Quick Answer
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Final Cut Pro pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $2.99 to $299.99 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: Yes
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training

Final Cut Pro offers 4 pricing tiers: One-Time Purchase (Mac), Education (One-Time), Apple Creator Studio, Apple Creator Studio (Education). Standard paid plans include One-Time Purchase (Mac) at $0/one-time, Education (One-Time) at $0/one-time, Apple Creator Studio at $12.99/month. The Education (One-Time) plan is verified students and educators.

Compared to other video editing software, Final Cut Pro is positioned at the budget-friendly price point.

Last verified: February 2026 | Sources: 1 pricing pages and reviews

Final Cut Pro is Apple's professional video editing software, available as a $299.99 one-time purchase for Mac or through the new Apple Creator Studio subscription at $12.99/month. With a generous 90-day free trial and lifetime updates included, Final Cut Pro offers excellent value for Mac users, though the requirement for Apple hardware ($999-$3,999+) is a significant consideration for those not already in the Apple ecosystem.

All Final Cut Pro Plans & Pricing

Plan Monthly Annual Best For
One-Time Purchase (Mac) platform: Mac only Free $299.99 /one-time0 Mac users who prefer one-time purchase over subscriptions
Education (One-Time) platform: Mac only Free $199 /one-time0 Verified students and educators
Apple Creator Studio $12.99 /month $129 /month Creators who want access to all Apple creative apps
Apple Creator Studio (Education) $2.99 /month $29.99 /month Students and educators wanting the full Apple creative suite
View all features by plan

One-Time Purchase (Mac)

  • Professional video editing
  • Magnetic timeline
  • Advanced color grading
  • 360-degree video editing
  • HDR support
  • Motion graphics and effects
  • Multi-cam editing
  • Automatic updates included
  • Install on multiple Mac devices

Education (One-Time)

  • Same as standard version
  • Verification required

Apple Creator Studio

  • Final Cut Pro
  • Logic Pro
  • Pixelmator Pro
  • Motion
  • Compressor
  • MainStage
  • Works on Mac and iPad

Apple Creator Studio (Education)

  • Same as Creator Studio
  • Verification required
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Hidden Costs to Budget For

Watch for 6 hidden costs
  • Mac computer required: $999-$3,999+ for suitable MacBook or iMac
  • Motion graphics app (Motion): $49.99 one-time if purchased separately
  • Compressor for advanced encoding: $49.99 one-time if purchased separately
  • Stock footage and music: $15-$50/month subscriptions
  • Third-party plugins: $50-$500+ one-time
  • External storage: $100-$500+ for fast SSDs
Tip

Ask your Final Cut Pro sales rep about these costs upfront. Getting them in writing before signing can save you from surprise charges later.

Full hidden costs breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How much does Final Cut Pro cost?

Final Cut Pro costs $299.99 as a one-time purchase for Mac, or $199 for students and educators. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Apple Creator Studio for $12.99/month ($129/year) which includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage, with student pricing at $2.99/month.

02 Is Final Cut Pro a one-time purchase or subscription?

Final Cut Pro offers both options. The traditional $299.99 one-time purchase for Mac includes automatic updates and lets you install on multiple Macs. The new Apple Creator Studio subscription ($12.99/month) includes Final Cut Pro plus 5 other apps and works on both Mac and iPad.

03 Does Final Cut Pro have a free trial?

Yes, Apple offers a 90-day free trial of Final Cut Pro - significantly longer than most competitors' 7-day trials. This gives you three months to fully test all features before deciding to purchase.

04 Do I need a Mac to use Final Cut Pro?

Yes, Final Cut Pro only works on Mac computers and iPads. This is a significant hidden cost - you'll need a Mac ($999-$3,999+) if you don't already have one. For Windows users, alternatives like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Filmora are better options.

05 Is Apple Creator Studio worth it vs buying Final Cut Pro?

If you only need Final Cut Pro, the $299.99 one-time purchase is cheaper than 23 months of Creator Studio ($12.99/month). However, if you want Motion ($49.99), Compressor ($49.99), and Pixelmator Pro ($49.99) too, Creator Studio becomes cost-effective after 3 years, plus you get Logic Pro for music production.

06 What are cheaper alternatives to Final Cut Pro?

DaVinci Resolve is free (or $295 one-time for Studio) and works on Mac and Windows. Filmora costs $69.99/year. CapCut is free with $9.99/month Pro. However, Final Cut Pro's $299.99 one-time cost is competitive - it's cheaper than 13 months of Adobe Premiere Pro ($22.99/month).