What editing software does Hollywood use?
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In this guide
Hollywood editors mostly cut on Avid Media Composer, with Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve also used on feature films. All four are now available to anyone, and the free version of DaVinci Resolve is a strong place to start.
The programs once used only by major production studios are now on sale to everyone. They don't come cheap, but they let you produce studio-quality content with plenty of third-party support. Just be prepared to put in the training time if you want to get the most out of your chosen package.
Professional software packages will demand more of your computer’s processing power, so you just need to make sure that you are using a relatively new computer with decent specs. If you want to be 100% sure that your computer can handle the software, just look at the tech specs for each package, which tend to change over time. Also, I would recommend you take advantage of any free software trial periods on offer.
In this guide I go through the main editing programs, their pros and cons, and how to choose the right one.
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Premiere was called Premiere Pro until January 2026, when Adobe dropped the "Pro". It now includes AI tools and is part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. Its editing supports high resolution rates and integrates smoothly with Adobe products such as Illustrator, After Effects, and Photoshop.
Advantages. Tight integration with Adobe Creative Cloud; available on both Mac and PC; powerful and versatile.
Disadvantages. Requires a powerful computer; subscription-based pricing.
Movies edited. "Gone Girl," "Terminator: Dark Fate," "Hail, Caesar!", "A Ghost Story."
Price. From £21.98 a month including VAT on the annual plan billed monthly, checked on Adobe's UK site in October 2026. There's a seven day free trial.
Find it on the Adobe website.
Final Cut Pro
This is Apple's dedicated professional video editing tool. It is renowned for its modern interface and has a list of great features such as workflow enhancements and fast rendering on Apple computers. It now runs on iPad as well as Mac.
Advantages. Intuitive interface; optimised for Mac; professional-grade features.
Disadvantages. Available only on Apple devices (Mac and iPad), limiting collaboration; may be challenging for beginners.
Movies edited. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "No Country for Old Men," "Cold Mountain" (all on the original Final Cut Pro, before Final Cut Pro X arrived in 2011).
Price. £299.99 as a one-off purchase on the UK Mac App Store, or included in Apple Creator Studio at £12.99 a month or £129 a year, checked on Apple's UK site in October 2026.
Find it on the Apple website.
Avid Media Composer
Avid has been used in Hollywood for a number of years and is a staple. With loads of history Avid Media Composer has shaped the video editing industry for over three decades. Its reputation for quality and robust features makes it a favoured choice among professionals.
Advantages. Industry standard; robust features; supports PC and Mac.
Disadvantages. Steeper learning curve; the paid editions can be expensive.
Price. Avid's free edition, Media Composer First, is a good way to learn the industry standard. Since version 2026.8 in September 2026 it no longer limits the number of video and audio tracks or holds projects to HD, and projects move across to the paid editions if you upgrade (checked October 2026).
Movies edited. "Avatar," "The Martian," "Gran Torino."
Find it on the Avid website.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is an incredibly versatile program. It’s known in the industry for having one of the best colour grading engines and workflows. It has also evolved and has a very effective editing engine.
Advantages. World-renowned colour grading; versatile editing features; free version available.
Disadvantages. Requires a powerful computer; colour grading may be overwhelming for novices.
Price. DaVinci Resolve 21 is free. DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 is listed at £225 excluding VAT (about £270 including VAT), and was on offer at £185 excluding VAT when I checked Blackmagic Design's UK site in October 2026. It runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Find it on the Blackmagic Design website.
Pros and cons of each editor
Here's a table summarising the pros and cons of these editing software options for filmmaking.
| Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Premiere | Tight Adobe integration, versatile for all platforms, AI tools | Subscription model, high system demands |
| Final Cut Pro | Intuitive Mac-optimised interface, fast rendering | Apple only (Mac and iPad), steeper for non-Apple users |
| Avid Media Composer | Industry-standard reliability, robust collaboration features | Expensive, complex learning curve |
| DaVinci Resolve | Superior colour grading, free version available, all-in-one workflow | Resource-intensive, overwhelming for beginners |
How to choose the right editing software
Selecting editing software involves evaluating workflow needs, budget, and hardware. For collaborative projects, opt for cross-platform tools to facilitate team work. Consider scalability, and start with free versions to test features before committing. Match software to project type. Colour-heavy films benefit from advanced grading tools, while fast-paced edits need efficient rendering.
Integration with other tools
Editing software thrives in ecosystems. For instance, suite-based programs allow direct asset import from design tools, reducing workflow friction. Integration minimises errors and speeds production by enabling real-time updates across applications, enhancing efficiency for complex projects.
Free versus paid options
Free versions cover the core features but hold some back. The free DaVinci Resolve, for example, doesn't export above Ultra HD. Paid options provide scalability and professional outputs. Free tiers build skills without cost, while paid open up efficiency gains through premium integrations and updates, ideal for scaling productions.
Questions I get about editing software
What is the best editing software for beginners in filmmaking?
DaVinci Resolve's free version is a strong place to start. It gives you one of the best colour grading engines in the industry and a very effective editor at no cost, though the full program can feel like a lot at first. Take advantage of the free trials on the paid programs too before you commit. On a phone or iPad, start with one of the mobile editing apps.
Which editing software is most used in Hollywood?
Avid Media Composer. It has shaped the video editing industry for over three decades and is still the industry standard, chosen for its reliability and robust collaboration features in film and TV editing. "Avatar", "The Martian" and "Gran Torino" were all cut on it.
Is Adobe Premiere worth the subscription?
For most people working across platforms, yes. It runs on Mac and PC, includes AI tools and integrates tightly with Adobe products such as After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator. The catch is that you keep paying for as long as you use it, and it needs a powerful computer.
Can I use Final Cut Pro on Windows?
No. Final Cut Pro runs only on Apple devices (Mac and iPad), which limits collaboration with Windows users. If you need to work across Mac and PC, Adobe Premiere, Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve all run on both.
What free editing software rivals the paid editors?
DaVinci Resolve. The free version gives you its advanced colour grading and editing tools without cost, and works in resolutions up to Ultra HD. You only need to pay for DaVinci Resolve Studio if you want to go beyond that or need the extra features it adds.
Choosing your editing tool
These professional video editing software packages each have their unique strengths and potential drawbacks. By examining these tools and the prominent movies that have utilised them, content creators and educators can make informed decisions to suit their needs and preferences. Whether it's flexibility, specialisation, or a combination of both, these packages offer incredible opportunities for creative exploration and production. If you'd like to learn editing hands-on, have a look at my workshops.