Scope
DaVinci Resolve is post-production software for editing, grading and finishing footage on a timeline. FRCTL is a VJ studio for building effect-driven visuals and performing them live.
FRCTL vs DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve, made by Blackmagic Design in Melbourne, Australia, is post-production software that combines editing, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post and photo editing in one app. It runs on macOS, Windows and Linux, with an iPad version. FRCTL is a browser-based VJ studio built around a chain of effects applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources.
Side by side.
| FRCTL | DaVinci Resolve | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Effect chain applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, plus Shader Lab for custom shaders | One app split into pages: Cut and Edit for editing, Color for node-based grading, Fusion for node-based compositing and motion graphics, Fairlight for audio post, plus Photo, Media and Deliver |
| Platforms | Web browser. Windows desktop app on the Pro plan, with Spout and NDI output | macOS, Windows and Linux. iPad version with the Cut, Color, Photo and Deliver pages |
| Pricing | Free $0. Creator $12/month or $99/year. Pro $29/month or $249/year, first 7 days free. Lifetime plan coming soon at $333 one time | DaVinci Resolve free. DaVinci Resolve Studio $295 one-time. Studio is included with several Blackmagic cameras |
| Free option | Full toolkit with every effect and shader, live mode, no watermark. Exports up to 1080p, 30fps, 2 minutes. Personal and non-commercial use | DaVinci Resolve: editing, grading, Fusion, Fairlight and collaboration up to Ultra HD at 60fps. Most Neural Engine AI tools, DCTL, noise reduction, multiple GPUs and 45 Resolve FX are Studio only |
| Audio reactivity | Modulation matrix with LFOs, an envelope follower, sample and hold, and ten audio frequency bands. Beat detection | Fairlight page for audio post. Fusion's Fairlight Animator modifier animates parameters from audio analysis |
| Depth and subject isolation | On every plan, including Free: subject isolation, face blur, and a Depth displace effect that estimates depth from a clip or image. Any effect can be limited to the subject, the background, or highlights, mids or shadows. A subject mask that follows a moving subject on a live camera is on Creator and Pro | Neural Engine tools on Studio: Magic Mask, Depth Map, Relight, Face Refinement, Object Removal, IntelliTrack and others. Auto Color and Shot Matching on both versions |
| Custom content | Shader Lab (GLSL) | Python and Lua scripting in Fusion. Third-party OpenFX plugins on both versions. DCTL color transforms on Studio |
| Sync and control | Tap tempo, automatic beat detection, and clock sync via MIDI clock or OSC. Clock output to external gear. MIDI learn | Blackmagic editing keyboards, color panels and Fairlight consoles. Third-party grading and MIDI control panels |
| Live performance | Single or dual decks with a keyer. Auto-VJ re-rolls effects every 1 to 32 beats | Replay workflow for live sports and news: live input view, multi-angle replays to air, editing files while they record |
| Video output | Second display. Spout and NDI on the Windows desktop app (Pro) | Frame-accurate monitoring output through Blackmagic DeckLink and UltraStudio hardware. Remote client monitoring |
| Video input | Camera | Capture through Blackmagic DeckLink and UltraStudio hardware |
| Resolution | Exports up to 1080p on Free and Creator, up to 4K on Pro | Up to Ultra HD at 60fps on the free version. Up to 32K at 120fps on Studio |
| Export | Free: 1080p, 30fps, 2 min. Creator: 1080p, 60fps, 10 min. Pro: up to 4K and 60fps, up to 1 hour at 1080p30, plus keyed exports. The desktop build records local 4K MP4 | Render queue on the Deliver page: H.264, H.265, AV1, ProRes, DNxHD/HR, OpenEXR, IMF and DCP. Direct upload to YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok and others |
| Built-in content | 170 effects in 16 families. 40 built-in typefaces for overlays | Over 100 Resolve FX, plus 45 more on Studio. Over 200 Fusion tools. Over 100 motion graphics effects added in version 21 |
| Extras | Graphic and text overlays. Subject and depth isolation | Blackmagic Cloud for shared projects and multi-user collaboration. AI assistant integration on Studio |
Key differences.
Pricing model
DaVinci Resolve has a free version and a one-time Studio license at $295. FRCTL uses monthly or yearly plans alongside a free plan.
Free versions
DaVinci Resolve's free version works up to Ultra HD at 60fps, and most of its AI tools and some effects need Studio. FRCTL's free plan includes every effect and shader and exports up to 1080p, 30fps and two minutes, for personal use.
Subject isolation
DaVinci Resolve Studio includes Magic Mask and Depth Map for isolating people and depth. FRCTL includes subject isolation, face blur and a Depth displace effect on every plan, including Free.
Audio
DaVinci Resolve's Fairlight Animator modifier drives Fusion parameters from audio analysis. FRCTL runs on audio reactivity, with a modulation matrix across ten frequency bands, beat detection, tap tempo and MIDI clock or OSC sync.
Using both
FRCTL exports MP4 video, which DaVinci Resolve imports, so visuals made in FRCTL can be cut, graded and finished on a Resolve timeline.