If you want to start an argument, walk into a room of creative professionals and shout that the video-editing app that you use is by far the superior choice. It's a common debate amongst video editors to compare Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere Pro.
Search sites like YouTube or Reddit, and you'll find strong opinions for (and against) both apps. Is Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro better? It's up to you to decide, and we'll share more in this article. Let's learn more about Final Cut vs. Premiere in this article.
Why Choose Adobe Premiere Pro?
Adobe Premiere Pro is Adobe’s flagship video editor. It’s used by everyone from movie studios to amateur editors. Let’s look at some key reasons that you might choose Premiere Pro.
Cross-Platform
If you find yourself jumping back and forth between Windows and macOS, then using Adobe Premiere Pro is a must. That's because Final Cut Pro X is macOS only and locks out your Windows-based friends.
It's important when considering FCPX vs Premiere to consider your team. If you know that you're working in mixed company, consider creating your next project in Premiere Pro.
You can still lean on it as a dedicated macOS user, but you won't leave your Windows colleagues out of the project.
Low Cost to Get Started
When you compare Premiere Pro versus Final Cut Pro, price is a key difference.
Premiere Pro works on a subscription model. This means that you can purchase a monthly or annual license. You don’t own the software. But you can pay as you go, and you’ll enjoy frequent updates as a subscriber.
Premiere Pro helps you start for less cost out of your wallet. With Adobe Creative Cloud, all apps are a monthly or annual subscription. Plus, you can purchase an individual subscription. You can bundle with other apps and save some money. Or you can pay for Premiere Pro alone if it’s all you need.
If you'd like to learn more about how to get started with Premiere Pro, check out our tutorial below:
Integration With Adobe After Effects
NLE video tools are designed to sequence clips, adjust timings, and create a cohesive video story. They also typically feature some primary effects and tools to add captions or text.
But they aren't full-featured animation tools. That's where an app like Adobe After Effects enters the picture. To create animated graphics, titles, and effects, you need an extra app like After Effects. Premiere has a massive advantage with its tight, easy-to-use integration. It lets you send projects back and forth between the apps.
Sure, Apple has its animation and motion graphics tool in the form of Apple Motion, but After Effects has a much larger community and tutorial base.
Learn more about Adobe After Effects in the article below:
Powerful Multicam Features
Editing multi-camera views is a complex, tough workflow. Here, you’re compiling a finished video shot from multiple angles. Fortunately, Premiere Pro makes this amazingly easy.
With the Create Multi-camera Source Sequence menu, you can easily edit the same scene from various directions. Shots like this are a hallmark of the top professional videos.
If you use many different views, this is a crucial consideration when comparing Final Cut vs. Adobe Premiere. Adobe Premiere Pro is a standout in this category. It makes it simple to edit multi-camera angles, with just a few clicks.
Why Choose Final Cut Pro X?
Final Cut Pro X, or "FCPX," is a favorite of video editors, but its unorthodox tools mean that it's not without controversy. Here are a few reasons that you might consider making it your go-to editor of choice.
Perpetual License Model
Call me old school, but it becomes exhausting to juggle subscriptions to so many apps. If you want to own your software, then Final Cut Pro X is the only show in town.
In recent years, Adobe has shifted all of its apps to a subscription-only model. While some users favor this "always-up-to-date" license model, it's not for everyone, and the expenses add up.
Keep in mind that if Apple launches a major new version, it's possible that the upgrade could be priced separately (as if it's a new app.) But if you want to pay once and unlock updates, FCPX is the way to go.
Native macOS Feel
Some users claim that FCPX feels like a beefed-up iMovie at this point. Depending on your experience and needs, that could be taken as either a plus or minus.
For beginner video editors, the familiarity of the interface layout can ease the learning curve. That helps you produce your video project more quickly.
Performance Advantages
This point will be a controversial one, but it's documented by enough users that it bears mentioning.
Render times vary between platforms. However, one performance point that's often discussed is timeline navigation. Many users report that timeline scrubbing is faster with FCPX without pre-rendering in files. Premiere users often mention rendering proxy files to work efficiently in the app.
The Magnetic Timeline
Apple broke with tradition with the magnetic timeline. Other NLEs (non-linear editing programs) use multiple channels to organize clips. That looks like layers named V1, V2, and V3 for video, A1, A2, and A3 for audio, and so on. FCPX uses a different metaphor: there's one timeline, and everything snaps to it, like branches on a tree.
This doesn't sound like a big difference, but it's the kind of detail that gets editors really screwed up with emotion. In practice, if it suits your style, the magnetic timeline does very well to help keep your projects organized and your workflow smooth.
Other Video Editing Apps to Consider
Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X are two of the most popular options, but they aren't the only platforms. For example, both apps leave mobile users left out in the cold as they don't include mobile app versions.
Don't fall into the trap of false dichotomies! In reality, there are many other video editing apps that might fill gaps in the need. Here are other popular video editing apps.
- iMovie is another macOS-only option, but it's one of the most accessible apps to start with. Plus, it has a price point (free) that's hard to match.
- Adobe Premiere Rush is similar in name to its fully-featured older sibling. It's a simpler, slimmed-down app that also features mobile apps.
- For mobile-first editing, LumaFusion and KineMaster are both worth a look.
For more video editing tips, check out the Envato Blog. And you can also check out introductions and learning resources for some of the apps mentioned above in the articles below:
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro: What's the Best Video macOS App for Your Needs?
Adobe Rush or Adobe Premiere: Which Video Editing Tool Is Right for You?
How to Add Transitions to Video in Adobe Rush
The Top Source for the Ultimate Video Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)
We explored Final Cut vs. Adobe Premiere. We looked at the advantages of each. But no matter which app you choose, premium templates are essential. They help you build amazing videos in record time.
The best source for premium Adobe Premiere video templates is Envato Elements. For a flat monthly rate, you’ll enjoy unlimited access to thousands of stunning templates.
You’ll enjoy designs for Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, and more. You don't have to choose between FCPX vs Premiere on Elements: there are templates for both! Elements features millions more digital assets, like fonts, music, stock videos, and more.
Premium templates help you work faster than ever. Simply drop your own content into place. The complex design work is handled for you! And now, you can find the perfect video content in record time. That’s thanks to the all-new Elements AI-Search tool. Describe your project needs in a few words, and you’ll get a curated list of Elements assets that are just right for you.
Don’t wait to join! Sign up for Elements today and elevate your video game in a flash.
More Premiere and FCPX Resources
Is Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro better? We'll leave that to you to decide. We have helpful learning resources for both apps. After you decide on Premiere Pro versus Final Cut Pro, launch your learning journey.
Both apps feature a learning curve, so it helps to have a few resources that help you conquer it. After you evaluate FCPX vs Premiere, you can continue to learn either app (or both!) here at Tuts+.
12 Useful Final Cut Pro Video Templates For Beginners
How to Stabilize Video in Final Cut Pro X
How to Adjust Exposure: Video Image Correction in Adobe Premiere
How to Use the Project, Composition and Timeline Panels in After Effects
Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere: Decide Today
We asked the question: is Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro better? The answer: it depends. Based on your own needs, you now have the knowledge you need to make the right choice in Final Cut Pro vs Adobe Premiere. Both offer robust features and flexibility.
The trick is to match your needs with the features of Premiere Pro versus Final Cut Pro. When you know what you want, the choices become clear. You can’t go wrong with either option. Take the knowledge you’ve gained and choose an editor for you in 2024 and beyond.
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