Head-to-head · facts checked 22 Sept 2026
DaVinci Resolve vs Shotcut
2 tools, 9 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
From
Free
Free plan
Yes
The verdict
DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve
Free
The full editor, no expiry
DaVinci Resolve Studio
$295 once
One-time purchase, no subscription
SShotcut
Free
Free
Free, open-source software with no paid tier
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
DaVinci Resolve
Pros
- The free edition never expires and includes editing, color correction up to Ultra HD, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post and multi-user collaboration.
- Studio is a one-time $295 purchase rather than a subscription, so you own it once you buy it.
- Color grading includes professional scopes such as a waveform monitor and vectorscope alongside HDR color wheels, power windows and a node editor.
- Workflow integration and encoding APIs let you connect DaVinci Resolve to your own asset management and production tools.
Cons
- Magic Mask, advanced HDR grading and the AI Fairlight audio effects only unlock in the paid Studio edition.
- There is no built-in stock media library, so footage, music and graphics have to come from elsewhere.
SShotcut
Pros
- The entire application is free and open source under the GPLv3 licence, with no restricted tier, no watermark and no paid plan.
- Export supports resolutions up to 8K.
- Color grading includes 3-way color wheels and professional scopes such as a histogram, RGB parade, RGB waveform and vectorscope, alongside HDR10 and HLG support.
- OpenFX image effect plugins and VST2 and LV2 audio plugins extend the editor beyond its built-in tools.
Cons
- It has no built-in stock media library, so footage, music and graphics have to come from elsewhere.
- Support runs through a community forum; it has no phone, email or live chat channel.
- It has no shared-project collaboration feature for editing with other people.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | — | 2011 |
| HQ | Australia | — |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Free / one-time | — |
| Free plan | Yes, the whole editor | Yes, the whole app |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| All plans | DaVinci Resolve — Free DaVinci Resolve Studio — $295 once | Free — Free |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Editors and colourists who want grading with scopes, compositing and audio post in one app, and would rather buy the upgrade once than rent it | Editors who want a free, open-source editor with scopes, HDR support and proxy editing |
| Differentiator | The free edition is the full editor, and the paid Studio licence is a one-time purchase that adds the Neural Engine tools and the deeper HDR work. | Shotcut is a free, open-source editor with colour wheels, scopes, HDR and proxy editing. |
| Competitors | — | Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, iMovie |
Section 03
DaVinci Resolve vs Shotcut: common questions
Is DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut cheaper?
DaVinci Resolve's cheapest paid plan is Free and Shotcut's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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