DaVinci Resolve review
Pro editing, color, effects and audio in one free app
- Blackmagic Design
- Free + paid plans
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone & iPad
Does it deserve #1?
Is DaVinci Resolve worth it?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve scores 9.3/10 and ranks #1 in Photo & Video. It's best for YouTubers, filmmakers and colorists who want pro tools without a subscription. Skip it if you want quick edits on a phone or a simple template-based editor. Price: Free version; Studio is a one-time $295 (now $236), or $94.99 on iPad.
The verdict
DaVinci Resolve packs editing, color grading, Fusion visual effects and Fairlight audio into one app, and the free version handles Ultra HD at up to 60fps. Version 21 added a Photo page and AI tools like IntelliSearch and CineFocus, mostly in Studio. If you outgrow the free version, Studio is a one-time purchase with free upgrades, never a subscription. Expect a learning curve, and a powerful computer helps.
- Edit, color, Fusion and Fairlight in one app
- Photo page for stills and RAW
- AI IntelliSearch and CineFocus
- Blackmagic Cloud collaboration
- Full iPad version
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 202621.1.1 adds OGraf HTML graphics and audio previews in the trim editor
- Sep 202621.1 expands the Photo page and multicam controls and adds 25+ Krokodove tools
- Jun 2026Resolve 21 adds a Photo page plus AI IntelliSearch, CineFocus and UltraSharpen
Privacy 9.4/10
Every App Store listing, for iPad and Mac, says Data Not Collected: no tracking and nothing linked to you.
What we like
- Free version is enough for most creators
- Studio is a one-time purchase with free upgrades
- No data collected, per Apple's labels
What could be better
- Steep learning curve
- Needs a powerful computer
- Most AI tools are Studio-only
YouTubers, filmmakers and colorists who want pro tools without a subscription
you want quick edits on a phone or a simple template-based editor
Questions about DaVinci Resolve
Is DaVinci Resolve worth it in 2026?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve scores 9.3/10 and ranks #1 in Photo & Video. It's best for YouTubers, filmmakers and colorists who want pro tools without a subscription. Skip it if you want quick edits on a phone or a simple template-based editor. Price: Free version; Studio is a one-time $295 (now $236), or $94.99 on iPad.
Is DaVinci Resolve free?
Yes. The free version edits 8-bit video up to Ultra HD at 60fps; Studio adds the AI Neural Engine, 10-bit, higher frame rates and output above 4K.
Is DaVinci Resolve Studio a subscription?
No. Studio is a one-time purchase: $295 directly (currently $236 on sale) or $94.99 as an in-app purchase on iPad.
Does DaVinci Resolve work on iPad?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve for iPad is free on the App Store and needs iPadOS 18 or later.
What are the best alternatives to DaVinci Resolve?
The closest alternatives are LumaFusion, CapCut and Blackmagic Camera. See all of them ranked on our DaVinci Resolve alternatives page.
Where does DaVinci Resolve rank?
DaVinci Resolve ranks #1 of 10 in our Photo & Video ranking, with an overall score of 9.3 out of 10.