Sashimii app iconFinal Cut Pro app icon

Sashimii vs Final Cut Pro

Checked against Final Cut Pro 12.4

Full editor

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s full video editor for Mac and iPad, with the Magnetic Timeline, colour grading, Magnetic Mask and captions from speech. It is $299.99 once on the Mac App Store, or part of Apple Creator Studio.

  • Mac
  • $299.99, or a subscription
Rough cut first

Sashimii is a Mac app for the job before all that: your own AI agent drafts the rough cut of a talking-head recording from its transcript, and you check every join to the frame.

  • macOS 26 or later, Apple silicon
  • Free during the beta
Handoff not tested

If you need one app to edit and finish in, use Final Cut Pro. Sashimii can do the rough cut and render the video, but opening its export in Final Cut Pro isn’t tested yet, so this page doesn’t claim the two hand off.

    Pick Final Cut Pro if you need

    • Finishing
    • Editing many clips
    • Captions and subtitles
    • iPad
    • Built-in AI
    • A settled product with a choice of price
    Where Final Cut Pro is better

    Pick Sashimii if

    • you make talking-head videos on a Mac, and you record far more than you keep.
    • you already use Claude Code or Codex, or are happy to, and want it to make the first editorial pass.
    • you want to hear every join before you publish, and fix it to the frame.
    • your video is simple enough to render straight from Sashimii, or you finish in DaVinci Resolve.
    Who it’s for, and who it isn’t

    The Job, Side by Side

    1. 01Record

      Shooting the video. Neither tool on these pages records it; it is the source media every later stage works on.

    2. Agent draftYour agent picks the takes from the transcript; Sashimii places every cut on the waveform.
      02Rough cut
      Magnetic TimelineThe Magnetic Timeline, for moving and trimming clips while everything stays in sync.
    3. Join reviewJoin review steps through every join at frame zoom.
      03Fix joins
      Precision editorThe precision editor shows both sides of an edit point and trims either one.
    4. Graphics from notespartlyYour agent builds on-screen text, karaoke captions and graphics from your notes, in your Style. No subtitle track.
      04Graphics and captions
      Titles, captionsTitles, transitions and effects, and captions generated from speech.
    5. Chapter listChapter notes become the m:ss list for your YouTube description.
      05Chapters
      Chapter markerspartlyChapter markers in the shared movie, for players like QuickTime and Apple TV; Apple's docs don't describe a YouTube chapter list.
    6. 06Grade and composite
      Color, Magnetic MaskColour correction and grading, and Magnetic Mask to isolate people and objects.
    7. MP4 or ResolveRenders an MP4, or exports separate clips on your original recording to Resolve.
      07Export
      Share, XMLShares finished movies, and exports XML for other apps.

    How Sashimii Is Different

    1. The cut is made to be checked. Final Cut Pro’s precision editor fine-tunes one edit point at a time. Sashimii builds the whole rough cut for review: your agent names each cut by its first and last word, Sashimii moves every edge onto the waveform and flags the pauses it isn’t sure about, and join review steps through every join at frame zoom until each one is accepted.
    2. Cut from the transcript. Final Cut Pro’s Transcript Search finds spoken phrases, and Generate Captions turns speech into subtitles, but Apple’s docs describe no cutting by editing a transcript. In Sashimii the transcript is the edit: select words and delete them, or let your agent do the first pass, and leave notes on words that become graphics and chapters.
    3. Your agent works on files it can read. A Sashimii project is a folder of plain JSON beside your recording, and Claude Code or Codex drafts it with Sashimii’s skill and command-line tool. Apple’s docs describe no way for an AI agent to operate Final Cut Pro.
    Sashimii’s join review on the demo project: the first join at frame zoom with its waveform and edge, Play, Restore and Accept buttons, and the list of every join with what was cut there.
    Join review, on the demo project.

    Feature by Feature

    Showing where they differ and what Sashimii is built for.Showing all 32 rows. Tap a cell for its source. What Sashimii is built for, shown even where both have it.

    SashimiiFinal Cut Pro
    Transcript and rough cut
    Your own AI agent drafts the cut
    YesClaude Code or Codex drafts the cut through the Sashimii skill and command-line tool.

    sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple's docs describe no way for an AI agent to operate Final Cut Pro.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    A rough-cut workflow for your agent
    YesThe Sashimii skill teaches your agent the drafting steps and take rules; "check Sashimii" finds the work, and the agent leaves a note on every judgement call.

    sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple's docs don't describe one.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Cut edges placed on the waveform
    YesThe edge pass moves every cut edge onto the audio and flags borderline pauses.

    sashimii.app/docs/cuttingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolThe precision editor trims both sides of one edit point, but nothing places cut edges on the waveform for review.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/use-the-precision-editor-verc1fac344/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Borderline pauses flagged for you
    YesThe edge pass cuts clear pauses and flags borderline ones, such as "Pause 0.4s · cut?", for you to answer Cut or Keep.

