Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro are two of the best video editing apps for intermediate to professional video editors. In this article, we want to share insight from industry professionals on the key differences between Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro.
The two video editing programs are similar in that they display video and audio clips in a linear timeline and offer the options to add cuts, transitions, effects, titles, and much more. Which video editing program is right for you depends on factors such as your experience level, your computer’s capabilities, and your preferred workflow.
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Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro — Editing Timeline
Both editing timelines display clips in a linear format. Dragging and dropping visual and audio assets into the Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro timeline is simple. The major difference between the timelines is that FCPX uses a magnetic timeline, whereas Premiere Pro offers a more traditional approach to video editing using clip sequences.
The simplicity of the Final Cut Pro timeline makes it the best video editor for beginners. Film editors who are experienced with traditional editing styles may prefer Premiere video editing. Some editors prefer Final Cut Pro’s timeline because it is easier to edit audio in FCPX. Color grading functions similarly on both programs.
Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro — Pricing
One of the differences between Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro that video editors need to consider is the pricing models. Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a monthly subscription that is a part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. On the other hand, Final Cut Pro is a one-time purchase. There is no need to make additional purchases to update FCPX to the latest version.
An annual subscription to Adobe Premiere Pro is currently priced at $239.88, compared to a one-time purchase of Final Cut Pro for $299. The monthly price of Premiere Pro is $20.99.
This means that if you plan on using the editing program for more than one year, Final Cut Pro is the more cost-effective option. On the other hand, a monthly payment of $20.99 is more accessible than paying $299 up-front. Premiere Pro is also included in the Creative Cloud All Apps bundle which is only $54.99 a month for access to every creative application from Adobe.
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Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro — System Requirements
The system requirements for Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro are very important to look at when deciding which software to purchase. Final Cut Pro is on Mac only, but Premiere Pro works just as well on Windows. Graphics-intensive editing software like this needs ample computer space and processing power.
Windows System Requirements for Premiere Pro
- Intel 6th Gen CPU or AMD processor
- 8 GB RAM
- 2 GB GPU VRAM
- 8 GB hard-disk space
- High-speed hard drive
Mac System Requirements for Premiere Pro
- Intel 6th Gen CPU
- macOS v10.13 operating system or later
- 8 GB RAM
- 2 GB GPU VRAM
- 8 GB hard-disk space
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet network storage
Mac System Requirements for Final Cut Pro
- macOS 10.15.6 operating system or later
- 4 GB RAM
- OpenCL graphics card OR Intel HD Graphics 300
- 256 MB VRAM
- Discrete graphics card
Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro — Integration
Video professionals know that software integration with other creative applications can improve workflow efficiency. Premiere Pro is an Adobe video editor that integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications like After Effects and Photoshop.
Premiere Pro can even open and work on XML files from Final Cut Pro project libraries. Various third-party plug-ins are available for both applications that can expand the capabilities of the programs. Premiere Pro shines in this category because of the possibilities that Creative Cloud integration allows. Final Cut Pro requires a few extra steps to integrate assets from other applications, but it can still be done.
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Conclusion
Which one is the best editing software for you comes down to personal preference. Premiere Pro is considered the gold standard for complex video editing, but Final Cut Pro is a simple video editor to learn and streamlines efficiency for less time spent rendering. At the end of the day, both are good editing software that can create polished final videos.
The FCPX and Premiere Pro tutorials we share on the Vagon blog can help you to learn the editing software’s ins and outs and push your creativity to new heights. If your computer does not meet the necessary system requirements, Vagon’s accessible in-browser supercomputer can help!
