Video content is more popular today than ever before. From social media to marketing campaigns, high-quality videos help businesses connect with their audience. To produce professional-level videos, you need professional video editing software. This guide will explore the top 15 video editing software options in 2024, comparing features, capabilities, pricing, and more. Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy tools or a pro seeking advanced creative options, you’ll discover the best video editing software for your needs.
Table of Contents
Best Video Editing Software for Beginners
Those new to editing should start with user-friendly software that provides all core functions without overwhelm. Here are the top programs for beginners.
1. Filmora – Best for Simplicity
Filmora is the best video editing software for beginners who value an easy, intuitive interface. Despite being simple to use, Filmora is packed with features like:
- Animated text presets
- Transitions and filters
- Audio editing tools
- Screen recording
- Basic color grading
The drag-and-drop timeline makes arranging clips simple. And video exports are high-quality. An affordable one-time price makes Filmora great value.
2. iMovie – Best for Mac Users
For Mac users, iMovie offers seamless video editing right within Apple’s ecosystem. As Apple’s flagship consumer editor, iMovie enables:
- Multi-clip editing on a friendly timeline
- Applying filters, slow motion, green screen, and picture-in-picture
- Adding titles and music
- Built-in chroma key editing
- Instant sharing to YouTube, social media, etc
iMovie lacks more advanced features but provides an easy entrypoint for novices. And it’s completely free with Mac purchases.
3. VideoPad – Best for Templates
VideoPad stands out with its huge library of pre-made templates for titles, effects, and transitions. Simply drag and drop templates to quickly create professional videos. Other key features include:
- Intuitive multi-track timeline
- Comprehensive media library
- Basic color correction
- Chroma key tool
- Narration recording
- DVD menu authoring
Friendly interface plus robust templates make VideoPad ideal for beginners looking to create great-looking videos.
4. VSDC – Best for Effects
VSDC distinguishes itself as an effects-rich editing program, with options ranging from basic filters to animated intros/outros, color correction, chroma key, mask tools, and much more.
It provides multi-cam editing, screen capture module, DVD menu authoring, and an array of audio cleaning tools. 64-bit performance helps enhance stability. Overall a solid choice for beginners wanting expanded creative options.
5. Shotcut – Best Open Source Pick
Shotcut stands out as an open source video editing software with no subscription required. It delivers a surprising amount of functionality for a free program including multi-track timelines, 4K support, filter presets, green screen editing, and more.
The interface is dated but highly customizable. And being open source, Shotcut is constantly improving from a community of contributors. Worth considering if you want advanced free editing software.
Best Intermediate Video Editing Software
Intermediate users benefit from more robust tools to level up editing skills while retaining some user-friendliness. Here are the top options for significant video editing power.
6. Adobe Premiere Pro – Most Popular Overall
Premiere Pro is the industry-standard video editing software used by professionals worldwide. Some standout features include:
- 100+ effects and transitions
- Multi-cam editing with up to 100 angles
- Responsive trimming and editing tools
- Advanced color grading
- Support for 360 VR footage
- Real-time video collaboration
- Tight integration with other Adobe apps
The workflow is non-linear with unlimited tracks and shortcuts for faster editing. Premiere Pro has a steeper learning curve but is the editor to grow into for intermediate users.
7. DaVinci Resolve – Best for Color Grading
DaVinci Resolve started as an advanced color grading program and evolved into an all-in-one video editing software. It’s popular among indie filmmakers and YouTubers. Core features include:
- Excellent chroma keying and color match
- Facial recognition and tracking
- Multi-user collaboration
- 300+ audio and video effects
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Strong organizational tools
The Fusion visual effects compositor makes it especially great for VFX work. No subscription required for the robust feature set makes Resolve an appealing option.
8. Vegas Pro – Best for Flexibility
Vegas Pro is a highly customizable NLE loved for its flexibility and performance. Along with core editing tools, it offers:
- Comprehensive audio editing
- Multicam editing with unlimited angles
- Efficient video stabilization
- 3D video titles
- Particle simulator for stunning FX
- HDR color support
- Proxy-first workflow
Intermediate editors applaud the control Vegas provides over the editing environment and interface. And GPU-based performance keeps it surprisingly fast.
9. Final Cut Pro – Most Optimized for Mac
As Apple’s pro-level video editor, Final Cut Pro allows power users to take full advantage of macOS performance and ecosystem integration. Benefits include:
- Optimized media management
- 300+ effects and plugins
- Advanced color grading and correction
- Multi-channel audio mixing
- Support for 360 VR content
- Extensive organizational tools
Final Cut includes unique features like Clip Connections to link multiple shots. The Magnetic Timeline helps auto-align and arrange clips. Final Cut Pro hits the sweet spot between power and Apple friendliness.
10. PowerDirector – Best for 360° Video
PowerDirector stands as one of the most formidable consumer video editors packed with features. It especially excels at editing 360° footage. Other perks:
- MultiCam Designer with 4/6/8 angles
- 600+ effects and transitions
- Dynamic slideshow creator
- Fast rendering engine
- Intuitive workflows for pros and beginners
PowerDirector masterfully balances usability and professional-grade tools for 360° videos, action cam content, tutorials, and more.
Best Advanced Video Editing Software
Professional editors and post-production specialists benefit from the most robust, customizable tools. Here are the top options with near-endless capability.
11. Adobe After Effects – Best Overall VFX & Motion Graphics
After Effects is the undisputed leader in VFX and motion graphics. While not a traditional NLE, it enables users to take creativity further by:
- Rotoscoping and masking videos
- Keyframing animations on custom timelines
- Tracking moving objects for seamless VFX
- Advanced 2D and 3D compositing
- Immersive 3D environments
- Bezier shape animation and layering
- Particle systems for cinematic visual effects
If you want to take your videos to the next level with Hollywood-style VFX, there’s no better tool than After Effects.
12. EDIUS – Blazing Fast Video Editor
EDIUS Pro is tailored for Windows systems and supports the latest hardware acceleration and GPUs for maximum speed. For Windows video editors needing reliable 4K editing with quick rendering, EDIUS Pro is a compelling choice to consider. The speed advantages combined with interface customization make it stand out from competitors.
Some key features that make EDIUS popular include:
- Multi-format 10-bit 4K editing
- Highly optimized rendering engine and performance
- Intuitive and customizable interface
- Support for a wide array of codecs and formats
- Tools like color correction, motion tracking, and stabilization
- Proxy-first workflows for efficiency
- Hardware integration from partners like Blackmagic
The software is available for a one-time price around $499. This affordable model and blazing fast performance has won EDIUS Pro many loyal users over the years.
13. Avid Media Composer – Best Collaborative Workflow
The Avid Media Composer video editor is built for team-based post-production and collaborative workflows. It’s a favorite of studios, networks, and filmmakers thanks to:
- Flexible project sharing with Avid Nexis
- Multi-user real-time collaboration
- Integrated asset management
- Support for RAW/ARRIRAW footage
- Comprehensive titling and graphics
- Accelerated UHD/4K performance
- Perceptive color correction
From its 64-bit architecture to tight media management, Avid nails high-end post-production. It’s the gold standard for production teams and studios.
14. Lightworks – Most Customizable Interface
Academy Award-winning Lightworks offers unrivaled customization including:
- Flexible user-definable interface
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Constantly evolving via user input
- Support for up to 4K footage
- Background I/O and rendering
- Simple project sharing and exports
- Dropsuites for MAM/VFX workflows
Lightworks is all about tailoring the editing environment to each user’s specific needs. The active community and open development keep innovation moving forward.
15. MAGIX Video Pro X – Intuitive Video Editor
MAGIX Video Pro X is a powerful yet intuitive video editing program geared towards both novices and professionals.
Some key features of Video Pro X include:
- Streamlined drag-and-drop importing of media
- Innovative multi-track timeline for efficient editing
- Huge library of effects, transitions, titles, and templates
- Advanced color grading and audio editing tools
- Support for all major formats up to 4K resolution
- Hardware-accelerated export for quick rendering
- Built-in screen capture and media asset management
Video Pro X uses a customizable interface optimized for workflow efficiency. The latest version also added improved preview zoom, a revolutionary new AV1 codec, and more precision color-based cropping.
Key Factors in Choosing Video Editing Software
With so many compelling options, selecting the right video editing software can feel overwhelming. Keep these factors in mind while deciding:
User Level
Consider your skill level and how deep you want to get into editing. Beginners do best with user-friendly software like Filmora, while professionals need advanced tools like Avid. Find the sweet spot based on your needs and technical proficiency.
Also Read: How to Improve Video Editing Skills | Expert Guide
Platform Compatibility
If you work on Mac, options like Final Cut Pro integrate better across Apple devices. Look for Windows-based software if using PCs. Some editors like DaVinci Resolve work great across platforms.
Pricing and Licensing
Pricing ranges from free open-source tools to high-end programs costing hundreds of dollars. Factor in your budget constraints. One-time purchases or monthly/annual subscriptions are available.
Feature Requirements
Determine must-have features like multicam editing, effects, color grading, animation tools, media organization, collaboration support, etc. Compare specs to your needs.
Video Output Quality
High-end software typically produces better quality exports and supports new formats like 4K/UHD. Consider target playback platforms and resolution needs.
By carefully weighing factors like these, you can zero in on the perfect video editing software for your unique wants and budget.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Software
Choosing video editing software is an important decision. The options covered in this article range from easy entry-level editors like Filmora for beginners, up to advanced tools like Adobe After Effects used by professionals.
Consider what features you need, like multi-cam editing, effects, animations, color grading, etc. Also factor in your skill level, budget, and platform. Mac users may prefer Final Cut Pro, while Windows creators often opt for something like Vegas Pro.
Hopefully this gave you a comprehensive overview of the latest and greatest editors across different skill levels. Let us know in the comments if this helped narrow down your options! Feel free to share what features are most important to you or if you have any other questions.
