Is Premiere Pro Better Than FCPX In 2024? + FREE Calculator

Both Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are highly-capable video editing programs, but with so many similarities, how do you know which one to choose? Professional video editor; Jack Wright will go over the pros and cons as well as the features of each software to help you make a more informed choice.

April 15, 2024
Is Premiere Pro Better Than FCPX In 2024? + FREE Calculator
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Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut Pro are two very popular video editing softwares used by professionals in content creation. While both of them offer exceptional editing capabilities, they have their own unique features and benefits that set them apart from each other. In this article, I will compare and contrast Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro to determine which one is the best choice depending on what type of videos you want to create.

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Adobe Premiere Pro Vs Final Cut Pro X - Which Video Editing Software Is Best For You?

Don't get me wrong, Final Cut Pro is one of the best and most respected editing programs out there, but Adobe Premiere Pro is without a doubt the gold standard in the industry, providing a plethora of professional-level tools and features. It is widely favored by professionals due to its robust editing capabilities, flexibility, and extensive feature set.

On the other hand, Final Cut Pro has been designed to be user-friendly with a simple interface, making it easy to learn and use. Don't let this this turn you away from using it though, Final Cut Pro still has the same capabilities as Premiere, just not as advanced. Final Cut Pro is particularly favored by beginner and professional users who prioritize simplicity in their video editing process. Over the years, Final Cut Pro has evolved, improving its design and functionality, making it a compelling alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro.

Here's a closer inspection of each software in greater detail:

What Is Final Cut Pro?

Originally developed by Macromedia in 1995 before being acquired by Apple in 1998, Final Cut Pro (often abbreviated to FCPX) is a non-linear, non-destructive video editing software that is a native 64-bit application. It can utilize all CPU cores and GPU-accelerated processing, resulting in improved playback, rendering, and transcoding capabilities. It is utilized by a diverse range of users, including hobbyist filmmakers and industry professionals in television, film, and streaming media.

Unliked Premiere Pro, the latest version of FCPX relies on Apple's Metal interface, which enhances the software's performance and reliability compared to previous versions.

The software's non-linear editing capabilities allow users to edit video content in a non-destructive manner, meaning the original files remain intact throughout the editing process. This feature provides users with more flexibility and creative freedom when editing their video content. Final Cut Pro X also includes a vast array of editing tools and features, such as color grading, audio mixing, and motion graphics, enabling users to create high-quality video content with ease.

Compatibility & System Requirements

Final Cut Pro is only compatible with Apple computers. To run Final Cut Pro on macOS, the minimum system requirements are macOS 11.5.1 or later, 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended for 4K editing, 3D titles, and 360° video editing), a metal-capable graphics card, 1GB of VRAM recommended for 4K editing, 3D titles, and 360° video editing, and 4.5GB of available disk space. Note that some features may require internet access, and fees may apply. Additionally, a Blu-ray recorder is required for burning Blu-ray discs. It's recommended to meet or exceed these requirements for optimal performance and functionality.

Is Final Cut Pro Better Than Premiere Pro

This question will come in the final verdict. Whether or not Final Cut Pro is better than Premiere Pro is up to you. Some beginners may prefer FCPX, but as you gain experience, you'll realize that Premiere Pro is actually a lot better. In terms of workflow efficiency, Final Cut Pro boasts a superior performance compared to Adobe Premiere Pro. While it excels at handling lighter editing tasks with less tool functionality, it may present limitations when dealing with non-conventional timelines due to its fixed editing style. On the other hand, Adobe Premiere Pro offers enhanced flexibility with its integration with Adobe After Effects, recognized as the industry's leading VFX software, providing optimal support for accomplishing complex visual effects tasks. In my opinion, Premiere pro is more capable of creating more advanced types of videos in different varieties, and therefore is far 'better' than FCPX.

What Is Premiere Pro?

Adobe Premiere Pro (often abbreviated to just PR), is a professional video editing software developed by Adobe Inc. and is included in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications. It is a well-regarded video editing software that enables users to create and edit video tracks with a high degree of professionalism. A video track in Premiere Pro comprises video clips, audio, images, and transitions between them, all of which can be assembled together in a seamless and professional manner.

Adobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based and non-linear video editing software that has been developed to cater to the needs of professional video editors. It is a successor to Adobe Premiere, which was first launched in 2003. Since then, Premiere Pro has undergone significant enhancements, resulting in a highly robust and versatile video editing software that is used by many in the industry.

Just like with Final Cut Pro, you can make absolutely anything with Premiere Pro. Famous YouTubers such as Marques Brownlee use Premiere Pro, popular films such as Deadpool, Gone Girls and Terminator are a few more examples of use cases in the industry. The software's timeline-based approach provides users with a high degree of control and precision when editing video content. It also supports a wide range of video formats, making it a versatile and flexible video editing tool. Moreover, Premiere Pro is frequently updated, providing users with access to new features and improvements, ensuring that it stays relevant.

Compatibility & System Requirements

To Run the 2023 version of Premiere Pro on Windows, your system requirements must match or exceed the following specifications:

  • An Intel 7th Generation or newer CPU with Quick Sync, or an AMD Ryzen 3000 series/Threadripper 2000 or newer CPU.
  • Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1909 or later.
  • For HD workflows, 4 GB of GPU is recommended, and for 4k and higher resolution workflows, 6 GB of unified memory is recommended.

Having an Intel 7th Generation or newer CPU with Quick Sync or an AMD Ryzen 3000 series/Threadripper 2000 or newer CPU ensures optimal performance when using Adobe Premiere Pro. Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1909 or later is also required to run the software.

For HD workflows, a minimum of 4 GB of GPU is recommended, while for 4k and higher resolution workflows, a minimum of 6 GB of unified memory is recommended to achieve optimal performance. These recommendations are designed to ensure that users can edit video content smoothly and without lag, while also taking advantage of the software's advanced features.

Main Difference Between Final Cut Pro And Premiere Pro

The difference in product origin between Adobe's Premiere and Apple's Final Cut Pro holds significant weight in their comparative evaluation. While Premiere enjoys compatibility with both Windows and Mac operating systems, Final Cut Pro's support is exclusive to Mac devices. This factor impacts the wider variety of computer options available for running these programs, with Macs providing trademark performance and design features that can be leveraged optimally with Final Cut Pro. Nonetheless, Premiere remains an excellent choice for users working with a Windows system, and Final Cut Pro is still a top-tier editing software option for those who use an iMac.

Which Is Easier, Adobe Premiere Or Final Cut Pro?

Straight off the bat, Final Cut Pro is much easier to understand and therefore, easier to learn if you're a new user.

Most other users can agree that Final cut Pro's ease of use and user-friendly interface have made it a favorite among both beginner and professional users of the software. The simplicity of the program allows for a shorter learning curve, making it the better choice for beginner editors.

Even though Final Cut Pro, is slightly easier to use, don't let that turn you away from Adobe Premiere Pro. Premiere Pro is also easy to learn, but might take just a few days extra to master since it has more tools, capabilities and effects.

Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro Pricing Comparison

Premiere Pro

For individuals (i.e personal and hobby use), the cost of downloading Premiere Pro through creative cloud is US$20.99 per month, while groups and teams can access the program at a rate of US$35.99 per license per month. If you plan on using other Creative Cloud apps as well, Premiere Pro is available as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud All Apps plan, which includes over 20 other creative applications like Photoshop and After Effects. Adobe offers different pricing plans for All Apps access, including individual plans starting at US$54.99 per month, student and teacher plans with eligibility requirements at US$19.99 per month, and team plans priced at US$84.99 per license per month.

Users interested in exploring Premiere Pro can download Premiere Pro for free before committing to a long-term plan, allowing them to test all the features without any cost. Simply visit Adobe's website, locate the Premiere Pro section, and click on the "Start Free Trial" button to begin the process using just an email address.

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is only available through the Apple app store, just like any other modern Mac application. After purchasing the software for $299, it can be installed on several Mac devices, and updates are automatically included with the purchase.

If you aren't ready to pay the one-off price of $299 for the app, Final cut Pro does provide a 90-day trial for editors who are in-between choosing Premiere Pro instead.

As you can see, PR is slightly cheaper than FCPX in the short-term. PR also has better features and usability.

