DaVinci Resolve monthly subscription: the new $30 option, what it means, and who should use it
- Webmaster
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
The DaVinci Resolve monthly subscription: the headline change
Blackmagic Design has introduced a way for individual users to rent DaVinci Resolve Studio by the month through Blackmagic Cloud’s license management, rather than only buying the perpetual license. Trade outlets report pricing at £25 in the UK, which aligns to about $30 per month in the US, and retailer guides list $30 per month outright.
Important context: this does not replace the long-standing perpetual license. You can still buy DaVinci Resolve Studio for $295 one time, and the free version remains available.
What you get with Studio vs the free version
The free Resolve is incredibly capable, with pro-level editing, color, Fusion VFX, and Fairlight audio tools. Studio adds higher resolutions and frame rates, advanced AI tools like noise reduction, speed warp, SuperScale, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, plus multi-GPU acceleration.
Whether you rent Studio or buy Studio, the feature set is the same during the period your license is active.
How the $30 monthly rental works
Create or sign in with your Blackmagic Cloud ID.
Inside Resolve, open your Cloud profile and rent a Studio license.
Activation is tied to your Cloud ID, so you do not need a dongle or serial code.
You can deactivate on one computer and activate on another from the Cloud dashboard.
This monthly rental was previously available to larger orgs in other forms. The change is that individuals can do it directly, which is great for freelancers or short projects.
Rent or buy? The simple math
If you are weighing the DaVinci Resolve monthly subscription against the $295 perpetual license, think in terms of project cycles and cash flow. The subscription keeps upfront costs low and is easy to spin up for short gigs, while the one-time license usually wins once you cross roughly ten months of steady Studio use.
Perpetual license: $295 one time.
Monthly rental: about $30 per month.
Break-even point: $295 ÷ $30 ≈ 9.8 months.If you need Studio for 10 months or more, buying the perpetual license is usually smarter. If you only need Studio for a few months per year, the monthly rental can save cash and keep your costs aligned with projects.
Who the monthly plan is perfect for
Freelancers and indie creators who take on Studio-level work only a few months a year.
Small teams that need to spin up an extra seat for a contractor or a short sprint.
Education and training labs that want a short, time-boxed block for a class or workshop.
How it compares with your current options
Option | Upfront | Ongoing | Best for |
Resolve (Free) | $0 | $0 | Beginners, YouTube creators, many pro jobs that do not require AI NR, HDR mastering, or 32K/120 fps |
Studio, monthly | ~$30 | Monthly | Temporary Studio features, extra seats, try-before-you-buy |
Studio, perpetual | $295 | $0 | Full-time editors and colorists, long-term savings |
Sources for pricing and features: Blackmagic Design and recent trade coverage.
Quick start: renting DaVinci Resolve Studio
Create a Blackmagic Cloud ID or sign in.
In Resolve, open Blackmagic Cloud from your profile menu.
Choose Rent Studio License and confirm your monthly plan.
Activate on your workstation. Deactivate and move the license as needed from the Cloud dashboard.
FAQs
Is the free version going away?
No. Blackmagic continues to offer an excellent free edition alongside Studio.
Do I lose Studio features if I stop paying?
Yes, when the rental period ends your access to Studio-only features ends until you rent again. Trade coverage and Cloud docs frame this as a true rental tied to your Cloud ID.
Can I still buy Studio once and keep it?
Yes, the $295 perpetual license remains available and is still widely recommended for year-round users.
Bottom line
Blackmagic’s new $30 monthly rental for DaVinci Resolve Studio gives creators a flexible path to unlock Studio features without a big upfront spend. If your Studio needs are short bursts, rent it. If you are in Resolve Studio most of the year, buy the perpetual license and be done with it.