Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve: Which Should You Learn First?
RedSketch Academy Video Editing Guide - Expert comparison to help you choose the right video editing software for your career goals
If you're starting your journey as a video editor in 2025, you've likely asked yourself this question: Should I learn Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve first? Both are industry-leading software, used by YouTubers, filmmakers, agencies, and big production houses.
But each has its own strengths, learning curve, and career opportunities.
This article breaks down the features, pros, cons, pricing, and industry use cases of both tools — so you can confidently choose the right one for your career in video editing.
Overview of Both Tools
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Systems
Versatile video editing (social media, ads, films, TV)
Seamless Adobe ecosystem integration
YouTubers, agencies, professional editors
DaVinci Resolve
Blackmagic Design
Color grading + all-in-one editing suite
Industry-standard color correction
Hollywood films, OTT creators, studios
Learning Curve
Premiere Pro
Beginner-friendly. Familiar timeline-based editing.
Easier for those coming from iMovie, Filmora, or other basic editors.
DaVinci Resolve
Powerful, but more complex.
Separate "Pages" (Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight) may overwhelm beginners.
If you're new, Premiere Pro feels smoother at the start. Resolve demands more patience.
Interface & Workflow
Premiere Pro
Flexible, customizable workspace. Drag-and-drop friendly. Perfect for quick edits and social media workflows.
DaVinci Resolve
Divided into dedicated panels (Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight). Great for professionals who want structured pipelines.
Premiere = flexible for all levels. Resolve = powerful but slightly rigid.
Features Comparison
| Feature | Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Editing Tools | Timeline editing, trimming, multicam, proxies | Same + faster smart trimming in Cut Page |
| Color Grading | Good, but limited compared to Resolve | Industry-best, node-based grading |
| Audio Editing | Linked with Adobe Audition | Fairlight built-in (cinema-grade) |
| VFX & Motion Graphics | Needs After Effects | Fusion built-in (compositing, VFX) |
| AI Features (2025) | Auto-reframe, text-to-speech captions, AI remixing | Neural Engine (face recognition, smart reframe, voice isolation) |
| Export/Delivery | Multiple presets for social media & broadcast | Flexible render options, great for film workflows |
Premiere shines in quick multi-platform content. Resolve dominates in professional color and post-production.
Pricing
Premiere Pro
Part of Adobe Creative Cloud
✓ Includes Photoshop, After Effects
✓ Cloud storage
✓ Regular updates
DaVinci Resolve
Very powerful free version
Studio version (one-time)
✓ No subscription
✓ Professional features
✓ Lifetime license
For budget-conscious learners, Resolve is unbeatable. Premiere is subscription-based and costly long-term.
Industry Usage
Premiere Pro
- YouTube creators
- Social media marketing
- Advertising agencies
- Wedding films
- Corporate videos
DaVinci Resolve
- Hollywood blockbusters
- Netflix content
- Film color grading
- OTT platforms
- Cinema production
If you're aiming for digital media jobs, Premiere dominates. For film, OTT, or colorist careers, Resolve is king.
Career Opportunities
With Premiere Pro
With DaVinci Resolve
Both open strong career paths — the choice depends on your dream role.
Pros and Cons
Premiere Pro
✅ Pros
- • Beginner-friendly
- • Massive community support
- • Great for fast edits and social media
- • Seamless with Adobe ecosystem
❌ Cons
- • Expensive (subscription model)
- • Relies on After Effects for advanced VFX
DaVinci Resolve
✅ Pros
- • Free version is very powerful
- • Best-in-class color grading
- • Fusion + Fairlight = all-in-one suite
- • Preferred in high-end production
❌ Cons
- • Steeper learning curve
- • Requires powerful hardware
Which Should You Learn First?
Start with Premiere Pro — easier to learn, faster to produce content, and great for jobs in marketing, social media, or freelancing.
Go with DaVinci Resolve — especially if you want to become a colorist or cinematic editor.
Learn both gradually. Start with Premiere for basics → add DaVinci Resolve for specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DaVinci Resolve harder than Premiere Pro?
Yes, Resolve has a steeper learning curve due to its professional tools, but once mastered, it's incredibly powerful.
Can I get a job with just Premiere Pro knowledge?
Absolutely. Social media, corporate video, and digital marketing industries run heavily on Premiere editors.
Is the free version of DaVinci Resolve enough?
For most beginners and even intermediate users, yes. The free version has 90% of what professionals need.
Should I learn both Premiere and Resolve?
Ideally, yes. Premiere = versatility + speed. Resolve = advanced finishing + industry-grade work.
Conclusion
Both Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve are excellent. The decision depends on your career goals:
Social media, fast edits, agency jobs → Premiere Pro first.
Films, OTT, color grading, post-production → DaVinci Resolve first.
Remember — the tool is only as good as the editor behind it. What matters most is your creativity, storytelling ability, and technical adaptability.
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