DaVinci Resolve Free
A complete editor and colorist at no cost
The free edition of DaVinci Resolve is not a trial. It does not expire, it does not stamp a watermark on your exports and it includes the same core pages the paid version uses.
Below is a plain list of what you get, where the limits are and how to tell whether you will ever need to upgrade. For most creators, the answer is a long time from now, if ever.
- $0No payment, no expiry
- No watermarkExport clean files
- UHDUp to 3840 × 2160 output
- Pro toolsReal editing and grading
What you get with DaVinci Resolve free
Anything a typical video project needs is already there. You can ingest media, edit on a multi-track timeline, grade with the full set of color tools, add titles and effects, mix audio and deliver to common formats.
Full editing
Cut and Edit pages, multi-track timelines, trimming, speed changes, nested clips, titles and transitions.
Professional color
Primary and secondary correction, curves, qualifiers, windows, tracking and node-based looks.
Fusion effects
Node-based compositing for keying, cleanup, motion graphics and 3D text.
Fairlight audio
A built-in audio workstation with mixing, EQ, dynamics and loudness tools.
Wide format support
Import and export popular camera and delivery formats without conversion tools.
No time limit
Use it for as long as you like, for personal or commercial projects.
DaVinci Resolve free vs Studio
| Feature | Free | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Editing, color, Fusion and Fairlight pages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Export without watermark | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Output up to UHD 3840 × 2160 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Resolution above UHD | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Higher frame rates for large projects | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Neural engine AI tools | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Advanced noise reduction | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Multiple GPU support | — No | ✓ Yes |
In short, the free edition limits resolution and leaves out several computationally heavy tools. The workflow itself is the same.
Is the free version enough for you?
Ask yourself three questions. Do you deliver in HD or UHD? Do you need heavy AI or noise reduction tools? Do you work on very large high frame rate projects? If the answers are "yes, no, no", the free version is more than enough.
YouTube, short films, corporate videos, weddings, music videos and social campaigns are all comfortable territory. Many working editors never move to Studio.
- YouTube and social media videos
- Wedding and event films
- Short films and documentaries
- Student projects and portfolios
- Music videos and promos
- Learning color grading from scratch
Getting the most from the free edition
Use proxy media and render cache to keep playback smooth on lighter computers. Learn one page at a time. Save your best looks as stills so you can reuse them. When you hit a clear limit, only then compare the Studio features, so any upgrade solves a real problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is DaVinci Resolve really free?
Yes. The standard version is free with no expiry date and no watermark. The paid Studio edition is optional.
What are the limits of DaVinci Resolve free?
Mainly a cap on output resolution and frame rate, plus missing Studio-only tools such as neural engine features and advanced noise reduction.
Can I use the free version for commercial work?
Yes, it can be used for client and commercial projects. Check the license terms in the installer for details.
Does the free version export 4K?
It supports UHD output, which is the common consumer 4K size.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. Your projects remain compatible when you move to Studio.
Get DaVinci Resolve free
Download the free edition and start your first project without entering a card number.