Video content is one of the best ways to get visibility for your business or project. In fact, 54% of consumers who participated in a 2017 content trends survey by Hubspot indicated they want video content from brands they support. But if you've ever watched a poor quality video, you know the damage it can do to brand reputation. So, whether the purpose of your video is entertainment, business, sports, news, or personal, you want professional quality.
The search for the best video editing software can be overwhelming whether you're new to editing videos or a professional video editor looking to upgrade.
What is the best video editing software?
Premiere Pro is the industry-leading video editing software for social sharing, TV, and film. Creative tools, integration with other apps and services, and the power of Adobe Sensei help you craft footage into polished films and videos. And with the Premiere Rush app, you can create and edit. CyberLink PowerDirector is a serious bit of software for serious video editors: this is excellent video editing software that delivers professional and high-quality features, without a Hollywood budget. Get cracking on the 100-track timeline and you'll soon find yourself making the most of multitudes of stabilisation and video correction tools. Designed to be intuitive, VideoPad is a fully featured video editor for creating professional quality videos in minutes. Create videos for DVD, HD, 360, YouTube and more Burn movies to DVD and Blu-ray or export your videos online and to your portable devices. VSDC Video Editor Pro To install the program, click the ' Download Video Editor ' button, then start the downloaded installation file and follow on-screen instructions. Below are the best video editors right now, for anyone from beginner right through to professional. And if you need it, we also have a guide to the best video capture software, and the best home computers (these editors may require powerful machines to operate effectively). Adobe Premiere Elements: Best video editing software overall.
Adobe Premiere Pro is no doubt the best video editing software overall. Most professional video editors can agree on that fact. And yet, not every professional video editor uses Adobe Premiere Pro. How can this be?
Part of the reason is that 'best' is somewhat subjective. The technology of video editing has advanced quickly, especially since switching from linear to non-linear editing (NLE). This means many professional video editing programs all have similar basic editing features such as:
- Media Management
- User Interface
- File Import Formats
- File Export/Production
- Special Effects
The most notable differences in video editing programs are in advanced capabilities. This contributes to the confusion surrounding the comparison of video editing software.
The best video editing software for you may be different than the best video editing software for someone else. It depends on what you need for your project and what your skill level with video editing is. Not only now, but as your projects evolve.
Keep in mind that with today's dependence on mobile devices, watching a video without sound is common. The ability to add captions and subtitles to video quickly and easily means your viewers retain more of your messaging.
So, in your search for the best video editing software, you should be asking yourself the following questions:
What software do professional video editors use in my industry?
Do some research among the professional video editors in your industry. If the professionals in your industry are overwhelmingly using a specific video editing program, start your testing there. Most professional video editing software programs offer a free trial so you can try before you buy.
Below are the pros and cons of our software top picks used by professional video editors in various industries:
1. Avid Media Composer
The gold standard for editing blockbuster films and award-winning television shows. If you're going Hollywood, take Avid along for the ride.
Pros
- Natively edit HD media and high-resolution footage
- Script Integration
- Dynamic media folders
- Multi-camera editing
- Edit HDR
- Multi-user collaboration in real-time
Cons
- A higher learning curve, especially for beginners
- Not a finishing tool-need separate software
What's noteworthy?
- Avid created non-linear editing (NLE)
- The new release includes the ability to customize the interface by role
- Remote cloud access to files
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
A popular pick with professional YouTubers, especially those who favor PCs over Mac systems.
Pros
- Multi-cam angles are limitless
- Stellar stabilization
- Supports importing of up to 8K resolutions
- Can import raw file format from cameras, smartphones, and DSLRs
Cons
- Audio not as good
- No media keyword tagging
What's noteworthy?
- Infinite customization
- Creative Cloud makes it accessible from any online connected device
- New real-time collaboration features
Professional Video Editor Software
3. Final Cut Pro X
The majority of Mac users still swear by Final Cut Pro X, though some loyal users switched programs due to a less than perfect workflow revamp.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Top-rated editing and media management
Cons
- Mac users only
- The recent change to the trackless timeline wasn't popular
- Only 64 camera angle
What's noteworthy?
- the trackless timeline switch integrates with more powerful Mac features
- faster processing, connected clips, and auditions make editors' jobs easier
4. Sony Vegas Pro
A really great option if you're in the gaming or sports industries, or editing reaction videos. It's good for those who need a video editor that is easy to learn or one which works well on any PC or laptop.
