CapCut vs DaVinci Resolve
CapCut and DaVinci Resolve side by side: what each one is, what it costs to start, and whether you can try it free. Everything below comes from the vendors' own sites and other public sources, not from hands-on testing.
At a glance
| CapCut | DaVinci Resolve | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Video & Motion | Video & Motion |
| Starting price | $19.99/mo (checked October 2026) | Free / $295 (checked October 2026) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Profile | Read profile | Read profile |
Prices are in US dollars unless shown otherwise. Confirm the current price on the vendor's site before you buy.
Key differences
Both list a free tier, so you can try each before paying.
DaVinci Resolve has the lower starting price ($0/mo against $19.99/mo for CapCut). The cheapest plan rarely has the same limits or features, so compare plans before choosing on price.
Both are in our Video & Motion category.
About each tool
CapCut
ByteDance's video editor for desktop, web and mobile, with AI captions, background removal, templates and AI video generation. Free plan; Pro from $19.99/mo.
Who it is for
Content creators making videos for YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, plus marketers and small businesses using the business templates. CapCut's homepage also names casual users editing vlogs or trip footage.
Strengths
- Free plan available, with no credit card needed to start
- Available on desktop (Windows and macOS), web and mobile (iOS and Android)
- CapCut's caption page describes its AI caption tool as free to use and lists support for 20+ languages
- Export options listed: web up to 4K, desktop 2K and 4K up to 60fps, mobile 720p to 2K or 4K where supported
- Pro and Teams plans list 1 TB of cloud storage; Teams adds a brand kit
Limitations
- Free exports can carry a watermark when some templates, effects or stock elements are used
- AI generation is credit-based: Pro lists 1,200 monthly AI credits, Ultra 8,645 and Teams 1,200 per seat
- On mobile, subscribing goes through App Store or Google Play billing, and the pricing page does not state per-platform price differences
DaVinci Resolve
Video editing, color, effects and audio software for Mac, Windows and Linux. A free version is available; the Studio version is listed at $295 and adds Neural Engine AI tools.
Who it is for
Editors, colourists and post-production teams working on video projects. Blackmagic lists multi-user collaboration for several people working on the same project at once.
Strengths
- A free version is available for Mac, Windows and Linux
- The free version supports Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) up to 60 fps
- The free version includes multi-user collaboration on the same project
- Studio is listed at $295 and adds the DaVinci Neural Engine, more Resolve FX and Fairlight FX plug-ins, stereoscopic tools and advanced HDR grading
Limitations
- The free version is limited to Ultra HD and 60 fps; Studio goes up to 32K and 120 fps
- Neural Engine AI features, such as AI noise reduction and Magic Mask, are listed under Studio and not the free version
- Some tools need specific hardware; for example, Blackmagic lists Voice Convert as needing a GPU with 8 GB of video memory
- The iPad version has fewer features than the desktop version, and Studio on iPad is an in-app purchase
