What Is The Best Video Editing Software

Hitfilm Express is the best free video editing software, as its high-energy style appeals to budding filmmakers who want to put a special touch on a personal event or get creative with a video.

The best video editing software could be the difference between an enjoyable project and an eye-melting struggle. That's why we've rounded up the best video editing software for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, among others, so you can find the ultimate tool for you.

From professional editors to would be filmmaking amateurs, there is something there to suit all levels. There are also, as you'd imagine, a range of prices from pretty pricey premium stuff all the way to totally free video editing software.

If you want easy video editing or simply the best free option, then will be something in this broad list of the best options out there right now.

When choosing the best video editing software, though, there are a few things to consider. For beginners to video editing, you'll definitely want to find a software that is either free or offers a free trial so you can take the time to get to know the software and use it to edit a video or two before you commit. Integrations and Platforms. Verdict: According to accomplished video editors and filmmakers, Adobe Premiere Pro is the most well-known and the best video editing software for Windows 10. Packed with special effects, the Deadpool movie was created in Premiere Pro.

The FilmoraPro video editing software makes professional video editing easy. You can add unlimited video and audio tracks and control the panels at your hand. You can also use the customizable animations to establish your style and use the high-quality presets to get detailed color correction. When it comes to video editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro is the first one that you will hear and that too for good reasons. Think of a feature, any feature that you might need in a video software, and I will bet that Premiere Pro has it. The editor is not only powerful but also has a clean and familiar interface.

From trimming clips and applying filters to working with green screens and adjusting playback – there are plenty of features to look out for when deciding which is the best video editing software for you. You might be on team Adobe and simply have to get one of the many options there, or you may be more open to trying some lesser known names that offer a great experience for a lower price.

We've got the best video editing software right here, each organised by what they offer, which stands out, so you should be able to find the right tool to create your next work of art on video, right here.

Best video editing software

1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Platform: Mac/Windows | Free trial: 7 days | 8K support: Yes | Upload to YouTube: Yes | 360 support: Yes | Price: Subscription

The very best video editing software title has got to go to one of the oldest players in the game Adobe, with its latest Premiere Pro CC. As the name suggests this is the do-it-all tool that professionals use to create top-end video. As such this isn't cheap, paid for on a subscription model. But for that cost you get everything you could possibly want from basic trimming and layering right up to 8K and 360-degree video editing support – presuming your machine has the power to run that.

This works on both Mac and Windows and is crammed full of keyboard shortcuts to help make the process easy to use.

There is an option to upload directly to YouTube, making this a one-stop shop for any self publishing social media video makers out there.

2. Final Cut Pro X

Platform: Mac | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Unlimited

Final Cut Pro X is simply the best video editing software you can get on Mac. Sure Adobe options are great too but this is built by Apple, for Apple. So, as you'd expect it's super clean, minimal and as such easy to use. But that doesn't mean to say it scrimps on features, far from it.

This software offers lots of features to justify the high price. These include special effects, grouping tools, adding and editing audio plus multi-camera editing and smart colour balancing tools. You also get access to unlimited video tracks so you should never feel constricted. With a 30-day free trial it's definitely worth giving this powerful video editing tool a try.

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

Platform: Mac/Windows | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Unlimited

Adobe Premiere Elements is the second Adobe software on the list in just three so far. Yup, Adobe is that good. This video editing suite offers a more affordable and easy to user alternative which is crammed full of useful features like facial recognition, to name but one.

Simple but really effective features we love include video stabilisation, automatic motion tracking, audio effects and a selection of soundtracks included as standard. The fact it's all easy to use is just a great bonus. If you work with a lot of people based videos then the smart toning is a great feature for skin – a bit like how a selfie camera makes you look smoother skinned. This helps give the videos a more professional finish. And for the pros you can enjoy effects like chroma-keying, opacity, transitions and more. Something for everyone then.

4. Lightworks

Platform: Mac/Windows/Linux | Free: Yes | Video tracks: Multi support

Lightworks is a stunning video editing tool when you consider that it's absolutely free. This software is good enough to get you professional quality videos without charging you pro-grade prices. The hidden cost? This isn't quite as easy to use as some of the above options, but if you put in the effort to learn, it can be as effective.

Import and render footage in the background then preview video effects in real-time – some seriously high-end features you might not expect to see in a free tool. Set custom keyboard shortcuts to speed up the working process and enjoy multi-track editing for complex end results.

There is the option to spend a little money and upgrade to Lightworks Pro, which will let you export projects to different formats and enjoy features like 3D modelling and straight to YouTube uploads.

5. Hitfilm Express

Platform: Mac/Windows | Free: Yes | Video tracks: Multi support

Hitfilm Express is another really useful free video editing programme which comes with a friendly and easy to use interface. That makes this a great option for anyone new to video editing that wants to give it a try. That said, it does have some decent features for more seasoned users too.

You can enjoy features like 3D composition tools, green screen chroma key setting and create custom video masks. Plus there are more day to day tools like trimming of clips, colour balancing and, of course, exporting to various video formats.

