Avid Media Composer vs CyberLink PowerDirector
Avid Media Composer
avid.com
CyberLink PowerDirector
cyberlink.comSide by side
| Figure | Avid Media Composer | CyberLink PowerDirector |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $5/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 10 |
| Spec score · Video Editing Software | 8.7 (#22) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · AI Video Editors | 8.7 (#13) | 9.2 (#3) |
| Spec score · Motion Tracking Software | 8.6 (#8) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · Video editors | 8.7 (#16) | 9.3 (#1) |
| Desktop app | Yes | Yes |
| 4K export | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Media Composer is professional video editing software for film, television, and news production. | PowerDirector is AI video-editing software combining editing tools, creative effects, and built-in stock media. |
| Support | The listed subscription plans include standard web support with a 24-hour response. | CyberLink provides a Support Center, learning tutorials, user guides, software updates, and support ticket tracking. |
| System requirements | Avid says Media Composer runs on desktop and laptop computers using Mac or Windows, and notes that some features require more than the minimum system requirements. | The Windows edition requires 64-bit Windows 11 or 10; AI features require newer CPUs and Windows components such as AVX2. |
Plans
Avid Media Composer
- Media Composer FirstPrice not published
- Media Composer FirstPriced on request
- Standard$208 a year
- Ultimate$539.99 a year
- Enterprise$899.99 a year
CyberLink PowerDirector
- PowerDirector EssentialFree
- PowerDirector 365Priced on request
- PowerDirector 365$79.99 a year
- PowerDirector 2027$139.99, paid once
- PowerDirector 2027$139.99 a month
- PowerDirector 365 for Mac$24.99 a month
- PowerDirector 365$59.99 a year
- PowerDirector 365 for Mac$79.99 a year
- Director Suite$109.99 a year
- PowerDirector 2027$139.99, paid once
In their own words
Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer is professional video editing software for film, television, and news production. It supports macOS and Windows, 4K export, and team collaboration, with desktop and web access listed. ScriptSync AI matches transcripts to audio waveforms, while PhraseFind AI searches spoken dialogue phonetically. Editors can group up to 64 cameras in multicamera timelines. Shared projects support multiple editors through real-time bin locking and centralized shared media on Avid NEXIS or third-party shared storage. Proxy workflows use lightweight media and can reconnect to camera originals for final conforming and delivery. Media Composer connects to MediaCentral for editing against live rundowns and preview feeds, and to Pro Tools for exporting sequences with track metadata and volume automation preserved. Finishing tools include Symphony color tools, ACES and 32-bit float support, and IMF packaging. Third-party extensions add workflows for VFX, dailies, archive, and automation. Media Composer First is free to use forever and is described as suitable for new or casual editors. Supported operating systems include macOS and 64-bit Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise; some features require more than minimum system requirements.
CyberLink PowerDirector
CyberLink PowerDirector is video-editing software for making videos with editing tools, creative effects and built-in stock media. Its Agentic Editor accepts plain-language requests to generate clips, clean footage, apply effects and add results to the timeline. That timeline supports multiple tracks, frame-accurate trimming, markers, snapping, ripple editing and keyframe controls. PowerDirector can transcribe footage, edit video from text, generate subtitles, synthesize narration and reduce unwanted audio noise. Its royalty-free stock library includes Getty Images and Meta Sound Collection media described as cleared for commercial and personal use. Exports can be optimized for YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Vimeo; the Windows FAQ lists MP4, MKV, WMV and MPEG-2 formats, with output up to 4K. The free Essential version has no time limit, but restricts advanced AI tools and some export options. PowerDirector runs on macOS and Windows, with desktop and mobile apps. The listed plans include 50GB cloud storage with PowerDirector 365 and 25GB with PowerDirector 2027. The product information lists a 1996 founding year.