Compare our video editing apps
See how all of our Media Composer video editing apps compare and decide which version is right for you.
Audience and availability
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Audience and availability |
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Ideal for... |
Aspiring video professionals and beginners | Professional editors and movie makers who work independently | Professional editors, movie makers, and journalists who work in a collaborative environment | Large broadcast and post-production teams with multiple roles contributing to the production that need administrative control and security, plus media education facilities |
Availability | A free download for anyone to use | Get a 1-year subscription and pay monthly or in full; a Media Composer perpetual license is also available for those who prefer to own the software; or easily manage multiple licenses and users with Media Composer for teams | Get a monthly, annual, 2-year, or 3-year subscription—floating license included; add the Media Composer | Cloud VM option to run Media Composer as virtual machine software; a Media Composer perpetual license is also available (does not include the software options that come with Media Composer | Ultimate); or easily manage multiple licenses and users with Media Composer | Ultimate for teams | Annual subscription—floating license included |
Included software options | Media Composer | PhraseFind Option, ScriptSync Option, Symphony Option, and NewsCutter Option | Media Composer | PhraseFind Option, ScriptSync Option, Symphony Option, NewsCutter Option, Cloud VM, Distributed Processing, and Avid NEXIS | EDGE |
General
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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General |
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Projects | Unlimited | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects |
Bins | 5 bins per project |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects* * for perpetual licences only |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects |
Video and audio plugin support |
AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
Transcode | Limited | + | + | + |
Consolidate | Limited | + | + | + |
Backward licensing compatibility | Anyone can activate and run Media Composer | First 2018.9 and later* | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later* (see details for perpetual licenses here) | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later* (see details for perpetual licenses here) | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2019.6 and later* |
Access control | n/a | n/a | n/a | Limit or restrict access by user or group to projects, bins, media functions, and more |
* Get details on accessing older software in your Avid Account |
Features
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Features |
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Video editing |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Multicam editing |
Group Clips 4-Way Split Display Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups |
Video effects |
Limited core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
FrameFlex | + | + | + | + |
Timecode tool | + | + | + | + |
Sequence Map |
+ | + | + | + |
Bulk Edit | + | + | + | + |
List tool | + | + | + | |
Film workflows | + | + | + | |
Stereoscopic 3D | + | + | + | |
Color Correction |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
Audio editing and mixing |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer |
Audio effects | Limited core set | Full core set (see details) | Full core set (see details) | |
Workspaces |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Interface customization | Customize the interface for any production role in your organization | |||
Titles | Titler+ |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Background render, transcode, and consolidate | + | + | + | |
Settings |
Limited User settings Limited Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Keyboard Mapping | Limited (based on available functions) | Full | Full | Full |
Source/Record color differentiation |
On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Snap to Edit | On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Auto-launch Effects Editor |
On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Video and audio plugin support |
AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
Avid Marketplace | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade |
Collaboration and control
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Shared bins and projects | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral workflow integration | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Avid NEXIS shared media workflows | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Avid NEXIS | EDGE collaborative and proxy workflows | + | |||
Role-based interface customization | + | |||
Limit access to features, functions, media, and locations | + | |||
Lock content export and publishing | + | |||
SRT output for remote over-the-shoulder collaboration | + | + |
Tracks
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Tracks |
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Video tracks | 4 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
Audio tracks | 8 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
Data tracks | Not supported | Fully supported | Fully supported | Fully supported |
Video and color
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Video and color |
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Linked file support |
Full decode SD, HD, >HD File, Volume, and third-party export not supported |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Video file formats | See the latest | See the latest | See the latest | See the latest |
Project formats | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080 | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom |
Frame rates |
23.976p, 24p, 25i, 30i/p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p No progressive support for SD rasters |
23.976p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p | 23.976p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p |
23.976p, 24.000p, 25.000p, 29.97p, 30.00p, 50.00p, 59.94p, 60.00p for rasters 1080 and higher. 1080i50 and 1080i59.94 720p25, 720p29.97, 720p50, 720p59.94 for the 1280 x 720 raster 720p23.976 does not allow for proxy creation. SD rasters do not allow for proxy creation. |
Native compression | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K |
Floating point timeline (32-bit) | + | + | + | |
Color spaces | 601/709 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 |
Desktop display LUTs | n/a | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy |
Audio
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Audio |
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Audio resolutions | 32, 44.1, on-the-fly conversion to 48 kHz; 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit |
Audio channels | Mono, dual mono, stereo | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround |
Import
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Import |
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Source Browser | + | + | + | + |
Drag-and-Drop Import | + | + | + | + |
Drag-and-Drop Link | + | + | + | + |
Photoshop w/Layers | + | + | + | + |
Capture | + | + | + | |
Dynamic Media Folders | + | + | + | |
IMF Link | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
OP1a Native Link and Import | + | + | + | + |
ProRes decoding (Mac and Windows) | + | + | + | + |
OpenEXR decoding | + | + | + | |
AAF Import | + | + | + | |
HEVC (H.265) decoding | + | + | + | + |
EDL Import | + | + | + | |
ALE Import | + | + | + | |
Shot Log Import | + | + | + | |
SCC Import | + | + | + | |
Edit While Capture | + | + | + |
Export
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Export |
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QuickTime (.mov) formats | Limited: H.264, DNxHD, PCM, WAV | + | + | + |
ProRes decoding (Mac and Windows) | + | + | + | + |
OpenEXR encoding | + | + | + | |
Publish to YouTube | + | |||
Publish to Vimeo | + | |||
Graphic Export | Limited: TIFF, JPEG | + | + | + |
AAF Export | + | + | + | |
ALE Export | + | + | + | |
AFE Export | + | + | + | |
Shot Log Export | + | + | + | |
SCC Export | + | + | + | |
TTML Export | + | + | + | |
AMA File Export | + | + | + | |
DPX Export | + | + | + | |
AS-11 MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
DNxHD MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
ProRes MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
DNxHR MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
J2K MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
IMF Export | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
HEVC (H.265) Export | + | + | + | |
Export to Device | + | + | + | |
Send to... | + | + | + |
Hardware interfaces
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Hardware interfaces |
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Avid Artist | DNxIQ | + | + | + | |
Avid Artist | DNxIV | + | + | + | |
Avid Artist | DNxID | + | + | + | + |
Avid and third-party audio interfaces | Limited to 2-channel I/O | + | + | + |
Third-party video interface
AJA Video Systems Matrox |
+ | + | + |
Control surfaces
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Control surfaces |
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Avid Control | + | + | + | + |
Avid Dock | + | + | + | |
Avid S1 | + | + | + | + |
Artist Control | + | + | + | |
Artist Mix | + | + | + | |
Artist Color |
+ | + | + | |
Artist Transport | + | + | + |
Software options
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Software options |
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Media Composer | Symphony Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
|
Media Composer | NewsCutter Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
|
Media Composer | ScriptSync Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | PhraseFind Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
|
Media Composer | Distributed Processing | + |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | Cloud VM | + |
+ (included) |
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Avid NEXIS | EDGE |
+ (included) |
Compatible Avid solutions
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Interplay | Production | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Interplay | MAM | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral | Cloud UX | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Avid NEXIS | EDGE | + | |||
Avid NEXIS shared bins and projects | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
iNEWS | Perpetual licenses only | + | + |
System requirements
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |