DaVinci Resolve download for Windows

DaVinci Resolve combines editing, colour grading, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post-production in one program. It is what many professional colourists use, and the free edition is surprisingly complete. The catch is the hardware: Resolve relies heavily on your graphics card, and an older laptop will struggle.

Free DaVinci Resolve or Studio?

Blackmagic Design offers two editions, both for Windows, macOS and Linux. According to the product page:

• DaVinci Resolve (free) works with virtually all 8-bit video formats at up to 60 frames per second and resolutions up to Ultra HD (3840 × 2160). Multi-user collaboration and HDR grading are included.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio (paid) adds 10-bit video at up to 120 frames per second and resolutions beyond 4K. It also adds the DaVinci Neural Engine features, temporal and AI noise reduction, Magic Mask, text-based editing and dozens more effects.

Studio is a one-off purchase rather than a subscription. For learning, YouTube videos and most personal projects, the free edition is enough.

Getting the download

Download from Blackmagic Design's site only; this listing links there and does not host a copy. Choose the free DaVinci Resolve, not Studio, unless you have bought a licence. You may be asked for a few contact details before the download starts. The installer is large and also installs the drivers and components Resolve needs.

Check the system requirements in the release notes before you install. A dedicated graphics card with plenty of video memory makes the difference between smooth playback and constant stuttering.

Finding your way around

Resolve is organised as pages, shown as tabs along the bottom of the window:

• Media and Cut for importing and quick assembly.
• Edit for a traditional timeline.
• Fusion for visual effects and motion graphics.
• Color for grading.
• Fairlight for audio.
• Deliver for exporting the finished video.

Start on the Edit page with a short project. Import clips into the Media Pool, drag them onto the timeline, trim with the blade tool, then go to Deliver, pick a preset such as YouTube and click Add to Render Queue, followed by Render All.

Make playback smoother

If the timeline stutters, right-click your clips in the Media Pool and choose to generate proxy media. Resolve edits with smaller copies and renders from the originals. Also check, in the project settings, that cache and media files are stored on your fastest drive.

Where Resolve may not suit you

It is a professional tool with a steep learning curve. For a quick trim or a family video, a lighter editor such as Shotcut gets you there faster. And on a computer without a capable graphics card, the free edition can be frustrating to use.

Questions and answers

Is DaVinci Resolve really free?

Yes. The free edition has no watermark and no time limit. Studio is the paid version with extra features and higher resolutions.

Can I export 4K video with the free version?

Up to Ultra HD (3840 × 2160) at up to 60 frames per second. Higher resolutions and frame rates need Studio.

Why is playback so slow?

Usually the graphics card or the source files are the bottleneck. Generate proxy media and keep caches on a fast drive.

Does DaVinci Resolve run on Linux?

Yes. Blackmagic Design publishes Resolve for Windows, macOS and Linux.