The best video editing software is not just for full-time film editors. It's also for anyone making videos on YouTube, Vimeo, or any other social media. It's also important that your clips are clean, professional, and easy to understand. In this article, we'll take a look at the best video editing software available today, including all these use cases. We provide some basic information to help you make your choice.
On this page, you will find the best video editors for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS for different devices and levels. Most of these apps and software have limitations such as ads, watermarks, or limited functionality. If you're short on liquidity, you can try the free trial before making a decision (don't forget to cancel if you don't want to pay).
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of two industry-standard tools for video editing. From YouTube videos, commercials, short films to TV and movies, top professionals often use it. Another industry standard tool is Final Cut Pro (No. 2 on our list), and the two are closely related in terms of functionality and complicated. But since Final Cut Pro is only available for Mac and Premiere Pro is available for Mac and Windows, this establishes the latter as the best overall video editing software. If you are already a Creative Cloud subscriber, then you already have Premiere Pro, you can use it seamlessly with other Adobe tools, from After Effects dynamic graphics tools to importing resources from Adobe Stock. But even if it is not, it is worth considering. Premiere Pro supports 4K, 8K, and VR formats. Its editing and cropping tools provide you with a high degree of accuracy and control. You can handle an unlimited number of video tracks, which can be imported from almost any source you can think of. Automatic synchronization can easily handle multi-angle shooting. It has customizable keyboard shortcuts and excellent collaboration features. Like all Creative Cloud software, Premiere Pro is constantly updated, and subscribers can get all updates for free. For example, the last major update in July 2021 provides a simplified interface and a new workflow, making it easier to import and export material. You can subscribe to Premiere Pro separately, but if you use multiple Adobe applications, you can save money overall by subscribing to Creative Cloud. Before submitting, you can try it for 7 days to make sure you like it.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Key features: Multi-cam editing, 3D editing
- Free trial: 7 days
- Best for: Video editing professionals, video editing students
REASONS TO BUY
- Industry-standard
- High-end features
- Creative Cloud integration
REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive
2. CyberLink PowerDirector 365
CyberLink PowerDirector 365 is a full-featured consumer video editing software that has been available for Windows for a long time and was recently released for Mac users. Both options are available as monthly or annual subscriptions and are very affordable. PowerDirector 365 has professional and high-quality features such as Stabilization tools, video retouching, professional effects, multi-camera editing, motion tracking, etc. In addition, all possible standards and file formats are supported. There are also slideshows, screen recording, DVD menus, object design tools, and more. The latest version, released in March 2021, gives you unlimited free access to Shutterstock's vast library of content. With all these options, the user interface looks a bit clunky for beginners. But if you are finding it difficult there are too many video tutorials to help you to get started.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Key features: Multi-cam editing, 360-degree video, motion tracking (and loads more)
- Free trial: 30 days
- Best for: Experienced filmmakers
REASONS TO BUY
- Powerful tool
- Stacks of features
- Surprisingly affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- Tough for newbies
3. Final Cut Pro X
Apple Final Cut Pro X is a very powerful and reliable professional video editing tool. Most importantly, it is not available on Windows. On the upside, registration is free. So, if you don't want a creative cloud subscription, Final Cut Pro X lets you pay once, and once only. Final Cut Pro X offers various features like 360-degree video, HDR, and advanced color grading tools. Final Cut Pro X is optimized to get the most out of your Mac, and integrates well with other parts of Apple's ecosystem, including your photo library or iTunes library. It is surprisingly easy to use, despite its powerful features and rich features. Professional video editors love the innovative self-synchronization, grouping tools, variety of effects, great business features, and easy way to add and edit audio. If you need help deciding which of these two tools to choose, check out Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Mac
- Key features: Multi-cam editing, intelligent color balancing
- Free trial: 90-day
- Best for: Video editing professionals, video editing students
REASONS TO BUY
- Versatile and powerful editing
- Brilliant interface
- Generous free trial
REASONS TO AVOID
- Expensive one-off payment
4. Adobe Premiere Elements
If you just want to edit some video for fun, such as a family photo or your first YouTube video. Adobe Premiere Elements is recommended in this case. It's the best video editing software for beginners, it's basically a simplified version of Premiere Pro. It is very easy and inexpensive to learn, it is a very powerful tool with advanced features such as face recognition, sound effects, and accompanying sounds. The video editing style is very simple and intuitive, and you will find all the video effects you need, such as transfer, color change, sharpness, and more. You can also use the smart search feature to create automated actions such as video stabilization options and ultra-fast workflows such as motion tracking and sound amplification. Adobe is also constantly improving the software. Although Premiere Elements is created by Adobe but is not part of Creative Cloud, it is available for a one-time fee. A 30-day free trial is also available if you want to try it out before you buy.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows and Mac
- Key features: Video stabilization, face detection, automatic motion tracking
- Free trial: 30 days
- Best for: Video editing beginners and enthusiasts
REASONS TO BUY
- Easy to use
- Loads of features
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not as powerful as some tools
- Not the fastest
5. Pinnacle Studio
