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The 10 Best Video Editing Software to Edit Videos Like a Pro

Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett Originally published Sep 29, 24, updated Dec 05, 24

Whether you're a professional video editor or just getting started with video production, you need a good video editing software to help you streamline the video editing process. With that in mind, we've gathered a comprehensive list of the 10 best editing software for videos to help you make an informed decision.

We've been reviewing video editing software programs for years now, putting each tool through multiple strict testing phases. The videography editing software tools on our list work for newbies and professional video editors.

Each solution brings innovative features and technologies to the table, including a diverse set of AI-powered audio and video editing tools. Keep reading to learn more about top-grade videographer editing software and make an informed decision.

Here's a comparison table with all the video editor software tools on our list:

Video Editor Best for Standout Features Free/Pricing
Wondershare Filmora Beginners and semi-professional video editors on a budget Smart Short Clips, AI tools, rich stock media and creative assets, keyframing, color match, multicam editing, planar tracking 3-day free trial; Starts at $4.2 per month
Adobe Premiere Pro Professional video editors with advanced tech skills Video stabilization, ultra-fast rendering, multicam editing, 3D editing, keyframing, AI text-based editing, title animation, effects Starts at $22.99 per month
Final Cut Pro Professional video editing on macOS and Apple devices Motion tracking, smart tagging, auto face analysis, multicam editing, auto sync multi-angle videos, Magnetic Timeline 90-day free trial; $299.99
Lightworks Beginners and professionals looking for versatile video editing software Dynamic motion graphics, LUT support, HDR timeline rendering, advanced video effects, VFX, advanced transitions, 4K video export, social media templates Basic editing in the free version; Starts at $13.99 per user per month
DaVinci Resolve Professional video editors and movie makers Striking transitions, Fusion Studio editor, motion tracking, Smart Reframe, chroma key, video stabilization, multicam editing, 3D LUTs, keyframing, automatic object selection Basic editing in the free version; $295
Clipchamp Small business and social media marketers looking for quick video editing Video enhancement, text-to-speech, smart voice detection, auto-captions, 4K export resolution, auto composition, premium filters and effects, audio/video stock Basic editing in the free version; $11.99 per month
Apple iMovie Seamless video editing on macOS Color adjustment, automatic video enhancement, video effects, video stabilization, clip speed adjustment, background music, video templates Free
Pinnacle Studio Enhancing video with keyframing and color grading Color grading, HSL tuning, LUTs, filters, video masking, frame-by-frame editing, custom transitions, smart object tracking, motion graphics Basic editing in the free version; Starts at $49.99
Corel VideoStudio Creating top-grade stop motion effects with advanced motion tracking 360° multi-cam editing, creative effects, chroma key, speech-to-text, color grading, video stabilization, stop motion animation 90-day free trial; $79.99
Openshot Cross-platform video editing (Windows, Mac, Linux) Cross-platform video editing, keyframe animations, real-time video transitions, 3D animated titles, frame-by-frame editing Free and open-source

The 10 Best Video Editing Software Reviewed

1. Wondershare Filmora

wondershare filmora logo
Wondershare Filmora
Best for beginners and semi-professional video editors looking for an all-encompassing AI-powered video editing software
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
  • Free trial: 3-day free trial for new users
  • Pricing: Starts at $4.2 perf month.
Key Features
  • AI editing tools
  • Rich stock media and creative assets like transitions, effects, titles, stickers, etc.
  • Keyframing
  • Color correction
  • Multicam editing
  • Planar tracking
  • Magnetic timeline
Reasons to buy
  • Easy-to-use video editor.
  • Works on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices
  • Ultra-fast processing/rendering speeds.
  • Top-grade audio/video effects.
  • A vast library of stock media and templates
Reasons to avoid
  • Filmora doesn't support the VR format
  • No chapter authoring or DVD menu
  • Free version limited to 3 days
Try it free
Try it free

Why We Picked It

Wondershare Filmora offers ultra-fast rendering, many effects, and a vast selection of basic and AI-enabled audio/video editing features, all conveniently packed into an automated, easy-to-use interface.

