The Famous Beginning Editor Struggle: Should I Learn Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve First?

Hi, my name is Blake, and I’m a professional videographer.

I’ve been in the space for about four years, creating content for Utah-based companies like Tranont, Pure Health and Wellness Clinic, and Klout Brands. Throughout my time in the videography industry, I have always been asked one specific question, especially by beginners:

"What video editor should I learn first?"

When creating content for professional brands, you need intuitive editing software that has robust tools but remains affordable. It’s a tough choice, so let’s break down the two industry titans: DaVinci Resolve vs. Adobe Premiere Pro.

The Value Battle: DaVinci Resolve Wins on Budget

Both platforms are capable of producing stunning, professional work. However, for a content creator in the 16–30 age range (or anyone on a student budget), we are looking for the best bang for our buck.

In that regard, there is one standout choice: DaVinci Resolve.

It offers professional-grade tools that help you color, cut, and edit both video and audio. The best part? If you’re just looking to master the base-level tools, DaVinci Resolve is completely free.

Once you’ve learned the ropes and want more power, the full version, "DaVinci Resolve Studio," is a one-time payment of $295. Compare that to Adobe’s annual subscription of $263.88 per year (every year), and the math speaks for itself.

The Case for the Reigning Champion: Adobe Premiere Pro

For years, Adobe Premiere Pro has been the undisputed champion of the editing world. Why? The Ecosystem.

Its main strength is its seamless integration with the entire Adobe Creative Cloud. When working in Premiere Pro, you can integrate assets from Adobe Stock, Illustrator, After Effects, and Photoshop without skipping a beat.

When I’m working for a professional client, time is money. Being able to "Dynamic Link" a file from one app to another is extremely efficient. This is why most professional marketing agencies and production studios still rely on the Adobe Suite. It works, it's reliable, and the resources are endless.

Community Support: Premiere Pro creates a massive creative community. If you get stuck, there are thousands of video tutorials on YouTube to help you. DaVinci, although growing rapidly, is historically known for color grading, so finding tutorials for specific editing techniques can sometimes be slightly harder (though it gets easier every day).

The Splendor Media Verdict

I like Adobe Premiere Pro, and to be honest, I love the Adobe Suite. Illustrator is fantastic for graphics, Photoshop is essential for thumbnails, and After Effects is incredible for motion design. I have the full suite downloaded on my machine, and I use it daily.

However, two years ago, I decided to try DaVinci Resolve, and to be frank, I haven’t looked back.

Here is my current workflow: I barely touch Premiere Pro these days. If I need to create a specific asset in Photoshop or After Effects, I do the work there, render the file, and then bring it into DaVinci Resolve for the final edit and color grade.

While I sometimes get frustrated that the community support isn't as vast for DaVinci, the software is growing. With each update, it becomes stronger, more reliable, and more intuitive than ever before.

Final Thoughts: You Have the Power

My final verdict is that you, as the creative, have the power to choose.

• Stick with what works: If you already know Premiere Pro and you can edit quickly, don't feel pressured to switch. Speed and efficiency are key.

• For the Beginner: If you are looking to switch things up, or if you have never touched editing software before, I 100% recommend investing your time and skills in DaVinci Resolve. It’s free to start, the color tools are superior, and it saves you money in the long run.

Which editing software did you start with? Hit the comments below and tell me your thoughts on the Resolve vs. Premiere battle!