DaVinci Resolve vs Blackmagic Camera
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
DaVinci Resolve is the better app overall, scoring 9.3 to 9.0. DaVinci Resolve wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Blackmagic Camera on 0, with 2 tied.
YouTubers, filmmakers and colorists who want pro tools without a subscription
Filmmakers who want cinema-style manual control on a phone, for free
Score by score
The details
| Feature | DaVinci Resolve | Blackmagic Camera |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Photo & Video | Photo & Video |
| Category rank | #1 of 10 | #2 of 10 |
| Developer | Blackmagic Design | Blackmagic Design |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | — |
| Windows | ✓ | — |
| Linux | ✓ | — |
Common questions
Is DaVinci Resolve better than Blackmagic Camera?
DaVinci Resolve is the better app overall, scoring 9.3 to 9.0. DaVinci Resolve wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Blackmagic Camera on 0, with 2 tied.
Which is cheaper, DaVinci Resolve or Blackmagic Camera?
DaVinci Resolve: Free version; Studio is a one-time $295 (now $236), or $94.99 on iPad. Blackmagic Camera: Free with no in-app purchases; optional Blackmagic Cloud account is free to create. On value for money, DaVinci Resolve scores higher.
Do DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Camera work on the same devices?
Only DaVinci Resolve runs on Mac, Windows, Linux. Only Blackmagic Camera runs on Android.
Which is more private, DaVinci Resolve or Blackmagic Camera?
DaVinci Resolve scores higher on privacy (9.4/10). Every App Store listing, for iPad and Mac, says Data Not Collected: no tracking and nothing linked to you.
Strengths and weaknesses
DaVinci Resolve
- Free version is enough for most creators
- Studio is a one-time purchase with free upgrades
- No data collected, per Apple's labels
- Steep learning curve
- Needs a powerful computer
- Most AI tools are Studio-only
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.
Full DaVinci Resolve review
Blackmagic Camera
- Completely free with no ads or upsells
- Familiar controls if you use Blackmagic cinema cameras
- Pro recording formats cut straight into DaVinci Resolve
- Busy interface is hard going for casual shooters
- Android version only supports select phones
Blackmagic Camera turns a recent iPhone, iPad or supported Android phone into something close to a cinema camera. You get manual control of shutter angle, ISO, white balance and focus, pro formats including ProRes RAW on supported iPhones, live streaming, and Blackmagic Cloud sync for sharing footage with an editor. It costs nothing. The catch is a dense interface built for people who already know their camera settings.
Full Blackmagic Camera review