Filmora helps you streamline the video editing process by letting you drag and drop your videos into the editing timeline and use the automated navigation to apply templates, stickers, titles, transitions, and video effects via the editing panel.

In addition, we loved Filmora's high-end AI features such as the Smart Short Clips (automatically convert a long video into viral shorts), AI color palette, text-based editor, AI copywriter (your personal chatbot), AI video stabilizer, and the AI Copilot virtual assistant. In case you need help with video editing, Filmora can help you brainstorm ideas to find the best solution based on your specific requirements.

With Filmora, you can create top-grade intros and outros using attractive templates, experiment with different aspect ratios, auto-reframe your videos according to the original video source, record your screen, webcam, microphone, and system audio simultaneously, and so much more.

Filmora lets you share your 4K video clips to online platforms like Vimeo, YouTube, and Facebook. The AI video editor supports almost every format and output option you can imagine, including WMV, MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, etc.

If you're not looking for ultra-professional video editing capabilities, Filmora is the best, fastest, most versatile video editing software you can get your hands on at a reasonable price.

Try it free
Try it free

What Do Other Users Say About It

According to the best software rating platforms, Filmora Video Editor does an awesome job in the AI video editing department. Most platforms rate Filmora 4 out of 5 stars, praising its video editing capabilities, ultra-fast file processing, top video quality options, and numerous supported formats.

However, most complaints about Filmora address their refund policy and customer support. In addition, most users have complained about the free trial due to output files having watermarks. Another complaint was about having to purchase separate software versions for Windows and Mac. Here are the Filmora ratings across platforms like PCMag, TrustRadius, etc.

Ratings on different platforms:

Here are some examples of positive and negative Filmora user reviews on Capterra.

Wondershare Filmora is a quality video editing software. We've used Filmora AI to generate videos that have been uploaded to Facebook and YouTube without any copyright infringement. Affordable. Good for content creators, marketers, and business promotion.

Samuel I., Founder and CEO

The video quality when uploaded to YouTube was terrible. I got better results just by posting directly to YouTube from my iPhone. My biggest complaint is the company itself. They will not issue refunds for this product even within the 7-day trial period.

Mike S., President

Try it free
Try it free

Wondershare Filmora Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins ✅(Boris, NewBlue, Unsplash, Pixabay, Giphy)
Keyword tag media
AI ability ✅(Over 20 AI tools)
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

If you wish to get ahead of basic and advanced video editing in Filmora, visit this YouTube tutorial to learn more about Filmora's video editing and enhancing capabilities.

Try it free
Try it free

2. Adobe Premiere Pro

adobe premiere pro logo
Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for professional video editors looking for advanced video editing capabilities
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac
  • Free trial: No
  • Pricing: Starts at $22.99 per month.
Key Features
  • Text-based editing
  • Audio/video enhancement
  • Keyframe animations
  • Chroma-keying
  • Object tracking
Reasons to buy
  • One of th leading software on the market
  • Cutting-edge AI video editing features.
  • Integrates with Adobe Suite
  • Lightning-fast rendering
Reasons to avoid
  • Cluttered interface can be overwhelming for beginners
  • No sound effects sampling option
  • Some editing features require additional app installations
  • Steep learning curve
  • Expensive

Why We Picked It

Adobe Premiere Pro is extremely versatile for macOS and Windows users with professional video editing skills. This software provides creative tools like After Effects and Photoshop, enabling advanced features like object tracking, real-time keyframe animations, fast rendering, and video stabilization.

The software specializes in professional creative tools like After Effects and Photoshop, opening a window of opportunities for professional editors looking for advanced editing features such as automatic object tracking, real-time keyframe animations, ultra-fast rendering, and immersive video stabilization.

In addition, Premiere Pro spices things up by adding powerful collaboration, color management, and auto-captioning features. Pro users can also count on various output options to meet their sharing requirements.

What Do Other Users Say About It

We checked Premiere Pro across the leading software rating platforms and saw impressive ratings. Most software review websites rate Premiere Pro 4/4.5 stars out of five. According to these ratings, Premiere Pro is ideal for professional video editors looking for advanced editing capabilities, top rendering speed, and ultra-high video quality.

