Decision and verification worksheet
Creator Lane | Reviewed October 24, 2026
https://creatorlanehq.com/blog/davinci-resolve-free-vs-studio-creators

DAVINCI RESOLVE FREE VS STUDIO: WHAT SHOULD A CREATOR CHECK?
Original Creator Lane decision worksheet | 2026-10-24

TASK
Audience / project:
Required outcome:
Current workflow and its specific limitation:
Options actually available without a new purchase:
Source material and permission:

DECISION QUESTIONS
What should you test before considering Studio?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

How should AI feature claims be checked?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

When does a paid feature justify its cost?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

What should laptop users verify?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

How do you avoid an unnecessary upgrade?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:


PRACTICE BRIEF
Create a checklist for one client delivery: source codec, timeline dimensions, frame rate, captions and export format. Complete a one-minute sample in the free edition. Mark only the requirements that fail. Research those exact gaps rather than treating every Studio feature as something your project needs.

ACCEPTANCE CHECKS
[ ] Test real source files
Evidence:
[ ] Verify edition-specific features
Evidence:
[ ] Upgrade for a demonstrated requirement
Evidence:

RESULT LOG
Option / exact version / account or interface:
Date / source URLs checked:
Input / settings / output version:
What was actually tested (leave blank if not tested):
Accepted results / failures / correction time:
Actual charges, if any (do not estimate as measured):
Privacy / permissions / delivery checks:
Decision and main limitation:
Next action / owner:
Recheck trigger:

REFERENCES
DaVinci Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve
DaVinci Resolve Studio: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/studio

You may adapt this original worksheet for personal and client work. Third-party materials retain their own licences.