vioscaleAI
Comparison

Final Cut Pro vs Lightworks

On the evidence we track, Final Cut Pro leads this comparison with a composite score of 66/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Final Cut Pro full profile →Lightworks full profile →
Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
★Final Cut Pro66
Lightworks47
Score
vioscaleAI score
Final Cut Pro66 / 100medium · 58%
Lightworks47 / 100medium · 54%
Pricing
Free tier
Final Cut Pro✗
Lightworks✓
Model
Final Cut Procommercial
Lightworksfreemium
Price level
Final Cut Prolow
Lightworkslow
Starting price
Final Cut Pro$2.99
Lightworks–
Transparent
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✗
Integrations
Count
Final Cut Pro–
Lightworks4
Security
Disclosure policy
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks–
Gdpr
Final Cut Pro–
Lightworks✓
Reliability
Status page
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks–
Market
Availability
Content
Faq
Final Cut Pro3 items
Lightworks7 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for video editing software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Editing
Professional NLE (multi-track finishing)
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✓
Colour grading
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✓
Multicam editing
Final Cut Pro-
Lightworks-
Technical
4K/8K + HDR support
Final Cut Pro-
Lightworks✓
Codec breadth (ProRes / HEVC / AV1 / RAW)
Final Cut ProProRes RAW, HEVC, H.264, MXF
LightworksProRes, AVID DNxHD, AVID DNxHR, H.264, AVC-Intra, Cineform
GPU acceleration
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks-
AI
AI features (captions / text-to-video / voice)
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks-
Capture
Screen recording built-in
Final Cut Pro-
Lightworks-
Platform
Platform breadth (Win / macOS / Linux / iOS / Android / Web)
Final Cut ProMac and iPad
LightworksWindows, macOS, Linux
Collaboration
Cloud collaboration / team review
Final Cut Pro-
Lightworks✓
Pricing
Pricing model
Final Cut ProPerpetual
LightworksFreemium
Free / open-source available
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✓

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Final Cut Pro

Leader

Professional video editing software for Mac and iPad that combines powerful editing capabilities with AI-powered intelligence features to create polished, pro-quality videos.

Independently observed

Lightworks

Desktop-based video editing platform supporting timeline editing, color grading, visual effects, and cloud collaboration. Offers perpetual ownership or subscription options across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Final Cut Pro

Leader
from $2.99/moHybrid30-day trial

From $2.99/month (students/educators) or $12.99/month (regular). Free 30-day trial. Also available as a one-time $299.99 purchase.

  • Apple Creator Studio$12.99/month or $129/year (after 30-day free trial)
  • Student/Educator$2.99/month or $29.99/year for students and educators
  • One-Time Purchase$299.99 one-time purchase
as of verify ↗

Lightworks

freemiumFree tier

Free tier; subscription and perpetual (pay-once) options available

  • FreeFree
    • Timeline Editing
    • 720p HD Export
    • Automatic Saving
    • Advanced Transitions
    • Simple VFX
  • Create-
    • 4K Video Export
    • Social Media Templates
    • NewBlue Titler Pro
    • Dynamic Motion Graphics
    • Powerful Colour Controls
    • +4 more
  • Pro-
    • 10-Bit Support
    • Audio and Video Plugin Support
    • Increased File Formats
    • Advanced Video Effects
    • Custom Format Creation
    • +5 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
iOS
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✗
macOS
Final Cut Pro✓
Lightworks✓
Windows
Final Cut Pro✗
Lightworks✓
Linux
Final Cut Pro✗
Lightworks✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Final Cut Pro–
Lightworks✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Final Cut Pro

Leader

Not documented yet.

Lightworks

4 total
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive
  • NewBlue Titler Pro
  • NewBlue TotalFX
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Final Cut Pro or Lightworks: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.