Capturing extreme footage is what GoPro does best. Be it a new physical exercise, or perhaps you want to document yourself trying a new extreme outdoor activity, GoPro helps you record while exploring new terrains. However, raw footage alone isn't enough.
Even though it's high-resolution videos that are raw and exhilarating, you need to bring the experience to life. For aspiring content creators and seasoned pros alike, you may want to consider investing in the right video editing software.
In this article, we've rounded up the 10 best GoPro video editors in 2025. Let's choose the perfect tool to make your action footage legendary!
Our Top 3 GoPro Video Editor Picks
Choosing the best video software for GoPro can be overwhelming. Among many video editors today, finding tools specifically suited for GoPro footage is a challenge. But only a few stand out when it comes to action-packed GoPro footage.
Our top 3 picks rise above the rest, offering a blend of features, ease of use, and compatibility essential for processing action shots. Each of these editors brings unique strengths to the table, ensuring you can find a perfect match for your workflow.
As one of the best video software programs for GoPro, Filmora offers fast rendering, easy-to-use features. It also comes with dedicated GoPro-ready presets for stabilization, speed control, and color grading. Perfect for both beginners and intermediate users.
The industry-standard professional editor. Premiere Pro provides customized control, advanced features, and seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud. It's ideal for serious creators.
A surprisingly powerful, even in the free version. Lightworks is designed for intermediate editors with action camera users in mind.
How We Test It
- The ease of use
- Support for GoPro video formats
- Stabilizations and action-focused tools
- Export quality and speed
- Sharing options and pricing
We also considered the software that balances power, performance, and overall user experience on various operating systems.
Part 1. Best GoPro Video Editor Comparison Chart
Overall ranking and summary recommendations (displayed in chart format)
| Name | System | User Level | Free/Paid | Maximum Video Quality |
| Wondershare Filmora | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Beginner to Intermediate | Paid | 8K |
| GoPro Studio | Windows, macOS, Mobile | Beginner | Free | 4K |
| Premiere Pro | Windows, macOS | Intermediate to Pro | Paid | 8K |
|
Show more
Show less
|
||||
Part 2. Top 10 Video Editing Software for GoPro
Choosing the right editor can significantly impact your workflow and the final quality of your GoPro footage. Looking for a quick overview? This comparison chart highlights our top picks at a glance.
Wondershare Filmora--Best for Beginners and intermediate
The first in our GoPro video editing software list is Wondershare Filmora. Filmora is a feature-rich yet incredibly user-friendly video editor. It strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and powerful functionality. Filmora also includes specific tools for action camera footage, such as lens correction and video stabilization.
Secure DownloadGoPro Studio (Quik)--Best for GoPro users who want an easy, official mobile editor
Even though the OG GoPro Studio has been discontinued, its spirit lives on in GoPro Quik. It's one of the best apps to edit GoPro videos, designed to make your footage easy to import, edit, and share directly from your camera. Some reliable sources also still let you download the software.
Adobe Premiere Pro--Best for professional editors and filmmakers
Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry-standard used by professional filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators worldwide. It has control over every aspect of video production, from stabilization to color grading and multi-cam editing.
While it has a steeper learning curve than beginner-friendly tools, it's an excellent editor for GoPro videos if you're aiming for a high-end production value.
Final Cut Pro--Best for Mac users in the Apple ecosystem
Final Cut Pro, developed by Apple, is a professional-grade video editing software exclusively for macOS. It serves as a powerful editing software for GoPro, especially in terms of color correction, motion graphics, and media organization.
Lightworks--Best for intermediate to professional editors
Lightworks has been used in major Hollywood productions and offers powerful editing features for those who want more control over their GoPro footage. This GoPro video editor offers a free version with powerful features and a paid version for full functionality.
VideoProc Vlogger--Best for beginners wanting a free action camera editor
VideoProc Vlogger is a completely free and specifically designed for action camera and drone footage. It stands out with its focus on motion effects, speed ramping, and color grading.
HitFilm--Best for creators adding visual effects to GoPro footage
HitFilm (formerly HitFilm Express and HitFilm Pro) is a unique video editor that combines editing tools with visual effects and compositing capabilities. A great entry point for those interested in adding cinematic effects to their GoPro videos.
Shotcut--Best free, open-source editor for GoPro footage
Shotcut is a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editor that offers reliable core editing features. While it may not have flashy effects or AI tools, it's a great no-cost option for editing GoPro footage with solid format compatibility and timeline control.
iMovie--Best for beginners and casual Mac/iOS users
iMovie is Apple's free video editing software. It's pre-installed on most Macs and available for iOS devices. It can handle GoPro footage well and can be an excellent starting point for beginners.
AVS Video Editor--Best for Windows users seeking an all-in-one editor
AVS Video Editor is a GoPro video editor for Windows that offers a full suite of features for general video editing. While not built specifically for GoPro, it handles GoPro footage well and includes extras like DVD/Blu-ray burning and basic visual effects.
Part 3. How to Choose the Best GoPro Video Editing Software
Selecting the ideal GoPro video editing software is a critical decision. It can impact your overall creative experience, especially in workflow and quality of final output. Here's a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision with your specific needs and the nature of GoPro footage.
Stabilization and Action Tools
GoPro footage, by its very nature, is often dynamic and prone to shakiness. It's proven due to movement and mounting positions. So, video stabilization is paramount. Look for editors that offer advanced stabilization algorithms.
Additionally, features like lens distortion correction, speed ramping, and motion tracking are crucial and beneficial. These specialized tools can truly make your GoPro videos stand out.
Ease of Use
Your comfort level with video editing software is important. If you're new to editing, choose a tool with more intuitive and drag-and-drop editing, like Filmora or iMovie. On the other hand, experienced professionals might prefer the detailed control of industry-standard tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
Format & Resolution Support
GoPro cameras record in various high-quality formats. It also often includes 4K (and increasingly 5K/8K) resolutions and efficient codecs like HEVC. Ensure the video editor you choose fully supports importing and editing these specific formats and resolutions without issues. Compatibility is key to a frustration-free editing process.
Export Options
Once your epic GoPro footage is edited, you'll want to share it. The best editors offer a variety of export options tailored for different platforms and uses. Look for presets for popular social media sites, options to customize resolution, and the ability to export in common video formats. Efficient export times are also a major plus, especially when dealing with large 4K files.
Conclusion
Still deciding which GoPro video editor to go with? If you're editing action-packed footage, a specific action cam feature with great performance is essential. There are indeed a lot of free options that offer incredible value for action camera enthusiasts.
Choose based on your needs, budget, and skill level. Yet, for those who seek a balance of powerful features and an intuitive workflow for both beginners and aspiring professionals, Filmora stands out as an exceptional choice. It empowers you to transform your raw adventures into captivating stories with ease and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q1: Does GoPro have its own video editor?
A: Yes, GoPro has its own video editor: the GoPro Quik. It's available for desktop and mobile. However, it's fairly limited for complex editing. -
Q2: What formats do GoPro videos use?
A: GoPro cameras primarily record videos in the MP4 file format. They often use advanced video codecs like AVC or the more efficient HEVC, especially for higher resolutions (4K and above) and frame rates. -
Q3: Do I need to convert GoPro videos before editing?
A: Generally, no. Most modern video editors support GoPro's MP4 files natively. But if you experience lag or performance issues, you can create proxy files for smoother editing. -
Q4: Can I edit GoPro videos on a Chromebook?
A: Yes, but your options may be more limited than on Windows or macOS. Chromebooks primarily rely on web-based video editors or Android apps available through the Play Store.
