media composer comparison
See how all of our Media Composer video editing apps compare and decide which version is right for you.
Audience and availability
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard | Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Ideal for... | Aspiring editors, students, creators, and anyone learning professional editing
| Professional editors and creative teams working independently or collaborating on Avid NEXIS
| Professional editors who need advanced creative tools, AI-assisted editing, and enterprise-ready workflows
| Broadcast, post-production, education, and enterprise teams requiring secure collaboration, administrative control, virtualization, and flexible storage deployment
|
| Availability | Free download for anyone to use
| 1-year subscription Pay monthly or annually Team licensing available | Monthly, annual, 2-year, or 3-year subscription | Annual subscription Floating license included Cloud VM included |
| Additional Capabilities | PhraseFind AI, ScriptSync AI, Symphony, NewsCutter
| PhraseFind AI, ScriptSync AI, Symphony, NewsCutter, Cloud VM, Distributed Processing, Enterprise Roles and Profiles
|
General
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Projects | Unlimited | Unlimited Custom Projects supported | Unlimited Custom Projects supported | Unlimited Custom Projects supported |
| Bins | Unlimited bins
| Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared Projects on Avid NEXIS | Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared Projects on Avid NEXIS | Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared Projects on Avid NEXIS and supported third-party shared storage |
| Media Composer Extensions | Supported*
| Supported*
| Supported*
| Supported*
|
* Extension functionality may depend on Media Composer features available in your tier. Check with the extension partner to confirm compatibility. | ||||
| Video and audio plugin support | AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
| Transcode | Limited | + | + | + |
| Consolidate | Limited | + | + | + |
| Backward licensing compatibility | 2026.8 and above | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2019.6 and later |
| Access control | n/a | n/a | n/a | Limit or restrict access by user or group to projects, bins, media functions, and more |
Features
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Video editing | Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection | Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence | Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence | Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
| Change Source Track for Subclips and Group Clips | + | + | + | + |
| Multicam editing | Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups | Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups | Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms Edit Groups Mixed Rate Groups | |
| PhraseFind AI Multicam Auto Edit | Available with PhraseFind AI Option
| Included
| Included
| |
| Video effects | Limited core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Stabilize | Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize | Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize | Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
| FrameFlex | + | + | + | + |
| Timecode tool | + | + | + | + |
| Sequence Map | + | + | + | + |
| Bulk Edit | + | + | + | + |
| List tool | + | + | + | |
| Film workflows | +
| + | + | + |
| Stereoscopic 3D | + | + | + | |
| Color Correction | CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range | CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels Secondary correction via Symphony Option | CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels Secondary correction via Symphony Option | CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels Secondary correction via Symphony Option |
| Audio editing and mixing | Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in | Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer | Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer | Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate Audio Mixer |
| iXML Metadata Import | +
| +
| +
| |
| Audio effects | Limited core set | Full core set (see details) | Full core set (see details) | |
| Workspaces | Edit Color Effects Audio | Edit Color Effects Audio | Edit Color Effects Audio | Edit Color Effects Audio |
| Interface customization | Customize the interface for any production role in your organization | |||
| Titles | Titler+ | Titler+ | Titler+ Marquee tool | Titler+ Marquee tool |
| Background render, transcode, and consolidate | + | + | + | |
| Settings | Limited User settings Limited Project settings | Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings | Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings | Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
| Keyboard Mapping | Limited (based on available functions) | Full | Full | Full |
| Source/Record color differentiation | On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
| Snap to Edit | On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
| Auto-launch Effects Editor | On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
| Video and audio plugin support | AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
| Avid Marketplace | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade |
Collaboration and control
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Shared Projects on Avid NEXIS | +
| + | + | |
| Shared Projects on Third-Party Shared Storage | + | |||
| Bin Locking on Third-Party Shared Storage | + | |||
