--- title: CyberLink PowerDirector canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/cyberlink-powerdirector/ category: Video Editing Software points: 66 rank: 5 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # CyberLink PowerDirector Consumer video editor for Windows and Mac, sold as a $139.99 one-time licence or a yearly subscription, with a free Essential edition. 66 points out of 100. #5 of 12 video editors. Vendor: CyberLink Corp.. Website: https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/ - PowerDirector 2027 is a one-time licence at $139.99, with no regular updates [2]. - PowerDirector 365 costs $59.99 a year on an offer ending October 11, listed at $79.99 otherwise; it renews automatically [2]. - A free Essential edition has no time limit; some export options and advanced tools are restricted [1][5]. - Covers Windows 11 and 10 (64-bit), macOS, iOS and Android [1][4][6]. - Exports 4K and HDR (Rec. 2100 HLG or PQ, HEVC in MP4) [4]. Verdict: PowerDirector suits home editors who want a one-time licence with multicam, motion tracking, chroma key and HDR export [2][3][4]. The free Essential edition has no time limit, but its export limits are not itemised [5]. The one-time licence gets no regular updates, and the vendor's pages do not list proxy editing, colour scopes or plug-in support [2][3][4]. Best for: Home editors who want multicam, tracking and HDR export without a subscription. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Other systems | macOS, iOS, Android | 6/10 | The overview lists a macOS version and links to App Store and Google Play editing apps [1][6]. | | Price and licence | Free version | Yes | 8/8 | Essential is free with no time limit; the pages do not mention a watermark [1][5]. | | Price and licence | One-time licence | Yes | 6/6 | PowerDirector 2027 is a one-time purchase with no renewal [2]. | | Price and licence | Cheapest paid plan | $3.89/mo | 10/12 | PowerDirector 2027, $139.99 one-time, spread over 36 months. The 365 plan lists at $79.99 a year [2]. | | Price and licence | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's overview or specs pages [1][4]. | | Output | 4K export | Yes | 4/4 | Specs list 2K/4K export in H.264, H.265 and other codecs [4]. | | Output | 8K export | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's specs page [4]. | | Output | 10-bit and HDR | Yes | 4/4 | Specs list HDR export in Rec. 2100 HLG and PQ for HEVC in MP4 [4]. | | Output | GPU-accelerated export | Yes | 5/5 | Features page says the editor is accelerated by Intel and NVIDIA hardware [3]. | | Editing tools | Multi-camera editing | Yes | 6/6 | Features page lists multi-cam editing to switch between camera angles [3]. | | Editing tools | Colour grading with scopes | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's features or specs pages; only automatic colour tools are listed [3][4]. | | Editing tools | Automatic captions | Yes | 5/5 | Features page lists AI speech-to-text transcription that generates captions; the plan allowance is not stated [3]. | | Editing tools | Motion tracking | Yes | 4/4 | Features page lists AI motion tracking for text and graphics [3]. | | Editing tools | Multitrack audio and noise reduction | Not published | 0/4 | AI audio denoise is listed, but no page states a count of audio tracks [3][4]. | | Editing tools | Proxy editing | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's features or specs pages [3][4]. | | Editing tools | Third-party plug-ins | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's features or specs pages [3][4]. | | Editing tools | Shared projects | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's features page or pricing page [2][3]. | | Editing tools | Green-screen keying | Yes | 4/4 | Features page lists chroma key with multi-key colour sampling [3]. | | Editing tools | Video stabilisation | Yes | 4/4 | Features page lists a video stabiliser for shaky footage [3]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | PowerDirector 365 Essential | Free [2][5] | $0 | | PowerDirector 365 | $59.99/year (offer; $79.99 listed) [2] | $6.67 | | PowerDirector 2027 | $139.99 one-time [2] | - | The 365 price is a limited offer ending October 11; the list price is $79.99 a year, or $6.67 a month. Renewal price is not stated [2]. ## Strengths - One-time licence at $139.99 avoids a subscription [2]. - Multicam, motion tracking, chroma key, stabilisation and speech-to-text captions are listed [3]. - HDR export in Rec. 2100 HLG and PQ with HEVC [4]. - Free Essential edition has no time limit [5]. - Hardware acceleration by Intel and NVIDIA is listed [3]. ## Limits - The one-time licence has no monthly updates, which are in the subscription [2]. - The subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing cycle [2]. - Essential's export limits are not itemised; the vendor says some export options are restricted [5]. - Windows support covers only Windows 11 and 10, 64-bit [4]. ## Sources 1. [PowerDirector video editing software](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/overview_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [PowerDirector pricing](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/pricing_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [PowerDirector features](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/features_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [PowerDirector specifications](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/specs_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [PowerDirector 365 Essential](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software-365/essential_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [PowerDirector mobile video editor](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-app/features_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-08