Colourlab Ai

Overview

Colourlab describes its focus as real-time color grading, look design, and film emulation. Balance sets exposure, white balance, and contrast toward a neutral starting point, while SMH matches shadows, midtones, and highlights independently. Together, these tools can provide a useful first pass and more targeted shot alignment, but they do not replace creative judgment.

Styles carry grading instructions across related shots in a sequence, and AI look search ranks looks in a library from a written description. The workflow keeps Colourlab metadata on top of the image file rather than permanently altering it, which is useful when preserving the underlying image matters. Built-in support for more than 40 camera brands gives it a broad camera base.

Colourlab AI 4 says matching, analysis, and looks run locally on Mac, not in the cloud. That may suit users who prefer on-device processing, though the free public beta requires Apple Silicon hardware.

Key features

• Balancing and shot matching: Balance establishes neutral exposure, white balance, and contrast; SMH lets users match tonal regions separately. This is a practical combination for setting a baseline and addressing differences between shots.
• Sequence-wide styles: Styles apply grading instructions across related shots, helping editors maintain a shared look through a timeline rather than treating every shot in isolation.
• AI look search: Users can describe a target look in words and get ranked results from their library. This is useful for finding a starting point in an existing collection, not a substitute for building or refining a look.
• Editing integrations: AI 4 works natively with DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer via OpenTimelineIO. Paid tiers divide some integrations: Creator includes Premiere Pro and After Effects and Final Cut Pro sync; DaVinci Resolve and Pomfort Livegrade Studio sync begin with Pro.
• Local, non-destructive workflow: Colourlab says AI 4 processes matches, analysis, and looks locally on Mac, while grading metadata sits above rather than changing the image file. This favors local processing and preserves the source image.

Pricing

The Colourlab AI 4 Public Beta costs 0.00 USD per free during public beta, with a new beta build every 14 days through September. It requires an Apple Silicon Mac; Windows support is coming in October. This is the no-cost route for eligible Mac users, but it is a beta rather than the paid plan lineup.

Creator costs 14.00 USD per month, billed per month. It includes Premiere Pro and After Effects sync, Final Cut Pro sync, Auto Color, AI Color Matching, AI References, Timeline Intelligence™, and a Library of Show Looks. It is the entry paid tier for users whose editing workflow centers on those integrations; it does not include the DaVinci Resolve or Pomfort Livegrade Studio sync listed with Pro.

Pro costs 39.00 USD per month, billed per month. It includes everything in Creator plus DaVinci Resolve sync, Pomfort Livegrade Studio sync, Blackmagic SDI support, Tangent control support, and a native Look Designer interface. The added cost makes sense for users who need those professional connections and controls.

Studio costs 49.00 USD per month, billed per month, and includes everything in Pro plus Look Designer and Grainlab Resolve plug-ins for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and a Look Designer Premiere Pro and After Effects plug-in for macOS. It is the tier for users who need those plug-ins; the lower plans do not include them.

A 7-day free trial is offered without requiring credit card details. No seat or usage quotas are stated for these plans.

Platforms

Colourlab lists macOS, Windows, and Linux as supported platforms, and its product information includes HDR finishing, camera RAW support, both forms of color management, collaboration tools, and plug-in support. The free AI 4 beta is narrower: it requires Apple Silicon Mac hardware, with Windows support coming in October. The listed editing integrations also vary by plan, so platform availability alone does not establish that every integration is included at every tier.

Who it's for

Colourlab names colorists, editors, filmmakers, and content creators as its intended users. Editors who want automatic balancing, independent tonal matching, and timeline-wide styles may find its workflow particularly relevant. Creator is the clearest fit for users relying on Premiere Pro, After Effects, or Final Cut Pro sync; DaVinci Resolve or Livegrade Studio users should look at Pro. Those who need the specified plug-ins across operating systems should consider Studio. Users seeking a free, stable cross-platform entry point should look elsewhere, since the free offer is a Mac-only public beta.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Balancing, tonal-range matching, sequence styles, and library search address different stages of grading rather than offering only a single automatic correction.
• Pros: Local AI processing and metadata kept separate from the image file suit workflows that prioritize on-device work and source-image preservation.
• Pros: Four named editing integrations and support for more than 40 camera brands make Colourlab relevant to varied post-production setups.
• Cons: The no-cost beta requires an Apple Silicon Mac, limiting who can use it without paying.
• Cons: DaVinci Resolve and Pomfort Livegrade Studio sync require the 39.00 USD per month Pro plan, while the listed plug-ins require Studio at 49.00 USD per month.
• Cons: The 14-day beta build cadence and end point of September make the free offer less suitable as a dependable long-term plan.

Alternatives

DaVinci Resolve is worth choosing instead for a free plan on Linux, macOS, or Windows, or for its Studio version at 295.00 USD per once; the listed free plan supports 60 fps and Ultra HD 3840 x 2160.

fylm.ai is a better fit for someone who wants a free plan with three cloud projects and access to its tools, or a lower-cost Lite plan at 7.00 USD per month.

Baselight offers a fully functioning Baselight M 14-day trial and free licence options, making it an alternative for readers comparing a trial or free licence route.

Dolby Vision Professional Tools is the more focused choice for free command-line Dolby Vision processing and QC tools.

Mistika Boutique offers a free educational plan with all features, H264-only renders, and community support, or a Personal plan at 99.00 EUR per month.

Assimilate Live Looks is another paid option, with a monthly recurring subscription at 89.00 USD per month that includes support and updates during the subscription.

Colorfront Transkoder uses custom pricing, with a Dolby license required for Dolby Vision encoding.

Mistika Ultima is a Linux and self-hosted alternative with custom pricing.

Verdict

Colourlab Ai is a strong fit for editors and colorists who want balancing, shot matching, look tools, and integrations in one grading workflow, especially if their needs align with Creator or Pro. Choose it for the range of grading tasks and local-processing approach; look elsewhere if you need a free option beyond Apple Silicon Macs or require integrations and plug-ins without moving up the paid tiers.

Video Color Grading Software