Why Apple Discontinued Final Cut Express? What Are the Major Differences Between Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro?

Why Final Cut Pro Beats Final Cut Express

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Boring and unexciting videos may turn off your mode. You need something special or wonderful that could turn you on and make your memories worth watching.

To let users give a new look to their pictures and videos, Apple Inc. released its first video editing software Final Cut Express in 2003. Over the next few years, various improvements were made in its updated versions.

However, after multiple inconveniences, Apple Inc. discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011 and launched its new version Final Cut Pro with advanced video editing features. Final Cut Pro was customized for video editing professionals with advanced knowledge of video editing. It is available for just $299.99 with 90 days free trial.

Some alternatives to Final Cut Express are also available in the market such as Final Cut Pro of crouse, iMovie, a low-end alternative, and Filmora, popular among beginners and pros. Let’s look at these tools individually in this article.

• Part 1: What is Final Cut Express?
• Part 2: Is Final Cut Express Still Available?
• Part 3: Major Differences between Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express
• Part 4: iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro, Which is the Best?
• Part 5: Best Alternative to Final Cut Express

Part 1: What is Final Cut Express?

Final Cut Express was a video editing software designed by Apple Inc. for advanced editing of digital and HD videos. It was a consumer version of Final Cut Pro liked by professional photographers, due to its better capabilities than iMovie.

Final Cut Express used to have many features like two-way color correction, dynamic RT, Chroma key, 99 audio tracks, split-screen, and picture-in-picture effects, motion path keyframing, 23 compositing modes, and opacity keyframing.

It also allowed the users to keyframe the filters and perform slide and blade edits. Eight years after its release, Apple discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011 in favor of Final Cut Pro X.

Part 2: Is Final Cut Express Still Available?

No, concurrent with the launch of Final Cut Pro X on June 21, 2011, Final Cut Express was discontinued and removed from the Apple online store.

You might be wondering what prompted Apple to do this. Well, the primary cause of the discontinuation of Final Cut Express was that Apple Inc. wanted to launch an advanced video editing software Final Cut Pro.

Besides, despite several attempts to improve the software’s performance, Final Cut Express kept on causing multiple inconveniences. The company eventually decided to discontinue Final Cut Express and introduce a new product to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers.

As Final Cut Express withdrawal from the stage, many other editors still update to this day. For example, Filmora, an editor trusted by many beginners and pros, updates every month. Click download to try it for free!

Click here

[ ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/) [ ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/)

Part 3: Major Differences between Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express

Both Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro were two high-performance, user-friendly, and advanced video editing software developed by Apple Inc. Both had amazing features and were liked by professional photographers, filmmakers, and editors. However, Apple Inc. discontinued Final Cut Express in 2011.

Today, Final Cut Pro incorporates all features of Final Cut Express plus some additional functions added by Apple Inc. later.

Given below are some of the key differences between these two software:

Final Cut Pro	Final Cut Express
The software is currently available on Apple Store and is supported by all iOS devices.	The software was discontinued in 2011 and can no longer be downloaded from Apple Store.
Effectiveness is guaranteed as the user will receive application updates.	Untrusted and unreliable software because no application updates are available.
Original version with advanced features	The consumer version of Final Cut Pro with limited features
The application performance keeps improving with new versions	The application performance kept on declining due to downgraded features
Heavyweight editing tools for better results	Simple editing tools
Costs $299	Costs $199
Recommended for experts and professionals	Recommended for beginners
Requires a system with better hardware and enhanced performance	Compatible with systems with less-advanced hardware

Part 4: iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro, Which is the Best?

All these video editing software, iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro are developed by Apple Inc. with different features and functions. However, they have different target audiences and offer diverse pricing plans according to the user’s needs.

The following table offers a detailed comparison of iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Final Cut Pro to help you choose the best one for advanced video editing.

No.	Parameter of Comparison	iMovie	Final Cut Express	Final Cut Pro
1	Target Audience	It is aimed at home users and who are beginners with no video editing skills	It is ideal for a bit advanced users with moderate knowledge of video editing	It is a professional product and targets professional photographers and video editors.
2	Features	Automated video editing video support Audio & music editing HD & 4K Video color settings Crop & rotate video clip Stabilization Video effects & transitions Timeline Photo & music import Pre-built themes & backdrops simultaneously	Two-way color correction Dynamic RT Chroma key 99 audio tracks Split-screen Picture-in-picture effects Motion path keyframing 23 compositing modes Opacity keyframing	Moving & Trimming Clips Multicam Editing 360 Degree VR Editing Effects VR Headset Playback Advanced Color Grading HDR Video Support Motion Graphics Templates Asset Management Plug-Ins
3	Interface	User-friendly and easy to understand	Complicated for beginners	Very complicated
4	Skill Set Required	Beginner	Moderate	Advanced
5	Advanced Sharing	Yes	No	No
6	Text Implementation	Limited Tools	Limited Tools	Advanced tools for easy text customization
7	Compatible OS	Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later	Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later	Mac OS X 10.10.2 or later, 64-bit processor
8	Workflow	Advanced	Moderate	Advanced
9	Supported HD Format	1080	1080	UHD 4K
10	iCloud sync	Yes	No	No
9	Operating Speed	Fast due to limited tools	Fast due to limited tools	Moderate due to advanced tools and effects
10	Advanced Effects	Presets	Presets with moderate effects	An array of advanced effects
11	Plugins and Integrations	Limited	Limited	Several third-party plugins
12	Color Correction Features	Focus on Image Improvement	Small editing of pictures	Total customization to match the footage tone
13	Pricing	Free of Cost	$199	90 days free trial then $299.99

Part 5: Best Alternative to Final Cut Express

Now, as Final Cut Express is no longer available, you may want to try the other two editors of Apple. While iMovie mainly targeted beginners, Final Cut Express and Pro targeted users with moderate to advanced knowledge of video editing.

For those beginners who wanted to make professional-looking videos without any editing skills, Wondershare launched Filmora as an alternative to Final Cut Express and Pro.

This user-friendly made video editing as simple as ABC. From offering multiple hand-picked effects to advanced editing options, Filmora allows you to range markers, perfect your audio, group timeline clips, and perform detailed color correction with auto-correction and color wheels for free.

Key Features

• Advanced video editing options;
• 300+ free handcrafted effects
• User-friendly video editing tools; and
• Video conversion options to multiple formats.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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