Our team did the research and tested many professional video editing software options, ultimately we have decided that the closest video editor to Final Cut Pro for Windows is Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This decision was made based on Premiere's broad adoption in the filmmaking industry, the vast array of editing tools (both basic and advanced), a familiar user interface, and recently added support for hardware acceleration that helps match the performance increases of Final Cut Pro X.
Coming in close behind as a Final Cut alternative for PC users is BlackMagic Design's DaVinci Resolve 17. A complex video editing software with node-based color grading tools that many colorists prefer in the Hollywood scene. For many advanced users on a budget, DaVinci Resolve's free version will be suitable, but you'll need a good editing rig to run it properly. For those looking to utilize multi-user collaboration and the most advanced features, you'll need their Studio version which costs $299 for a license if you don't own a recent BMD camera model as recent cam purchases likely would include a free license.
If you are looking for a cheap PC video editing software that has most of the functionality you'll find in FCP X, then Movavi's Video Editor Plus 2022 is our top choice. Their native editing timeline mimics Final Cut's closely and it offers all the advanced features that you'll likely seek including chroma key, stabilization, 4K video, key framing and more.
- A standard for professional video editors on PC
- Advanced editing features and workflow integrations
- Familiar editing interface and UI design
- Hardware acceleration for improving editing speed
- Powerful editing suite for professional editors
- World-class color grading and correction tools
- Free version offers a lot of editing potential at no costs
- Studio version comes free with recent BMD cam purchase
- Affordable option for those on a budget
- Offers a similar UI to Final Cut Pro X
- Covers both basic and advanced editing features
- Offers useful screen recording and media conversion tools
Best Alternatives to Final Cut Pro For PC Users
Adobe Premiere Pro CC
The closest video editing software similar to to Final Cut Pro for Windows is Adobe's own Premiere Pro CC whom is also Apple's biggest competitor in the professional video editing space. Premiere is one of only a few editing software out there that runs natively on both PC and Mac, hence why you see it widely used on both operating systems coupled with Adobe's reputation in the creative world.
It is also one of the most popular Windows video editing software options due to it's highly adopted usage for video editings working in film and media, frequent updates throughout the year, deep integration with the entire Adobe creative suite and flexibility to run on both Mac and a Windows PC.
Premiere Pro had its first launch back in 1991 and has been increasingly updated into the Creative Cloud version that we have today. Beyond its video editing tools, deep integration with other Adobe products such as After Effects and Photoshop brings added convenience to any project.
When Apple released Final Cut Pro X, many diehard FCP users switched to Premiere Pro because of the change to a magnetic timeline. However, some have returned back to FCPX after seeing the performance benefits that it offers on the Mac operating system.
Adobe has improved their hardware acceleration systems last year, as well as built-in automatic proxy support (which requires some minor configuration to enable). Now you can edit smoothly and experience sufficient playback performance on any Windows machine with weaker specifications.
Additionally, native ProRes support has been added in recent years to improve the overall editing workflow as so many cameras and recorders are able to capture in this format natively. This takes one of the significant advantages away from Final Cut Pro and makes the importing and editing process that much smoother on Premiere Pro CC.
Instead of purchasing this software outright, Adobe CC products like Premiere Pro are available via subscription. This means you can no longer buy Premiere outright but will have to put down less money upfront. Pricing starts at $20.99/month for just Premiere Pro CC access or $49.99 for the entire Creative Cloud Suite.
DaVinci Resolve Studio 17
BlackMagic Design is an Australian-based company that has been developing video production software and gear since 2001. Their DaVinci Resolve software has become a staple in the Hollywood scene as one of the best color correction and grading tools for both Mac & Windows currently on the market.
Resolve 17 is one of the best alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows because it provides a similarly sleek interface that is well organized. Performance is solid due to BMD's ability to harness hardware acceleration as well as optimizations on files and proxy workflows that allow for smooth playback without a need to re-render on capable machines.
Though Resolve isn't as popular as Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro, it does have a steeper learning curve with fewer tutorials and guides available for free on the Internet as well as a complex interface for new users. This involves the impressive feature of Resolve 14 is its ability to color correct/grade footage with a node-based structure to produce stunning videos with unique color aspects.
The base version of Resolve 17 is available at no cost making it the best free video editing software to replace FCP X on Mac, but the Studio full version is a more powerful video editing software that offers more advanced editing tools, functionality and supports multi-user environments. DaVinci Resolve Studio 17's retail price is $295, but it comes as a free bonus with any purchase of a modern BlackMagic Design camera.
Magic Vegas Edit
MAGIX's Vegas Edit is lesser-known, but the software is derived from Sony Vegas Pro of which MAGIX acquired back in June of 2016. At one point Sony Vegas Pro was a big player in the post-production workflow of many TV shows and film-festival winners, but Sony's lack of focus on this digital product (thus leading to the MAGIX acquisition) caused other competing video editing software to take over the attention.
