DaVinci Resolve vs. Pinnacle Studio

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
DaVinci Resolve
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Australian company Blackmagic Design offers their video editing application DaVinci Resolve for a wide range of high quality ultra HD effects, render queue, and video uploading options among other features.
$0
Free
Pinnacle Studio
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Corel Corporation offers the Pinnacle Studio video editing, containing a wide range of features and tools supporting HD and 3D video, split screen, stop motion, and other kinds of video.
$54.95
Pricing
DaVinci ResolvePinnacle Studio
Editions & Modules
DaVinci Resolve 17
$0.00
Free
DaVinci Resolve Studio 17
$295.00
perpetual license
Studio
$54.95
Studio Plus
$89.95
Studio Ultimate
$109.95
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
DaVinci ResolvePinnacle Studio
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Best Alternatives
DaVinci ResolvePinnacle Studio
Small Businesses
Descript
Descript
Score 9.2 out of 10
Descript
Descript
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
iMovie
iMovie
Score 9.1 out of 10
iMovie
iMovie
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro
Score 9.0 out of 10
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro
Score 9.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
DaVinci ResolvePinnacle Studio
Likelihood to Recommend
8.9
(20 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.9
(3 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
1.4
(5 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
DaVinci ResolvePinnacle Studio
Likelihood to Recommend
Blackmagic Design
I learned so much from this instructional exercise, and I appreciated how the educator is an expert all-day colorist. The section on sound reduction was particularly instructive. I noticed a few inconsistencies between certain methodologies in this instructional exercise and approaches suggested in the Advanced Color Grading in Resolve 15 instructional exercise (e.g., where to place sound reduction in the hub tree), but this is to be expected given that there is no one right way to do any of this. I also learned a lot about Resolve's "Restoration" modules for working with authentic film. This instructional exercise will come up again and again in my work.
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Alludo
It is easy to use with very little explanation. It seems well suited for a creative individual looking to make a professional video.
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Pros
Blackmagic Design
  • Comprehensive - It has video editing, motion graphics, audio, and export tools in one package. It's probably more than most people need, but you don't have to use all of the tools.
  • Platform and format agnostic - I like that I can work on projects on Mac or PC, and there are regular updates for new codecs and cameras. You can edit pretty much any format with no compatibility worries.
  • Price - They offer a free version which has most of the functionality. It's a great way to try before you buy and learn the tools. The final price is only $300 per license for the full product. It's a bargain for everything you get, and you don't feel like you're not getting your money's worth, even if you don't use all of the tools.
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Alludo
  • Allows for quick and easy "commercials" for our announcements..
  • Used to create pre and post worship service videos to help people begin and end worship.
  • Used to create special videos for special music.
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Cons
Blackmagic Design
  • Some areas of Resolve can leave inexperienced users feeling a bit handicapped. Multiple user sign-ins can be confusing, and determining where to place the database of users might need troubleshooting. The exporting workflow is a bit finicky and will need to be learned to use for even simple capabilities.
  • Resolve is not friendly on a single screen editing workflow, and even worse on a laptop. Ideally, an editor has multiple screens in the first place, but because a colorist needs to see scopes and monitor, handling both on the same screen, along with all tools is a challenge. This software is best with more screens.
  • While the NLE capability of Resolve makes for a quick editing workspace, my little experience with it leads me to the conclusion that unless someone desires a completely free alternative to other NLE software, Resolve is not your best friend. Other programs are better.
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Alludo
  • Importing files is easy but sometimes difficult to locate.
  • This might be user error but making folders within the imported files would be nice to have.
  • I don't use special effects that often but sometimes they are difficult to find again.
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Usability
Blackmagic Design
Da Vinci Resolve is up there amongst the big, professional video editing packages like Apple's FinalCutPro and Adobe Premier Pro. To just be included in this league, the package needs to have a plethora of features that the common man does not need. In essence, this overwhelming amount of features makes the product tricky to learn, but once you have the hang of it, it is a dream.
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Alludo
It could use slight improvements. But overall a wonderful product.
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Support Rating
Blackmagic Design
Not only do they have classes available in Los Angeles, but they'll also allow you to work from home with the manual and demo materials, and then let you test out to get a certification. They get back to you quickly when you email, and they've got a "family" approach to customer service, they make you feel like you're important to them.
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Alludo
I've only had to call one time in several years and they were supportive and helpful.
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Alternatives Considered
Blackmagic Design
It has a free version that is very complete. It lets everyone on the team use a lot of very good tools for video editing that would be very expensive while using other solutions that are equally excellent but not as generous. The cost is a very good reason but not the only one, the software is actually really good.
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Alludo
I have not used other products like Pinnacle Studio.
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Return on Investment
Blackmagic Design
  • Bringing all our video development inhouse has helped us save over $9,000 annually. And a huge part of doing it successfully has been because of DaVinci Resolve.
  • In our first year, we pivoted between DaVinci and Adobe for which would be our primary video production software. The results of both test runs showed that DaVinci needed half the total time investment needed to take a novice through training to completing their first major project when compared to Premiere.
  • DaVinci's hardware requirements were higher than what we mostly had, so we have had to invest more in better equipment to be able to execute. But overall, it's still a significant positive net return when we consider how much we have saved and earned directly as a result.
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Alludo
  • I believe using Pinnacle Studio and what I produced from it aided in doubling our worship attendance.
  • No negative impacts.
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ScreenShots