Colourlab Ai

Colourlab Ai is color-grading software built around balancing, shot matching, look design, and connections to editing applications. It suits colorists, editors, filmmakers, and creators who want grading tools within a post-production workflow. The $14-per-month Creator plan is the entry point for paid use; the free beta is limited to Apple Silicon Macs.

Overview

Colourlab focuses on real-time color grading, look design, and film emulation. Its Balance feature sets exposure, white balance, and contrast toward a neutral starting point, while SMH matches shadows, midtones, and highlights independently. These tools give editors a structured way to establish and align color before making creative refinements.

Styles can carry grading instructions across related shots in a sequence, and AI look search ranks looks from a library based on a written description. Colourlab says its metadata sits on top of the image file rather than permanently changing it, a useful fit for workflows that need to preserve the source image. Built-in support for more than 40 camera brands broadens its use across camera-based projects.

Colourlab AI 4 says matching, analysis, and looks run locally on Mac rather than in the cloud. That may suit users who prefer on-device processing, but the free public beta requires an Apple Silicon Mac.

Key features

• Balancing and matching: Balance provides a neutral base, while SMH lets users adjust tonal ranges independently. This is more targeted than applying one broad correction, though it does not remove the need for color judgment.
• Timeline grading: Styles carry grading instructions across related shots. That is useful for sequences that need a consistent look without treating every shot as an isolated task.
• AI look search: Describe a desired look in words and Colourlab returns ranked matches from the library. It helps locate a starting point, rather than replacing the creative choice of which look to use.
• Editing integrations: The Pro plan adds sync with DaVinci Resolve and Pomfort Livegrade Studio to Creator's Premiere Pro and After Effects and Final Cut Pro sync. Colourlab AI 4 beta also works natively with DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer via OpenTimelineIO.

Pricing

The pricing page offers a 7-day free trial without requiring credit card details. There is no standard free plan, but Colourlab AI 4 Public Beta is free during the public beta, with a new build every 14 days through September. It requires an Apple Silicon Mac; Windows support is coming in October.

• Creator — $14 a month: 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. This is the paid entry tier for editors using those integrations; it does not include DaVinci Resolve sync, which starts with Pro.
• Pro — $39 a month: Adds DaVinci Resolve and Pomfort Livegrade Studio sync, Blackmagic SDI and Tangent control support, and a native Look Designer interface. It is the more relevant tier for users whose workflow depends on those connections and controls.
• Studio — $49 a month: 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. Choose it when those plug-ins matter; otherwise, Pro avoids paying for additions that are not part of its package.

Platforms

Colourlab supports macOS, Windows, and Linux. The free public beta is narrower: it requires an Apple Silicon Mac, with Windows support coming in October. The Studio plan's Resolve plug-ins cover all three desktop platforms, while its Premiere Pro and After Effects plug-in is for macOS. HDR finishing, Camera RAW support, color management, collaboration tools, and plug-in support are included in Colourlab's capabilities.

Who it's for

Colourlab is a strong fit for colorists and editors who want balancing, tonal shot matching, and sequence-level looks alongside established editing applications. Filmmakers and content creators can also benefit from its camera support and grading workflow. The Creator plan is the sensible starting point for users who need its listed integrations; users who need DaVinci Resolve sync should budget for Pro.

It is less suitable for someone who needs a broadly available free tier: the no-cost option is a time-limited public beta with an Apple Silicon requirement, not a standard free plan. Users who need only a standalone editor or a different specialty tool may find an alternative more appropriate.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Separate shadow, midtone, and highlight matching gives tonal control; timeline styles help carry a look across related shots; metadata does not permanently alter the image; and the trial does not require card details.
• Cons: The free beta requires Apple Silicon; DaVinci Resolve sync is reserved for the $39-per-month Pro tier; and the $49-per-month Studio tier is needed for its additional Resolve and macOS Premiere/After Effects plug-ins.

Alternatives

Video Color Grading Software is the broader category directory for comparing tools. Consider fylm.ai if a freemium option is a priority: its free plan allows one user, three cloud projects, access to all tools, and saving graded images.

DaVinci Resolve is worth considering if you want a free plan on Linux, macOS, or Windows, with a Studio version sold for $295, paid once. Baselight offers a 14-day fully functioning Baselight M trial and a free licence option.

Dolby Vision Professional Tools provides free command-line tools for Dolby Vision processing and QC. Mistika Boutique has an educational free plan with all features, H264-only renders, and community support, alongside a Personal plan at €99 a month.

Colorfront Transkoder is another paid option. Assimilate Live Looks has a monthly automatic recurring subscription for $89 a month, with support and updates included during the subscription. Mistika Ultima is a paid option for Linux and self-hosted use.

Verdict

Choose Colourlab Ai if you want color-grading tools that combine tonal matching, sequence-level looks, and editing integrations, and its plan tiers fit your workflow. Its main draw is the way those grading features connect across a post-production sequence; its main drawback is that access to key integrations costs more, while the free beta demands Apple Silicon.