Final Cut Pro

All about Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is Apple's non-linear, non-destructive video editing software. It is a native 64-bit application capable of utilizing all CPU cores and GPU-accelerated processing, useful for improved playback, rendering, and transcoding. It is used by hobbyist filmmakers and industry professionals in TV, Film, and streaming media.

The software is available to purchase directly from the Mac App Store for $299.99. It is also available as a part of the Apple Creator Studio, which is a subscription bundle of professional Apple apps for $12.99 per month or $129 per year.

Final Cut Pro History

Macromedia initially created Final Cut Pro as an alternative to Adobe Premiere, designed to work alongside Apple's QuickTime. Randy Ubillos, a designer behind the first three iterations of Adobe Premiere, led the project.  While the program saw some initial copyright issues before its release, Apple purchased the development team in 1998.

Final Cut Pro's icon has gone through many iterations

In the early 2000s, the video editor began receiving praise from industry professionals. Independent producer Michael A. Bloom had praised the program in an interview with Larry King. He cited that the program did not fail a single time while rendering his film. 

Roger Avery, the director of Rules of Attraction, became the official spokesperson for Apple's video software. His appearance in global print advertisements helped encourage other editors to make the switch.

In 2002, it won a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award for its impact on the television industry. 

Final Cut Express, a less expensive version of the software, was launched in 2003. While it was well-received at launch, the program was later discontinued in 2011.

Final Cut Pro X, the official successor, was launched in April of 2011. The program was rebuilt entirely and featured a new interface and now conformed to 64-bit application standards. Other new features included workflow enhancements, automation, Core Animation, and ColorSync integration.

Later iterations of the software would gain support for the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, enhanced color-editing tools, 360-degree video editing support, and support for HDR. Eventually, Apple began referring to the software simply as Final Cut Pro.

It gained support for editing spatial video captured for Apple Vision Pro. The 3D video format won't be preserved if edited in the Photos app or other editors.

Final Cut Pro on iPad isn't as fully featured as the app on Mac

Apple introduced Final Cut Pro for the iPad Pro and included a high-level set of features and cross-platform file compatibility. While not a complete copy of the macOS version, it's enough for some workflows to justify the app's presence on the platform.

The Final Cut Camera app on iPhone was also introduced to give users more advanced video captured options. It is how users can capture ProRES RAW in 4K to external storage.

In 2026, Apple introduced Apple Creator Studio, a new subscription bundle that includes access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Compressor, Main Stage, Motion, and Pixelmator Pro. It costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year.

Final Cut Pro Features

Final Cut Pro uses a magnetic timeline, allowing non-destructive editing of clips. Clips can be moved, trimmed, and reordered without collisions or syncing problems. Compound Clips enable users to bundle video and audio clips into a single, movable package. The addition of color-coding helps users identify different types of content at a glance.

Final Cut Pro has a powerful toolset

Organization has also been brought to the forefront of the software. Users can tag clips and clip ranges with metadata for searching or create Smart Collections that automatically collect content based on custom criteria.

Apple also added more functionality for video editors to take advantage of, including workflow extensions for third-party apps and services and several other highly-requested features. The additions allow editors to drag media into their libraries, add clip markers, synchronize playback between extensions and the timeline, and other features.

Other integrations include review and approval of work via Frame.io, the ability to search for product stock footage with Shutterstock, and enhanced media asset management via CatDV.

In line with previous versions, it also gives users robust text and graphics tools. Users can easily create 2D and 3D titles, apply filters, and use a built-in chroma key for blue- and green-screen effects. 

Motion

Motion is Apple's motion graphics tool that gives users the ability to create cinematic 2D, 3D, and 360-degree titles, transitions, and realistic effects in real-time. The interface is designed to be familiar to users if they have already used Apple's other professional software.

Motion

Users are also able to create Smart Motion Templates, which lets users adjust motion graphics quickly and easily. 

Motion is available to purchase separately from the Mac App Store for $49.99 and is included in the Apple Creator Studio.

Compressor 

Compressor is Apple's video and audio compression and encoding application and is designed to work alongside Apple's professional audio and video apps. Users can encode MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Quicktime .mov, and MPEG-4 profiles, as well as convert NTSC to PAL and vice versa. Just as with Motion, Compressor's interface should look and feel familiar to those used to Apple's professional apps.

Compressor

Compressor is available to purchase from the Mac App Store for $49.99 and is available in the Apple Creator Studio.

Notable projects edited with Final Cut Pro:

• 500 Days of Summer
• Burn After Reading
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• Leverage
• The Social Network
• Trailer Park Boys
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Final Cut Pro for iPad

In May 2023, Apple brought its video editor to iPad for the first time. It provides video creators with a comprehensive range of tools that enable them to record, edit, finalize, and share their creations.

Final Cut Pro for iPad

Final Cut Pro for iPad is compatible with M1 chip iPad models or later. Final Cut Pro for iPad is only available through a subscription. It costs $4.99 monthly, or users can pay $49 for an annual subscription. 

At WWDC 2024, Apple showcased how the iPad Pro, paired with Final Cut Pro, can be used for both filming and editing. Final Cut Pro now allows up to four individual iPhones or iPads to be synced to an iPad Pro via the new Final Cut Camera app.

Final Cut Pro for iPad is now included in the Apple Creator Studio subscription bundle.