7 Video Color Grading Software Picks for 2026 (Free & Paid)

What Is Color Grading?

Color grading is a post-production process that fine-tunes video visuals by adjusting color, contrast, brightness, and saturation to set a specific mood, style, or cinematic tone. It goes beyond simple correction — color grading is about creative storytelling through color. Key grading elements include:

• Hue: Altering the base color to shift the image's temperature (warm or cool tones).
• Saturation: Enhancing or muting colors for vibrancy or subtlety.
• Brightness: Controlling the overall lightness or darkness of the image.
• Contrast: Manipulating the difference between light and dark areas to create drama or softness.
• Gamma: Influencing midtones without affecting shadows and highlights.
• Color Balance: Ensuring color consistency and correcting unwanted color casts.
• White Balance: Adjusting for accurate whites under various lighting conditions, impacting overall color temperature.

With the right video color grading software, your footage can achieve professional clarity and visual impact.

Color Grading vs Color Correction: What's the Difference?

Before diving into our software picks, it is important to understand the distinction between color correction and color grading — two terms often confused but serving different purposes in post-production.

Color correction is the first step. It fixes technical issues in your footage: adjusting white balance, correcting exposure problems, and ensuring consistent color across all clips. The goal is to make your video look natural and true to life.

Color grading comes after correction. It is the creative process of applying a specific look, mood, or aesthetic to your footage. Think of the teal-and-orange look in Hollywood blockbusters or the desaturated tone in horror films — that is color grading at work.

Most modern video color correction software also includes creative grading tools, giving you a complete color workflow in one application.

Video Color Grading Software Compared

Choose by task: UniFab separates automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement from basic color adjustments, while the other active tools focus on manual grading or editing workflows.

UniFab HDR Upconverter AI: Automated Color Enhancement

UniFab HDR Upconverter AI applies AI-assisted processing to convert SDR footage into HDR output without manual color-grading controls. It suits creators who need automated enhancement rather than detailed, shot-by-shot look development.

Key Features

• Perfect Light and Shadow Balance: Enhances dynamic range, balancing shadows and highlights for a natural, eye-pleasing visual experience.
• Refined Color Performance: Adjusts color and contrast as part of the SDR-to-HDR enhancement workflow.
• Workflow Scope: UniFab HDR Upconverter AI is an automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement workflow rather than a manual color-grading interface.
• Automated Processing: Runs the enhancement through a dedicated module rather than manual grading controls.

UniFab HDR Upconversion Steps

The steps below show how to color grade video with the automated HDR Upconverter workflow.

Step 1: Install and launch UniFab on your device. Choose the "HDR Upconverter" module, then add your video file.

Step 2: Review the available enhancement and output settings for your source, then click "Start" to process the video.

Use this workflow only with footage you are authorized to edit, and follow applicable copyright rules and usage terms.

Pros

• Automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement
• Dedicated workflow with minimal manual adjustment
• Clear separation from professional manual grading tools

Cons

• Designed for automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement rather than manual grading controls; use the HDR Upconverter module for this workflow.

UniFab Video Converter: Basic Color Adjustments

UniFab Video Converter combines format conversion with basic brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustments. These controls suit quick corrections within a conversion workflow rather than a full manual color-grading process. Output settings such as bitrate can also be adjusted during conversion, and bitrate affects file size.

Price: Free

Basic Color Adjustment Steps

Step 1: Install and launch UniFab. Choose the "Video Converter" module.

Step 2: Add your video file and click the Editor icon.

Step 3: Select "Effect" to adjust Brightness, Contrast, and Saturation. You can also apply filters for quick creative looks. Click "OK" when satisfied, then start processing.

Pros

• Basic brightness, contrast, and saturation controls
• Color adjustments within the conversion workflow
• Filters for quick creative looks

Cons

• Basic adjustment controls rather than a node-based grading workflow

DaVinci Resolve: Professional Color Grading

DaVinci Resolve 21 is a professional video editing and color grading application. Its dedicated Color page includes primary and secondary color correction, Power Windows, tracking, HDR grading, and node-based workflows. Blackmagic offers DaVinci Resolve 21 as the free edition and DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 as the paid edition.

