DaVinci Resolve is software that shouldn’t exist, yet it does: a free professional-grade video editor. There is a paid-for version, known as DaVinci Resolve Studio, which includes additional features. For instance, Studio allows you to export a project up to 32K at 120fps, whereas Resolve is limited to a 4K / 60 fps export - which should be more than enough. So, most budding editors looking for the best video editing software will be more than satisfied with the free features. Many features of Studio are like cherries on top - something that will improve the quality of your project but isn’t crucial to its creation, like advanced noise removal, motion blur, and HDR colour grading, for instance. If you’re seriously into visual effects, you’ll love the AI Neural Engine, and the additional visual and audio effects plugins only available with Studio. We recommend starting with Resolve and graduating to the upgrade in and when you’re ready. The learning curve won’t be as steep and you’ll be familiar with the interface.
As our top pick for best free video editing software, Resolve still comes with exceedingly powerful tools - and a genuinely professional toolkit for everything from Hollywood features to YouTube clips. But how do you get DaVinci Resolve?
(Image credit: Blackmagic Design) DaVinci Resolve started its life in 2004, but was acquired 5 years later by Australian company, Blackmagic Design. They’ve continuously improved the software since, offering a free version since 2011. You’ll see two choices: ‘Davinci Resolve’ and ‘Davinci Resolve Studio’.
(Image credit: Blackmagic Design) Some companies think they’re being helpful by automatically noticing which computer you’re visiting their site with, and selecting that download option by default for you. If you’re checking out a site using a PC but need an install for a Linux machine though, it’s always a pain having to navigate through other links to find what you need. Thankfully, Blackmagic is not like that. Of course it knows what type of computer you’re using, but the company doesn't presume to know what installer you need.
So, select the one of your choice, be it Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux. Blackmagic will also offer the option of purchasing Studio by giving you links to installers for that software on the right.
(Image credit: Blackmagic Design) Before you can grab your prize, you’ll need to offer Blackmagic Design some of your personal information. Nothing out of the ordinary, and as always, everything with a ‘*’ is compulsory. Why? Because that’s the price of admission. There’s also a section asking what you’ll use the software for, and which features you’d like Blackmagic Design to add. Both are optional, so you can easily skip them, unless you have things to say you think the developers would like to read.
Once you’re ready, scroll to the bottom, and click on 'Register & Download’.
(Image credit: Blackmagic Design) Once the Installer has fully downloaded, double-click on it, follow the instructions and let it do its thing. Usually, this process is much quicker than how long it took to download it in the first place. And that’s it. Blackmagic Design has acquired many other apps through the years, but you don’t need to download and install them separately: one install brings them all to you in one fell swoop, within a single interface. Resolve shouldn’t launch automatically for you, but you can locate it where all your other applications reside.
(Image credit: Blackmagic Design) DaVinci Resolve’s interface is divided into seven sections which are called ‘Pages’. You can access them via the seven icons at the bottom of the interface, or through the Workspace menu in the MenuBar. Each is designed for specific and particular functions, although it is possible to perform other functions other than the one is it focused on. For instance, you can edit both in ‘Edit’ and in ‘Cut’.
From left to right, the Pages are Media (where you import and organize your clips, and everything else you need for your project), Cut (which is essentially where you start building your edit), Edit (more fine tuning with access to some special effects such as transitions and key framing), Fusion (the heart of special effects, built around the concept of nodes), Colour (for color correction and grading), Fairlight (where you can perform complex audio work), and finally Deliver (where you set up your export protocols).
DaVinci Resolve is incredibly powerful and includes a free version with all core editing features. The best approach is to start with the free version to learn the basics, then consider Studio if you need advanced tools.
The free version works with virtually all 8-bit video formats at up to 60fps in resolutions as high as Ultra HD 3840 x 2160. Includes everything in the free version plus the DaVinci AI Neural Engine, dozens of additional Resolve FX, temporal and AI spatial noise reduction, text based editing, magic mask, film grain, optical blur and more. Hollywood’s most popular solution for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction and audio post production, for Mac, Windows and Linux.
When you’re ready to install, use the official site, choose your OS, and follow the on-screen prompts to download the installer. The installer size is usually 2-3 GB, depending on your operating system. You may wish to update your GPU drivers if you run into playback issues, and you can adjust timeline resolution or generate proxies for smoother performance during editing.
The DaVinci Resolve family also includes hardware control options like the DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard, Speed Editor, and various color panels and Fairlight hardware consoles designed to speed up your workflow. These tools are optional but can significantly enhance efficiency for seasoned editors. If you’re new to the software, focus on learning the Pages, basic editing, and color correction first, then explore the more advanced features as you gain confidence.
To recap: you can download DaVinci Resolve for free, install it on Windows, macOS, or Linux, and begin editing right away. If you outgrow the free version, you can upgrade to Studio to unlock additional effects, 3D capabilities, and higher export resolutions. The software is designed to be accessible for beginners yet powerful enough for professionals, with an interface that helps you work quickly across editing, color, VFX, motion graphics, and audio in one integrated environment.
Frequently asked questions
- Is DaVinci Resolve free to download?
Yes. The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes nearly all professional editing, color grading, and audio tools. The paid Studio version adds advanced features like HDR grading, noise reduction, and more codec support.
- How do I install DaVinci Resolve on Windows?
Download the Windows installer from the official site. Run the .exe file and follow the setup wizard. Accept the license agreement and click Install. Restart your PC if prompted.
- How do I install DaVinci Resolve on Mac?
Download the .dmg installer for macOS. Open the file and drag DaVinci Resolve into Applications. Launch it, enter your admin password if required, and complete the setup.
- How do I install DaVinci Resolve on Linux?
On Linux, unzip the downloaded file and run the .run installer via terminal. On Debian-based systems (like Ubuntu), you can use the makeresolvedeb script to create and install a .deb package.
- How big is the DaVinci Resolve download file?
The installer size is usually 2-3 GB, depending on your operating system.
- Do I need a powerful computer to install DaVinci Resolve?
Yes. At minimum: 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended for 4K editing); dedicated GPU with 4 GB VRAM; SSD or NVMe storage for smooth playback.
- Can I install DaVinci Resolve on multiple computers?
Yes. The free version can be installed on as many systems as you want.
