Movavi or Davinci Resolve? What's better and how to choose the best for you

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Edited by
Ben Jacklin
18909

Movavi Video Editor and DaVinci Resolve are among the most popular video editing programs on the market, but they cater to different user groups. While Movavi is appreciated for its utmost ease of use, quick setup, and solid basic features, DaVinci Resolve excels with professional utilities for color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects.
In this Movavi Video Editor vs. DaVinci Resolve comparison, I’m going to analyze features, user interface, system requirements, pricing, and suitability for beginners versus professionals to determine how to choose and which software is best suited for which needs.

Which program is right for whom? – Target groups compared

So, what should you look out for when comparing DaVinci Resolve vs. Movavi?

Movavi Video Editor is primarily aimed at beginners and hobbyists who want to cut, edit, and share videos without a steep learning curve. Its super intuitive user interface, pre-made effects, and straightforward editing functions make it ideal for personal projects, school projects, or small social media productions. Movavi also offers other products for various purposes, such as the Slideshow Maker or the ultimate software package, Movavi Unlimited.

DaVinci Resolve, on the other hand, is designed primarily for professional users: folks like video producers, editors, colorists, and sound engineers. It contains a great amount of advanced features, including precise color correction, complex audio editing with Fairlight, and studio-quality visual effects. All these capacities make it particularly attractive for the professional film and television industry.

Comparison of Movavi Video Editor and DaVinci Resolve

Comparison parameter

Movavi Video Editor

DaVinci Resolve

Price

Free trial. From $17.95/month or $54.95/year

Free basic version, Studio version €355 (one-time payment)

Ratings

4.8/5 on Capterra – praised for user-friendliness

4.8/5 on Capterra – appreciated for professional features

Best for

Beginners, hobby video editors, social media content creators

Professional editors, colorists, post-production studios

Features

Multi-track timeline, filters, titles, AI tools, stabilization, chroma key

Video editing, color correction, visual effects (Fusion), audio (Fairlight)

Use case

Vlogs, tutorials, social media videos, presentations

Film and TV productions, professional video projects

Training

Simple tutorials, online help, YouTube videos

Extensive learning materials, courses, large community

Customer support

Email support, FAQ, help center

Community forum, official resources from Blackmagic Design

Main features

User interface

  • Movavi Video Editor: very self-explanatory, perfect for beginners with effortless drag-and-drop functionality
  • DaVinci Resolve: complex and modular, requires familiarization

Color correction

  • Movavi Video Editor: simple automatic color correction, filters, and manual adjustments are possible
  • DaVinci Resolve: professional color correction with nodes, HDR tools, LUTs, and color spaces

Visual effects

  • Movavi Video Editor: transitions, filters, stickers, animations, keyframe effects
  • DaVinci Resolve: advanced VFX with Fusion: compositing, tracking, 3D text, green screen

Audio editing

  • Movavi Video Editor: basic editing with equalizer, noise reduction, music library
  • DaVinci Resolve: high-end audio editing with Fairlight: mixer, effects, automation

Export options

  • Movavi Video Editor: direct export to YouTube, MP4, MOV, GIF, etc., presets for various devices available
  • DaVinci Resolve: multiple export formats, professional codecs, custom export settings

Advantages and disadvantages

Movavi Video Editor

movavi-vs-davinci-resolve
  • Very user-friendly, ideal for beginners without prior knowledge

  • Fast installation and smooth performance on most PCs

  • Many pre-made effects, filters, transitions, and titles

  • Supports numerous export formats and direct sharing to social networks

  • Affordable entry price compared to other tools

  • Limited professional features for color correction and audio

  • Watermark on projects if the full version is not purchased

DaVinci Resolve

movavi video editor vs davinci resolve
  • Professional color correction with industry-leading tools

  • Comprehensive audio editing through the Fairlight engine

  • Modular structure (Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight) for precise workflows

  • Free version with many features available

  • Regular updates and support from Blackmagic Design

  • High system requirements, especially for 4K or VFX projects

  • Complex operation, longer learning curve necessary for beginners

Customer reviews

Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor operates very quickly, feels easy to use, and works well for straightforward projects. It includes plenty of ready-made templates and doesn’t demand high-end hardware. Though it is not totally free of criticism. For example, some individuals complain that it misses some pro-level tools and that a few editing steps could be more clearly laid out.

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is extremely powerful and versatile. It offers excellent quality and a huge assortment of features. But many users agree that it can feel overwhelming for newcomers and usually requires learning through tutorials.

When should you pick each program?

If you’re on an older or lower-spec PC, Movavi Video Editor tends to be the safer bet. It stays smooth and stable even without strong hardware. For anyone without a background in editing who just wants solid results fast – think social clips, YouTube videos, or personal projects – Movavi’s clear layout and ready-made effects make the process stressless.

DaVinci Resolve, meanwhile, fits best when the work is more demanding or tied to professional post-production. If you need advanced color grading, detailed visual effects, or precise audio work (whether for film, advertising, or high-end video projects), you will find a powerful and versatile tool in Resolve. Just keep in mind that it benefits from powerful hardware and a willingness to get comfortable with more complex workflows.

Movavi Video Editor
Create awesome videos easily

*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.

Movavi Video Editor

Frequently asked questions

What are the limitations of Movavi Video Editor?

Movavi Video Editor is designed for ease of use and quick results, which also means it lacks some advanced features. Color correction is limited to basic sliders and doesn't allow for professional grading. Working with multiple video and audio tracks is also less flexible than with high-end programs. Furthermore, Movavi doesn't support OpenFX plugins or complex visual effects. The program is ideal for simple video projects, but it quickly reaches its limits with more elaborate productions.

Can DaVinci Resolve be used professionally?

Yes, DaVinci Resolve is an industry standard in the film and television industry and is used worldwide by professional editors, colorists, and sound designers. It offers a comprehensive range of features, including advanced color grading, Fusion for visual effects, Fairlight for audio production, and powerful editing tools. Many feature films, TV series, and commercials are post-processed with Resolve. The software is available in both a free and a paid version—the latter expanding its capabilities with even more features and plug-in support.

Is DaVinci Resolve suitable for beginners?

Yes, theoretically, you can use DaVinci Resolve as a beginner, but the learning process can be tiring. The interface is professionally designed and contains many features that can initially seem overwhelming to newcomers. If you're new to video editing or only want to work on simple projects, it's better to start with more user-friendly software like Movavi Video Editor. DaVinci is better suited for individuals who are willing to invest significant time and effort. Or those who already have experience in video production.

What are the system requirements for each program?

DaVinci Resolve requires a powerful system with a good CPU, plenty of RAM (at least 16 GB, ideally 32 GB), a dedicated graphics card, and an SSD to run smoothly. Color grading and rendering, in particular, are very resource-intensive. Movavi Video Editor, on the other hand, is significantly lighter and runs stably even on older or less powerful computers. This makes Movavi ideal for users with standard or entry-level hardware.

How good is the customer support for both programs?

Movavi Video Editor offers structured customer service with email support, a well-rounded help center, video tutorials, and multi-language materials for international customers. As a rule, users receive immediate responses to problems.

DaVinci Resolve, developed by Blackmagic Design, offers official forums, a user manual, and online training; however, its direct support is primarily geared towards professional users and larger productions. This can make getting started more challenging without additional research or tutorials.

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