Video editing has become an essential skill, whether you’re a professional filmmaker, a content creator, or simply someone who loves to capture and share moments.
With the vast array of video editing software available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one that fits your needs.
In this article, we’ll explore the 12 best video editing software, reviewing their key features, pros and cons, pricing plans, and providing a small review for each tool.
Summary Table:
Key features & Price of Each Editing Softwares
Software | Key Feature | Pricing |
---|---|---|
Adobe Premiere Pro | Industry-standard editing tools | $20.99/month |
Final Cut Pro | Advanced editing for Mac users | $299 one-time |
DaVinci Resolve | Professional color grading | Free, $299 one-time |
Filmora | User-friendly with advanced features | $39.99/year |
iMovie | Basic editing for Mac users | Free |
HitFilm Express | Free version with pro features | Free, $349 for Pro |
CyberLink PowerDirector | Fast rendering and effects | $51.99/year |
Corel VideoStudio | Creative effects and templates | $79.99 one-time |
Magix Movie Edit Pro | Beginner-friendly with templates | $69.99 one-time |
Pinnacle Studio | Advanced features for creative editing | $59.95 one-time |
Shotcut | Open-source with powerful features | Free |
Lightworks | Professional-grade with a free version | Free, $24.99/month for Pro |
Details and Review of 12 Best Business Builder
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing software used by professionals worldwide. Its industry-standard tools and seamless integration with other Adobe products make it a top choice for advanced video editing.
Premiere Pro offers a wide range of features, including multi-camera editing, advanced color grading, and support for various formats, making it suitable for both short clips and feature-length films.
The software’s robust performance and extensive features allow for precise editing and creative flexibility. However, it comes with a steep learning curve, and the subscription-based pricing can be a drawback for those on a budget.
Adobe Premiere Pro Pricing Plans:
- Monthly Subscription: $20.99/month, includes all features and updates.
- Annual Plan (Paid Monthly): $20.99/month.
- Annual Plan (Prepaid): $239.88/year, offers some savings.
Adobe Premiere Pro Pros & Cons:
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is Apple’s professional video editing software designed for Mac users. It offers advanced editing features, including multi-camera editing, 360-degree video editing, and HDR support. Final Cut Pro is known for its smooth performance, even with large files, and its magnetic timeline makes editing intuitive and efficient.
The software is a one-time purchase, which can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to subscription-based tools. However, it’s only available for Mac users, and its interface may take some time to get used to for those switching from other editing software.
Final Cut Pro Pricing Plans:
- One-Time Purchase: $299, includes all features and updates.
Final Cut Pro Pros & Cons:
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is renowned for its professional-grade color grading capabilities, making it a favorite among filmmakers and colorists. It offers a comprehensive suite of editing tools, including audio post-production and visual effects.
DaVinci Resolve is available in a free version with extensive features, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
The paid version, DaVinci Resolve Studio, unlocks even more advanced features and supports higher resolutions. While the software is powerful, its complexity might be overwhelming for beginners, and a powerful computer is recommended for smooth operation.
DaVinci Resolve Pricing Plans:
- Free Version: Includes most features and supports up to 4K resolution.
- Studio Version: $299 one-time, includes advanced features and higher resolution support.
DaVinci Resolve Pros & Cons:
Filmora
Filmora is a popular choice for beginners and intermediate users due to its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing.
It offers a range of features such as drag-and-drop editing, advanced text editing, and various effects and transitions. Filmora is designed to be easy to use, making it accessible for those who are new to video editing.
While Filmora provides plenty of features for creative editing, it may lack some of the advanced tools found in professional software.
Additionally, the watermark in the free version can be a limitation for users who want to create polished content without upgrading to a paid plan.
Filmora Pricing Plans:
- Annual Plan: $39.99/year, includes all features and updates.
- Lifetime Plan: $69.99 one-time, includes all features and updates.
Filmora Pros & Cons:
iMovie
iMovie is Apple’s free video editing software, perfect for beginners and casual users. It offers basic editing features with a simple drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create professional-looking videos without a steep learning curve.
iMovie is ideal for Mac users who want to start editing without investing in paid software.
While iMovie provides all the essential tools for basic editing, it lacks advanced features such as multi-camera editing or advanced color grading, which may be a limitation for more experienced users.
iMovie Pricing Plans:
- Free: Available on Mac devices with basic editing features.
iMovie Pros & Cons:
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free video editing software that offers professional-grade features, making it a great choice for both beginners and advanced users.
It includes tools for editing, compositing, and visual effects, allowing for creative and complex video projects. HitFilm Express also supports a wide range of formats and resolutions.
The free version is feature-rich, but users can purchase add-on packs for more advanced tools. While the software is powerful, it may require a higher learning curve, especially for those new to video editing.
HitFilm Express Pricing Plans:
- Free: Includes most features and supports various formats.
- Add-Ons: Individual packs available for advanced tools, starting at $9.99.
- Pro Version: $349 one-time, includes all features and additional tools.
HitFilm Express Pros & Cons:
CyberLink PowerDirector
CyberLink PowerDirector is a fast and feature-rich video editing software known for its quick rendering times and wide range of effects. It offers a variety of editing tools, including multi-cam editing, 360-degree video editing, and motion tracking.