| MediaCentral workflow integration | + | + | ||
| Avid NEXIS Shared Projects and Media Workflows | +
| + | + | |
| Role-based interface customization | + | |||
| Limit access to features, functions, media, and locations | + | |||
| Lock content export and publishing | + | |||
| SRT output for remote over-the-shoulder collaboration | + | + | ||
| Virtualized Deployments / Cloud VM | Option
| Included
|
Tracks
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Video tracks | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| Audio tracks | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| Data tracks | Not supported | Fully supported | Fully supported | Fully supported |
Video and color
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Linked file support | Full decode SD, HD, >HD File, Volume, and third-party export not supported | Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD | Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD | Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
| Video file formats | ||||
| Project formats | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K
| SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom |
| Frame rates | 23.976p, 24p, 25i, 30i/p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p No progressive support for SD rasters | 23.976p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p | 23.976p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p | 23.976p, 24.000p, 25.000p, 29.97p, 30.00p, 50.00p, 59.94p, 60.00p for rasters 1080 and higher. 1080i50 and 1080i59.94 720p25, 720p29.97, 720p50, 720p59.94 for the 1280 x 720 raster 720p23.976 does not allow for proxy creation. SD rasters do not allow for proxy creation. |
| Native compression | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes, XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K |
| Floating point timeline (32-bit) | + | + | + | |
| Color spaces | 601/709 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES 1.0, ACES 2065-1 |
| Desktop display LUTs | n/a | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy |
Audio
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Audio resolutions | 32, 44.1, on-the-fly conversion to 48 kHz; 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit |
| Audio channels | Mono, dual mono, stereo | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround |
| iXML Metadata Import | +
| +
| +
|
Import
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Source Browser | + | + | + | + |
| Drag-and-Drop Import | + | + | + | + |
| Drag-and-Drop Link | + | + | + | + |
| Photoshop w/Layers | + | + | + | + |
| Capture | + | + | + | |
| Dynamic Media Folders | + | + | + | |
| IMF Link | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
| OP1a Native Link and Import | + | + | + | + |
| ProRes decoding (Mac and Windows) | + | + | + | + |
| OpenEXR decoding | + | + | + | |
| AAF Import | + | + | + | |
| HEVC (H.265) decoding | + | + | + | + |
| EDL Import | +
| + | + | + |
| ALE Import | + | + | + | |
| Shot Log Import | + | + | + | |
| SCC Import | + | + | + | |
| Edit While Capture | + | + | + |
Export
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| QuickTime (.mov) formats | Limited: H.264, DNxHD, PCM, WAV | + | + | + |
| Pro Tools Session | + | + | ||
| ProRes decoding (Mac and Windows) | + | + | + | + |
| OpenEXR encoding | + | + | + | |
| Publish to YouTube | + | |||
| Publish to Vimeo | + | |||
| Graphic Export | Limited: TIFF, JPEG | + | + | + |
| AAF Export | + | + | + | |
| ALE Export | + | + | + | |
| AFE Export | + | + | + | |
| Shot Log Export | + | + | + | |
| SCC Export | + | + | + | |
| TTML Export | + | + | + | |
| AMA File Export | +
| + | + | + |
| DPX Export | + | + | + | |
| AS-11 MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| DNxHD MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| ProRes MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| DNxHR MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| J2K MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
| IMF Export | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
| HEVC (H.265) Export | + | + | + | |
| Export to Device | + | + | + | |
| Send to... | + | + | + |
Hardware interfaces
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Avid and third-party audio interfaces | Limited to 2-channel I/O | + | + | + |
| Third-party video interfaces | + | + | + |
Control surfaces
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Avid Dock | + | + | + | |
| Avid S1 | + | + | + | + |
Software options
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Media Composer | Symphony | + | + (included) | + (included) | |
| Media Composer | NewsCutter | + | + (included) | + (included) | |
| Media Composer | ScriptSync AI | + | + (included) | + (included) | |
| Media Composer | PhraseFind AI | + | + (included) | + (included) | |
| Enterprise Roles and Profiles | Included | |||
| Media Composer | Distributed Processing | + | + | ||
| Media Composer | Cloud VM | Available as option
| Included |
Compatible Avid solutions
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
| Interplay | Production | + | + | ||
| Interplay | MAM | + | + | ||
| MediaCentral | + | + | ||
| MediaCentral | Cloud UX | + | + | ||
| Avid NEXIS Shared Projects | + | + | + | |
| iNEWS | + | + |
System requirements
Media Composer | First | Media Composer | Standard
| Media Composer | Ultimate | Media Composer | Enterprise | |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) | Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) | Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) | Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |