So, you're looking to change video editors... good choice!

In 2024, there are so many amazing platforms out there, and as someone who has used Premiere Pro for the majority of my 20 years of editing, recently my eyes were opened to DaVinci Resolve and CapCut and I haven't looked back.

This comparison of CapCut vs. DaVinci will help you decide which tool meets your needs. Now that I've seen them and what they can do, there's no way I'm ever going back to Premiere.

So, which is the better editor of the two? After using both Capcut and DaVinci for editing my YouTube videos, I've got some pretty definite observations and insights that will help you make that decision. Stick around to the end if you want the full list. I won't cover every single feature, but I will share the main differences between the two that I've noticed and ultimately who I think each software is for.

Pricing 🤑

DaVinci and CapCut are completely free. You don't need to pay a cent to use either one, although they both have paid versions: DaVinci at $295 USD and CapCut at either $8 or $9 USD per month. These are optional and not essential for most use cases; therefore, pricing isn't really a factor.

Ease of Use 🛠️

CapCut is probably the easiest software I've ever used. I picked it up in literally 10 minutes. It has a very similar layout to other editors, and they've really simplified the user experience. Most features are either drag-and-drop, or various tools can very easily be found in the extremely simplified menus.

DaVinci Resolve, on the other hand, is more complex and nuanced with a lot more features, therefore requiring more learning time. While you can learn the basics in under an hour, mastering the entire program will take quite a bit longer. 

Trimming & Editing ✂

Both can handle basic trimming and editing of clips well. However, a big downside of CapCut is its inability to do multi-track editing efficiently. For example, when adding a text layer and using the Ripple trim feature, only the video track is trimmed, leaving the text layer out of sync. This makes editing multiple layers frustrating and time-consuming.

In DaVinci Resolve, the same action trims all layers simultaneously, making it much more efficient for multi-track editing. If you like editing with lots of tracks, this will be a big issue in CapCut and slow down your edits.

Interactive Viewer 🔤

Moving and centering text in CapCut is super easy with its interactive viewer, which DaVinci lacks.

Inbuilt Templates 📑

CapCut also offers a more extensive inbuilt library of transitions and animations that are ready-to-use.

DaVinci relies more on creating your own effects within the Fusion Tab, which can result in more advanced effects but requires more manual effort.

Color Correction 🎨

DaVinci Resolve is renowned for its color correction capabilities, being the best software for this purpose used in Hollywood. It allows for intricate color grading and adjustments.

Surprisingly, CapCut offers decent color correction options, including color scopes, HSL adjustments, and color wheels, making it good enough for most use cases even though it’s not as advanced as DaVinci.

Sound Editing 🔊

CapCut's audio editing is limited. The waveforms are small and hard to see, making it difficult to edit audio tracks embedded in video clips.

DaVinci Resolve provides a dedicated audio track with larger, more visible waveforms and an entire tab called Fairlight for advanced audio editing.

Captions 🔡

CapCut offers automatic captions for free, which are stylish and come with various templates, making them ideal for social media.

DaVinci Resolve requires the paid version for automatic captions, and even then, they may not be as polished as CapCut's.

Advanced Features 🚀

While CapCut does have some advanced features like Auto Cutout and Relight, it's primarily designed for a beginner-friendly audience.

DaVinci Resolve, however, is packed with advanced features across multiple tabs for comprehensive video editing workflows, making it the best choice for professional use.

Mobile Friendly📱

CapCut is highly mobile-friendly, allowing you to edit on various devices, including phones, tablets, and browsers.

DaVinci Resolve has an iPad app but no mobile app, and the best experience is on a desktop.

Export Settings ⚙️

CapCut’s export settings are basic with a maximum resolution of 4K and limited customization options.

DaVinci Resolve offers more options, including various formats and higher resolutions up to 32K with the paid version.

Export Limitations 🚫

CapCut has a 15-minute export limit for free users, while DaVinci allows 4K exports for free but higher resolutions require the paid version.

Performance Speed ⚡

CapCut is fast for both editing and exporting.

DaVinci Resolve can be demanding on your computer, especially with multi-track editing and 4K clips, potentially causing crashes.

However, upgrading to DaVinci Resolve Studio with GPU acceleration can significantly improve performance.

My Recommendations 📝

Both CapCut and DaVinci Resolve are fantastic editors. If you’re a complete beginner wanting to start a YouTube channel or make your own content with a minimal learning curve, CapCut is the obvious choice. It’s easy to learn, fast to use, and has a lot of great features.

For more experienced creators looking for a modern editor that handles advanced features, effects, color correction, audio, and export customization, DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio is the right choice. It offers a much faster trimming workflow and more advanced options.

Personally, I’ll be using both. CapCut is great for simple videos with cool graphics and automatic captions optimized for social media. My main editor will be DaVinci Resolve for bigger projects with more advanced needs. Even if you are an experienced editor, trying CapCut might surprise you with how fun and easy it makes video editing.

If you're going to give CapCut a go, download my free CapCut keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet to edit 10 times faster.

 🎁 FREE CapCut Shortcuts Guide Here 🎁