CyberLink PowerDirector vs Lightworks
CyberLink PowerDirector
cyberlink.comLightworks
lwks.comSide by side
| Figure | CyberLink PowerDirector | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 3 |
| Spec score · Video Editing Software | 9.4 (#1) | 8.9 (#16) |
| Spec score · Video Creation And Editing Software | 9.2 (#2) | 8.5 (#11) |
| Spec score · Video Making Software | 9.2 (#2) | 8.5 (#11) |
| API and SDKs | CyberLink's corporate pages list FaceMe SDK and FaceMe Platform HTTP API for facial recognition, but PowerDirector pages do not list a public PowerDirector API or SDK. | Official materials document plugin and interchange integrations but provide no public Lightworks API or SDK documentation. |
| Desktop app | Yes | Yes |
| 4K export | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Built-in stock media comes from Getty Images and Meta Sound Collection, and direct publishing supports YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Vimeo. | The privacy policy lists cloud and photo services including Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, pCloud, and IOGates, plus Pond5 and Pexels stock media. |
| Intended users | CyberLink describes PowerDirector as suitable for beginners and enthusiasts making videos quickly, as well as content creators producing social clips and YouTube videos. | The maker describes Lightworks as a professional editor used for social clips, YouTube videos, documentaries, music videos, and feature films. |
| Licence | The EULA grants a non-exclusive proprietary licence, prohibits reverse engineering and states that CyberLink retains ownership of the software and documentation. | LWKS states that Lightworks is commercial software; its EULA grants a limited, non-exclusive licence and prohibits modification, reverse engineering and redistribution. |
| Mobile app | The Android app supports multi-track editing, chroma key, masks, blend modes, 4K export and cloud projects. | No |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 57 reviews. | 3.6 out of 5 from 31 reviews |
| Rating on GetApp | 4.3 out of 5 from 122 reviews. | 4.2 out of 5 from 34 reviews |
| Support | CyberLink provides a Support Center, learning tutorials, user guides, software updates, and support ticket tracking. | Lightworks provides in-app searchable help, video tutorials, a community forum, and a user portal for account and licence management. |
| System requirements | The Windows edition requires 64-bit Windows 11 or 10; AI features require newer CPUs and Windows components such as AVX2. | Supported systems include Windows 8+, macOS 10.14+, Ubuntu/Lubuntu/Xubuntu 20.04+, Mint 17+ and Fedora 34+; recommended hardware includes an i7-class CPU, 4GB RAM, 1GB GPU and 200MB disk. |
| What it does | PowerDirector is CyberLink's AI-assisted video editor combining timeline editing, effects and built-in stock media. | Lightworks is a non-linear editor for assembling video, audio, graphics and effects into finished programmes. |
Plans
CyberLink PowerDirector
- PowerDirector EssentialFree
- PowerDirector 365Priced on request
- PowerDirector 365$79.99 a year
- PowerDirector 2027$139.99, paid once
- 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
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.
Lightworks
Lightworks is a desktop non-linear editor for assembling video, audio, graphics, and effects into a finished programme. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with timeline editing, transitions, automatic saving, and simple visual effects. Lightworks supports shared project spaces on network storage, while ShareLinks let users share sequences and collect comments tied to specific moments. The maker describes it for projects ranging from social clips and YouTube videos to documentaries, music videos, and feature films. The Free plan is listed at free; plan details list 720p HD export, while the welcome guide says the Free tier exports up to 1080p, including portrait formats. Create adds 4K export, social media templates, motion graphics, colour controls, audio EQ, LUT support, high-resolution proxy editing, and NewBlue Titler Pro. Pro adds 10-bit support, audio and video plugin support, advanced video effects, export interchange formats, advanced colour scopes, and cloud export or upload. Some Linux functionality may be restricted by third-party limitations.