Pros
- Best timeline
- Drag & drop files directly
- Easy to learn
- Ideal for audio editing
Cons
- Windows users only
- Picture in picture and motion tracking can be difficult
What's noteworthy?
- Dynamic storyboard editor
- Video stabilization
5. DaVinci Resolve Studio 16
Used by large collaborative teams for post-production and finishing in the Entertainment industry. Davinci Resolve Studio is designed to allow live collaboration by multiple users at the same time.
Pros
- Full 3D workspace with over 250 tools
- 32-bit float processing
- Multicam editing for up to 16 cameras
- Legendary color tools
- High Dynamic Range Grading
- Stereoscopic 3D Grading
Cons
- Resource intensive computer requirements
What's noteworthy?
- Fairlight audio for 3D audio
- Collaborative workflow
- DaVinci Neural Engine for speed warp, facial recognition, and more
- Amazing post-production and finishing tools
6. Edius Pro 8
The favorite video editing software pick for those in the news industry or event videography. It's ideal for basic editing and great for everyday video projects.
Professional Video Editor App
Pros
- Compatible with all import formats
- Edits and renders faster than leading competitors
- Multi-camera support
- Easy to use clean customizable interface
Cons
- Higher learning curve
- Lower video processing (10 bit)
- Slow image sequence support
- Not ideal for large productions
- Windows users only
What's noteworthy?
- Excels at scaling, cropping, and sizing
- Superior 4K workflow
- Quote based pricing
Free Video Editor
7. Lightworks
Has been around for more than two decades and has been used to edit major films including The Wolf of Wall Street and Pulp Fiction. It's used by professional video editors wanting advanced capabilities for film editing and ease of uploading to social sites.
Pros
- Compatible with most popular formats and files
- Preset profiles for export formats make video sharing easy
- All tools accessed via timeline
- Runs on Linux, Mac, and Windows
Cons
- Atypical workflow takes getting used to
- Lacks a smart content analyzer
- Maximum output resolution 720p MP4 format
What's noteworthy?
- Access to royalty-free music and stock video
- Lightweight-requires only 200 MB of storage space and 3GB RAM
- Ability to share and collaborate on projects in real-time
8. HitFilm 4 Pro
Ideal for those who want a compositor and editing in one program. Similar to what you'd get if Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects were combined. If your project involves combining elements from different sources seamlessly into a single image, consider HitFilm 4 Pro.
Pros
- Easy to learn and use even for beginners
- Low cost
- All-in-One Color grading
- Particle engine enables 2D simulations and full 3D effects including gunfire effects and cool hyperdrive effect
- Apply animation directly from the editor
- Built-in tools for rigging and animation
Cons
- Limited file format compatibility
- The annual fee for updates
- Somewhat limited text editor
What's noteworthy?
- Compositor and Editor in one program
- ProSkin Retouch feature
- 3D Object Importing
- Animation tools
9. Pinnacle Studio 23 Ultimate
A great choice for anyone who wants total creative control and for the special effects and filter junkie. You'll find over 2000 effects and filters as well as enhanced color grading tools.
Pros
- Enhanced color grading tools with more than 30 LUTS
- Overhauled video masking, including shape and panel masks, now integrated with the timeline
- Export video clips with transparent backgrounds
- All the pro features including fast rendering, 360-degree VR editing, and Multicam support
- Batch processing without the need for extra software
Cons
- Motion tracking can be unreliable
- Implementation of 360-degree VR uneven
- Occasional crashing reported
What's noteworthy?
- Selective Vectorscope for precision color corrections
- Clip Nesting great for intro and outro creation
- Color LUT presets to produce motion picture feel
10. CyberLink PowerDirector
Pros
- Lightening speed rendering
- Very extensive effects package
- Easy to learn interface
- Available by subscription or a one-time purchase
- Project Nesting for intros and outros
Cons
- Taiwan product
- Trimming unavailable in the source panel
- Number of editing options can be overwhelming for beginners
What's noteworthy?
- Pioneer in 4K and 360-degree VR footage
- Automatic updates behind the scenes in the subscription version
- Storyboard or Timeline modes
For more details on pricing, captions and subtitles, file format compatibility, and our best pick categories, see the chart below:
Professional Video Editing Software Comparison Chart