Editions: DaVinci Resolve 21 and DaVinci Resolve Studio 21

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

Key Features

• Node-Based Color Grading: Organize complex grades with a flexible, non-destructive workflow.
• Advanced Color Wheels & Curves: Precise control over lift, gamma, gain, and individual color channels.
• Face Tracking & Qualifiers: Isolate skin tones, skies, or any color range for targeted adjustments.
• HDR and Edition Scope: Blackmagic offers DaVinci Resolve 21 and DaVinci Resolve Studio 21. The free application and Studio are separate editions; Studio is priced at US $295.
• Log and Codec Setup: Match D-Log normalization to the camera profile, then confirm that the selected edition and operating system support the source codec and bit depth.
• LUT Support: Import, create, and manage custom LUTs for consistent looks across projects.
• Magic Mask AI (Studio): AI-powered object and people isolation without manual rotoscoping.

Pros

• Free version is incredibly powerful
• Industry-standard color tools used in Hollywood
• Complete post-production suite (editing, VFX, audio, color)
• Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Cons

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Studio version needed for some AI features
• Resource-intensive — requires strong hardware

Adobe Premiere Pro: Editing and Grading Together

Choose Adobe Premiere Pro when color grading needs to remain inside an existing Adobe editing workflow, with subscription licensing as the main tradeoff. Adobe Premiere Pro features an advanced color grading toolkit through its Lumetri Color panel. This tool set offers extensive control with customizable color wheels, curves, and a variety of film and HDR presets. Keyframing allows for precise per-clip adjustments to white balance, exposure, contrast, and more. Responsive performance and fast rendering depend on the hardware, source format, timeline, and effects used. Automatic adjustments can oversaturate colors, so review the result with scopes and adjust it as needed.

Price: As of October 2026, Adobe’s US $22.99-per-month single-app offer is an annual plan billed monthly, for the first year only and for new subscribers only. Color Mode is available in Premiere beta.

Supported OS: Windows, Mac

Key Features

• Lumetri Color Panel: Comprehensive color correction and grading interface with presets.
• Color Match with Sensei AI: Automatically matches color between clips using Adobe's AI.
• HDR Support: Edit and grade in HDR workflows with proper tone mapping.
• Seamless Adobe Integration: Works perfectly with After Effects, Photoshop, and other Adobe tools.
• LUT Import: Easy one-click LUT application with preview.

Pros

• Deep integration with Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem
• Powerful Lumetri Color tools with keyframe support
• Regular updates and large community support

Cons

• Subscription-only pricing model
• Sensei AI color match works on a per-clip basis only

Final Cut Pro: Color Grading on Mac

Final Cut Pro delivers immediate color correction tools with intuitive controls for adjusting hues, saturation, and exposure. A standout feature is the automatic Color Match button, which synchronizes colors between clips for seamless correction across your project. It supports editing in both standard and HLG color spaces with real-time scopes.

Price: Final Cut Pro for Mac is available as a US $299.99 one-time purchase. Apple Creator Studio also includes Final Cut Pro for US $12.99 per month or $129 per year.

Supported OS: macOS

Key Features

• Color Board & Color Wheels: Multiple color adjustment interfaces for different workflows.
• Automatic Color Match: One-click button to synchronize colors between clips.
• Video Scopes: Real-time waveform, vectorscope, histogram, and RGB parade.
• HDR Support: Edit in HLG color space with proper display management.
• Custom LUTs: Import and apply LUTs with real-time preview.

Pros

• Excellent color grading and correction tools in one editor
• Optimized for Apple silicon
• A one-time Mac purchase is available for users who prefer no subscription, while Apple Creator Studio provides a bundle option
• Magnetic timeline and intuitive interface

Cons

• Mac only — no Windows or Linux support
• Color grading options are somewhat limited compared to DaVinci Resolve
• Not ideal for complex multi-layer grading projects
• Expensive upfront cost

Cinema Grade: Legacy Plugin and Successor

Cinema Grade is labeled 2018–2025, identifies CineDream as its successor, and offers compatibility updates only as long as they remain tenable. Its legacy plugin used direct on-screen adjustments inside DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro. New users seeking a current manual-grading workflow should consider the Resolve or Premiere Pro sections above.

