Video editing · Head to head
Adobe Premiere Pro vs Lightworks: which is better?
Short answer
Lightworks costs less in the first year ($275.88 vs $240). Pick Adobe Premiere Pro for professional editing in Adobe ecosystem; pick Lightworks for free pro-style editor with paid tiers.
| Fact | Adobe Premiere Pro | Lightworks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Professional editing in Adobe ecosystem | Free pro-style editor with paid tiers | — |
| Free plan | No, 7-day trial | Yes, 1080p export, full timeline editing | Lightworks |
| Entry plan | Premiere (individual): $22.99 / mo | Create: $20 / mo | Lightworks |
| Mid plan | Premiere (teams): $37.99 / mo | Pro: $35 / mo | Lightworks |
| Top plan | Creative Cloud Pro: $34.99 / mo | Pro: $35 / mo | Adobe Premiere Pro |
| 1st year | $275.88 | $240 | Lightworks |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Premiere Pro or Lightworks?
Lightworks costs less in the first year ($275.88 vs $240).
| 1st year | Adobe Premiere Pro | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $275.88 | $240 |
| Mid | $455.88 | $420 |
| Top | $419.88 | $420 |
Which has the better free plan, Adobe Premiere Pro or Lightworks?
Lightworks: Yes, 1080p export, full timeline editing.
Should you pick Adobe Premiere Pro or Lightworks?
Pick Adobe Premiere Pro if
- you want professional editing in Adobe ecosystem
- you can pay $22.99 / mo from day one
Pick Lightworks if
- you want free pro-style editor with paid tiers
- the free plan is enough (1080p export, full timeline editing)
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Premiere Pro pricing | adobe.com/products/premiere/plans.html | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Lightworks pricing | lwks.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare