Top 5 Color Grading Software for Windows and Mac Computers

Multimedia editing holds significant value in the current market, as social media posts and other forms of online content are most effectively shared in video format. Aside from basic video editing, another advanced skill that can help you capture viewers is applying aesthetically pleasing color design. As such, this article will involve highlighting the five best color grading software to help our readers choose which option suits their needs based on editing skill, device in hand, and intended purpose. We will review each program while featuring its best uses, pros, and cons.

Part 1. What is Color Grading and Why Does it Matter

Before proceeding to our software reviews, let us first discuss what color grading is and why these advanced editing skills matter for aspiring multimedia practitioners. To start, properly using film grading software heavily affects the mood of your video projects. When used properly, it can make a scene lively, gloomy, scary, or any other form of emotion you want to convey.

With the concept of color grading now discussed, it is important to learn that this skill is totally different from video color correction. Unlike grading, which is used for cinematic purposes, correction adjustments fix bad color design from your video to enhance the color’s natural look. It usually involves adding exposure, contrast, and editing the tint color balance of your project.

Now that the importance and function of color grading and color correction have been discussed, let us move forward to the review of the best video grading apps for desktop computers.

Part 2. Top 5 Picks: Best Color Grading Software Comparison

How We Review

To provide an objective review of the featured color grading software in this article, we used three specific measurements to assess the video color editor performance of the best color grading software we have featured.

Exposure Recovery

Since color correction’s primary function is to readjust unwanted color design, the first assessment tool we have used is exposure recovery. As its name suggests, this was used to judge each program’s video repairing capabilities if too much exposure was applied.

Skin Tone Check

For video projects with people as their main subject, preserving a natural-looking skin tone is crucial. Too much color grading may affect the skin color of your models, and such visuals are not appealing and may look weird to the viewers. To test this factor, we made each video color editor correct a video sample with the models having their skin look orange and plastic-y.

Render Speed

Finally, the performance of the tools is graded via their rendering speed. To keep it consistent, we rendered a 1-minute video in 4K quality and timed each tool based on how fast it rendered the video.

With the reviewing of measurements now discussed, let us move forward to reviewing some of the best programs for color grading.

AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate – Easy Editing, Grading, and Conversion Combined

To start our lineup for the top five color grading software for desktop, we will highlight the best option first in terms of versatility, ease of use, and practicality, with none other than AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate.

Among the programs on this list, this tool is by far the simplest to use in terms of interface design and video processing. For automated color editing, the Video Enhancer tool of the software works wonders for beginners, as it applies balanced color adjustments to videos processed in it.

If you want more control over your color grading adjustments, you still have the option for manual editing via the Effects and Filter tab in the video editor of the program, which allows editing the contrast, saturation, brightness, and hue of your video.

With the help of the automated Video Enhancer tool and the manual color effect settings of the program, you now have all the tools for the simplest option to adjust the color grading of your video project.

This sheer practicality and ease of use are what make AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate a solid option, especially since you can also use it to convert, compress, and edit the coloring effect of video via a single export.

To learn more about one of the best free video grading software for Windows and Mac, make sure to read its pros and cons below. Do not forget to download it as well to start using the easiest color grading tool for desktop.

DaVinci Resolve – Professional, Advanced, Industry-Standard Grading

With the easiest color grading tool now discussed, let us now move forward to the complete opposite with DaVinci Resolve. Among the color grading options in this article, this software is arguably the hardest and most technical to use.

However, this steep learning curve was made possible by the limitless editing options in the program. This includes the color correction options in the software. Unfortunately, the high technical requirements to run the software properly are what prevent it from being accessible.

Despite that, it is still one of the best free color grading software programs, especially for users with enough experience in multimedia editing.

Adobe Premiere Pro – Versatile Editing, Integrated Color Correction

Continuing the trend for professional-grade options, we have the most popular option in this list with Adobe Premiere Pro. Similar to the previous option, this tool is also equipped with limitless editing options, making it very rewarding for experienced users.

Although not inherently easy to use, the design of the software, being similar to other Adobe Creative Cloud tools, gives it a small point in terms of accessibility. This made the software a good color grading tool for those with experience in other Adobe software, such as Photoshop

Unfortunately, the program is still hard to use despite this familiarity. Its learning curve is also challenging since its tools are very technical in terms of their capabilities.

Final Cut Pro – Mac Optimized, Intuitive, Cinematic Workflows

With the options for beginners and professionals now highlighted, we can move forward to the option in between with Final Cut Pro. Highly optimized for Apple Silicon processors, this video editor tool for Mac offers balance in terms of color grading and ease of use.

Although it is easier than professional-grade options, it is equipped with intermediate editing tools, making it a balanced option for beginners who want to move forward with their editing skills. Unfortunately, its exclusivity to macOS computers limits its overall accessibility.

Filmora – Beginner-Friendly, Affordable, Creative Filters

We will finish this top five by featuring another beginner-friendly option. Similar to AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, Filmora is also optimized for ease of use. However, it has traditional video editing tools, which make it beginner-friendly but are enough for experienced editors.

Despite its balanced tools, Filmora is still a beginner-friendly option at its core. This made the program limited in terms of advanced color grading and correction tools. However, it can still get the job done, although only on a basic level.

Conclusion

With some of the best color grading software now discussed, we hope that you will now be able to select which option will work best for your skill, needs, and the device you are using. For complete beginners, we highly recommend AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, as it provides both automatic adjustment and manual video editing options. You may download it using the link below.