Final Cut Pro vs. Media Composer

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Final Cut Pro
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Apple offers Final Cut Pro, a video editing platform featuring optimized for a high performance machines and supporting a wide range of quality effects.
$299.99
per license
Media Composer
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
Avid Technologies offers Media Composer, the company's professional class video editing software supporting high res and advanced video creation needs.
$23.99
per month
Pricing
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Editions & Modules
Final Cut Pro X
$299.99
per license
Monthly
$23.99
per month
Month-to-Month
$34.99
per month
Yearly
$239
per year
Students & Teachers Perpetual
$295
per license
Media Composer Perpetual
1,499
per license
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Considered Both Products
Final Cut Pro
Chose Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro X is basically the professional upgrade of iMovie - if you're familiar with that product, stepping up to FCPX is a natural progression. Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro are both industry standard products - in all honestly, if you're an editor, you …
Media Composer
Chose Media Composer
Honestly, all three are top-tier products and work really well, and you can do the job with them. Avid has been around longer, and it's implemented in many post-production houses around the world, so when you're working and collaborating with others, it's super helpful that …
Top Pros
Top Cons

No answers on this topic

Best Alternatives
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Small Businesses
Descript
Descript
Score 9.0 out of 10
Descript
Descript
Score 9.0 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
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Likelihood to Recommend
9.5
(29 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.8
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Final Cut ProMedia Composer
Likelihood to Recommend
Apple
Final Cut really is a great software for video editing (hey, The Matrix was made completely on Final Cut!), but for someone who works heavily in Photoshop, After Effects, Audition and Illustrator- it's probably best for you to stick with Premiere. If you are solely looking for a great editing software for your mac that is a step up from iMovie, Final Cut Pro X would be perfect for you.
Read full review
Avid Technology
I've cut my own video content on Media Composer, and also worked on a network television show with it - it performed excellently in both situations. The bins are a great way to find and store content and the timeline is easy to understand. In my experience, crashes were few and far between (although they're a part of the job no matter what DAW you're using).
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Pros
Apple
  • Adheres to the conceptually easy timeline model, thus making simple onboarding.
  • Feature-rich toolset which allows for incredible product manipulation from the get-go
  • Expandability via a vibrant plugin ecosystem. Final Cut plugins are broadly developed.
  • Rich integration with studio products: Motion, Compressor
  • Version updates exhibit a product team in touch with what the market needs
Read full review
Avid Technology
  • Manage Longform Media
  • Edit video and sound
  • Script Based editing
Read full review
Cons
Apple
  • Would be nice to have more built in exporting options for those of use who don't know how to compress videos well.
  • More built in effects would be a plus.
  • I always struggle with adding text but it could just be me.
Read full review
Avid Technology
  • A faster update track
Read full review
Usability
Apple
Final Cut Pro is a great software package for editing, and obviously, good things require training to understand and comprehend what your are editing. I do not give a 10/10 because it would be easier to have a comprehensive manual inside the software, rather that researching or getting yourself trained.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Apple
Most of the support I need, I find online. While Apple has a Q/A section on their site, it's not always beneficial in answering the questions that I have. With that said, they regularly update the software, and when updates lead to crashes, they usually have another update not far behind.
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Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Apple
Implementing Final Cut Pro into the organization was a smooth transition from what we didn't had. We felt we went from zero to hero with this software, due to all the great features that we learned. We took some time in training staff on how to use the software but at the end, this was very useful and important.
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Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Apple
Final Cut [Pro X] has way more features in a much better layout. Although it is more expensive, I believe the improved performance and advanced level of features is worth it if you are serious about video production and professionalism.
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Avid Technology
We [utilize] premiere for our VFX and animation curriculum due to tight integration with after effects and [photoshop]. we utilize resolve for DIT and color correction and finishing Media composer is the heart of our editorial workflow to align with the industry and give students a leg up to get jobs
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Return on Investment
Apple
  • We are regularly lauded for our high-quality videos by donors and prospects, which greatly improves our standing in their eyes.
  • Our Final Cut Pro X-created videos have contributed to our receiving large grant awards.
  • Our videos have been shared and promoted by similar organizations, which has improved our standing in our field and adjacent fields.
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Avid Technology
  • It's saved time by being easy to learn (well, easy to start. It takes a long time to learn)
  • Because everyone in the industry uses or has used it, collaborating is easier
  • It's saved us money because we don't have to change products
  • It integrates well with Pro Tools
Read full review
ScreenShots