Tools & Effects

In this section, I'm comparing the variety, quantity quality/capability of the tools and effects that come with either software. Since Final Cut Pro doesn't have the same compatibility with plugins that are available for Premiere Pro, I did not consider any plugins when writing the comparison.

Premiere Pro

In a recent update, Premiere Pro added new styling tools that allow you to add multiple shadows to text layers. This feature gives you more control over the look and feel of your text, allowing you to create stunning visual effects.

Premiere Pro also includes an automatic speech-to-text tool that transcribes and captions videos in 14 different languages. This feature makes it easy to search for specific words or phrases within your clips, making it a valuable tool for video creators and their viewers.

Overall, most of the tools and effects available in Final Cut Pro were actually derived from Premiere Pro, so I'll have to choose Premiere Pro over Final Cut Pro in this test.

Final Cut Pro

If you value regular updates and a wide range of tools and features, Premiere Pro may be the best choice for you. However, if you prefer simpler editing tools that are just as sophisticated as well as a more streamlined editing experience, Final Cut Pro may be the better option.

5 Things Final Cut Pro Does Better Than Premiere Pro

Optimized for macOS

Final Cut Pro is a video editing software that is specifically optimized for Apple's macOS operating system. This means that FCP users can take full advantage of the hardware and software integration between Apple devices, resulting in better performance and stability.

Faster Rendering

FCP uses a rendering system called "background rendering" which means that while you are editing your project, FCP is simultaneously rendering the footage in the background. This allows for faster rendering times and a more seamless editing experience.

Easy to Learn

Final Cut Pro is known for its user-friendly interface and easy-to-learn tools, making it a great choice for beginners. It has a simple, intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, and the tools are straightforward and easy to understand.

Color Grading

Final Cut Pro has an advanced color grading toolset, including a powerful color grading workspace, color wheels, curves, and selective color controls. This allows for more precise control over the colors in your footage and helps to create a consistent look across your project.

Integration with Other Apple Products

Final Cut Pro is designed to work seamlessly with other Apple products, including Motion, a motion graphics software, and Compressor, a video compression tool. This makes it easy to create professional-looking motion graphics and to export your final project in the appropriate format for distribution.

5 Things Premiere Pro Does Better Than Final Cut Pro

Integration with Other Adobe Products

One of the biggest advantages of Premiere Pro is its integration with other Adobe products. If you use other Adobe products, such as Photoshop or After Effects, you can easily import those files directly into Premiere Pro. This makes it easy to create a seamless editing experience across multiple programs.

Advanced Audio Editing Tools

Premiere Pro has a robust set of audio editing tools, making it an excellent choice for those who need to edit audio in addition to video. The program's Essential Sound panel allows you to easily adjust levels, apply effects, and add noise reduction to your audio tracks. You can also edit your audio clips in the timeline, adding keyframes and adjusting levels as needed.

Multiple Project Editing

Premiere Pro allows you to work on multiple projects simultaneously, making it easier to manage multiple clients or projects at the same time. You can switch between projects with ease, copying and pasting clips between them as needed.

Flexible Export Options

Premiere Pro offers a wide range of export options, giving you more flexibility when it comes to sharing your finished videos. You can export your videos in a variety of formats, including H.264, MPEG-2, and ProRes. You can also export your videos directly to YouTube or Vimeo.

Regular Updates and Support

Adobe is known for its regular updates and support, and Premiere Pro is no exception. The program is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes, ensuring that users always have access to the latest tools.

Final Thoughts - Final Cut Pro Vs Adobe Premiere Pro?

Which is better final cut pro or premiere pro? Overall, Adobe Premiere Pro is the software of choice for professionals in the industry who require a more advanced and comprehensive editing toolset. Whereas, Final Cut Pro is an ideal option for beginner and professional users seeking a more straightforward editing process. Regardless of which software option one chooses, both Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro offer high-quality editing tools that cater to video editors of all skill levels, so you won't need to worry about starting off with one and when to upgrade to a more 'capable' or 'professional' program.

Jack's Personal Take:

Based on 9 years of experience on Premiere Pro and 2 years on Final Cut Pro, I can say for sure that Premiere Pro is the better option, but it was a hard decision to make because Final Cut Pro definitely isn't far behind.