rate by bundling with other Adobe products.
How to Choose Which Video Editing Software is Right for You
We can’t definitively say that one video editing platform is better than the other. It really just depends on your needs and what you plan to do with it. If color correction is your major focus and then additional video editing features are an added bonus, then DaVinci Resolve is right for you. Additionally, if you’re just starting out with video editing and want to try out a free platform, then it’s really no contest – download DaVinci Resolve immediately!
If you’re newer to video editing, but have the budget to purchase a paid subscription, Premiere Pro is likely a better choice for you due to its easier-to-understand UI and availability of tutorials and support. Premiere Pro is also a better option if you plan to utilize a wide range of editing features (including audio editing).
If you need additional help with video editing or are looking for an overall video production service, then we can help! Shoot us a message today or give us a call at 831-824-9660, and we can help determine the next steps to get you started with the video production process.