The world of filming and video editing is an expansive one. It requires creativity, technical skills, and of course, the right tools.
For a long time, Adobe Premiere Pro has been the go-to choice for many filmmakers and editors. However, in recent years, other options have emerged that offer similar (and in some cases better) functionality at a fraction of the price or even free.
One of these is DaVinci Resolve, which is a comprehensive video editing suite that is also free to download and use. Another option is HitFilm Express, which is a more stripped-down but still powerful video editor that is also free.
Given how good the two software are, it’s really difficult to pick the better tool. To make it easier for you, in this article, we will compare the two software in and out. Hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll be able to decide which one to consider.
Let’s get started.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free video editing software that has a wide range of features. It is a great choice for those who are just starting out in video editing, as it is relatively easy to use and has a wide range of tutorials available.
It also has a number of features that are aimed at more experienced users, such as the ability to add Green Screen effects, 3D titles, and animation.
The software was made by FXhome and it offers loads of customizable preset options to create your masterpiece.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive video editing suite that is also free to download and use. It is a great choice for those who want more advanced features, such as color grading and 3D rendering.
It is the free version of the popular DaVinci Resolve Studio, which is used by Hollywood professionals.
The software is owned by Blackmagic Design and it offers a wide range of features for both beginners and experienced users.
Despite being a free tool, DaVinci Resolve has the feature set to keep newbies occupied for at least a few months before they need to start paying for the more expensive options out there.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Ease of Use
Not everyone is a professional video editor, so it’s important that the software you choose is easy to use.
HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve both have a steep learning curve, but HitFilm Express is slightly easier to get the hang of. However, once you get past the initial learning curve, both software are equally user-friendly.
HitFilm
The main users of HitFilm are Vloggers, YouTubers, and Independent filmmakers. The software is very versatile and can be used for a variety of projects. If you’re just starting out, HitFilm Express is a great place to start.
It arms them with lots of how-tos and projects that will walk users through the basics of video editing.
As long as you can execute basic editing, the software is very user-friendly and intuitive.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve targets companies that need it for high-grade film editing and advanced color grading. The software is not as user-friendly as HitFilm Express since it was designed for professionals.
However, if you are willing to put in the time to learn the software, it is very powerful and has a lot of features that HitFilm Express does not have, but if you only need it for some light editing, then most of its features will go to waste.
Verdict
If you are just starting out in video editing, then HitFilm Express is the better choice. It is easier to use and has a lot of tutorials to help you get started.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: User Interface
It is no secret that a lot of people find video editing very complicated and time-consuming. This is one of the main reasons why some people avoid this activity altogether.
However, an intuitive and user-friendly interface can make a world of difference, and this is where DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm Express differ the most.
HitFilm Express
Unless you are introducing too many add-ons, the interface of HitFilm Express is quite straightforward.
There are different tabs for Media, Effects, and Compositing, which makes it easy to find what you are looking for. The workspace is also customizable, so you can move the panels around and create a setup that works best for you.
DaVinci Resolve
The interface of DaVinci Resolve is a bit more complicated than that of HitFilm Express. However, it is still relatively easy to use, especially if you are familiar with other video editing software.
The interface is divided into sections. Each section has its own tab, which makes it a bit easy to find the tools you need.
There are also a lot of shortcuts that you can use to speed up your workflow. Although it doesn’t have a lot of layout flexibility options, you can still customize the workspace to some extent.
Verdict
While both software are designed to be user-friendly, DaVinci Resolve has a more sophisticated interface that may be overwhelming for some users, especially those who are new to video editing. On the other hand, HitFilm Express has a much simpler interface that is easy to navigate and understand.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Hardware Requirements
Hardware requirements are very important when choosing video editing software. You need to make sure that your computer can handle the software you want to use. Otherwise, you will not be able to use the software to its full potential.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a pretty demanding program. It requires a 3GHz processor, 8GB of RAM, and a minimum of 3GB of free hard drive space. It also requires a compatible graphics card with not less than 2GB of memory.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a bit more demanding than HitFilm Express, but it still requires a powerful computer. It requires a 3GHz processor, 16GB of RAM, and a minimum of 5GB of free hard drive space. It also requires a compatible graphics card with a minimum of 4GB of memory.
