Tech Tips: How to Get FCP Without Money

Editing a video properly and creatively can take the video to next level. For advanced video editing, you need a high-quality video editor application. For an iMac or MacBook user, Final Cut Pro by Apple is the best video editor. There are many video creators who purchase iMac or MacBook only for Final Cut Pro. This is because Final Cut Pro is only available for macOS.

Final Cut Pro is a premium video editor with a one-time price tag of $299.99. Since the amount is rather big, there are many who look for a Final Cut Pro free version. It is quite logical for any user to try out Final Cut Pro for free before purchasing its full access for a lifetime. We will illustrate how to go for Final Cut Pro download for free.

Part 1. How to free download and install Final Cut Pro?

Final Cut Pro is one of the most popular video editors that professionals use. Thanks to its one-time free, it is quite economical in the long run. But before purchasing Final Cut Pro, you should download and install it for free. You can have access to the free version for 90 days. Here are the steps to download and install Final Cut Pro for free.

Step 1: Visit the official Final Cut Pro free download webpage.

Step 2: Click on Download Now button to begin the downloading process. The installer file with extension dmg will get downloaded to your computer. The file size is around 3.2GB.

Step 3: After the downloading is over, double-click on the download disk image file.

Step 4: Double-click on the Installer Package and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation successfully.

Alternatively, you can go to App Store on Mac. Search for Final Cut Pro. Thereafter, click on the Get button to download and install FCP free.

Step 5: Finally, drag the installed application inside the Applications folder. You can then open FCP and start exploring the video editor.

Part 2. Key Features of Final Cut Pro

Now that you have installed Final Cut Pro free version, it is time to focus on exploring its features and functionalities. Here are the key features of Final Cut Pro you should be aware of.

Multi-camera Video Editing - FCP allows you to sync up to 64 angles of a video having different frame sizes and frame rates. You can view 16 angles simultaneously and apply effects to preview them.

360-Degree Video Editing - The 360-degree videos have become a trend these days. FCP allows you to edit them for an immersive experience for the viewers. You can add titles, graphical elements, and effects seamlessly.

8K Video Editing - Final Cut Pro allows you to edit and export 8K video resolution comfortably. Therefore, it is a futuristic video editor that every professional video creator craves.

HDR and VR Video Editing - You can edit HDR videos to correct their color and tone easily. In fact, you can edit VR videos and add effects for VR headset playback.

Magnetic Timeline - You can edit several video clips at once by placing them adjacent to one another. You can avoid gaps and overlaps among them and sync them perfectly.

Object Tracker - You can easily track objects and faces on your video clips. Thereafter, you can effects and titles to them so that they move along with the motion of the objects.

Effects and Animations - There is a wide range of different categories of effects and animations available. There are over 300 presets to choose from and apply to your video clips.

Video Correction - You can reduce and even eliminate noise and grain in video clips. FCP also detects noises in audio clips and corrects them. Besides, it can eliminate the shakiness in video clips with its stabilization feature.

Text and Audio Effects - You can create stunning 2d and 3d text effects and textures with the available presets and templates. You can add and customize different audio effects available for your videos.

Better Organization - You can organize video clips using keywords and smart collections. You can also organize sound clips into different tracks such as voiceover, music, dialogs, and likewise.

Advanced Color Grading - FCP automatically adjusts the colors for proper balance. You can also manually edit colors using the built-in color grading tools.

Rendering and Exporting - The rendering process on Final Cut Pro is faster than its competitors. You can export optimized videos for viewing Apple devices. Besides, there is a batch sharing option available to export multiple video projects at once.

Part 3. Is Final Cut Pro Free?

Apple Final Cut Pro is a premium video editor. This means it is paid software, not a free one. You can purchase Final Cut Pro by paying a one-time fee of $299.99. Since the amount is rather hefty, Apple offers a free trial version of Final Cut Pro. The free trial version is available for 90 days only.

You can try out the Final Cut Pro free trial version and decide if you should purchase the software. You can get used to its features and its user interface. The 90-day trial period is enough to make up your mind. If you are not satisfied with Final Cut Pro download free, you can always uninstall the software.

Part 4. Free Final Cut Pro Alternatives

There are many who find Final Cut Pro slightly complicated. Besides, they are not willing to invest the hefty one-time fee on FCP. If you are looking for Final Cut Pro free alternatives, here are the best options for you.

1. iMovie

iMovie is the best free alternative to Final Cut Pro. The software is developed by Apple. Besides, iMovie comes pre-install on macOS. Therefore, it automatically becomes the default video editor for macOS users. Even though it is completely free, there is no dearth of features and functionalities. Yes, it is true that some of the advanced FCP features are not available.

But it can get the job of video editing done pretty easily. Moreover, the user interface is rather simple for beginners. In fact, iMovie is compatible with iPhone and iPad. Apart from the basic video editing tools, there is a wide range of effects and filters available. You can edit 4K videos comfortably. Here are the key features of iMovie.

2. Shotcut

Shotcut is a completely free and open-source video editor. You can use it across all computer operating systems. The video editor supports a wide range of video file formats. The user interface is exactly like any professional video editor. You can import and edit 4K videos. Besides, you get a platform to edit your audio clips as well.

Just like FCP, you get a great collection of filters and effects. You can work with multiple video and audio tracks. The keyframe feature for customized animation is available. Besides, you can keep note of your video editing process. The software supports hardware acceleration for faster rendering and exporting.

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3. OpenShot

OpenShot is another open-source and cross-platform video editor. You can access all its features and functionalities for free. There is no restriction on how many video clips and audio clips you want to work with in your project. The software fulfills basic and advanced video editing options.

Starting from keyframe and Chroma key to video effects and audio mixing, everything is available under one roof. The feature of time-mapping and interpolations are perfect for advanced editors. You can choose from a wide range of 3d video and text effects. The platform supports over 70+ languages.

The Bottom Line

The good news is that there is a Final Cut Pro trial version available. You can use the trial version for free for 90 days. Thereafter, you have to pay the one-time fee to get full access to Final Cut Pro for a lifetime. There is no doubt that FCP is one of the best video editors. But you should first check out the free version before spending money on the premium version for lifetime access.

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