Softwr

Software · head to head

DaVinci Resolve vs ZBrush

DaVinci Resolve logo

DaVinci Resolve

Software

Professional video editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ZBrush logo

ZBrush

Software

Industry standard for digital sculpting

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DaVinci Resolve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DaVinci Resolve free version limits noise reduction to CPU-only processing, significantly slower than Studio's GPU acceleration; ZBrush subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • They diverge on capability: DaVinci Resolve covers Multi-user collaboration, ZBrush covers Digital sculpting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DaVinci Resolve and ZBrush actually diverge.

Attributes where DaVinci Resolve and ZBrush differ
AttributeDaVinci ResolveZBrush
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, iPadOS
Founded20081986

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 DaVinci Resolve

  • Multi-user collaboration
  • 8K editing
  • Color correction
  • Visual effects
  • Motion graphics
  • Audio post production
  • Fairlight audio
  • Fusion VFX

Only in ZBrush

  • Digital sculpting
  • Dynamesh
  • ZRemesher
  • PolyPaint
  • Live Boolean
  • Sculptris Pro
  • UV Master
  • High polygon handling

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

DaVinci Resolve

  • Professional video editingnot ZBrush
  • Color gradingnot ZBrush
  • Visual effectsnot ZBrush
  • Audio post productionnot ZBrush
  • Film productionnot ZBrush

ZBrush

  • Digital character and creature sculptingnot DaVinci Resolve
  • High-polygon organic form designnot DaVinci Resolve
  • Texture painting and PolyPaint worknot DaVinci Resolve
  • Game asset creation and 3D modellingnot DaVinci Resolve

Where each one falls short

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

DaVinci Resolve

  • Free version limits noise reduction to CPU-only processing, significantly slower than Studio's GPU acceleration
  • Free version caps export resolution at 4K without 8K support
  • No multi-GPU support in free version, limiting rendering speed on powerful workstations
  • AI tools and features like Super Scale AI only available in $295 Studio version
  • Users report random issues requiring restart suggesting architectural stability concerns

ZBrush

  • Subscription model required; no perpetual licence option available
  • iPad version requires separate subscription to ZBrush for iPad

Pricing, plan by plan

DaVinci Resolve

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Professional editing tools
    • Color correction
    • Visual effects
  • Studio$295/one-time
    • All free features
    • AI tools and Super Scale AI
    • 8K editing support

ZBrush

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ZBrush review.

Which should you pick?

Choose DaVinci Resolve if

  • You need multi-user collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want 8k editing.
DaVinci Resolve review

Choose ZBrush if

  • You need digital sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
  • You also want dynamesh.
ZBrush review

Questions people ask

Is DaVinci Resolve or ZBrush better?
Neither clearly leads. DaVinci Resolve starts at Free and ZBrush at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DaVinci Resolve or ZBrush?
DaVinci Resolve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DaVinci Resolve and On request for ZBrush.
Does DaVinci Resolve or ZBrush run on more platforms?
DaVinci Resolve runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. ZBrush runs on Windows, macOS, iPadOS.
Can I use DaVinci Resolve for free?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ZBrush starts at On request.
What is DaVinci Resolve best used for?
DaVinci Resolve is most often used for professional video editing, color grading, visual effects, audio post production. Of those, professional video editing and color grading are not what ZBrush is typically brought in for.
What can DaVinci Resolve do that ZBrush cannot?
DaVinci Resolve covers Multi-user collaboration, 8K editing, Color correction, Visual effects. ZBrush covers Digital sculpting, Dynamesh, ZRemesher, PolyPaint. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DaVinci Resolve: What is the pricing for DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve has a completely free version with professional editing tools and no watermark. DaVinci Resolve Studio adds AI-powered features, 8K support, and multi-user collaboration as a one-time $295 purchase.

Source
DaVinci Resolve: What features are only in DaVinci Resolve Studio?

Studio version adds AI tools like Super Scale AI, noise reduction with GPU acceleration, 8K editing support, HDR color grading, multi-user collaboration, and advanced codec support.

Source
DaVinci Resolve: What are the hardware requirements for DaVinci Resolve?

For optimal performance with modern RAW footage, an NVMe SSD is required for cache and scratch files. Multi-GPU configurations benefit only specific effects workloads, while most users achieve better performance with a single high-VRAM GPU.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on DaVinci Resolve

More on ZBrush

Keep looking

Other head to heads