Verdict
Both HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve require a powerful computer. However, DaVinci Resolve is more demanding than HitFilm Express.
If you have a powerful computer, then either software will work great for you. If you do not have a powerful computer, then you may want to choose HitFilm Express over DaVinci Resolve.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Features
Features of video editing software are important to consider when trying to decide which software is best for you. Here, we will take a look at the features of HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve to help you make your decision.
HitFilm Express
Advanced Tracking And Screen Simulation
One of the best features of HitFilm Express is the advanced tracking and screen simulation.
This feature lets you track objects in your video and simulate how they would look on a screen. This is great for adding special effects to your video or for creating realistic simulations.
It also replaces a greenscreen with your video footage, so you don’t need to worry about buying or setting up a greenscreen.
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Sky Replacement Tool
With the sky replacement feature, you can easily replace the sky in your video with a new one. This is great for videos that were shot on a cloudy day or for videos where you want to add a different sky to it.
The tool is easy to use and it only takes a few clicks to replace the sky in your video. You can also use this feature to add a sunset or sunrise to your video.
Masking And Layering Technique
Another great feature of HitFilm Express is the masking and layering technique. This enables you to add multiple layers to your video and then mask them so that only certain parts of the video are visible.
This is great for creating special effects or for adding multiple videos to one video.
3D Models
With HitFilm Express, you can also add 3D models to your video. This is great for creating simulations or for adding special effects to your video.
Sci-Fi Visual Effects
HitFilm allows you to create some amazing sci-fi visual effects. This is great for adding special effects or for creating a realistic simulation.
You can also use this feature to create a realistic simulation of space travel.
DaVinci Resolve
Intelligent Media Management
One challenge with video editing can be keeping track of all your media, but DaVinci Resolve has an intelligent media management system that helps you keep track of all your media.
This is great for large projects or for projects that have a lot of different media files. You can also use this feature to keep track of your media on multiple devices.
DaVinci Resolve also has an integrated production tracker, so you can keep track of your project from start to finish. You can create specific path files for your project, so you can easily find your media later.
Blackmagic Proxy Generator
This is a great feature for those who want to create proxies for their videos.
A proxy is a lower-quality version of your video that can be used for editing.
You can also download proxy files offline and then switch to the full-quality video when you are ready to export your project.
The generator simplifies the process of creating proxies and makes it easy to do.
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Auto Align Clips
This is a solid feature for those who want to line up their video and audio clips.
For example, if you have an interview and the audio is not perfectly in sync with the video, you can use this feature to automatically align the two. It can save you a lot of time in post-production.
Render Cache
Sometimes, rendering can be a time-consuming process. The Render Cache feature in DaVinci Resolve can help you speed up the rendering process by caching your renders.
This means that you can continue working on your project while the render is being cached in the background. The cache can then be used to quickly render your project later.
Color Grading
DaVinci Resolve is known for its powerful color grading features. You can create custom LUTs (lookup tables) and use them to color-grade your video.
Its color correction tool lets you adjust the image’s hue, saturation, and lightness. You can also use color grading tools to match the look of different shots in your video.
DaVinci Resolve also has a 3D keyer that lets you key out green screens easily. This is a great feature for those who want to create professional-looking videos.
Verdict
For the most part, DaVinci Resolve is the better video editing software in terms of features. It has a few more features and is more powerful than HitFilm Express.
However, it may be overkill for those who only need basic video editing features, but it can be good to have some of these features in your arsenal without having to pay for them.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Formats and Resolution
Another consideration is the file formats and resolutions that each software support. If you are working with 4K or even 8K footage, then you need to make sure that your software can handle it.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express enables you to edit and export your video in a variety of file formats and resolutions.
The software can handle up to 4K UHD resolution, which is great if you are working with high-resolution footage. You can also export your video in popular file formats such as MP4, MOV, and AVI.
DaVinci Resolve
Like HitFilm Express, DaVinci Resolve also supports a variety of file formats and resolutions. It does support a longer list of file formats than HitFilm Express.
This means that you have more options when it comes to exporting your video.
Verdict
This bout is a tie because both HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve support a variety of file formats and resolutions.
