DaVinci Resolve is a powerful editing program with most of the features you need to make captivating videos right out of the box. But if you’re an experienced editor, DaVinci Resolve plugins are a great way to get more features, boost efficiency, and make time-intensive edits much faster.
The problem is, with heaps of plugins to choose from, how can you tell which ones are worth getting? That’s why we compiled a list of the 8 best DaVinci Resolve plugins on the market today that work with both the free and Studio version. From noise reduction to quick animations, you’ll find the perfect plugin to improve your workflow.
8 best DaVinci Resolve plugins
1. Neat Video
Neat Video is a noise reduction plugin for DaVinci Resolve and one of the best options for improving the look of your videos. Beyond noise, it also helps with grain, flicker, dust, and other video imperfections using sophisticated algorithms.
While DaVinci Resolve does have a noise reduction tool that comes free with the software, it’s not always that effective. Not only is Neat Video a great tool to have when Resolve’s noise reduction tool fails, but it’s also a better choice for anyone working with old and damaged footage that requires a more sophisticated cleanup.
A license for Neat Video starts at $99.90, but they do offer a free demo so that you can try the plugin before committing to a purchase.
2. FilmConvert
FilmConvert Nitrate is a plugin that provides a stack of tailor-made film stocks to give your footage the look and feel of film. If you’re after an authentic film look for your visual aesthetic, Nitrate is a great option.
With Nitrate, you get tons of control and flexibility to adjust the contrast, saturation, and grain levels to help you get the exact look you want. You can control the level of grain in the highlights, midtones, and shadows, as well as the softness of the grain.
FilmConvert Nitrate costs $119 for DaVinci Resolve, but there is a free trial available. It also offers an additional Halation plugin that emulates how light traditionally appears in film stock.
3. Sapphire
The Sapphire plugin suite is an award-winning collection of VFX effects, transitions, and presets developed by Boris FX. It gives you hundreds of effects and transitions, thousands of presets, and a stack of tools to help you create Hollywood-quality visuals.
Sapphire’s extensive range of effects range from lightning FX, blurs, transitions, distortions, warps, and more. The plugin suite also includes Mocha, a tracking tool that lets you mask objects, and an effect and transition builder that lets you create your own effects with a node-based interface.
A perpetual license for Sapphire is pricey at $1,695, but they do offer a free trial. You can also opt for a monthly ($62 per month) or annual subscription ($495 per year).
4. CineMatch
If you work with multiple cameras, you’ll know how long it can take to perfectly match the colors of each camera’s footage. The CineMatch plugin simplifies the color grading process by automatically matching footage from different cameras, helping you create a consistent look in your multi-camera projects.
With an extensive library of camera sensors and Log picture profiles, CineMatch can transform your footage to any style. It also provides granular exposure and white balance tools to help you manually tweak each clip for the perfect look. Finally, it can convert any footage to a specific sensor and color space, meaning you can use any LUTs on any clip.
You can get CineMatch for a one-time fee of $119 and they offer a free trial for you to try it out before committing to a purchase.
5. MagicAnimate by MrAlexTech
This plugin from DaVinci Resolve expert MrAlexTech allows you to quickly and easily create new animations, as well as your own custom presets. With MagicAnimate, you can simply drag and drop your asset into the timeline and create effective animations with the click of a few buttons.
It also includes many effects and titles including a bokeh depth effect, text reveal effect, and animated background generator.
This plugin is available for a one-time purchase of $29.99.
6. End Boost
End Boost is a Resolve plugin that automatically mixes your audio for you, saving you valuable time in the editing process. All you have to do is import your voice, music, and sound effects and it will provide a quality mix in the blink of an eye.
The End Boost plugin uses AI algorithms to analyze your audio and determine how to mix everything for the best result. It also provides denoising and mastering tools to clean up your recordings and perfect your final mix.
It offers a free 7-day trial and pricing tiers for creators, professionals, and businesses, starting at $159 per year.
7. PixelTools hueShift
DaVinci Resolve offers a range of built-in tools that help adjust saturation levels. However, the primary saturation tools in Resolve also increase the brightness and luminance values for each color. PixelTools hueShift is a saturation tool that addresses this issue, letting you create rich and vibrant colors effortlessly.
hueShift is a great tool for beginners new to color grading as well as professionals who want to speed up the grading process. It’s a subtractive saturation tool, meaning it changes saturation without affecting brightness, giving you precise control over your colors with a single set of sliders.
PixelTools hueShift is available for a one-time purchase of $109.99. It also offers a demo version to see how the plugin works while adding a PixelTools watermark to your footage.
8. Textuler
If you create chat bubbles or text interfaces regularly for your videos or films, Textuler is a great plugin that will save you tons of time. It lets you customize the look and feel of your text bubbles with different presets, settings, and animations.
Textuler offers detailed shape and font controls, letting you create the exact text bubble you’re looking for. It also includes various reveal options. For example, you can reveal your text character by character with a built-in humanizer that adjusts the timing to make it look more realistic.
A perpetual license for Textuler comes at a one-time cost of $68.
How to install DaVinci Resolve plugins
After downloading the DaVinci Resolve plugin, check the folder for an installation file and instructions. They should explain the steps you need to take to install the plugin and get started. If not, here’s a quick guide on how to install plugins in DaVinci Resolve:
1. Begin the installation
Find the downloaded folder and double-click the installation file to install the plugin. You may need to restart DaVinci Resolve to finalize the installation process. For many plugins, this is all you’ll need to do.
2. Accept the prompt inside DaVinci Resolve
A prompt may appear inside DaVinci Resolve, asking whether you’d like to install the plugin. Click Install to add the plugin to your software.
3. Start using the plugin
Once installed, you should be able to search and find your plugin inside whichever panel it’s located in. Drag and drop the plugin onto a clip or node in your timeline to begin using it.
Note: Some plugins require you to activate your license using your account details or a one-time code. Once activated, you should receive an “Activation Successful” message that lets you know the plugin is installed and ready to go.
Explore more DaVinci Resolve tutorials and templates
DaVinci Resolve plugins can be powerful additions to the software, but it’s crucial to master editing basics before investing in more tools. To get started, check out our educational resources and learn more about DaVinci Resolve—like the basics how how to use it and different file types it uses. You can also explore our top DaVinci Resolve intro templates to quickly add advanced effects to your projects.
Once you’re ready to start creating, sign up for Storyblocks to get unlimited downloads of Resolve templates, 4K and HD footage, royalty-free music, and more.
