Looking to improve your videos without emptying your bank account? In this article, I've found the cream of the crop for you. Here is my selection of free DaVinci Resolve plugins to save a ton of time, elevate your visual effects and make your renders look pro.
But first...
Why install plugins in DaVinci Resolve?
I work every day with Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve Studio. For some post-production jobs, I repeat certain effects several times (too many times, I admit...).
And I can assure you that if a plugin can save you from doing the same steps over and over, that's time saved you'll really appreciate. Of course, there are templates you make yourself. But when a ready-made tool gets the job done in a few clicks... What more could you ask for? Well, the list!
Installing free plugins
Most of the FX on this list are fairly easy to install. Either they come with an installer, or you just need to move the files into the right folder. If you run into trouble, contact the plugin's developer or their support.
Otherwise, here's a quick cheat sheet:
- .exe file -> Double-click to install
- .drfx file -> Double-click to install
- .settings file -> Place it in the right folder
- .vst file -> Place it in the right folder
A plugin to create sound wave visuals (sh4rk's Audio Visualiser plugin)
If you make podcasts or music, this free DaVinci Resolve plugin is a must. It generates a sound wave on video that reacts in real time to your audio track. It's clean, it's dynamic, and it saves you from a boring still image while someone is talking.
I remember all the times I had to make this effect by hand (and it wasn't fast at all...). But that's in the past now!
With this plugin, you can animate however you want (changing colors, size, speed...), you just need to be a little creative. It works for music, speech, sound effects. In short, no limits. It's great!
Don't forget to use the small app to generate your waveform image.
Why install it in Resolve: to turn plain audio into captivating visual content.
A plugin to animate without keyframes (MagicAnimate - Free)
Tired of setting keyframes for the slightest movement? Magic Animate is the savior of beginner editors in a hurry.
For my first videos edited in DaVinci Resolve Studio, I searched everywhere for equivalents of all the Adobe Premiere plugins I had. One of them let me create animations super fast (like "Animation Composer" or "Motion Bro") and after hours of searching, I had ended up giving up. Then Mr Alex Tech released his MagicAnimate plugin to fill the gap every "switcher" in the world had.
It lets you animate your titles or logos with super fast zoom, bounce and slide effects. It's one of the best tools for beginners looking for a free DaVinci Resolve plugin to liven up their social media videos.
Note that there's also a plugin for zooms (MagicZoomFree).
Be warned: pros will probably prefer doing it by hand.
Why install it in Resolve: to animate your whole edit in 30 seconds flat.
A plugin for speed ramping (SpeedRamp Lite)
Pulling off a nice speed ramp (smooth speed-up/slow motion) in DaVinci can quickly get technical. SpeedRamp Lite makes it all simple. It's the perfect tool to give your action shots that cinematic look without struggling with speed curves.
Why install it in Resolve: for smooth, effortless speed transitions.
Okay, I'm biased, because it's one of the first plugins I created for Creator Academy :) You'll find all my DaVinci Resolve plugins on the site.
A plugin for animated subtitles (Snap Captions v2)
For Shorts and Reels (and anything in vertical format), subtitles are non-negotiable. Snap Captions v2 lets you create super visual animated captions (the famous "Alex Hormozi" style) very quickly. A must-have free DaVinci Resolve plugin to boost your retention rate.
Why install it in Resolve: to make your short videos addictive and accessible.
A plugin to stabilize your shots with gyroscope data (Gyroflow)
If the built-in stabilization is struggling, Gyroflow is here. This software (usable as a plugin) uses your camera's gyroscope data to remove shake. It's magic: even a video shot at arm's length can look like it was filmed on a gimbal.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but this thing has saved more than one of my videos in post-production.
Why install it in Resolve: to save your shaky shots, especially from drones or action cameras.
A toolbox plugin (SparkFX Studio)
Why install 50 things when you can have a complete toolbox? SparkFX bundles lots of visual effects and handy corrections. It's the kind of free DaVinci Resolve plugin you always keep on hand to polish a render at the last minute.
Too bad about the advanced FX behind the paywall, but that's how it goes.
Why install it in Resolve: for total versatility on every project.
A plugin for realistic sound design (Place It by Soundly)
Sound is 50% of the video. "Place It" lets you simulate the acoustics of a place in post-production, in a cinematic way (a cellar, a radio, a phone). It's super fast and easy: you drop in your sound effect, choose the ambience, and your sound blends perfectly with the picture. Essential for total immersion.
I personally use this great effect on all my projects.
Why install it in Resolve: so your sound effects no longer sound "pasted on top of the video".
Don't forget that you can add VSTs as audio plugins. That gives you a nice extra library of free packs and tools.
A plugin that works as an effects library for Fusion (Reactor)
Reactor is a bit like the "final boss". It's not just a plugin, it's a package manager that gives you access to hundreds of free scripts and tools for Fusion. If you want to extend what DaVinci Resolve can do without paying a cent, this is where it happens. I use it on almost all my pro projects.
Disclaimer: version 3 of Reactor could only be installed on DaVinci Resolve Studio. Version 4 should fix this problem.
Why install it in Resolve: to access an endless library of tools created by the community.
Bonus: a plugin to draw arrows and circles on your videos (Traces Lite)
It just came out, so I'm slipping it in as a bonus. An arrow, a circle or a dotted line on a video comes in handy everywhere: pointing out a button in a tutorial, drawing your route on a map in a travel video, or circling a funny detail in a vlog. Yet DaVinci Resolve has no tool for it. Until now, you had to open Fusion, draw a mask, set its outline and cobble together the arrowhead separately.
Traces Lite does all that from the Edit page, without going through Fusion. You drag the generator above your clip, choose a line, a curve, a circle or a rectangle, and place the points directly on the image. At the end of the stroke: a flat end, a round end, or an arrow. The stroke can also be dashed or dotted. Two keyframes on "End", and your arrow draws itself on screen.
I made this one because I was sick of redrawing my arrows by hand in every tutorial. It works on DaVinci Resolve 21, both the free version and Studio.
Why install it in Resolve: to annotate any video, from tutorials to vlogs to your travel videos.
FAQ
How do I add "x" to DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio?
Every plugin is different. I recommend following the developer's installation tutorial.
I'm missing some files?
If you downloaded the plugin from the developer's official website, this shouldn't happen. If it does, contact their support.
Which version of DaVinci Resolve is free on the Blackmagic website?
Blackmagic has two versions of its editing software: plain "DaVinci Resolve" is the free one. The paid version is called "DaVinci Resolve Studio".
Can you use audio plugins in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, and they're often VSTs. This includes effects for music and even musical instruments themselves.
What's the difference between free and paid DaVinci Resolve?
Most features are available in the free version. A few visual effects and artificial intelligence tools are only available in the paid version. The details are in our DaVinci Resolve free vs Studio comparison.
Which plugins for color correction and grading?
I didn't include Color page plugins here, because there were already eight interesting ones for the Edit, Fusion and Fairlight pages. I might make a separate video. In the meantime, I've made a page dedicated to free community plugins here.
Why not talk about LUT packs?
Because I don't like them. I'd rather teach you to play with colors so you can create your own grade.
Why not talk about templates?
Because that's for another video (shh)
