Avid Media Composer vs Lightworks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Avid Media Composer and Lightworks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Avid Media Composer
Industry-standard video editing software for professional film and television production.
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard for high-end productions
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
| At a Glance | Avid Media Composer | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan |
Category | Video Editing Digital Asset Management | Video Editing Audio Editing |
Rating | 4.1/5 G2 4.1 · SourceForge 4.0 70 reviews | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Avid Media Composer or Lightworks?
Choose Avid Media Composer if
- You want industry standard for high-end productions
- You want extremely stable and reliable
Choose Lightworks if
- You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
- You want scales with user skill level from beginner to professional
In-Depth Analysis
Avid Media Composer
Industry-standard video editing software for professional film and television production.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard for high-end productions
- Pro: Extremely stable and reliable
- Pro: Excellent media management capabilities
- Pro: Robust collaborative workflow features
- Pro: Powerful tools for complex projects
Weaknesses
- Con: Steep learning curve for new users
- Con: Can be resource-intensive
- Con: Subscription-based pricing can be costly
Key features
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Lightworks offers a generous free tier, making it accessible for beginners.
Strengths
- Pro: Offers a free version for beginners to get started.
- Pro: Scales with user skill level from beginner to professional.
- Pro: Provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools (video, audio, VFX, color).
- Pro: Supports high-quality footage and offers advanced features like HDR workflows.
- Pro: Streamlined sharing and export options, including direct social media integration.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced VFX features (supplied by NewBlue) are only available for Windows and Mac.
- Con: The full range of professional features requires a paid subscription.
Key features
Plans and prices: Avid Media Composer vs Lightworks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Avid Media Composer | No plan prices on file | avid.com/media-composer |
| Lightworks |
| lwks.com/pricing read Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Avid Media Composer pricing and Lightworks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Avid Media Composer
- Choose if you want industry-standard video editing software for professional film and television production
Lightworks
- Choose if you want unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.1/5 from 70 reviews for Avid Media Composer, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Avid Media Composer and Lightworks compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.1/5 from 70 reviews for Avid Media Composer, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks). Both have a free plan.
What are Avid Media Composer and Lightworks used for?
Avid Media Composer: Industry-standard video editing software for professional film and television production. Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
What does Avid Media Composer cost vs Lightworks?
Avid Media Composer has no public paid-plan price on file. Lightworks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Avid Media Composer and Lightworks?
Avid Media Composer's main strength: industry standard for high-end productions. Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started.