Ratings on different platforms:

However, there are some user complaints about Premiere Pro's complex interface with rather confusing navigation. Other negative reviews mostly revolve around occasional software bugs, glitches, unresponsive customer support, and hefty pricing plans.

Using Premiere Pro has now become second nature to me, whether it's a big production or a short social video, Premiere has all of the tools I need to create interesting, engaging, and impressive content. The integration with other Adobe apps such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and Media Encoder is incredibly useful. I use Premiere nearly every day in my job and apart from a small amount of glitches and bugs that happen very few and far between, it is the only editing software I will use.

Daniel B., Videographer

Under MacOS Catalina, I could not get the program to run. Many online commentators have mentioned how buggy the program is. I have to agree. I was constantly emptying folders that the program had automatically made, and deleting my preferences file. Do yourself a favor and go with another software. I was attracted to Premiere because it is part of a suite of products, including After Effects and Audition. You can get the same thing with DaVinci Resolve.

Dan C., Principal

Adobe Premiere Pro Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

3. Final Cut Pro

final cut pro logo
Final Cut Pro
Best for professional video editing on macOS and Apple devices
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Mac, iPad
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: $299.99
Key Features
  • Multicam editing (up to 64 angles)
  • 360-degree footage support
  • Magnetic Timeline with automated clip assembly
  • HDR color correction
  • 300+ built-in effects and transitions
Reasons to buy
  • Trackless magnetic timeline streamlines video editing.
  • Top plug-in support.
  • Ultra-fast performance.
  • Final Cut Pro supports multi-cam editing for up to 64 angles.
  • Apple hardware optimization.
  • Simple yet intuitive interface.
Reasons to avoid
  • Limited to Apple users.
  • Quite expensive compared to other solutions like Filmora and Premiere Pro.
  • Video encoding and visual effects incur additional charges.
  • No speech-to-text captioning feature.

Why We Picked It

Final Cut Pro has an innovative, trackless timeline, allowing users to customize their editing tracks according to their unique needs and requirements. In addition, Final Cut Pro offers a vast selection of basic and advanced audio and video editing tools that even the most avid video editors would find impressive.

We especially liked using AI to eliminate the video background without a green screen seamlessly. Thanks to all these fine characteristics, Final Cut Pro is ideal for both professionals and amateurs looking for a good video editor upgrade from Apple iMovie.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Final Cut Pro rates highly on review platforms, generally scoring 4 to 4.5 stars. Users praise its functionality but note its limitations for more complex projects.

Ratings on different platforms:

Most negative reviews revolve around the lack of organization and control for professional video editing applications. Users found Final Cut Pro confusing to navigate due to the cluttered interface. There are some complaints about the built-in transitions, glitchy exports, and file management.

Let's take a look at positive and negative user reviews.

Final Cut Pro X is very lightweight and works great on our macOS systems. It has a simple and good-looking editing interface. It has vast collections of special effects and audio for our videos. It has simple tools to advance tools for our professional video editing. It supports all types of video resolutions for our 2K, 4K, and even 8K videos. It also supports different types of video coding methods for better quality and framerates in our videos.

Rahul S., Full Stack Developer

The interface is not very appealing for more complicated editing or longer video cuts with a lot of layers. It would be easier if it were put together more like Adobe Premiere, where you didn't have to view all the layers at once. Also, I don't like many of the built-in transitions, so I would recommend downloading new ones and using those. Working with transition timing is also kind of annoying on this program.

Verified user in printing

Final Cut Pro Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

4. Lightworks

lightworks logo
Lightworks
Best for amateurs and professionals looking for versatile video editing software
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: $13.99 per user per month
Key Features
  • Dynamic motion graphics
  • 4K video exports
  • LUT support
  • Advanced transitions and video mask effects
  • Background rendering
Reasons to buy
  • Advanced chroma key with green screen isolation.
  • 27 color-enhancing filters and effects.
  • Seamless 3D-animated motion graphics and titles.
  • 1,500 VFX presets for video effects, background generations, filters, transitions, etc.
  • A wide range of integration options, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, etc.
  • Cross-platform interoperability.
Reasons to avoid
  • Free export limited to 720p
  • Advanced video editing features locked behind a paywall.
  • Free users can't use social media templates.
  • No option to export to H.265 HEVC.