Pinnacle Studio is not the most famous Windows video editing software. But if you’ve never edited a video before, it’s worth considering at a fairly reasonable price. You can get more than 1,500 effects, titles, and templates, six-track HD video editing, color correction tools, dedicated stop motion animation functions, time remapping, and more. It is also very easy to use. The latest version 24 was released in August last year, with a redesigned title editor, improved video skins, and improved keyframe controls. Overall, Pinnacle Studio is between the most basic free tools and professional video editing tools in terms of price and features. This video editing software can be purchased at one time. If you like it, you can always upgrade to one of the most comprehensive and professional software packages such as Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows
- Key features: Multi-camera capture and editing, color controls, stop motion animation
- Free trial: No, but the 30-day money-back guarantee
- Best for: Beginners
REASONS TO BUY
- Super-simple to use
- Varied features
- Attractive pricing
REASONS TO AVOID
- It may be too basic for some
6. Filmora
Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editing tool for enthusiasts and beginners at a very low cost. Even if you are familiar with video editing, it has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. It has tons of built-in titles, effects, and filters designed for YouTube and other users, plus a library of royalty-free music and sound effects to make your videos stand out. You can also save media files directly to the tool. Meanwhile, the latest version of (10.5) introduced new features that are useful to everyone who posts on various social platforms. The free version of Filmora includes the same features and tools as the paid Tools, but all videos are watermarked. To avoid this, you can pay an annual program fee or use a one-time membership fee. There is an unlimited plan, which includes unlimited downloads of effects, stock video, music, etc from the wondershare stock library each month.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Key features: 4K support, built-in effects, and titles
- Free trial: Yes (with watermarks)
- Best for: Enthusiasts
REASONS TO BUY
- Simple to use
- Low price
- 4K support
REASONS TO AVOID
- Too basic for pros
7. Adobe Premiere Rush
Will you work on the go? Then take a look at Premiere Rush, which makes all the most important parts of Premiere Pro available on your tablet or mobile phone. Available for iOS and Android, this is the best video editing software to work on mobile devices. Premiere Rush provides a simplified version of the Premiere Pro interface, with large icons and panels, making it easier to click on the small touch screen. Although this means fewer features, you still get all the basics, such as adding videos to the timeline via drag and drop and mixing background music. As one of the best video editing applications, Premiere Rush can be used as an application alone or in combination with Premiere Pro. For example, when you are on a train, you can make some additional edits on the material you have previously processed in the studio on your desktop PC. Or, if you are just a casual YouTube user who wants to make simple edits to clips. Premiere Rush is also perfect to make social media videos. The app optimizes export options for Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, etc. Like all Adobe software, it will be updated regularly, the most recent April 2021 version (version 1.5.58) includes timing and reset improvements on iOS, and reset improvements on Android. You can get Premiere Rush as part of Creative Cloud, or you can subscribe to Premiere Rush separately. Or, there is a free starter plan that includes app access, 2GB cloud storage, and unlimited free export on mobile devices.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Key features: In-app motion graphics, 4K support
- Free trial: Free starter plan
- Best for: Enthusiasts (Premiere Rush alone), professionals (with Premiere Pro)
REASONS TO BUY
- Self-contained app
- A great choice for sound editing
- Ideal for Adobe users
REASONS TO AVOID
- Limited free plan
8. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
If you're a beginner and want to get started with video editing software, Adobe isn't your only option. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of Corel graphic design and illustration software. This powerful and relatively inexpensive video editing software for Windows has a clean, intuitive user interface and is easy to run and start. If you learn the basics, you will experience more powerful features like motion detection, 4K support, 360 degrees VR video support, music library, multiple supported cameras, 3D text editing, and thousands of effects.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Windows
- Key features: Real-time effects, color correction
- Free trial: 30 days
- Best for: Beginners, Corel users
REASONS TO BUY
- Easy to pick up
- Relatively inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
- Too basic (and unusual) for pros
- An unusual approach to layers
9. Vimeo Create
Vimeo hopes to attract creative professionals. Therefore, it is not surprising that their Vimeo Create service, which aims to help companies create videos for social media, is impressive. For the inexperienced, it allows you to use and customize pre-made video templates. There are also millions of commercially licensed video clips, photos, and music tracks available for free use. You can also apply many built-in styles to the video with a single click. Vimeo Create can easily create videos with various aspect ratios (such as square, horizontal and vertical) to adapt to different social platforms. Everything runs in the browser, so there is no need to download anything. Yes, it lacks the advanced features expected from a full-service video editing program. But for its design purpose, it does a good job. Vimeo Create is not sold as a separate application but included as a part of paid Vimeo Pro, Business, and Premium memberships.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Platform: Browser
- Key features: Templates, stock content, intuitive interface
- Free trial: 30 days
- Best for: Beginners
REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent templates
- Lots of stock content
REASONS TO AVOID
- Limited use cases
- Requires membership
Conclusion
Adobe Premiere Pro is currently at the top of our list of the best video editing software. CyberLink PowerDirector 365, now available for Mac and Windows, is the latter and can be purchased for a one-time fee and a monthly subscription (like most Adobe products). As an industry-standard tool, Adobe Premiere Pro is geared towards professionals and has the features you need to create compelling videos. If you want to edit your video, choose Adobe Premiere Elements instead. Because it is a simplified version of the Adobe Premiere Pro, the learning curve is not steep and it is inexpensive. If you are passionate to learn professional video editing then you can go with premiere pro.
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