We like to think MAGIX's Vegas Edit is another solid alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows as it offers a similar price-point, interface, and feature set. The user interface has the same ‘dark' ambiance to it and the overall performance for video editing tasks is excellent thanks to the new addition of NVIDIA and Intel hardware accelerations.
Vegas Edit does offer nearly all the bells and whistles that you could want including 4K UHD and 360-video (VR) support as well as native ProRes. The MSRP for Sony's Vegas Edit software is $299, but you can sometimes find it for cheaper through periodic promotions (we have seen it as low as $149 in the past).
Movavi Video Editor Plus 2022
Another popular video editing software with a similar feel to Final Cut Pro is Movavi Video Editor Plus 2021. It’s more beginner to intermediate focused so it is not quite as feature-packed as some competitors, but it allows you to carry our basic video editing and create high quality videos with ease.
Movavi provides an simple user interface that has all the necessary editing tools you need for basic to intermediate video editing. There are advanced features like 4K support, 360-degree video, picture-in-picture, keyframing, chroma-key, titling, motion tracking and audio editing features. There is also the Movavi Effects Store which allows users the chance to buy add-on video effects, motion graphics and sound effects to help take their movies to the next level.
This software also supports hardware acceleration to ensure smooth playback and scrubbing without the need for any major rendering especially if your Windows machine has a solid graphics card. If you are on a tight budget then Movavi Video Editor Plus 2022 is a likely a solid choice for your video editing needs.
CyberLink PowerDirector 365
The cheapest and one of the best for beginners on this list, CyberLink's PowerDirector 365 offers a very similar user interface to Final Cut Pro for Windows. Designed more for personal use and basic editing than professional usage, this software is an affordable solution for creating films based on family, travel, sports, or vlogging. Think of it like a movie capable version of Windows Movie Maker
While it is on the lower-end of NLEs, it still comes packed with a variety of advanced features including lots of video effects, motion graphics, sound effects, multi-cam support, LUTs, color grading (including automatic CC), 360-degree video editing, and stabilization. For under $100, PowerDirector 16 Ultimate includes some real bang for your buck and will be a similar experience to Final Cut Pro.
Is it Possible to Install Final Cut Pro on a PC?
Some of you may have been looking to read this article thinking that there was a Windows version of Final Cut Pro. While we hate to be the bearer of bad news and say that there is no way to do so, it's technically possible to install Final Cut Pro on a PC and edit videos although the process is complicated and not quite viable for most.
There is no official version of Final Cut Pro for Windows, but macOS can be installed on a PC, then FCP downloaded and installed. Typically, this method is known as a ‘Hackintosh,' and involves installing modifying files of the macOS on an appropriate hardware system.
Overall, this process is complex and only works in certain situations as we stated earlier that MacOS functions well with hardware it has been optimized for. Furthermore, Apple has not licensed their MacOS for use with Windows PCs and you may be violating copyright laws by installing it on a Windows Machine.
We won't be discussing how to set up a Hackintosh system any further in this guide. Those interested can visit this article if you think it is something that you are capable of doing yourself AND you have the proper hardware required for such a thing. Keep in mind, this is the ONLY known way you'll see others actually being able to install Final Cut Pro on a Windows machine and it is far from perfect.
Is Final Cut Pro X worth switching to MAC from PC?
Given the circumstances of Final Cut Pro X not being available on PC, some professional editors may question their loyalty to their PC and question whether or not they should make the jump to buying and using a Mac computer instead.
While I understand this thought, it's a pretty drastic move to make and it also can be an expensive one. Apple computers usually fetch a hefty premium over PCs due to their refined user experience, high build quality and streamlined approach to hardware and software compatibility.
With Final Cut Pro only being available for Mac users, they do have a firm grasp on fans of the software in terms of convincing them to buy more Mac products in the future. However, all of the competition in the PC component space ultimately drives prices down and lets you get some real bang for your buck in terms of performance for a lot less than the equivalently priced Mac machine (especially one with a metal capable graphics card).
For some, maybe it is worth the jump to Mac as long as they are ready to switch to an entirely different ecosystem full and daily computer usage scenario. However, for most, I think that Windows users should just stick to what they know and not make the switch to Mac purely for FCP X reasons especially when there are several video editing software listed above that are viable alternatives.
Final Thoughts
Within one of these five Final Cut Pro alternatives, you should be able to find a program that meets all of your needs. Although most video editing software on this list will offer similar features, they also have their own strengths and weaknesses.
For most people, Adobe Premiere Pro CC is the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows, but this will depend on each person's situation and budget. We recommend that you try out one or more and see which is the best fit for your budget and work style before purchasing.
No matter which video editing software you choose from this guide, all of them will give you a similar experience to Final Cut Pro on Windows computers.