While DaVinci Resolve has an out-of-the-box edge over HitFilm Express because it supports more formats, HitFilm Express makes up for it with add-ons that give you more functionalities than DaVinci Resolve.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Integrations
Integrations are like icing on the cake. They add more value to the software and make your work easier. When it comes to integrations, both HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve are pretty good.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express comes with a wide range of add-ons and integrations. You can find almost any type of integration you need for video editing. For example, there are integrations for color correction, audio editing, and even special effects.
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DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve also integrates with a lot of software and plugins. However, the plugins are not as many as you’d find on HitFilm Express. For example, you might need to add an MKV converter to DaVinci Resolve if you want to edit MKV files, but this option is not available.
Verdict
HitFilm Express is the winner when it comes to integrations since it offers more.
HitFilm Express vs DaVinci Resolve: Upgrade Pricing
We have established that both DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm Express are free versions of paid software. As such, there are certain features that are locked behind a paywall. If you want to use those features, you will need to upgrade to the paid version.
HitFilm Express
The price of upgrading from HitFilm Express to HitFilm Creator and Pro plans is $6.25 and $9.99 respectively. Refer to the official website for the latest pricing.
This gives you access to features such as unlimited exports up to 8K, 3D objects, more songs and templates, and a bunch of other things.
DaVinci Resolve
As seen on the product website, the price of upgrading from DaVinci Resolve to the Studio version is $295. This version supports up to 120fps, 32K editing, multiple, GPUs for rendering, and more.
Verdict
Which software has a better upgrade price? It depends on what you need. If you need more video editing features, then HitFilm Express is the better option since its free version doesn’t have a lot of those, plus it’s cheaper on a monthly basis.
However, if you are a pro that needs advanced video and audio features, DaVinci Resolve Studio is the better option and has a better price since you only pay once.
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Pros and Cons
HitFilm Express Pros
- HitFilm Express is free for video editing
- It is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface
- HitFilm Express can be used to create both 2D and 3D videos
- It has a large number of add-ons to improve your video editing experience
- It supports a wide range of video formats
HitFilm Express Cons
- It can be challenging to create complex videos with HitFilm Express
- The free version has limited features compared to the paid version
- There’s a bit of a learning curve to applying effects
DaVinci Resolve Pros
- DaVinci Resolve is a free full-fledged video editing software
- It has tons of built-in features
- It supports a wide range of video formats
- DaVinci Resolve can handle high-resolution footage
DaVinci Resolve Cons
- The interface can be confusing for first-time users
- It doesn’t have as many plugins and add-ons as HitFilm Express
- The upgraded price is relatively high even though it’s a one-off fee
Similarities & Differences
Both HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve are great video editing software, but they have their own unique set of features. Here is a quick rundown of the similarities and differences between the two:
Similarities
- Both software are available for free
- Both software have a wide range of features
- Both software are compatible with a wide range of formats
Differences
- HitFilm Express has more video effects than DaVinci Resolve
- DaVinci Resolve has better color correction and grading tools than HitFilm Express
- HitFilm Express is easier to use than DaVinci Resolve
- DaVinci Resolve has way more features than HitFilm Express and can handle more complex projects
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Best Software like HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve
Though both HitFilm Express and DaVinci are great at what they do but if you still want to explore more tools, here are a couple of great options that are free and packed with features:
1. MiniTool MovieMaker
MiniTool MovieMaker is a great 100% free video editing software that offers a wide range of features. It’s simple to use and ideal for beginners.
This software supports the most popular video formats and codecs. It also has a wide range of built-in video effects, transitions, and titles.
Just about anybody can find something to like in MovieMaker. However, its biggest selling point is how intuitive and user-friendly it is.
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2. Shotcut
Shotcut is another free video editor that you can use instead of MovieMaker. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux OS and has a 64-bit version.
Shotcut has many features such as 4K Resolution support, Docking panels to customize your layout, Multitrack Timeline for easy editing, Frame accuracy for sub-frame transitions, keyframes for filters, and more.
It supports a lot of audio and video formats and codecs such as WebM, ProRes, AVCHD, H.264, and more.
Conclusion
From a technical standpoint, both HitFilm Express and DaVinci Resolve are excellent video editing software. However, when it comes to deciding which one is the best for you, it really depends on your needs.
If you need a more user-friendly interface, then HitFilm Express would be the better choice.
However, if you need more advanced features and functionality, then DaVinci Resolve would be the better option. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you need from your video editing software.