Why We Picked It

We picked Lightworks due to its immense video editing potential that users can unleash through a beginner-friendly, timeline-based editing interface. Lightworks offers free, feature-packed video editing software for Linux, Mac, and Windows users, empowering both amateurs and professionals to craft video masterpieces of any quality, frame rate, and size.

We particularly liked Lightworks' AI-enabled background rendering, audio enhancements, VFC improvements, and impressive color grading and correction capabilities.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Lightworks scores an impressive rating across the leading software rating and reviewing platforms. Most software review websites rate the software 4 out of 5 stars.

Ratings on different platforms:

Most users describe Lightworks as an intuitive, easy-to-use, and powerful video editor for PC. However, some negative reviews address Lightworks's shortcomings, such as a steep learning curve, out-of-sync exports, confusing menu navigation, and log-in problems.

Here are a couple of examples of positive and negative reviews to set your expectations straight.

Lightworks offers different packages to suit all budgets and needs. However, their free version offers plenty of features to allow users to produce professional-looking results. Lightworks is a great option for all types of video editing, from social media videos to professional promotional videos.

Kris M., Freelance Writer

Lightworks can feel somewhat... limited as I said, this video editor offers a great opportunity for people interested in joining the world of video editing to do it in a simple and attractive way, but for the average user it can be complicated to recreate some functions of other video editors in this software because its learning curve can be very unusual, Lightworks is managed and feels different from other video editors.

Cristhian Josue J, CEO

Lightworks Specs

Number of video tracks 64
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

5. DaVinci Resolve

davinci resolve logo
DaVinci Resolve
Best for professional editors looking for the best free video editing software for Windows and Mac
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: $283.66
Key Features
  • 3D video editing
  • Video stabilization
  • Motion tracking
  • Color grading
  • Animations, transitions, and video effects
Reasons to buy
  • Intuitive interface helps streamline navigation.
  • Ultra-fast rendering.
  • Supports advanced audio editing and motion graphics.
  • Top editing tools give you full control over the video editing process.
  • Generous free version.
Reasons to avoid
  • Steep learning curve.
  • Quirky animation workflow.
  • Confusing navigation.
  • Random software crashes.
  • Resource-intensive software.

Why We Picked It

DaVinci Resolve rates high on our list due to its more than generous free version, packing high-end editing features, including motion graphics, visual effects, audio mastering, color grading, stunning effects, and more.

In addition, we love Resolve because of its all-inclusive dedicated workspaces that you can further separate into tabs for easier project management and organization. Another great thing about Resolve is its two-fold editing approach, allowing you to tap into two editing workflows – Cut and Edit.

What Do Other Users Say About It

DaVinci Resolve is one of the leading, most reliable video editing software on the market, packing only the highest rating across the most popular software rating platforms.

Ratings on different platforms:

Users have positive and negative things to say about the Resolve's video editing capabilities. Positive reviews mostly praise Resolve's top-grade video effects, intuitive interface, and powerful features. Negative reviews, on the other hand, revolve around interface issues, AI limitations, slow rendering, and a steep learning curve.

Here are some examples of both good and bad sides.

I absolutely love the fact that this product has a free version and a paid version. I so far got the free version and was surprised that 100% of the editing that I do in Premiere Pro I'm able to do so on free software. The autosave is beyond incredible. I love how the software actually uses my computer's GPU instead of the CPU. Love the autosave feature. Davinci Resolve is my main editing tool!

Jimmy P., Program Specialist

I found it has a steep learning curve if you haven't been around for the previous 16 to 17 versions. Even the tutorials need tutorials, it's ridiculous!

