Long gone are the days when you could only watch what your camera captured and that too in the form of still pictures. Before the video even came forward, humans realized the importance of editing how something looks. With professional video available for everyone to shoot, having something to play with the way it looks became pretty much an essential thing. Nowadays, with the internet providing an endless source of video entertainment, everyone wants to create their unique look. This is why video editing software is one of the most popular software categories in existence. With so many options to choose from, one can become quite confused about what to select for their needs. To help you figure out which is the best video editing software for your specific needs, we have created this extensive list of options.
We are curating options that are both paid and free to use so you can opt for something according to your needs. We do advise that you read through the whole article before deciding. It may be possible that free software meets your needs better than a paid one. Alternatively, you may be looking for something free but find a paid option that is worthwhile for its features! We will also be covering Mac, PC, and mobile platforms to provide options for users on both platforms. Let us dive right in and see what kind of options you can choose from.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
Overall, this is pretty much the king of video editing when it comes to Windows PCs. Adobe Premiere Pro is the go-to software for most professional video editors, especially those working with small teams or solo. There is a ton of automation available for users which can streamline the editing process a lot for most users. If you are a Windows user and you do not have any budget restraint then this is the easiest option for you.
Some incredible features that you can find in this software include support for a huge number of formats and devices, the ability to deal with VR content, auto sync of all content in multi-angle shots. You can also save profiles for a lot of things and that alone is a huge bonus for a lot of users since that can save so much time. In terms of fine-tuning, the software provides a lot of detail for both visuals and color grading. The software also supports footage captured using mobile phones using the free companion application called Adobe Premiere Rush. A lot of dedicated features make it quite easy to deal with such video content.
However, there are some pain points as well and the biggest one is the cost. Adobe Premiere Pro runs on a membership that costs about $21 for the standalone app or $50 for all extra apps and services. This is especially a turn down for newly started videographers who have to be very careful with their budget. It can also prove to be a bit complicated for some people, given the level of depth that the app offers. It is not unusable but has a moderate learning curve.
2. Final Cut Pro X
The war between Apple and Mac users is both legendary and unending, and that also goes true for the apps that you can use on each platform. Naturally, that is also true when it comes to video editing and with Apple’s super focused approach towards how things look and are presented, a good video editor naturally came along. Final Cut Pro is to Mac users what Premiere users, but with a few key differences of course. Starting, it is developed by Apple which makes it great for all its updated devices. The app does pretty much everything that Premiere Pro can do and even has a few unique tricks up its sleeve. The best thing about Final Cut Pro is the optimization that Apple provides in it for its devices. This can make a huge difference in terms of usability, something that a lot of low ends or even average Windows users would see as something worth complaining about.
It is also quite capable of working with multiple cameras for footage, provides syncing options, and has a lot of great features and perks built-in. you can go into a lot of detail with things like effects, media management, and seamless usability and placement of different options. It also has support for Apple’s mobile devices. It is also a great app to try out first and once you spend the one-month trial, you can already see yourself using this by the time that month ends. In case you consider yourself to be not so easily convinced, Apple has recently increased that trial period to three months so that is plenty of time to realize your likeness (or otherwise) for the software for sure.
As for the price of Final Cut Pro X, you have to shell out a hefty $300 to get the software after your trial ends. This may seem like a lot at first but given its incredible performance and that it eventually beats Premiere Pro in price, buying it would become a no brainer.
3. Adobe Premiere Elements
If you think Adobe didn’t realize all the things we just said, you are wrong. In case you are already used to Adobe products and want to continue using them on Mac, or you simply don’t want to pay a monthly subscription, Adobe has another solution for you as well. the Adobe Premiere Elements is pretty much the pro version with the “pro” removed from it. Now, this is not to say that this software is not capable enough. It is just as well regarded and is a great alternative for people who are just beginning with video editing and want good software that is not based on a hefty monthly subscription.
As far as the features are concerned, you can expect to see many of the pro “elements” in this iteration from Adobe as well. However, for anyone who may have used Premiere Pro, differences will pop up more often than you might think. Regardless of that, it is sufficient for creating a professional-looking video for any beginner. It also has some unique features packed into it as well such as video stabilization (a common problem with new video makers), face detection, and automatic motion tracking as well. There is a lot of user-specific features available on it as well that one can explore as they go along. Due to the easier to use interface and less functionality, one can get used to it quite quickly.
There are of course some drawbacks as well, the biggest one being that it is not as fast to work with as you could with other software. But for any beginner, that is not a problem since you want to focus more on making sure everything looks perfect. Add to that the low cost of about $100 and the whole package starts to make much more sense.
4. Wondershare Filmora 9
If you are new to video editing and want to go for something cheap, easy to understand, and has a decent set of functionalities, Filmora 9 will not disappoint you at all! This is pretty much the best video editing software for beginners. If your focus is to edit your videos quickly and deliver a worthwhile video for your viewers then this is a perfect solution. The app is also incredibly cheap and does not require a mandatory subscription for the full experience either. In addition to that, the features it offers are also great, some of them being unique to this platform only.
One of the best things for anyone who is not skilled at creating effects for videos is their effects library. The app comes with a decent selection built-in and you can add to it as well using their online library. You can find many free effects from other sources as well. In addition to that, the app also comes with support for 4K video which is a huge requirement nowadays as everyone wants to watch 4K content.
One thing that may cause some annoyance for users is that the free trial it offers puts a watermark on the videos instead of limiting the number of videos you can edit. This can turn off a lot of potential users. However, if you can power through that, you will certainly realize it is worth your money, especially for the price! You can either get an annual subscription for $40 or simply buy a lifetime package for $60 or $100 for the unlimited version or continue using one of the best video editing software free of cost. Overall, this app is certainly a great value for money.
5. Adobe Premiere Rush
We put a lot of thought into making this list and clearly, Adobe did the same for their editing software. Adobe Premiere Rush is for mobile users what Adobe Premiere Pro is for desktop users. This little app packs quite a big punch that can go through any other software claiming to be its contender. With a lot of great features to go on, it takes its place proudly as one of the best video editing software for YouTube currently available for both iOS and Android. Being a mobile app naturally forces it to be simplified and easy to understand which it is. With all the important features immediately available on the interface and easy navigation, you can churn out professional-looking videos in no time.
One key element that mobile videos are not seeing more commonly is 4K video. This app not only supports 4K editing but also does a great job of handling it. However, like any Adobe editor, you should expect it to consume quite the power draw, both in terms of processing and battery consumption. So, expect to see it work smoothly only on devices with above-average specs at least. However, any phone that can record a decent-looking 4K video should already be capable enough to do so anyway.
As for the pricing, you can get your hands on a free trial as well to take the app for a spin. The trial lets you create three videos via the Rush Starter Plan. Once you are done, you can simply get the full version by purchasing a subscription for 9.99 per month. That is half of what you pay for the full version and if you can do it on a tablet, you are all set. For Adobe Premiere Pro users, the mobile app is already a part of their monthly subscription, so this is practically free in that case.
6. DaVinci Resolve
If you are simply not willing to spend any money on editing and want the best free video editing software that takes care of all basic needs, then DaVinci Resolve is your most powerful option. Without having to pay anything or getting a watermark stamped on your videos, you can do professional-level editing on this software. It comes with some incredible features and professional audio and color editing as well.
Some prominent features of DaVinci Resolve include amazing color correction tools, Fairlight audio, collaboration with other users, and support for Fairlight consoles as well. A lot of people who use other editing tools still use this just to give finishing touches to their videos. Overall, it is certainly one powerful editor that you could use for free for as long as you like. However, you may run into different areas as you get used to it that requires you to buy your way in. But with software that is capable of handling professional-level videos, you will eventually realize that that investment has been worthwhile all along.
Which of these is the best video editing software in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!
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