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A video editor asks what the program costs in the first year, whether it can be tried without payment and whether it stays yours. These decide 50 points out of a hundred.
Score shows how the company does on our comparison criteria, on a 0–100 scale. Rankings cannot be bought.
Basic metrics · 79.1
+ The Mac version is a one-off purchase ($299.99), not an ongoing subscription, and the price is publicly displayed
Basic metrics: 79.1, rank 1 · no change
Basic metrics · 75.6
+ Both an annual subscription and a one-off licence are available, and the prices are stated publicly (Basic 49.99, Advanced 59.99, one-off purchase 79.99 dollars)
Basic metrics: 75.6, rank 4 · ▲ 2 places
– Free use: The price list page only mentions a 7-day free Creative Assets trial, not the limits of the editor's free version.
Basic metrics · 76.4
+ Exceptionally comprehensive free full version without a watermark: 8-bit formats up to UHD 3840x2160 at 60 fps
Basic metrics: 76.4, rank 2 · ▼ 1 place
Basic metrics · 76.2
+ Prices are stated publicly in the shop in euros and by tier (Essentials 179.88, Create 249.00, Pro 599.00 euros/year)
Basic metrics: 76.2, rank 3 · ▼ 1 place
Basic metrics · 61.1
+ A genuine free version with mostly watermark-free mobile export at 1080p, and wide platform support (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, browser)
Basic metrics: 61.1, rank 6 · ▲ 1 place
The buying motives of these services could not be checked; the reason is shown for each one. They are not on the list as poor performers but as unscored. The result of the basic metrics is shown for comparison.
+ Professional-level export features are described comprehensively: 4K and 8K export and broad format support (H.264, HEVC, ProRes)
– The site blocks automatic reading (bot protection).
Basic metrics: 71.5, rank 5 (for comparison only)
Weights are fixed. All companies are measured on the same scale. Read the full methodology.
| Buying motive | What is measured | Scale | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price in the first year QUESTIONHow much does the cheapest paid option cost during the first year? | Price per year or as a one-off purchase of the cheapest paid single-user version, in the currency shown on the page. | 50 or fewer = 100 points, 350 or more = 0, directly proportional in between. | 24 p |
| Free use QUESTIONCan I use the software for free before I pay? | Whether a permanent free tier is offered or only a time-limited trial. | Permanent free tier = 100, time-limited trial = 60, no free option = 0. | 14 p |
| The programme remains yours QUESTIONCan I buy the software with a one-off payment without a continuing subscription? | Whether the page has a licence sold as a one-off purchase. | Single purchase possible = 100, subscription only = 0. | 12 p |
| Basic metrics | Digital quality, transparency, reachability and AI quality score | Basic metrics × 0.5 | 50 p |
We scored 6 video editing programs on 20 metrics. The most important question for a content creator: is the real price revealed without contacting, is it clearly stated whether it is an ongoing subscription or a one-off purchase, is there a genuine free version and what are its real limits, and are export resolution, operating system support and cancellation stated before you commit?
Price publicly shown without making contact (subscription or one-off purchase stated) (22), free version or trial and its real limits (watermark, export limits) stated (18), supported export resolution and formats stated (15), supported operating systems (Windows, Mac, mobile) stated (10), cloud storage and its status stated (10), contract period and cancellation stated (10), owning company stated on the site (15)
Transparency is 30% of the basic metrics, i.e. 15% of the total points · these metrics make up its 100 points · the full formula and the other pillars
How to read the comparison correctly: Half of the points come from buyer's questions, i.e. things the buyer finds out before deciding. The other half measures how openly the company publishes its prices, terms and contact details. Clear differences in points indicate a genuine difference: one tells you the price immediately, another only after logging in. Close scores should not be read as a ranking order, because every measurement has a margin of variation. The measurement accuracy and the full calculation formula are open in the methodology.
Customer experience is brought into the assessment separately. We also collect customer feedback and customer experiences about companies through separate surveys. The survey results will be added to the overall assessment later.
Subscription versus one-off purchase determines the total cost. Adobe Premiere Pro is subscription-only, so the payment continues for as long as you use the software. Final Cut Pro (Mac) and DaVinci Resolve Studio are one-off purchases that you pay for once. Filmora and Camtasia both offer both models. The cheapest monthly price can become more expensive over the years than a single one-off purchase.
Free version limits vary wildly. DaVinci Resolve's free version is exceptionally comprehensive without a watermark. CapCut's mobile export is mostly watermark-free, but some effects and higher resolution require Pro. The free versions or trials of Filmora and Camtasia leave a watermark on the exported video. Check the watermark, resolution limit and feature locks before building your work on the free version.
Ownership and data location vary. DaVinci Resolve (Australia), Adobe Premiere and Final Cut (United States), CapCut (China, ByteDance), Filmora (China, Wondershare) and Camtasia (United States) all have different owners. We show the owning company for each. When using cloud services, it is worth reading where the project data is located.
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