Pictory is a web-based video editing platform that works on most modern desktop operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. While video editing happens in your browser, generating (rendering) your final video for download can be done in two ways:
1. Cloud Rendering (Recommended for most users) - With cloud rendering, Pictory processes your video on our servers. This is the easiest and most reliable method, no extra setup required.
2. Device Rendering (Advanced option) - Device rendering allows your computer to handle the video processing directly in your browser. This gives you more control but requires a compatible system and browser setup.
Here are the minimum system requirements for device rendering for a smooth performance.
Supported Operating Systems
Device rendering is only supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is not supported on iOS, Android, or ChromeOS devices.
Windows: 8.1 or later
macOS: 11 (Big Sur) or later
Linux: Any distro that supports the latest Chrome browser
ChromeOS: Not supported for device rendering (but cloud rendering works)
Not sure what you’re using? Visit What’s My Browser to check your browser and operating system.
Browser Requirements
Pictory is optimized for Google Chrome, so we recommend using Chrome exclusively for the best performance.
Browser: Google Chrome
Minimum Version: Chrome 113
Recommended Version: Latest available (enable automatic updates for best results)
Memory (RAM) Requirements
For best performance with device rendering, we recommend using a computer with at least 16 GB of RAM. This ensures smoother processing and reduces the chances of browser crashes or rendering delays.
WebGL Requirements
Pictory relies on WebGL (Web Graphics Library) for device rendering. We recommend:
Minimum WebGL version: 1.0
Best performance: WebGL 2.0 or WebGPU
Graphics Card Requirements
While Pictory doesn’t require a high-end hardware, a compatible GPU (graphics card) is essential for smooth performance during device rendering. The supported GPUs are:
Integrated GPUs (e.g., Intel or AMD)
Dedicated GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD) – recommended for best performance
If your laptop has both integrated and dedicated graphics cards, we recommend using the dedicated GPU for rendering. This can improve speed and video quality, though it may consume more battery.
Choosing the Right GPU:
macOS:
You can manually switch to your dedicated GPU for better performance.
Apple support guides:
Some users find success with gfxCardStatus, a third-party tool to toggle GPUs (not officially endorsed by Pictory).
Windows (NVIDIA):
Open the NVIDIA Control Panel
Set chrome.exe to use the high-performance NVIDIA processor
Windows (AMD):
Open the AMD Radeon Settings
Assign chrome.exe to the high-performance GPU
Keep Drivers and Software Updated
For the best experience with device rendering:
Update your graphics drivers from the manufacturer’s website:
Keep Chrome updated to avoid performance or compatibility issues.
Summary
Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
OS | Windows 8.1, macOS 11 | Latest OS version |
Browser | Chrome 113 | Latest Chrome |
WebGL | 1.0 | 2.0 / WebGPU |
Graphics Card | Integrated GPU | Dedicated GPU with latest drivers |
Need Help?
If you run into issues while rendering videos on your device, we recommend switching to cloud rendering for a smoother experience. For assistance, contact our support team at [email protected].