Why Final Cut Pro Beats Final Cut Express for 2024
Express Yourself, But Better: The Advantages of Final Cut Pro
Why Final Cut Pro Beats Final Cut Express
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Boring and unexciting videos may turn off your mode. You need something special or wonderful that could turn you on and make your memories worth watching.
To let users give a new look to their pictures and videos, Apple Inc. released its first video editing software Final Cut Express in 2003. Over the next few years, various improvements were made in its updated versions.
However, after multiple inconveniences, Apple Inc. discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011 and launched its new version Final Cut Pro with advanced video editing features. Final Cut Pro was customized for video editing professionals with advanced knowledge of video editing. It is available for just $299.99 with 90 days free trial.
Some alternatives to Final Cut Express are also available in the market such as Final Cut Pro of crouse, iMovie, a low-end alternative, and Filmora, popular among beginners and pros. Let’s look at these tools individually in this article.
Take advantage of PREMIUM features for 12 months.Part 1: What is Final Cut Express?
Final Cut Express was a video editing software designed by Apple Inc. for advanced editing of digital and HD videos. It was a consumer version of Final Cut Pro liked by professional photographers, due to its better capabilities than iMovie.
Final Cut Express used to have many features like two-way color correction, dynamic RT, Chroma key, 99 audio tracks, split-screen, and picture-in-picture effects, motion path keyframing, 23 compositing modes, and opacity keyframing.
It also allowed the users to keyframe the filters and perform slide and blade edits. Eight years after its release, Apple discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011 in favor of Final Cut Pro X.
Part 2: Is Final Cut Express Still Available?
No, concurrent with the launch of Final Cut Pro X on June 21, 2011, Final Cut Express was discontinued and removed from the Apple online store.
You might be wondering what prompted Apple to do this. Well, the primary cause of the discontinuation of Final Cut Express was that Apple Inc. wanted to launch an advanced video editing software Final Cut Pro.
Besides, despite several attempts to improve the software’s performance, Final Cut Express kept on causing multiple inconveniences. The company eventually decided to discontinue Final Cut Express and introduce a new product to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers.
As Final Cut Express withdrawal from the stage, many other editors still update to this day. For example, Filmora, an editor trusted by many beginners and pros, updates every month. Click download to try it for free!
Part 3: Major Differences between Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express
Both Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro were two high-performance, user-friendly, and advanced video editing software developed by Apple Inc. Both had amazing features and were liked by professional photographers, filmmakers, and editors. However, Apple Inc. discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011.
Today, Final Cut Pro incorporates all features of Final Cut Express plus some additional functions added by Apple Inc. later.
Given below are some of the key differences between these two software:
| Final Cut Pro | Final Cut Express |
|---|---|
| The software is currently available on Apple Store and is supported by all iOS devices. | The software was discontinued in 2011 and can no longer be downloaded from Apple Store. |
| Effectiveness is guaranteed as the user will receive application updates. | Untrusted and unreliable software because no application updates are available. |
| Original version with advanced features | The consumer version of Final Cut Pro with limited features |
| The application performance keeps improving with new versions | The application performance kept on declining due to downgraded features |
| Heavyweight editing tools for better results | Simple editing tools |
| Costs $299 | Costs $199 |
| Recommended for experts and professionals | Recommended for beginners |
| Requires a system with better hardware and enhanced performance | Compatible with systems with less-advanced hardware |
Key features:
• Import from any devices and cams, including GoPro and drones. All formats supported. Сurrently the only free video editor that allows users to export in a new H265/HEVC codec, something essential for those working with 4K and HD.
• Everything for hassle-free basic editing: cut, crop and merge files, add titles and favorite music
• Visual effects, advanced color correction and trendy Instagram-like filters
• All multimedia processing done from one app: video editing capabilities reinforced by a video converter, a screen capture, a video capture, a disc burner and a YouTube uploader
• Non-linear editing: edit several files with simultaneously
• Easy export to social networks: special profiles for YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Twitter and Instagram
• High quality export – no conversion quality loss, double export speed even of HD files due to hardware acceleration
• Stabilization tool will turn shaky or jittery footage into a more stable video automatically.
• Essential toolset for professional video editing: blending modes, Mask tool, advanced multiple-color Chroma Key
Part 4: iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro, Which is the Best?
All these video editing software, iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro are developed by Apple Inc. with different features and functions. However, they have different target audiences and offer diverse pricing plans according to the user’s needs.
The following table offers a detailed comparison of iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro to help you choose the best one for advanced video editing.
| No. | Parameter of Comparison | iMovie | Final Cut Express | Final Cut Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Target Audience | It is aimed at home users and who are beginners with no video editing skills | It is ideal for a bit advanced users with moderate knowledge of video editing | It is a professional product and targets professional photographers and video editors. |
| 2 | Features | Automated video editing video support Audio & music editing HD & 4K Video color settings Crop & rotate video clip Stabilization Video effects & transitions Timeline Photo & music import Pre-built themes & backdrops simultaneously | Two-way color correction Dynamic RT Chroma key 99 audio tracks Split-screen Picture-in-picture effects Motion path keyframing 23 compositing modes Opacity keyframing | Moving & Trimming Clips Multicam Editing 360 Degree VR Editing Effects VR Headset Playback Advanced Color Grading HDR Video Support Motion Graphics Templates Asset Management Plug-Ins |
| 3 | Interface | User-friendly and easy to understand | Complicated for beginners | Very complicated |
| 4 | Skill Set Required | Beginner | Moderate | Advanced |
| 5 | Advanced Sharing | Yes | No | No |
| 6 | Text Implementation | Limited Tools | Limited Tools | Advanced tools for easy text customization |
| 7 | Compatible OS | Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later | Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later | Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later, 64-bit processor |
| 8 | Workflow | Advanced | Moderate | Advanced |
| 9 | Supported HD Format | 1080 | 1080 | UHD 4K |
| 10 | iCloud sync | Yes | No | No |
| 9 | Operating Speed | Fast due to limited tools | Fast due to limited tools | Moderate due to advanced tools and effects |
| 10 | Advanced Effects | Presets | Presets with moderate effects | An array of advanced effects |
| 11 | Plugins and Integrations | Limited | Limited | Several third-party plugins |
| 12 | Color Correction Features | Focus on Image Improvement | Small editing of pictures | Total customization to match the footage tone |
| 13 | Pricing | Free of Cost | $199 | 90 days free trial then $299.99 |
Part 5: Best Alternative to Final Cut Express
Now, as Final Cut Express is no longer available, you may want to try the other two editors of Apple. While iMovie mainly targeted beginners, Final Cut Express and Pro targeted users with moderate to advanced knowledge of video editing.
For those beginners who wanted to make professional-looking videos without any editing skills, Wondershare launched Filmora as an alternative to Final Cut Express and Pro.
This user-friendly made video editing as simple as ABC. From offering multiple hand-picked effects to advanced editing options, Filmora allows you to range markers, perfect your audio, group timeline clips, and perform detailed color correction with auto-correction and color wheels for free.
Key Features
- Advanced video editing options;
- 300+ free handcrafted effects
- User-friendly video editing tools; and
- Video conversion options to multiple formats.
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
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- Title: Why Final Cut Pro Beats Final Cut Express for 2024
- Author: Giselle
- Created at : 2024-08-09 08:31:35
- Updated at : 2024-08-10 08:31:35
- Link: https://ai-vdieo-software.techidaily.com/why-final-cut-pro-beats-final-cut-express-for-2024/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.