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1. The new captions workflow
Premiere Pro 15.0 gave captions their own track on the timeline. You trim and move caption items like clips, and you style them in the Essential Graphics panel with the same controls you use for titles.
It's good for anyone who posts to social media, where many videos play with the sound off. Version 15.2 made it smoother: caption items got label colors, and captions stay linked to their video and audio when you trim.
2. Speech to Text
Added in 15.4 (July 2021), Speech to Text writes the transcript for you. Fix any names it got wrong, and Premiere turns the transcript into captions on the timeline, timed to the speech.
It saves the most time on interviews, talking-head videos and anything with a lot of dialogue. The Transcript panel also lets you search, mark speakers and export the text. It works in 13 languages and is included in your plan at no extra cost.
3. Native Apple M1 support
Also in 15.4, Premiere started running natively on Macs with the Apple M1 chip. Adobe says it runs nearly 80 percent faster than on comparable Intel-based Macs, and that Scene Edit Detection is up to 3x faster on M1.
If you edit on an M1 Mac, 15.4 is the version to have. Earlier versions only ran on M1 through Rosetta 2.
4. Media Replacement in Motion Graphics templates
Since 15.0, a Motion Graphics template can include slots for your own images and videos. Drag your logo or a clip into the slot in Premiere, and the template uses it.
It's ideal for branded videos and for making versions of the same video for different clients or languages, without opening After Effects.
5. Text gradients
Version 15.2 added gradients to titles and text. In the color picker, switch from Solid to Linear Gradient or Radial Gradient and set your color stops.
Use it for lower thirds and title cards that need a bit more depth. In 15.4, multiple shadows and better text backgrounds joined it.
6. Loudness Meter
The Loudness Meter arrived in 15.2. Put it on a track, a submix or your full mix, and it shows short-term, integrated and momentary loudness, the loudness range and the true peak.
If you deliver to broadcast or streaming platforms with a loudness target, you can now check your mix inside Premiere.
7. Lumetri preset previews
Version 15.1 added preview thumbnails to Lumetri presets. As you browse the Effects panel, each preset shows a thumbnail of its look, so you find the right one faster.
Also new in Premiere Pro 2021
- Faster Warp Stabilizer (15.0). Up to 4x faster analysis on UHD footage, according to Adobe.
- Copy and paste effect racks (15.0). Move all of a track's audio effects to another track at once.
- Faster Intel exports on Windows (15.1). Better use of Intel Quick Sync for H.264 and HEVC.
- DirectX with HDR on Windows (15.2). Native HDR playback on HDR10 monitors.
- Upgrade Legacy Titles (15.4). Turn old titles into Source Graphics.
- Tetrahedral LUT interpolation (15.4). More precise LUTs and less banding.
- Automatic audio device switching (15.4). On Windows, Premiere follows when you change headphones or interfaces.
Before you update, check the system requirements: Windows 10 version 1903 or later, or macOS 10.14 or later. Our guide on whether to update to Premiere Pro 2021 covers the rest, and the full list of new features shows every change by version.
FAQ
What is the best new feature in Premiere Pro 2021?
For most editors it's the pair of the new captions workflow and Speech to Text. Together, they turn captioning from hours of typing into a few clicks and a quick check.
Does Speech to Text cost extra?
No. Adobe includes it with Premiere Pro and Creative Cloud All Apps plans at no extra cost. It needs an internet connection, because the transcription happens in Adobe's cloud.
Do BetterFX and EaseFlow work in Premiere Pro 2021?
Yes. All our plugins work in Premiere Pro 2021 to 2027.
Animating your new gradient titles? Get EaseFlow for smoother easing in Premiere Pro.
