Final Cut Pro Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
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: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Final Cut Pro's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- 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
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- Same as Creator Studio
- Verification required
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| platform | Mac only | Unlimited/Higher |
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like Same as Creator Studio or Verification required
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- Final Cut Pro branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Apple Creator Studio (Education) Plan Comparison
| One-Time Purchase (Mac) $0 | Apple Creator Studio (Education) $2.99/month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9 included | 2+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | Final Cut Pro branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Mac users who prefer one-time purchase over subscriptions | Students and educators wanting the full Apple creative suite |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Final Cut Pro free?
Yes, Final Cut Pro offers a forever free plan with 9 core features included. However, there are limits on platform that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in Final Cut Pro's free plan?
Final Cut Pro's free plan includes: Professional video editing, Magnetic timeline, Advanced color grading, 360-degree video editing, HDR support, and 4 more features. Key limits include platform: Mac only.
03 What's NOT included in Final Cut Pro's free plan?
The free plan excludes: Same as Creator Studio, Verification required. You'll also have Final Cut Pro branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from Final Cut Pro's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like Same as Creator Studio or Verification required, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $2.99/month.
05 Is Final Cut Pro's free plan really free forever?
Yes, Final Cut Pro's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
Get Final Cut Pro pricing updates
We'll notify you when pricing changes or new free features are added.