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Avid Media Composer

by Avid Media Composer

Free plan MacWindows

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Avid Media Composer's own site

What Avid Media Composer is

Avid Media Composer is professional video editing software for film, television, and news production, with macOS and Windows support, desktop and web access, 4K export, and team collaboration. ScriptSync AI aligns transcripts with 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 media stored on Avid NEXIS or third-party shared storage. Proxy editing uses lightweight media that can be relinked to camera originals for final conforming and delivery. Media Composer integrates with MediaCentral for work against live rundowns and preview feeds, and sequences can be sent to Pro Tools with track metadata and volume automation preserved. Finishing capabilities include Symphony color tools, ACES and 32-bit float support, and IMF packaging. 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. The latest version matrix lists macOS and 64-bit Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise as supported operating systems.

Who it suits

Media Composer suits professional editors working in film, television, or news, especially those collaborating on shared projects or using transcript-based editing. Media Composer First is identified as an option for new or casual editors.

What it does well

  • Supports 4K export and team collaboration.
  • Multicam timelines can group up to 64 cameras.
  • Proxy media can relink to camera originals.
  • Integrates with MediaCentral and Pro Tools.
  • Media Composer First is free to use forever.

What to know first

  • Latest version lists 64-bit Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise.
  • Some features require more than minimum system requirements.
  • Subscription plans include standard web support with a 24-hour response.

Limits

Media Composer First is a free, entry-level edition. The listed trial lasts 30 days, and some capabilities require systems above the minimum requirements.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Media Composer FirstFree to use forever · Entry-level editingOn request
Media Composer FirstFree to use forever · Entry-level editingOn request
StandardUSD/year; page also shows $259.99 · 99 video tracks · 99 audio tracks · Standard color management · Avid NEXIS shared projects · Standard web support (24hr response)$208 a year
UltimateUSD/year · 99 video tracks · 99 audio tracks · Advanced color management · Avid NEXIS shared projects · ScriptSync · PhraseFind · Standard web support (24hr response)$539.99 a year
EnterpriseUSD/year · 99 video tracks · 99 audio tracks · Avid NEXIS and third-party shared storage · ScriptSync · PhraseFind · Virtualized deployment option · Enterprise admin$899.99 a year

As avid.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Avid Media Composer website
  2. Choose Media Composer First or a subscription plan
  3. Install the desktop app on macOS or supported 64-bit Windows
  4. Use the web app when browser access fits your workflow
  5. Start with the free edition or activate the 30-day trial

Verdict

Media Composer combines editing, collaboration, proxy workflows, and finishing tools for professional production settings. The free First edition is aimed at newer or casual editors; check the listed operating-system support and system requirements before choosing an edition.

Questions

Is Avid Media Composer free?

Media Composer First is free to use forever. A 30-day trial is also available.

Which platforms are supported?

The product offers desktop and web access. Supported desktop systems are macOS and 64-bit Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise.

Does it support collaboration?

Yes. Multiple editors can work in shared projects through real-time bin locking and centralized shared media.

How many cameras can a multicamera timeline include?

Editors can group up to 64 cameras into multicamera timelines.

Can it connect with Pro Tools?

Yes. Sequences can be exported to Pro Tools with track metadata and volume automation preserved.

Who makes Media Composer?

The maker is Avid Media Composer, headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, USA, and founded in 1987.

Facts from Avid Media Composer's own pages

Audio integration
Sequences can be exported to Pro Tools with track metadata and volume automation preserved for audio editing and mixing. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Desktop app
Yes · avid.com, 20 Sept 2026
Extensions
Third-party extensions add tools and workflows for VFX, dailies, archive, and automation within the editing workflow. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Finishing
The product page describes built-in Symphony color tools, ACES and 32-bit float support, and IMF packaging for master delivery. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
4K export
Yes · avid.com, 20 Sept 2026
Free edition
Avid describes Media Composer First as free to use forever and suitable for new or casual editors. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan
Yes · avid.com, 20 Sept 2026
Free trial
Avid offers a 30-day Media Composer Ultimate trial that includes PhraseFind, ScriptSync, Symphony, and NewsCutter options. · kb.avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Burlington, Massachusetts, USA · avid.com, 23 Sept 2026
Multicam
The product page says editors can group up to 64 cameras into multi-camera timelines. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Newsroom integration
Media Composer integrates with MediaCentral for editing against live rundowns and preview feeds and delivering packages to playback. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Platform support
The latest version matrix lists macOS and 64-bit Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise as supported operating systems. · kb.avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Proxy editing
Proxy editing uses lightweight media and can relink to camera originals for final conforming and delivery. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
Media Composer is professional video editing software for film, television, and news production. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Shared projects
Multiple editors can work in the same project using real-time bin locking and centralized shared media with Avid NEXIS or third-party shared storage. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support
The listed subscription plans include standard web support with a 24-hour response. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
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. · kb.avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Team collaboration
Yes · avid.com, 20 Sept 2026
Transcript editing
ScriptSync AI matches transcripts to audio waveforms, and PhraseFind AI searches spoken dialogue phonetically. · avid.com, 11 Oct 2026
Web app
Yes · avid.com, 20 Sept 2026

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