DaVinci Resolve
Professional video editing, color grading, VFX and audio post-production application by Blackmagic Design.
HN commenters recommend it as a capable desktop video editor123 that many say runs well on Linux, including with the free version.45678 The most common complaint is missing codec support on Linux, such as no H.264 in the free tier and AAC needing workarounds,91011 along with a finicky Linux setup that some could not get working.1213
Why people recommend it
Linux support · 3
Several users report it runs reliably on Linux, including GPU acceleration and multi-monitor setups.
“Works without a hitch, including multi monitor, gpu acceleration etc”
“I was really impressed by how well it worked for me on Linux.”
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“works amazingly on Linux, better than Windows in fact, like Houdini, Unreal Engine (the runtime, not the Editor), DaVinci Resolve and Blender”
Video editing · 3
Users highly recommend it as their main desktop video editor and an Adobe alternative.
“Have been using Davinci Resolve as my desktop video editor for years, and it's great, can highly recommend it as well.”
“while I love davinci for video”
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“Personally, I use Affinity, Resolve, Darktable, Blender, and Figma.”
Free version · 3
The free version is enough for long-term use and substantial projects.
“I've been using Resolve for years without paying for it”
“I was really impressed by how well it worked for me on Linux.”
Show 1 more
“As a free user for several years, the MCP integration was exactly something I was looking forward to”
Workflow automation · 2
Users have built agents and subtitle-based cutting workflows around it to speed up editing.
“Resolve then creates a video version that’s cut based on the subtitle changes”
“make a super simple agent outside of Resolve”
Caveats and dissent
Linux codecs · 3
On Linux the free tier lacks H.264 support, and AAC and other codecs need tricks or patches.
“Resolve didn't support h.264 on their free tier on Linux”
“On Linux I use Davinci Resolve with some tricks to get the good codecs, would use Davinci on Windows too”
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“reverse engineer the linux version of resolve to add support for AAC media”
Linux setup · 2
Getting it running can be difficult, with reported Nvidia-only and X11 requirements and audio problems on Ubuntu.
“getting it run is a very bad experience on Ubuntu/Kubuntu 24.04”
“Works without a hitch, including multi monitor, gpu acceleration etc”
Learning curve · 2
It is a complex editor that can be slow going for inexperienced users.
“It would have taken me days to do the same with DaVinci Resolve because of my inexperience with complex editors.”
“other software like Blender or Darktable (or even Davinci Resolve)”
Paywalled features · 1
The new MCP integration requires the paid Studio version, and automation is restricted for free users.
“As a free user for several years, the MCP integration was exactly something I was looking forward to”
HDR display · 1
One user measured version 20 showing HDR content about 20% too dark.
“DaVinci Resolve 20 shows HDR content 20% too dark”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- DaVinci Resolve 21.1 6 mentions
- DaVinci Resolve releases Photo Editor 6 mentions
- Ask HN: What are tools you have made for yourself since the advent of AI 2 mentions
- O&O ShutUp10 – The antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11 1 mention
- Asahi Linux Progress Report: Linux 7.2 1 mention
- GIMP Development Update 1 mention
Data: davinci-resolve.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 24
“As a free user for several years, the MCP integration was exactly something I was looking forward to”
“reverse engineer the linux version of resolve to add support for AAC media”
“make a super simple agent outside of Resolve”
“Resolve then creates a video version that’s cut based on the subtitle changes”
“I use DaVinci Resolve for editing GoPro, Canon DSLR, iPhone, and Drone FPV footage.”
“Works without a hitch, including multi monitor, gpu acceleration etc”
“works amazingly on Linux, better than Windows in fact, like Houdini, Unreal Engine (the runtime, not the Editor), DaVinci Resolve and Blender”
“The most expensive apps I use (Lightroom, Resolve, Photoshop), are available for Windows too”
“other software like Blender or Darktable (or even Davinci Resolve)”
“On Linux I use Davinci Resolve with some tricks to get the good codecs, would use Davinci on Windows too”
“I use davinci resolve”
“DaVinci Resolve 20 shows HDR content 20% too dark”
“Darktable, RAWTherapee, DaVinci Resolve, AfterShot Pro, and the unhelpfully named "Art"”
“Personally, I use Affinity, Resolve, Darktable, Blender, and Figma.”
“Resolve didn't support h.264 on their free tier on Linux”
“while I love davinci for video”
“I can run multiple versions of Resolve on the same computer.”
“I was really impressed by how well it worked for me on Linux.”
“getting it run is a very bad experience on Ubuntu/Kubuntu 24.04”
“Have been using Davinci Resolve as my desktop video editor for years, and it's great, can highly recommend it as well.”
“I've been using Resolve for years without paying for it”
“It would have taken me days to do the same with DaVinci Resolve because of my inexperience with complex editors.”
“They're mostly /fine/ but it's one of the weaker software categories in FOSS-alternatives IMO.”
“These days I use DaVinci Resolve on Linux”