When you are choosing a video editing software, you need to evaluate interface simplicity and the presence of all necessary capabilities. All the programs discussed in this review have a basic set of tools.
So, install the trial versions of these video editors for checking their functionality on your own. They will help understand whether you need all these tools or not.
Look closer, some of the programs are absolutely free.
Contents:
- Final Cut Pro X
- Vegas Pro
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC
- Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate
- Clipify
- Lightworks
- Edius
- VideoPad
- Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium Review
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- Wondershare Filmora
Platforms: Mac OS
Price: $390
Final Cut differs from the popular Premiere Pro’s interface. However, soon you will understand that it is even better and more convenient.
You can’t change the location of the interface’s windows, so you have to use only several built-in Layouts if necessary.
Final Cut Pro X is based on the flexible Magnetic Timeline, which offers a new approach to video editing without tracks. It is possible to add and organize clips as you want, while other clips immediately disappear from the screen. You may also download and install free LUTs for stylized color grading.
The program is the best video editing software for Mac and it is very popular among users of this OS around the world.
2. Vegas Pro
Platforms: Windows
Price: $300
Sony Vegas Pro is a professional video editor. It has a few ready templates and plenty of accurate settings for every effect. To my mind, there are no parameters which you can’t adjust.
If you like templates, then this program is the best choice for you.
Bloggers like it, so Sony Vegas Pro can be called the best video editor for YouTube and Vimeo.
The mechanisms of video post-production are non-linear. The time scale displays several tracks. You can work with 4K and HDR clips as well as high frame rates.
Feel free to do tracking of objects in motion, stabilize frames and perform regular light, sound or color correction. All in all, the program will help you achieve impressive results without wasting much time watching tutorials.
3. Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Adobe Premiere Pro is a very popular video editor based on a timeline. It is an amazing program, especially taking into account features like integration with After Effects and Photoshop products, high-quality clip masking, great transitions, etc.
The software supports almost all video formats. You can download the clip both of the worst quality and 4K footage. It even supports XDCAM EX and RED formats.
All in all, the program is almost perfect. You can do whatever you want with the video. Just view more about how to get Adobe Premiere for free and start implementing your ideas with hundreds of effects and settings.
4. Lightworks
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Price: Free or $24.99 per month
Lightworks is the only program that supports Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux. Among the variety of software capabilities, it is possible to highlight powerful support for external input-output interfaces, enhanced keyboard functions for improved video editing and multi-camera editing.
Additionally, it has an impressive array of real-time effects that are very useful in professional video editing. The list of features also includes the option of web export, export and import through external input-output interfaces, rendering, etc.
5. Clipify
Platforms: Windows
Price: Free ($29.40 – $59.50 if you want to expand the number of available features)
If you’re looking for a reliable and user-friendly editor, you should check out Clipify. Its intuitive interface and compatibility with mid-range computers make it the perfect software for casual video editing.
Enhance your footage with an extensive collection of ready-to-use filters. Adjust the audio, apply soundtracks from the built-in library, or even add voiceovers to your clip. Video transitions, captions, and embellishments are all there.
If you are pressed for time, Clipify also has Video Wizard, an automatic video creation feature that lets you turn a bunch of clips into a high-quality movie in under 5 minutes. Overall, this program has everything you need for a proper montage and is budget-friendly.
6. Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate
Platforms: Windows
Price: $120
Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate offers a unique video editing environment thanks to a smarter and more beautifully redesigned user interface. Its professional tools are neither complicated nor difficult to learn.
All in all, this is the best video editor due to the amazing capabilities of the control panel and interface. Among other benefits are a great toolkit and customer support.
So, if the price is not playing a big role and you look for a speedy video editing software, then choose the Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate without any hesitations. It is a powerful software that brings you closer to a professional level without any difficulties.
7. Edius
Platforms: Windows
Price: $499
Edius is a non-linear program that can be a good alternative for Final Cut and Adobe Premiere Pro. It allows exporting clips to DVD, Vimeo and YouTube. There is a support of Magic Bullet and Sapphire plugins.
The panel of color adjustment is also nice. Choose this software for working on television and multi-camera editing. Unlike other manufacturers of non-linear mounting systems, Grass Valley is convinced that you must own what you pay for. Purchasing Edius Pro means that you will not have to spend even a cent on further subscription. You get a full license with a right for a free update of all future Edius Pro versions.
Finally, you can install the program on two devices, for example, a laptop and a more powerful PC. It lets you edit videos on the go.
8. VideoPad
Platforms: Windows
Price: FREE
Are you looking for a video editor that won’t occupy plenty of storage space and has a pleasant and clear interface? Do you want to perform such actions as combining several video files into one clip, adding audio tracks and subtitles, applying effects, cutting fragments from audio and video files?
Then VideoPad is exactly what you need. It is a nice choice for editing YouTube videos and Insta vlogs. The software offers you to select social networks you want to use. Among the main variants are Google Drive, YouTube from 480p to 4K, Facebook, Dropbox and Flickr.
It is free and can be used only for non-commercial purposes.
By the way, there is a portable version called VideoPad Video Editor Portable. You don’t need to install it on your PC as the program runs directly from USB flash drive.
9. Magix Movie Edit Pro
Platforms: Windows
Price: $69.99
MAGiX Movie Edit Pro is the best video editing software for inexperienced users who are just starting learning video editing and want to master it.
The program is very simple to study. Moreover, it is ready to provide users with more opportunities when the previous stage is mastered. Actually, this is a system for dealing with multimedia data, focused more on video.
But it is also possible to work with static images and audio or to record video on a DVD or CD. The company has included some advanced features in the new version. These are 3D transitions, effects, animated menus, work with alpha channels and mixed audio.
All this functionality is available in quite a simple interface of the program. It makes Movie Edit Pro a fairly cheap and simple software for tasks that do not require the Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro’s power.
10. VSDC Free Video Editor
Platforms: Windows
Price: FREE
VSDC is a free video editor for Windows. It is non-linear, which means you can combine video files and images in any sequence. You can work with layers, place several objects in one frame, apply a visual overlay of one object to another, mix colors and fragments using transparency settings and more.
VSDC is the best option available today. The only thing for which it could be criticized is not the most intuitive interface you need to get used to.
11. Wondershare Filmora
Platforms: Windows/Mac OS
Price: $59.99
Filmora Video Editor is a paid video editing software with a trial version. It has a clear interface and great video post-production options. There is a basic collection of videos, audio clips, the ability to add your own audio files or download new animations.
Effects and transitions can be dragged over any video segment and overlayed on each other. Here you will find a very fine breakdown by frames. This allows you to cut frames as accurately as possible.
Also, the program has many different effects, animations, transitions and filters. There is even a collection of Instagram filters. You can edit captions flexibly, for example, change the color, fonts, the distance between letters and lines and the location. Wondershare Filmora does not support VR and multi-camera post-production.