Legacy platforms: Windows, Mac (plugin)

Key Features

• On-Screen Grading: Click directly on the image to adjust exposure, color temperature, and tint.
• LUT Browser: Preview and apply LUTs directly in the viewer.
• Host Plugin: The legacy plugin ran inside DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro.
• Scene-Referenced Workflow: Maintains color accuracy across different display types.

Pros

• Direct on-screen adjustment workflow
• Operated inside supported host editors
• Legacy LUT browsing and preview tools

Cons

• Requires a host application (not standalone)
• Limited advanced features compared to DaVinci Resolve
• Smaller community and fewer tutorials available

Filmora: Color Presets for Beginners

Wondershare Filmora offers a beginner-friendly approach to video color grading software with its collection of color presets, filters, and basic adjustment tools. The color correction panel includes exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, and vibrance controls, while the color matching feature helps maintain consistency across clips.

Price: Filmora Basic is US $49.99 per year; its US $79.99 perpetual license covers Filmora 16 and excludes future major upgrades.

Supported OS: Windows, Mac

Key Features

• Color Presets & Filters: Large library of one-click looks and creative filters.
• Color Matching: Automatically match colors between different clips.
• AI Color Enhancement: AI-assisted adjustments for quick improvements.
• LUT Support: Import and apply custom LUTs for cinematic looks.

Pros

• Very easy to learn for beginners
• Affordable pricing
• Good selection of presets and templates
• AI-powered color tools

Cons

• Limited advanced grading capabilities
• Some features require the premium plan
• Not suitable for professional color workflows

Lightworks: Editing with Color Tools

Lightworks has been a staple in the film industry for decades, used in editing major Hollywood films. It includes color wheels, curves, basic saturation and hue controls, and tools for selective corrections. While its interface takes time to learn, it provides solid color grading capabilities especially in its Pro version.

Price: Lightworks offers Free, Create, and Pro editions.

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

Key Features

• Professional Color Tools: Color wheels, curves, and selective correction capabilities.
• LUT Workflow: LUT availability depends on the selected Lightworks edition.
• Multi-Track Editing: Professional timeline with advanced editing features.
• Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Pros

• Free version available with solid features
• Professional-grade editing tools
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Used in Hollywood productions

Cons

• Free version limited to 720p export
• Complex interface with steep learning curve
• Not all file formats are supported in the free tier
• Color grading tools are less comprehensive than DaVinci Resolve

Choosing Video Color Grading Software

Selecting the best color grading software depends on several factors:

1. Your Skill Level 

• Beginners: Filmora provides a preset-based editing workflow, while UniFab Video Converter handles basic brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustments alongside conversion.
• Intermediate: Final Cut Pro fits a Mac editing workflow, while Premiere Pro keeps Lumetri color tools inside an Adobe timeline.
• Professional: DaVinci Resolve provides a dedicated node-based workflow for detailed manual grading.

2. Your Budget 

• Free editions: DaVinci Resolve and Lightworks Free
• Lower-cost paid option: Filmora Basic, with a separate perpetual license limited to its specified major version
• Professional paid options: DaVinci Resolve Studio, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro

3. Your Platform 

• Mac editing workflow: Final Cut Pro
• Windows, Mac, and Linux: DaVinci Resolve and Lightworks
• Windows and Mac: Premiere Pro and Filmora

4. Your Workflow 

• Dedicated manual grading: DaVinci Resolve
• Grading within an Adobe timeline: Premiere Pro
• Editing and grading on Mac: Final Cut Pro
• Plugin workflow: Requires a compatible host editor and version
• Automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement: UniFab HDR Upconverter AI
• Basic adjustments with conversion: UniFab Video Converter

Before choosing an editor, check whether its edition and operating system support your source codec and bit depth.

If your goal is automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement rather than manual grading, UniFab's SDR to HDR converter is the relevant workflow. Our roundup of the best HDR software compares additional HDR-focused approaches.

The Rise of AI in Video Color Grading

Artificial intelligence is changing parts of the video color workflow, but automated enhancement and manual creative grading serve different purposes. Editors still use curves, wheels, masks, and individual color channels to shape a deliberate look, while AI-assisted features can automate specific adjustments or selections.

