Are free PMV makers worth it, or should I pay?

Good news: Onset Engine has a free demo, so you can test before buying. Here's the full breakdown:

Free options

Onset Engine Demo - free, full AI pipeline, all 9 presets with their built-in effects (the add-on effects need Core). Limitations: watermark on exports, 720p/30fps max, 1-minute DJ Mode sessions. This is honestly the best way to test if automatic beat-sync editing works for you.

Auto PMV Generator (Python script) - free, automated, but requires Python + FFmpeg setup and command-line knowledge.

DaVinci Resolve - free, professional-grade, but manual: every cut placed by hand (Resolve Studio 20 can mark the beats). A PMV takes many hours.

Paid options

Onset Engine Core ($29.99 with code ONSET50OFF, normally $59.99) - removes watermark, 1080p/60fps, unlimited DJ Mode, all VFX, 1 PC license.

Onset Engine Studio ($59.99 with code ONSET50OFF, normally $119.99) - everything in Core plus 4K export, timeline export to Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, full-length Vertical (9:16) and Teasers, Triptych (3 panels in 16:9), Highlights, DJ-to-Video export.

Premiere Pro / VEGAS Pro - $23/month for Premiere; VEGAS Pro by subscription or a one-time license. Manual editing: VEGAS Pro's Beat Detection marks the beats, but you still place every cut.

My take: Start with the free demo. If you like how the beat detection works, Core at $29.99 is a no-brainer for the watermark removal and 1080p. Studio is worth it if you need 4K or want to bring edits into Premiere/Resolve with its timeline export for further polish.