Andrew, Apparel & Fashion

DaVinci Resolve Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

6. Clipchamp

clipchamp logo
Clipchamp
Best for social media and small business marketers looking for a free, user-friendly video editor for Windows PC
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Chromium-based web browsers
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: $11.99 per month
Key Features
  • Optimized templates for social media
  • Transitions, titles, stock media
  • AI-enabled auto composition
  • Background removal with filters and effects
  • 4K export resolution
Reasons to buy
  • Top video editing software with a generous free version.
  • Free users get access to AI-enabled editing features (auto-captions, text-to-speech, AI voice overs).
  • Rich selection of social-media-optimized video templates.
  • Reliable audio editing options.
  • Flashy transitions, effects, and stock media.
  • Included in Windows 11
Reasons to avoid
  • Free plan limited to 1080p exports.
  • Free users can only export watermarked videos.
  • Some advanced features require an upgrade (content backup, 4K export, watermark-free videos, premium stock media).
  • Slow export rendering.

Why We Picked It

We love Clipchamp for three simple reasons. First, it comes free with Windows. Second, it streamlines the process of recording videos, adding background music, trimming clips, and enhancing footage with AI.

Finally, the software gives free users access to AI-enabled editing features such as smart voice detection, text-to-speech, background removal, and auto video composition. In addition, you'll find some pretty impressive stock media options, including stickers, graphics, and audio/video clips.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Most software review and rating platforms hold Clipchamp in high regard, rating the video editor 4 out of 5 stars.

Ratings on different platforms:

User reviews regarding Clipchamp's video editing capabilities are mostly positive, praising the software's generous free version. All negative remarks come down to its limited free export options, slow rendering, and lack of advanced AI editing features, which comes as no surprise.

Here are some user review examples:

Clipchamp really saved my life. I have video editing works that are very simple but not amateurish. Especially for how-to videos of our product, I take a lot of screen recording, speed up videos, and trim or merge them. These are simple operations, but many products on the market add watermarks to your videos even for these operations. I am pleased with Clipchamp's free plan. It meets everything I need!

Arzu O., Digital Marketing Manager

The software is completely unusable. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to upload ONE video clip that is only 1/2 a GB. Once it is finished uploading, it disappears from the "My Media" list and cannot be put into the video.

Conner S., Real Estate Media Specialist

Clipchamp Specs

Number of video tracks N/A
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

7. Apple iMovie

apple imovie logo
Apple iMovie
Best for free streamlined video editing on macOS
Specifications
  • Supported OS: macOS, iPhone, iPad
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: Free
Key Features
  • High-quality video backgrounds, titles, and transitions
  • Typography and vivid animations
  • Video stabilization
  • Chroma keying
  • Picture-in-picture editing
Reasons to buy
  • Free and easy-to-use macOS video editing software.
  • Integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
  • Intuitive interface with simple navigation.
  • Support for video editing on iPhone and iPad devices.
  • Top-grade video assets.
Reasons to avoid
  • Software supports only two video tracks.
  • No motion tracking.
  • No multicam or 3D editing.
  • No support for 360-degree VR footage.

Why We Picked It

From stunning transitions, animations, titles, and effects to chrome-keying, top-grade movie templates, video stabilization, and Apple integration, the best film editing software, Apple iMovie offers everything you could wish for in a free video editing software.

Apple iMovie brings you quite a video editing punch you would find in a more professional, advanced editing software solution like Final Cut Pro. Look into iMovie if you're after a free entry-level video editor for Apple.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Apple iMovie gathers the highest ratings across the leading software rating websites, scoring 4 out of 5 stars on average.

Ratings on different platforms:

User reviews about iMovie are mostly positive, praising its production-grade video editing capabilities. There are some negative reviews regarding software bugs, high processing power consumption, and lack of certain features (animations, 3D editing, motion tracking, etc.).

Here are a couple of reviews covering the good and the bad.

iMovie is a production-grade video editor that is easy to use, supports a wide range of file formats, and exports movies in up to 8K resolution. It is an official video editor developed by Apple for its devices. Comes with generic templates to produce a video quickly.

Nabin P., CEO

Although iMovie is an excellent tool, it has some limitations. For example, it is not possible to edit 360-degree videos. It can also be a bit slow when processing high-resolution videos or larger projects. Finally, some advanced features may be difficult to find in the user interface, so users may need to do additional research to discover all the tool's capabilities.