The system is easy enough to use with a traditional interface that's easily recognisable to anyone who's used video editing tools before. Just make sure you have a machine with plenty of power as this makes your hardware work hard to crunch that data.

6. Adobe Premiere Rush

Platform: Mac/Windows/iOS/Android | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Four

Adobe Premiere Rush is the ultimate mobile editing tool, designed specifically for use on smartphones and tablets. That means you can fire up this app on your iOS or Android device and edit a video entirely within that app. Presuming your phone or tablet is new enough, you can even edit high-quality 4K video footage with up to four video and three audio tracks at once.

Since this is on your phone is makes exporting super simple, with specific options to export straight to social media accounts. All that can be enjoyed for free using the Rush Starter Plan, with a three video export limit. Or pay a nominal fee and enjoy the full service right there on your phone or tablet.

7. GoPro App

Platform: iOS/Android/Windows/Mac | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Multi

The GoPro App is a great way to instantly start editing your live action video footage from a GoPro camera, or any other compatible device for that matter. Since this is made to be used quickly, on the move, it's super simple to work. It will automatically import footage and can create videos synced to music right away, without you having to do much at all.

There are more complex options like adding photos or time lapse sequences as well as cool graphs and charts to express speed – ideal for action camera footage. Share the videos on YouTube or Facebook easily with a great option to go through, frame by frame, to find the perfect picture to lead your post.

If you pay and subscribe to the GoPro Plus version you'll have a lot more than the standard 20 soundtracks and can auto upload videos and photos to the cloud for editing from whatever device you want.

8. CyberLink PowerDirector

Platform: Windows | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Multi

CyberLink PowerDirector is a great option for anyone relatively new to video editing that fancies a fully fledged and complex tool which is also easy enough to learn to use. That means features like 8K video editing and 360-degree support but also super simplifying tools like a wizard that optimises video in seconds. This is a great tool for a quick edit to bung up on social media in a hurry.

Apple app emulator for mac. But there are more complex features too with a standard post production interface that includes motion graphic titles, social media friendly 1:1 video ratios and high-quality video editing.

What you'll have to pay extra for, with the Ultimate version, are features like 4K video editing, audio scrubbing and library preview features.

9. KineMaster

Platform: ChromeOS/iOS/Android | Free trial: Free app | Video tracks: Multi

KineMaster is a great video editing option for Android, ChromeOS and iOS users with a device new enough to run it. We say that as this has some seriously complex features that make this good enough even for professional editors to use on the move.

You can edit multiple layers with up to four audio tracks in one project. There are also little extras like adding handwriting and text annotations and even editing at the frame and subframe levels. All that is free so even if you're not sure we'd say give this a go as it'll more than likely serve the needs of most, even the more demanding editor.

10. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate

Platform: Windows | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Multi

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is a really great video editing option for anyone new to splice and hacking clips together. While it might be a bit basic for professionals, this has a lot of features despite how easy it is to pick up and use. That includes high-end extras like 4K, multi-cam editing and 360-degree VR video editing.

The interface is easy to pick up and features a music library as well as a whole host of effects that can be added to your video project. The key here is that the software is intuitive enough to make it easy but also – crucially – fun, so you can actually enjoy the process of creating the final cut of your video edit. And with over 2,000 customisable filters to pick from this gives you a great opportunity to really personalise your footage to offer something uniquely fun.

Capturing or recording video isn't a difficult task anymore. The real magic lies in presentation of your video which needs a powerful video editing software.

To know which video editing software is the best to use, you have to look at the features that the video editing software offers and what you need.

Having lots of features doesn't necessarily mean that the video editor is the best for you. In fact, that could be the opposite of what you need. Too many features make the video editing software complex.

For a newbie, using such video editors will require intensive research and learning. Of course, you are in a hurry and you need something that responds in binary. That's where the simplified video editors come in.

Don't take it the wrong way, however. Complex video editors like Adobe Premier can produce outstanding outputs. If you have the knowledge on how to use these software programs, you shouldn't forgo them.

It is clear that not every video editor is the best for everyone. This article will highlight the best video editing software for Windows 10 and highlight the various features, including their pros and cons.

Before we dig in, here are just a few things you should be looking for when you are trying to find the best video editing software for your work:

• Encoders

Encoders are the plugins responsible for the conversion of videos from one format to another. The existing ones are regularly improved and updated while developers work on new ones.

Let's take, for example, you are trying to edit and compress a 4K video. An ‘h.264' encoder might not be the best one to work with because of the final file size. A more robust ‘h 265' encoder in the best in this case.

• Complexity

As mentioned earlier, the complexity of the work you are trying to do should determine which video editor should be used. It is not advisable to use complex software for a simple job if you are a beginner.

• System Requirements

Some of the best video editors require high-end computers to function. You should choose a video editing software that can be able to function on your computer without lag for quality output. There are also some video editors that will not work on certain operating systems.

Let's have a look at the top video editing software that you can choose from;

Best Video Editing Software

1. Movavi Video Editor Plus

Movavi Video Editor Plus is a feature packed video editor for both Windows 10 and Mac.

