Comparison
Sift vs FrameSeek.
FrameSeek is a Mac app sold once, with tags and timeline export to several editors. Sift is a Mac and Windows app with named people, editor panels and Link sharing.
In short: Both index footage on your computer and search it by what’s shown and what’s said. FrameSeek costs $59 once at its launch price for up to two Macs, adds tags, text-in-frame search and a quick-search shortcut, and exports timelines as FCPXML or EDL for Final Cut Pro, Resolve, Premiere and Avid. Sift is $99 a year, runs on Mac and Windows, finds people you name, works in panels inside Premiere and Resolve, and shares footage by link. Cutting in Final Cut or Avid on a Mac: try FrameSeek. On Windows, or sharing with clients: try Sift.
No editor needed. Sift works on its own as a desktop app on Mac and Windows: search, preview, build Selects and share footage by link without opening an editor. The editor panels are optional.
Written by the maker of Sift Clips, so read it with that in mind. Other products’ details come from the sources listed, checked October 22, 2026. Features and prices change, so check each vendor before buying. This is a workflow comparison, not a speed or accuracy test.
Side by side.
| FrameSeek | Sift Clips | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 once at launch price (listed from $99), 1 year of updates, up to 2 Macs | $99 a year for one computer |
| Trial | Free for up to 25 videos | 3 days or 25 searches, no card |
| Computers | Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 15+ | Apple Silicon Mac (macOS 15+) and Windows 10/11 |
| Searches | Picture, speech, text in the frame, labels, tags, file and folder names | Picture (Visual), speech (Spoken), named people, notes |
| Named people | Not described on its site | Name someone once, find their clips |
| Editors | Exports FCPXML or EDL for Final Cut Pro, Resolve, Premiere and Avid | Panels inside Premiere, Resolve and Final Cut Pro (Resolve tested on Studio 18.6, Final Cut Pro on 12.4) |
| Processing | On your Mac; an optional Gemini mode sends sample frames to Google with your own key | On your computer |
| Assistants | Not described on its site | Claude and ChatGPT desktop apps: search, and save to Selects |
| Selects and sharing | Not described on its site | Selects, and links people can search on a phone |
Who each suits.
Mac editors who cut in Avid, like tagging, or prefer paying once.
Editors on Windows, or who want named people, Selects and Link sharing, inside Premiere, Resolve or Final Cut Pro.
Questions
Is FrameSeek a one-time purchase?
Yes, per its site: $59 at launch pricing, with a year of updates; the app keeps working after that. Sift is a $99 yearly subscription.
Does FrameSeek work with Final Cut Pro?
It exports FCPXML timelines that Final Cut Pro opens. Sift has a panel inside Final Cut Pro (Sift 1.0.12 and later) and sends Selects to Final Cut as an event and project.
Does either upload my footage?
Neither uploads footage to search it. FrameSeek’s optional Gemini mode sends sample frames to Google; Sift uploads small copies only for footage you share by link.
Can I try both?
Yes. FrameSeek is free for up to 25 videos. Sift: Free for 3 days or 25 searches. No card.
Updated 2026-10-22
Keep reading.
Try it on your own footage.
Free for 3 days or 25 searches. No card. Then $99 a year for one computer, Mac or Windows. Everything in Sift, including the optional editor panels and one free link to share footage.