The available automation depends on the named tool and module:

• Premiere Pro Color Match helps match the color treatment between clips within the Lumetri workflow.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio Magic Mask assists with isolating people or objects for targeted adjustments.
• UniFab HDR Upconverter AI automates SDR-to-HDR enhancement rather than providing a manual grading interface.

UniFab HDR Upconverter AI uses deep learning to convert SDR content to HDR, a workflow where the practical differences between SDR and HDR affect the intended output. For users exploring AI-enhanced video tools, our Topaz Video AI review compares broader AI video enhancement approaches.

AI can reduce repetitive setup and make targeted enhancement more accessible, but an editor's manual controls remain the appropriate route when the project requires precise shot matching or a deliberately crafted visual style.

Conclusion

7 Video Color Grading Software Picks for 2026 (Free & Paid) covers three distinct needs: professional manual grading, basic color adjustments during conversion, and automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement. These workflows are complementary, but they are not interchangeable.

No matter which tool you choose, the key is to start experimenting. Color grading is both a technical skill and a creative art — and the best way to improve is to practice with footage you care about.

Choose DaVinci Resolve for dedicated manual grading, Premiere Pro for color work inside an Adobe timeline, Final Cut Pro for a Mac editing workflow, UniFab Video Converter for basic adjustments during conversion, or UniFab HDR Upconverter AI when the task is automated SDR-to-HDR enhancement.

If your source codec or bit depth is unknown, check website documentation for the selected editor’s edition and operating system before starting the workflow.

Use these tools only with footage you are authorized to edit, and follow applicable copyright requirements and software terms.

FAQs about Video Color Grading Software

What is the best free video color grading software?

DaVinci Resolve 21 is the best free video color grading software for most users who want manual controls. Its free edition includes the Color page with color wheels, curves, qualifiers, Power Windows, tracking, and node-based grading. Lightworks Free is another option for editing with color tools, but its free exports are limited to 720p.

Is DaVinci Resolve really free for color grading?

Yes. DaVinci Resolve 21 has a free edition with its dedicated Color page and core manual grading tools. DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 is a separate paid edition that adds advanced features. Codec and bit-depth support varies by operating system and edition, so compatibility depends on the source footage and selected platform.

What is the basic workflow for video color grading?

A standard video color grading workflow follows these steps: 

• (1) Normalize — set proper exposure and white balance for each clip.
• (2) Primary correction — adjust overall lift (shadows), gamma (midtones), and gain (highlights).
• (3) Secondary correction — isolate and adjust specific colors or areas using qualifiers and masks.
• (4) Creative grading — apply your desired look using LUTs, color curves, or manual adjustments.
• (5) Match — ensure color consistency across all clips in your timeline.
• (6) Output — export with the correct color space for your delivery format.

An exported video is the playable deliverable, a saved project retains editable grading decisions, and a LUT stores a reusable color transform rather than the complete edit.

Which is better for color grading: DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro?

DaVinci Resolve is the better fit for a dedicated, node-based grading workflow. Its Color page centers on nodes, qualifiers, masks, and shot matching. Premiere Pro is a practical choice when grading needs to remain inside an existing Adobe editing timeline through Lumetri Color and integration with After Effects and Photoshop. Some workflows edit in Premiere and send the finished timeline to Resolve for grading.

Can I use color grading software on my phone?

Yes. LumaFusion is available for iOS and Android, so it can be used on supported iPhones and Android phones; it also runs on iPad, ChromeOS, and Apple silicon Macs. KineMaster is another phone-focused option for basic color adjustments. DaVinci Resolve for iPad is an iPad app, not an iPhone or Android version. Choose an app based on your device and the controls your project requires.

What hardware do I need for video color grading?

Hardware needs depend on the editor, operating system, software version, source codec and bit depth, timeline resolution, and the effects applied. Match the CPU, GPU, and memory configuration to the chosen editor’s published requirements for your system.

• Source footage: Higher resolutions, higher bit depths, and demanding codecs increase processing and memory requirements.
• Timeline and effects: Noise reduction, tracking, masks, and layered effects can increase playback and rendering demands.
• Storage: A fast SSD supports smoother access to project files, cache data, and footage.
• Display: A properly calibrated, color-accurate monitor supports more reliable grading decisions.