    sashimii.app/docs/cuttingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple's docs don't describe one.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Join-by-join review at frame zoom
    YesSteps through every join at frame zoom; play across it, nudge, accept.

    sashimii.app/docs/reviewing-joinsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolThe precision editor opens one edit point at a time, with Up and Down Arrow to move between them, but nothing steps through every join and tracks which are done.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/use-the-precision-editor-verc1fac344/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Missed speech recovered
    YesWhere the waveform hears speech that no word covers, that stretch is transcribed again on its own.

    sashimii.app/docs/projectsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple's docs don't describe one.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Cut by editing the transcript
    YesSelect words in the transcript and press Delete; the edges land on the waveform.

    sashimii.app/docs/cuttingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolTranscript Search finds spoken phrases, but Apple's docs describe no cutting by editing a transcript.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/find-clips-and-projects-ver65764b45/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Graphics, chapters and sound
    Notes on words become graphics and chapters
    YesSelect words, press N and tag the note (Text on screen, Zoom, B-roll, Chapter and more); your agent builds the graphics in your Style, and Chapter notes become chapters.

    sashimii.app/docs/notesChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolMarkers can hold notes and chapter markers mark chapters, but nothing turns a note into a graphic.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/add-chapter-markers-verc9cacc031/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    YouTube chapters
    YesCopy YouTube Chapters copies one m:ss line per chapter, with 0:00 added when needed.

    sashimii.app/docs/chaptersChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    PartlyChapter markers in the shared movie, for players like QuickTime and Apple TV; Apple's docs don't describe a YouTube chapter list.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/add-chapter-markers-verc9cacc031/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Voice cleanup
    YesReduces noise and room echo on your Mac, with Listen to Cleaned or Original to compare.

    sashimii.app/docs/voice-cleanupChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    YesVoice Isolation, Background Noise Removal and Hum Removal in the Audio inspector.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/enhance-audio-verc1fab873/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Subtitles from speech
    NoKaraoke captions can be made as graphics from a note; there is no subtitle track or file.

    sashimii.app/docs/notesChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    YesGenerate Captions makes subtitles from speech (Apple silicon, U.S. English); captions export as SRT and other formats.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/export-closed-captions-ver245c7581b/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Finishing suite
    At a glance
    Partly, 2 of 6Colour gradingCompositing and VFXMotion graphicsAudio postMulticamTeams on one project
    5 of 6Colour gradingCompositing and VFXMotion graphicsAudio postMulticamTeams on one project
    AI and agents
    AI features built into the app
    PartlySpeech recognition and voice cleanup, both on your Mac. The editorial calls come from your own agent, not a built-in model.

    sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    YesGenerate Captions, Magnetic Mask, Smart Conform, Transcript and Visual Search, Beat Detection, Enhance Light and Color.

    apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Agent connection over MCP
    YesA command-line step: `sashimii register` adds Sashimii's MCP server to Claude Code or Codex. There's no in-app connect flow, and the skill works without it.

    sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple's docs describe no MCP server or AI agent connection.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Scripting interface
    YesThe sashimii command-line tool and a project of plain JSON files agents can edit.

    sashimii.app/docs/for-agentsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    No dedicated toolApple documents XML import and export and workflow extensions for third-party apps, but no scripting interface.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/import-using-workflow-extensions-ver3b37ed540/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

    Export and handoff
    Exports an editable timeline
    PartlyDaVinci Resolve only (FCPXML 1.13, tested with Resolve 21.1.1). No Final Cut or Premiere export.

    sashimii.app/docs/exportingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    YesImports and exports XML (FCPXML) to move projects to and from third-party apps.

    support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/use-xml-to-transfer-projects-verdbd66ae/macChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Platforms
    At a glance
    1 of 4MacWindowsLinuxiPad
    2 of 4MacWindowsLinuxiPad
    Requirements and price
    Mac requirement
    macOS 26 or later, Apple siliconAbout 1 GB of disk for the speech model, downloaded once.

    sashimii.app/docs/getting-startedChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    macOS 26.6 or laterFrom the App Store listing for 12.4 (Apple's product page still says macOS 15.6). Some features need Apple silicon.

    apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Release
    BetaA free beta; testers are invited in small groups.

    sashimii.app/betaChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    Public release, 12.4Final Cut Pro 12.4 was released on 29 September 2026.

    support.apple.com/en-us/102825Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Pricing
    Free during the betaThe price after the beta isn't set yet.

    sashimii.app/betaChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

    $299.99, or a subscriptionA one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, or part of Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month or $129 a year after a free month.

    apple.com/final-cut-proChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 12.4

    Where Final Cut Pro Is Better

    Final Cut Pro is a complete editor and Sashimii isn’t. If your video needs any of this, Final Cut Pro (or another full editor) is the tool:

    • Finishing. Colour correction and grading, Magnetic Mask and the Object Tracker, titles, transitions and effects, with Motion for custom ones, and audio editing with Logic Pro plug-ins. Sashimii has none of these; its graphics are ones your agent writes from your notes.
    • Editing many clips. The Magnetic Timeline, multicam clips and media organised in libraries. A Sashimii project is one recording.
    • Captions and subtitles. Generate Captions makes subtitles from speech on Apple silicon, and captions export as SRT and other formats. Sashimii makes karaoke captions as graphics, with no subtitle track.
    • iPad. Final Cut Pro for iPad works alongside the Mac app. Sashimii is Mac only.
    • Built-in AI. Generate Captions, Magnetic Mask, Smart Conform, Transcript and Visual Search, Beat Detection and Enhance Light and Color. Sashimii’s built-in processing stops at speech recognition and voice cleanup, both on your Mac; the editorial calls come from your own agent.
    • A settled product with a choice of price. A one-time purchase, or Apple Creator Studio by subscription. Sashimii is a beta, and its price isn’t set yet.

    Who Sashimii Is For, and Who It Isn’t

    Sashimii is for you if:

    • You make talking-head videos on a Mac, and you record far more than you keep.
    • You already use Claude Code or Codex, or are happy to, and want it to make the first editorial pass.
    • You want to hear every join before you publish, and fix it to the frame.
    • Your video is simple enough to render straight from Sashimii, or you finish in DaVinci Resolve.

    It isn’t for you if:

    • You finish in Final Cut Pro and need the timeline there. That handoff isn’t tested yet.
    • You edit on an iPad, or across many clips and camera angles.
    • You want one app for grading, effects, captions and the mix.
    • You don’t want an AI agent involved. Sashimii can cut from the transcript by hand, but its point is the agent’s draft.

    Using Them Together

    The Final Cut Pro handoff isn’t tested yet. Sashimii’s only editor export is for DaVinci Resolve, an FCPXML bundle tested with Resolve 21.1.1. Final Cut Pro imports FCPXML in general, but nobody has opened Sashimii’s bundle in Final Cut Pro, so this page doesn’t claim it works, or how much of the cut would come across.

    What you can do today is render the finished cut in Sashimii as an MP4, with its graphics, and bring that file into Final Cut Pro to add to it. The cuts are baked into the file, so changing them means going back to Sashimii. See Exporting for what Sashimii renders.

    Pricing

    Sashimii

    Price
    Free during the betaThe price after the beta isn't set yet.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
    AI
    Your own agent's planDrafting runs on the Claude Code or Codex plan you already have, which may cost money. Transcription runs on your Mac.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
    Status
    BetaA free beta; testers are invited in small groups.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026

    Final Cut Pro

    Price
    $299.99, or a subscriptionA one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, or part of Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month or $129 a year after a free month.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
    Status
    Public release, 12.4Final Cut Pro 12.4 was released on 29 September 2026.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026

    FAQ

    Is Sashimii an alternative to Final Cut Pro?

    For most people, no. Sashimii does the rough cut of a talking-head recording and renders it. It has no colour, effects, multicam or mixing tools, so if your video needs those, you still need Final Cut Pro or another full editor.

    Can Sashimii export to Final Cut Pro?

    Not in a tested way. Sashimii’s only editor export is for DaVinci Resolve. It is FCPXML, which Final Cut Pro imports in general, but opening it in Final Cut Pro hasn’t been tested, so treat it as unsupported until it is.

    Does Final Cut Pro have text-based editing?

    Not as cutting by editing a transcript, as far as Apple’s docs describe. Transcript Search finds spoken words or phrases in English, and Generate Captions transcribes speech into subtitles on Apple silicon.

    Can an AI agent edit in Final Cut Pro?

    Apple’s docs describe no MCP server or AI agent connection for Final Cut Pro. It has built-in AI features instead, such as Magnetic Mask and Generate Captions. Sashimii works with your own Claude Code or Codex.

    Can Final Cut Pro make YouTube chapters?

    Final Cut Pro adds chapter markers to the shared movie, for players such as QuickTime Player and Apple TV. Apple’s docs don’t describe a chapter list for YouTube. Sashimii copies chapters as the list for your video’s description.

    What do they cost?

    Final Cut Pro is $299.99 once on the Mac App Store, or part of Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month or $129 a year, after a free month. Sashimii is free during its beta and its price isn’t set yet. Drafting uses your own Claude Code or Codex plan, which may cost money.

    Spot something wrong, or out of date? Write to [email protected] and it gets fixed, Apple included.

    Try Sashimii on Your Next Recording

    Sashimii is in a free beta for Mac. Testers are invited in small groups, and you’ll get an email when it’s your turn.

    Join the beta

    macOS 26 or later · Apple silicon