PowerDirector is suitable for both beginners and more advanced users who want a robust set of features at an affordable price.
PowerDirector’s user-friendly interface and fast performance make it a great choice for users who want to create high-quality videos quickly. However, some users may find the interface cluttered, and the software’s advanced features can be overwhelming for those new to video editing.
CyberLink PowerDirector Pricing Plans:
- PowerDirector 365: $51.99/year, includes all features, updates, and premium content.
- Lifetime License: $99.99 one-time, includes all features but no future updates.
CyberLink PowerDirector Pros & Cons:
Corel VideoStudio
Corel VideoStudio is known for its creative effects and user-friendly interface. It offers a range of features such as multi-camera editing, 4K support, and various templates, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate users. VideoStudio’s intuitive design allows for quick editing and easy access to a wide array of tools.
The software provides a good balance between simplicity and functionality, but it may lack some of the advanced features found in other professional editing software. Additionally, users may find the rendering times slower compared to other options.
Corel VideoStudio Pricing Plans:
- Pro Version: $79.99 one-time, includes basic features and updates.
- Ultimate Version: $99.99 one-time, includes additional features and effects.
Corel VideoStudio Pros & Cons:
Magix Movie Edit Pro
Magix Movie Edit Pro is designed for beginners and hobbyists who want to create polished videos without the complexity of professional software.
It offers a range of templates, transitions, and effects that make editing simple and enjoyable. The software also supports 4K resolution and offers multi-cam editing.
While Magix Movie Edit Pro is easy to use, it may not satisfy the needs of advanced users looking for more sophisticated tools. Additionally, the software’s interface, while user-friendly, can feel outdated compared to other modern editors.
Magix Movie Edit Pro Pricing Plans:
- Basic Version: $69.99 one-time, includes essential features and updates.
- Plus Version: $99.99 one-time, includes additional effects and tools.
- Premium Version: $129.99 one-time, includes all features and premium content.
Magix Movie Edit Pro Pros & Cons:
Pinnacle Studio
Pinnacle Studio is a feature-rich video editing software that offers advanced tools for creative editing. It includes features such as multi-camera editing, 360-degree video editing, and motion tracking, making it suitable for users who want to experiment with different styles and effects.
Pinnacle Studio also supports 4K and HD videos, providing high-quality output.
The software is known for its precision editing and creative freedom, but it may have a steeper learning curve compared to other beginner-friendly tools.
Additionally, some users have reported stability issues, which can be a drawback during complex projects.
Pinnacle Studio Pricing Plans:
- Pinnacle Studio Standard: $59.95 one-time, includes basic features.
- Pinnacle Studio Plus: $99.95 one-time, includes additional features and effects.
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate: $129.95 one-time, includes all features and advanced tools.
Pinnacle Studio Pros & Cons:
Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source video editing software that offers powerful features for free. It supports a wide range of formats and provides a variety of editing tools, including multi-track editing, advanced audio filters, and video transitions.
Shotcut’s interface is customizable, allowing users to create a workspace that suits their needs.
While Shotcut is feature-rich, its open-source nature means that it may not have the polish and user-friendliness of commercial software. Additionally, the software’s interface can be intimidating for beginners, and there is no official customer support.
Shotcut Pricing Plans:
- Free: Open-source with all features included.
Shotcut Pros & Cons:
Lightworks
Lightworks is a professional-grade video editing software that offers both free and paid versions. It is widely used in the film industry and provides advanced tools for editing, trimming, and exporting videos. The free version includes many features, but the Pro version unlocks additional tools and higher resolution exports.
Lightworks is known for its high-quality output and precision editing capabilities. However, the software’s interface can be complex, and the free version limits export options to 720p, which may be a limitation for some users.
Lightworks Pricing Plans:
- Free Version: Includes basic features and supports 720p export.
- Lightworks Pro Monthly: $24.99/month, includes all features and 4K support.
- Lightworks Pro Yearly: $174.99/year, includes all features and updates.
- Lightworks Pro Lifetime: $437.99 one-time, includes all features and updates.
Lightworks Pros & Cons:
Conclusion: How To Choose a Right Video Editing Software?
Choosing the right video editing software depends on your needs, budget, and experience level. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple tool like iMovie or a professional seeking advanced features in Adobe Premiere Pro, there’s a video editing software out there for you.
Each of the tools reviewed offers unique features that cater to different aspects of video editing, from basic trimming and effects to professional-grade color grading and 4K support.
Take the time to explore these options, try out the free versions where available, and find the tool that best suits your creative vision.
FAQs Related to Video Editing Software
Which video editing software is best for beginners?
For beginners, Filmora and iMovie are excellent choices due to their user-friendly interfaces and accessible features.
Can I use these video editing software on both Mac and Windows?
Most software, like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Lightworks, are available for both Mac and Windows, while iMovie and Final Cut Pro are exclusive to Mac.
Can I edit 4K videos with these software options?
Yes, most of the video editing software reviewed, such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro, support 4K video editing.
Are there any free video editing software options that are actually good?
Yes, DaVinci Resolve, HitFilm Express, and Shotcut are powerful free video editing software that offer a wide range of features suitable for both beginners and professionals.
What are the system requirements for these video editing software?
System requirements vary depending on the software, but generally, a multi-core processor, at least 8GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card are recommended for smooth performance.