Color grading isn’t a mystery anymore. In fact, more people know how to color grade today than ever before (or at least, try their hand with it). This is because the tools for effective color grading are more widely available to video editors than ever before.
The best color grading software for video editing software like Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro help any casual editor become skilled.
Today, you can color grade your footage faster and more accurately than ever before. And, as a bonus, some of the best video color grading software are completely free!
Keep reading to learn more about the best color grading software available today.
And for more great video editing tools, check out our list of the best software for video editing here.
6 Best Color Grading Software for Video Editors
Here is a brief overview of the 6 best color grading software that the pros use.
Let’s take a look at each color grading option and see what makes each software so unique.
1. Color Finale 2
Color Finale 2 is my personal favorite color grading software. I don’t always edit in Final Cut Pro X, but when I do, it’s usually because I want to play with this color correction software. This color grading plugin is a major step up from the native color tools found in Final Cut Pro X.
Color Finale 2 gives FCPX editors more control over color curves and color wheels. It also makes it much easier to isolate and manipulate specific colors with advanced features.
All of these color changes are sorted in layers which can easily be manipulated and reordered at your whim. Seriously, this software has all the tools!
Version 1 of this program likely would have been lower on this list. But the recent update to version 2 brought some killer new features that make color correction and color grading easier (and more fun) than ever.
Features like Color Chart for streamlined color correction, Image Analysis for more detailed image evaluation, and Film Emulation for dialing in that grainy film look, push this color grading software to the top.
Plus, video editors have the ability to create, export and save their own LUTs. This makes recreating looks so much easier in the future. And more efficient, too.
Unfortunately, at the time of this writing Color Finale 2 is only available for Final Cut Pro X and Motion users. The basic version of this color grading software is available for $99.00. Or, upgrade to the pro version for a total of $149.
Sign up today and enjoy a free trial version. The free version can be used for 7 days.
Check out our hands-on review of Color Finale 2 to learn more.
2. Cinema Grade
Cinema Grade is an extremely powerful color grading software that works in both Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro. Plus, it’s super affordable starting at just $69 for a basic lifetime license.
The major strengths of Cinema Grade include:
- Shot matching
- Using, customizing and applying LUTs
- Ease of installation
- Cut down on coloring time in post production
We have a lot of good things to say about this color correcting and grading software. And we have! You can read out Cinema Grade review to check out our full length take on this software.
3. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a professional-level high end video editing, color correction and color grading software. In fact, even editors in Hollywood use it. Resolve comes with tools to manage the entire video production process.
Editors can cut footage, color correct, color grade, produce audio, use motion graphics and create video effects all within DaVinci Resolve. You can literally do everything. And you’ll have access to common tools like color wheels and curves.
And indeed, many video editors have been recently making the switch from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve. The main aspect of Resolve that has been attracting so many new users is its depth of color control.
In fact, Resolve was built with color correction and color grading at its very core.
Most importantly, this amazing video editing and color grading software is available for free. Or, purchase the full version of DaVinci Resolve.
The only real downside to DaVinci Resolve is its uniqueness. Editors who learned how to video edit in other programs will 100% face a steep learning curve when switching to Resolve as their main editing program.
You can use Resolve to achieve the best color on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Any video editor eager to dial in the colors of their footage needs to make sure they have the right gear. A monitor that represents colors accurately is essential. Check out some of the best monitors for color grading!
4. Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite
At number 3, we come to the Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite. This collection of professional color grading tools from Red Giant gives editors everything they need to create stylized videos.
From color correction to color grading and finally the clean up process, the Magic Bullet Suite really is a ‘magic bullet’. It has color grading features you didn’t even know you needed.
This set of plugins makes it incredibly easy for users to create videos that stand out color-wise. Plugins include Denoiser, Colorista, Film, Looks and many more.
The only downside is that you’ll be paying quite a bit for these color tools. A monthly subscription will set you back $79/month.
Or, you can save by paying for 12-months upfront at a rate of $49.91/month. Purchase it on Amazon today.
5. Film Convert
Film Convert is another excellent option for a color correction and color grading plugin. Like Colorista IV, Film Convert works with most video editing platforms.
The availability of precise camera profiles, 90 film stocks, 60k grain scans, and amazing color correction features make Film Convert unique.
Additionally, this quick fix software can be used on both Windows and macOS. Unique features include the ‘grain response curve’. This tool allows users to finely tune the amount of grain in the footage for a classic film look.
The Film Convert Bundle costs $199. A free trial of these color correction tools is available online.
Learning to be an effective color grader takes time and education. Here are 10 free color grading tutorials you can watch to help refine your skills.
6. Lumetri in Adobe Premiere Pro
This isn’t a sexy pick for the best color grading tools. But we can’t help it. Lumetri ain’t bad!
While it’s not as fun or easy-to-use as something like Color Finale 2, Lumetri is automatically included when you purchase Adobe Premiere Pro.
So, you won’t have to buy anything new if you’re already editing your footage in Adobe Premiere Pro. Basically, it can be considered a “free” color grading software – provided you pay for the video editing program.
Lumetri plays well with LUTs, provides plenty of color curves and color wheels for users to work with. And, it has some decent preset looks already included.
The biggest downside to using Lumetri is that it can take some time to learn for a new video editor.
And it can contribute to those dreaded Premiere Pro system crashes when video editing larger projects.
Check out this Lumetri tutorial for help in achieving that beautiful film look within the Adobe Suite (one of our best color grading software).
You can purchase Premiere Pro and Lumetri for $15.99/month.