It's simple enough to have lower learning curve for a beginner and advanced enough for production of high quality professional videos.

Movavi Video Editor Plus offers a lot of features which include:

• Object Animation
• Built-in Media (e.g. stickers and clip art you can include in the videos)
• Automatic Video Creation

The features are simplified to make them usable to all of the consumers, no matter where their video editing experience lies. Movavi Video Editor Plus has completely outdone other software programs that lie in its price range.

PROs
• Minimum system requirements
• Simple GUI – It has almost no learning curve.
• In-built object animations
• Price is reasonable and within the reach. Value for money!

CONs
• Most of the good features come with the premium upgrade.

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2. Shotcut

Shotcut is yet another one of the best video editors for Windows 10, MacOS and Linux. The video editor also has lots of great features which are packed into a small program.

Shotcut supports a wide array of video formats. You can be able to work with most of the video formats that are currently available.

Even though it is a small program, Shotcut can be able to produce UHD videos after rendering. You no longer have to trim down the size of 4K videos in order for you to edit them.

To sweeten the deal even further, the developers of the software made it as an open source program. This means that they have given the public a pass to improvise the code and make it better.

Pros

• Classic video editor interface
• Open Source – You get faster updates and minimal bugs as more people improvise it

Cons

• The software is not suitable for new beginners as it has a somewhat complex interface

3. DaVinci Resolve Studio

If you want to take your expertise to the next level, then DaVinci Resolve Studio is the best video editing software for you.

It's the go-to product if you're interested in powerful, professional-level video editing, with features like timeline-based editing, keyframes, advanced media management, plugin support and more.

The video editing software itself is incredibly advanced hence gives off some of the best video outputs you could ever have. It also gives you the ability to insert 2D and 3D titles in your videos.

Pros

• The GUI is ideal for video editing
• The color correction feature delivers outstanding results.

Cons

• It is complex to use hence a person requires specialized training to make most out of it.

4. PowerDirector

Power director is a video editing software developed by CyberLink; a company that has been in the industry for quite a while.
Over the years, the developers have been able to improvise the software time by time, making it one of the best video editing software in the market.

You can either purchase the full version with an unlimited license or purchase the premium features every year with a lower price tag. The premium PowerDirector offers UHD video editing with unlimited time. You can, therefore, work with large files without file splitting.

Pros

• It has all the advanced features which you'll need.
• Support for 360 degree videos.
• Quick and Easy to learn.

Cons

• Advanced video editing tools offer less flexibility.

5. Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premier is most powerful among all the others in the list but at the same time, most complicated and expensive. This is the reason we listed it at #5 position.

With Adobe Premiere, it is a guarantee that you will be capable to achieve anything with its numerous features. It is perfectly suited for someone who wants to make living with editing business.

Pros

• It's really advanced hence gives you more power and control.
• Cost outweighs functionality if you know what you are doing.

Cons

• It is meant for professionals as it is super complex and has a hefty price tag.

6. Blender

Blender is a well-known 3D animation software which is used by game developers as well as directors. Don't worry, you do not have to learn all about animation.

The software itself has a video editor that can be used to edit videos as any other program. It is also open source. This is why the animation software has advanced to be the best video editing software in a short period of time.

Since Blender was made for creating animated content, you should not expect many professional features from it.

Pros

• Perfect for animations and post-production.

Cons

• Learning curve is pretty steep.

7. Filmora

What Is The Best Video Editing Software Free

Filmora is a video editing software provided by Wondershare. If you have been using video converters in the recent past, you must have heard about the company once or twice.

Wondershare specializes in video production software and has strived to make Filmora the best video editing software in the market. It offers a special green screen effect together with a dozen other great features for video production.

Pros

• Can support editing of 4K videos
• It's relatively compact as compared to other video editors
• You can sync between cross-platform devices

Cons

• Requires high-end machines even for HD videos

8. HitFilm Express

What makes HitFilm Express one of the best video editing software for Windows 10 is not its features, but its versatility. The video editing software can be able to edit almost all the video formats available.

With a significant number of features, HitFilm Express gets you where no other compact video editing software can.

Pros

• It's compact but has a significant amount of features

Free Video Editing Software For Windows 10

Cons

• It is basically meant for movie production hence some features are left out

9. Lightworks

Lightworks is also another one of the best video editing software for Windows 10 you should definitely check out. The software offers:

• High precision video trimmer.
• Exporting videos to 720p for Youtube.
• A wide range of video formats support

There are also a lot of other cool features that come with the pro version. For example, you can only receive an output of 4K at 60p with the pro version only.

Pros

• It is fast even on low-end PCs
• It offers quite a number of features to maximize quality

Cons

• The pro version carries almost all the good stuff

10. Microsoft Photos

Microsoft Photos is labeled as the best video editing software for Windows 10 as it comes preinstalled on Windows. The Software provides some basic features you need to make a video out of photos and clips.

Pros

• The program is preinstalled on Windows 10 hence its optimized for us on the operating system.
• It is readily available with all its features at no extra cost.

Cons

• It is pretty basic hence can only do so much. It may not be the best video editing software to use when you are creating something professional.