OpenPost vs DaVinci Resolve: browser clips or a full post studio?
By OpenPost · Reviewed
Both have a free editing path. Use OpenPost for a product recording or social clip you want to finish in the browser. Choose DaVinci Resolve for a desktop workflow combining editing, advanced color work, Fusion effects, and Fairlight audio. Free does not mean the tools have the same scope.
Written by the team behind OpenPost. See the linked sources when comparing tools.
When DaVinci Resolve is the better fit
Resolve combines editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production. Its free version supports many 8-bit formats up to 60 fps and Ultra HD. Studio adds further AI tools, effects, and format support. It is the stronger choice when finishing quality and specialized post-production are central to the job.
What is free in OpenPost
OpenPost's local Image Editor and Video Editor are free without an account, watermark, or paid download. Media stays on your device in the local workflow. Hosted storage, account connections, and scheduled publishing are separate services with their own plans. A publishing subscription is not required to edit and export a local project.
Editing costs
Blackmagic offers DaVinci Resolve free and lists Studio at US$295. Studio is a purchase rather than the monthly subscription shown for Adobe products. Cloud collaboration and third-party assets may have separate costs.
| Tool | Cost | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| OpenPost local Video Editor | $0 | Browser recording, editing and export |
| DaVinci Resolve | $0 | Free desktop edition |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | US$295 purchase | Paid desktop edition |
When OpenPost is the better fit
OpenPost brings recording and a multitrack timeline into your browser. Use it for demonstrations, short edits, captions, and social formats. Browser decoding and encoding depend on your device and supported codecs. It does not promise Fusion, Fairlight, professional grading, or Resolve project interchange.
Test your source footage
Import the camera or screen recording you actually use. Check playback, audio, captions, and the exported file. For long projects or demanding camera formats, test resource use and finish quality before choosing a browser editor.