Switching to Free Video Editors in 2024 : CapCut and DaVinci Resolve
Jun 03, 2024
After two decades of using various major video editors, it's a bit surreal to say, but in 2024, I'm switching to free options. Premiere Pro has been my go-to for the past decade, serving me well for YouTube, course content, and professional projects. However, I've recently discovered alternatives that have opened my eyes.
Most video editors offer similar functions: import footage, cut, add b-roll, sound, music, text, effects, final edits, polish, and export. Some excel in advanced features, while others are more basic. Some are time-consuming, others quick. Some are pricey, others not.
While Premiere offers advanced features, it lacks the fast workflow and cost-effectiveness I seek in 2024.
Premiere vs. DaVinci Resolve vs. CapCut
Enter DaVinci Resolve and CapCut, which tick all three boxes. Both cover basic to advanced editing, including:
â Color correction
â Visual effects
â Sound editing
The best part? Their free versions are fully functional.
While they offer paid upgrades, you don't need them unless you want extra features. Even then, the cost is nowhere near Premiere's long-term expense.
Some argue that a video editor is a justifiable expense for professionals. While that's true, why spend money when you don't have to? In 2024, there are countless subscriptions and paid services. Paying for something you can get for free elsewhere doesn't make sense, especially when the alternatives offer more.
Why CapCut is Great â
CapCut is more beginner-friendly, with a user-friendly interface suitable for novices and professionals. It boasts a massive template library that includes modern text effects, transitions, sound effects, and graphic overlays, along with a royalty-free music library.
This ease of use and built-in features speed up editing significantly compared to Premiere Pro, which lacks frequent updates and modern templates.
CapCut's multi-device compatibility allows editing on desktop, phone, tablet, and internet browser, offering flexibility that Premiere Pro lacks. Its advanced features, like background removal and filters, further enhance its appeal.
Why Switch to DaVinci Resolve? ð€
DaVinci Resolve is ideal for advanced projects, offering finer control over edits, especially in color correction. Even After Effects users should consider Da Vinci Resolve for its Fusion tab, a counterpart to After Effects with advanced capabilities.
As creatives, we tend to stick with what we know, but in today's rapidly evolving landscape, it's crucial to have the best tools. Transitioning to DaVinci Resolve and CapCut has transformed my content creation, allowing me to focus more on ideas and less on editing.
Learning new platforms is easy, especially CapCut and DaVinci Resolve, which are intuitive and quick to pick up.
While Premiere Pro may still have some advantages, they're outweighed by DaVinci Resolve and CapCut's benefits. Adobe's lack of innovation over the past decade prompted my switch. I hope they improve, but for now, I'll stick with DaVinci Resolve and CapCut.
Key Takeaways:
- Premiere Pro: Advanced but lacks quick workflow and cost-effectiveness in 2024.
- DaVinci Resolve: Excellent for advanced editing and color correction; free version is fully functional.
- CapCut: Beginner-friendly with modern templates and multi-device compatibility; speeds up the editing process significantly.
Transitioning to free video editing software in 2024 has been a game-changer for my projects.
Explore DaVinci Resolve and CapCut, and see how they can enhance your content creation process!