Digital Art Adobe Premiere vs Final Cut Pro: The Video Editing Leader

Adobe Premiere vs Final Cut Pro: The Video Editing Leader

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No matter what profession you may be in, video editing often comes in handy. From creating advertisements to editing films to clipping family movies, video editing comes in handy. 

When editing videos in any capacity, you want the best possible video editing software for your money and your time. You need an application that can handle the load of whatever you are editing. 

Two of the best video editing software in the game are Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. These two applications may be similar on the surface. They both have a great many features and editing capabilities.

However, there are a few key differences that can change your view of them. Keep reading to find out more about these two applications. 

Check out this list of the Top Video Editing Software for Gamers.

Key Takeaways

  • Adobe Premiere Pro is the better of the two video editing software thanks to its specificity and editing capabilities. 
  • Final Cut Pro measures up to Adobe Premiere Pro but loses slightly due to its exclusivity to macOS products.
  • The one best for you depends on your needs. 

Adobe Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro Comparison Table


Adobe Premiere ProFinal Cut Pro
PriceAdobe Premiere Pro costs $29.99 a month. You can also get it as part of the Creative Cloud All Apps bundle by Adobe for $59.99 a month. There is a 7-day free trial option as well. Final Cut Pro costs a one-time fee of $299.99. There is also an education bundle where you can get all Pro Apps for a one-time purchase of $199.99. A 90-day free trial option is also available. 
CompanyAdobe Inc.Apple Inc. 
Main UsesAdobe Premiere Pro is primarily used in post-production for editing video files, audio, and images as well as organizing workflow. Final Cut Proused for the entire video process from creation to editing and producing audio, video, and images. 
Experience LevelIntermediate to AdvancedBeginner to Advanced
Best ForProfessional video editors who want ultimate control over every part of the video editing and production process as well as access to collaborative tools.  Hobbyists and professional video editors alike want more control over their editing and production than they would with something like iMovie. 
System RequirementsAll Windows products must run on Windows 10 or newer. For macOS systems, they must run on macOS Monterey version 12 or newer. Both must have at least 8GB of RAM available for memory and a display of 1920 x 1080 or greater. The system must be macOS 13.4 or newer with 8GB of RAM, 5.6GB of available disk space, and Apple silicon for some select features. 
Key FeaturesAvailable on multiple platforms including Microsoft and Apple devices, integrates well with other Adobe applications, focused on giving control over the entire editing process. Available on only macOS products, simple interface that is intuitive for both beginner and advanced video editors, focused on both creation and editing. 
PlatformsAdobe Premiere Pro is available for Windows and macOS systems. Final Cut Pro is a macOS-exclusive product.
Acceptable Import File TypesMP4, AVI, MOV, MPEG, MP3, and WAV3GP, AVI, MOV, MP4, MTS/M2TS, MXF
Comparison table of  Adobe Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro across various categories

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a video editing application used by every level of video editor from beginners to professionals alike. Adobe’s interface does allow for some challenges, however.

It can be difficult to grasp, especially for those unfamiliar with other Adobe products or video editing in general.

It is the top-of-the-line and industry standard for video editing. It is well worth your time to learn if you are interested in video editing at any level, as it will take your skills to a new level. 

Key Features

  • Available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft and macOS products
  • Integrates well with other Creative Cloud products
  • Easy-to-use tools that make collaboration simple
  • Consistent updates and responsive customer service
  • Diverse options for editing videos

Uses

Adobe Premiere Pro is primarily used for video editing and creating video effects. You can use it to add sound to video, trim or edit video, or make your specialized video creations.

Adobe Premiere Pro can be used for anything from professional film editing to trimming home videos or adding sound to a quick social media post. 

Related Article: Adobe Premiere Vs After Effects

The main draw of Adobe Premiere Pro is its integration with other Adobe apps through the Creative Cloud All Apps bundle.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Clear and customizable interface with a plethora of tutorials to help guide you. Overwhelming interface for anyone unfamiliar with Adobe products or video editing. 
Many options for organization, collaboration, editing, and production. Some parts of the application require other Adobe apps to take full advantage of. 
Fast and responsive for even large projects.Subscription only. 
Available on multiple platforms. Can be glitchy sometimes and autosave is not always reliable. 

Companies That Use Adobe Premiere Pro

Hundreds of thousands of companies use Adobe Premiere Pro for their video editing, from advertisements and promotions to films and movies. Some of these companies include:

  • Nexstar Media Group
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • NBC Universal
  • Time Warner
  • Hearst Television
  • TEGNA

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is an Apple-created software designed for macOS products alone. It’s used for every level of video editing but primarily appeals to novice or hobbyist video editors.

The ease of the interface does mean some of the features and tools don’t measure up to that of Adobe Premiere Pro, but they still hold many similarities. The main drawback is that it is only compatible with other Apple products. 

Key Features

  • This software is macOS-exclusive
  • Has a unique timeline editing interface that is unlike many other video editing applications
  • A simplistic interface that is easy to grasp for users of any level in video editing and those new to the application itself
  • Helpful in the creation and editing process of videos
  • Known for fast speeds and quick import/export times

Uses

Final Cut Pro is used for video editing and creation at every level. With it, you can compile and edit video clips with ease. It is primarily used for non-professional video editors thanks to its easy-to-understand interface while still allowing people to customize their videos to an expert level. 

Being an Apple product, transferring files to and from other Apple products is simple. This includes any videos taken with an iPhone or iPad with the ability to edit with precise detail. This makes it a big draw for any Apple product users thanks to ease of use. 

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
One-time-only purchase at an affordable price for professional video editing software.Only available on macOS products.
Fast speeds with seamless editing capabilities. Unique timeline editing that can be off-putting to anyone coming from other video editing platforms.
A large variety of tools and features for editing, collaboration, and organization. Import and export options are limited compared to Adobe Premiere Pro.
Simple to learn and grasp for any level of user in video editing or with the system itself.Updates are slow and inconsistent. 

Companies That Use Final Cut Pro

Tens of thousands of companies use Final Cut Pro as well or instead of Adobe Premiere Pro. Some of these companies include:

  • The E.W. Scripps Company
  • NBC Universal
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Time Warner
  • Sinclair Broadcast Group
  • University of Georgia

Adobe Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro: Which Is Better?

Both Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are industry-standard video editing products used by professional, big-name companies and hobby video editors alike. Both have powerful tools, features, and options that can change the game in terms of editing. Either one would be a great choice for this process. 

However, Adobe Premiere Pro takes the cake. With more customization options available as well as detail-oriented organization, it is the clear winner.

Related Article: Adobe Premiere Vs Davinci Resolve.

The collaboration options are unmatched thanks to the Creative Cloud All Apps overlap and the overall interface. The ability to use it on any platform is also a big plus, and it takes away some of those barriers that Final Cut Pro has. 

Is Adobe Premiere Pro Worth the Price?

Adobe Premiere Pro is well worth the price if you want to take your video editing to the next level. There is a never-ending amount of tools to edit, customize, and create your videos.

The collaboration with other Adobe applications also makes it easy to use and even more worth it if you already use other Adobe apps. 

Is There a Cheaper Alternative to Final Cut Pro?

The more simplistic and free version of Final Cut Pro is iMovie. It is also an Apple product created exclusively for use by macOS products. It is free while still having many useful features similar to that of Final Cut Pro.

Final Cut Pro is great if you want to delve into video editing, but for simple edits, iMovie is a good alternative for macOS users.