Colourlab AI 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 Colourlab AI and Lightworks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Lightworks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall 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:
Colourlab AI
Transform your videos with AI-powered color grading automation and studio-grade color science.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly speeds up color grading and shot matching workflows
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Colourlab AI | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | Free plan |
Category | Video Editing Color Tools | Video Editing Audio Editing |
Rating | n/a | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | May have minimum seat requirements for studios. | n/a |
Choose Colourlab AI or Lightworks?
Choose Colourlab AI if
- You want significantly speeds up color grading and shot matching workflows
- You want provides consistent and professional color results with AI automation
Choose Lightworks if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- 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
Colourlab AI
Transform your videos with AI-powered color grading automation and studio-grade color science.
It's best for established video professionals and post-production houses who prioritize advanced AI color grading and integration over budget constraints.
Watch out
May have minimum seat requirements for studios.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly speeds up color grading and shot matching workflows.
- Pro: Provides consistent and professional color results with AI automation.
- Pro: Integrates with popular video editing software and offers a standalone option.
- Pro: Maintains data privacy by processing media locally.
- Pro: Developed by Hollywood color scientists and veterans, ensuring high-quality color science.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like film emulation and RAW support are limited to the Pro version.
- Con: Optimization for Windows NVIDIA and AMD GPUs is pending, potentially impacting performance for some users.
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: Colourlab AI vs Lightworks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Colourlab AI |
| colourlab.ai read Oct 4, 2026 |
| 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 Colourlab AI pricing and Lightworks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Colourlab AI
- Choose if you want transform your videos with AI-powered color grading automation and studio-grade color science
Lightworks
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Lightworks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Lightworks has a published user rating (3.9/5 from 191 reviews); Colourlab AI has none we can show.
- Only Lightworks has 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 Colourlab AI and Lightworks compare in 2026?
On the data below, Lightworks leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Lightworks has a published user rating (3.9/5 from 191 reviews); Colourlab AI has none we can show. Only Lightworks has a free plan.
What are Colourlab AI and Lightworks used for?
Colourlab AI: Transform your videos with AI-powered color grading automation and studio-grade color science. Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
What does Colourlab AI cost vs Lightworks?
Colourlab AI 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 Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Colourlab AI and Lightworks?
Colourlab AI's main strength: significantly speeds up color grading and shot matching workflows. Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started.