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Entertainment · head to head

Adobe Premiere Pro vs HitFilm

Adobe Premiere Pro logo

Adobe Premiere Pro

Entertainment

Professional video editing software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HitFilm has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe Premiere Pro very demanding system requirements, needing 32GB RAM and dedicated GPU for 4K work; HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe Premiere Pro covers Timeline-based editing, HitFilm covers Composite shots.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe Premiere Pro and HitFilm actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe Premiere Pro and HitFilm differ
AttributeAdobe Premiere ProHitFilm
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownPer user per month
Free tierNoYes
CategoryEntertainmentVideo Production
Founded1982Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Timeline-based editing
  • 4K and 8K video support
  • Color correction
  • Audio editing
  • Motion graphics
  • Multi-cam editing
  • VR video editing
  • Auto reframe

Only in HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Professional video editingnot HitFilm
  • Social media contentnot HitFilm
  • Marketing videosnot HitFilm
  • Documentary productionnot HitFilm
  • Commercial productionnot HitFilm

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot Adobe Premiere Pro

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Very demanding system requirements, needing 32GB RAM and dedicated GPU for 4K work
  • Complex interface with many advanced features that require training and expertise to use effectively
  • No live streaming or screen recording capabilities built-in
  • Limited built-in free effects, most advanced effects require purchase
  • Stability issues and occasional crashes, especially on larger projects

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe Premiere Pro

$22.99/month
  • Premiere Pro Individual$22.99/month
    • Premiere Pro only
    • Cloud storage
    • Mobile apps
  • Creative Cloud All Apps$59.99/month
    • All Adobe apps
    • Cloud storage
    • Fonts and assets
  • Creative Cloud Student$19.99/month
    • All Adobe apps
    • Student discount
  • Team Premiere Pro$37.99/user/month
    • Collaboration tools
    • Team libraries

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe Premiere Pro if

  • You need timeline-based editing.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want 4k and 8k video support.
Adobe Premiere Pro review

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe Premiere Pro or HitFilm better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe Premiere Pro starts at $22.99/month and HitFilm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Premiere Pro or HitFilm?
HitFilm has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe Premiere Pro and Free for HitFilm.
Does Adobe Premiere Pro or HitFilm run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, macOS, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use HitFilm for free?
Yes. HitFilm has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe Premiere Pro starts at $22.99/month.
What is Adobe Premiere Pro best used for?
Adobe Premiere Pro is most often used for professional video editing, social media content, marketing videos, documentary production. Of those, professional video editing and social media content are not what HitFilm is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe Premiere Pro do that HitFilm cannot?
Adobe Premiere Pro covers Timeline-based editing, 4K and 8K video support, Color correction, Audio editing. HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Adobe Premiere Pro: How much does Adobe Premiere Pro cost?

Adobe Premiere Pro costs $22.99/month for individuals. Creative Cloud All Apps is $59.99/month. Students/teachers get all apps for $19.99/month. Team licenses start at $37.99/license/month for Premiere Pro or $89.99/month for all apps.

Source
HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

Adobe Premiere Pro: Is there a free trial for Premiere Pro?

Yes, Adobe offers a 7-day free trial, but it requires a credit card. Full desktop access is provided during the trial period.

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

Adobe Premiere Pro: What are the system requirements for Premiere Pro?

Adobe recommends 32GB RAM and a dedicated GPU with at least 4GB VRAM for stable 4K editing. Premiere Pro is resource-intensive, requiring a powerful system for high-resolution formats.

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

Adobe Premiere Pro: Does Premiere Pro support all video formats?

No, Premiere Pro has significant file format compatibility limitations. It notably does not support HDR video from iPhones and has restrictions on acceptable formats, which can be frustrating for some workflows.

Source
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