Anthony C., University Intern

Apple iMovie Specs

Number of video tracks 2
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

8. Pinnacle Studio

pinnacle studio logo
Pinnacle Studio
Best for enhancing video with keyframing and color grading
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: Starts at $29.99
Key Features
  • Multicam editing
  • Keyframe motion and animation
  • Storyboarding
  • Color grading
  • 360-degree video editing with motion tracking
Reasons to buy
  • Simple drag-and-drop interface streamlines timeline editing.
  • Storyboard feature for pro-level video editing on Windows.
  • Supports a wide range of import/export video formats.
  • Multi-lingual support.
  • Unlimited number of audio/video tracks.
Reasons to avoid
  • 360-degree VR editing prone to software issues.
  • Limited motion tracking.
  • Slow rendering speed.
  • A bit pricey.

Why We Picked It

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate packs quite a punch in the video editing department. Aside from supporting unlimited video editing tracks, the software excels in every video production department imaginable.

From fantastic audio/video tools, titling, storyboard editing, and motion tracking to keyframing, color grading, and 360 video editing, Pinnacle has everything you'll ever need to polish your footage to perfection.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Pinnacle picks only the highest ratings across every reputable software rating platform on the web, scoring just above 4 out of 5 stars on multiple websites.

Ratings on different platforms:

When it comes to user reviews, they are mostly positive, praising the software's immense video editing potential. Here are some reviews covering the upsides and downsides of editing video in Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.

Overall, I have used Studio for 20+ years and have found it to be an excellent educational use tool. The students have used it extensively and the range from simple to complex video creations is spot on. The price is excellent compared to some industry standards and there are many helpful resources, be it forums, YouTube videos, or others such as Studio Backlot.

Jim. R, CTE Instructor

If I have one slight dissatisfaction it would be with the movie rendering time. Sometimes, it is noticeably slow.

Bill B., Creative Designer

Pinnacle Studio Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

9. Corel VideoStudio

corel video studio logo
Corel VideoStudio
Best for creating top-grade stop motion effects with advanced motion tracking
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: $79.99
Key Features
  • Multipoint motion tracking
  • 360-degree VR editing
  • 3D editing
  • Color grading
  • Stop motion and animation
Reasons to buy
  • Intuitive navigation makes it easy to use.
  • Fantastic selection of video effects.
  • 4K exports.
  • Easy to create stop-motion effects.
  • Ideal for TikTokers, YouTubers, and social media marketers.
Reasons to avoid
  • User interface could use an upgrade.
  • Limited audio editing options.
  • No software tutorials.
  • Unresponsive customer support.
  • Software crashes.

Why We Picked It

Corel VideoStudio ended up on this list due to its immensely powerful stop-motion and motion-tracking features. The software receives regular updates, providing top-grade editing tools for 360-degree VR footage and 3D media editing. Corel is a fantastic video editor to get you in the game if you're a TikToker, YouTuber, or completely new to videography.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Software rating platforms rate Corel VideoStudio highly, giving it 4 out of 5 stars on average.

Ratings on different platforms:

We checked user reviews on leading websites like Capterra. Here are positive and negative reviews for your information:

VideoStudio is very affordable and is also powerful enough to handle most people's needs. We have used it for over 20 years. It is also a feature-rich editing tool for everyday use. The Ultimate version comes with many plug-ins like titler, special effects, video stabilization, etc.

Gabriel Y., President

One of the things that I did not like was that sometimes the videos would come out sounding not the greatest and the videos I was making needed great audio because I was playing piano in them and needed that to sound really good. It is a basic nut useful editor but the things that it has sometimes make the production look a little cheap and basic and not like at least a little professional looking.

Xavier S., Owner

Corel VideoStudio Specs

Number of video tracks 50
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

10. OpenShot

openshot logo
OpenShot
Best for cross-platform video editing on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Specifications
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Free trial: Yes
  • Pricing: Free
Key Features
  • Unlimited tracks and layers
  • 3D animation and keyframes
  • Slow motion effects
  • Real-time transitions
  • Time mapping and playback adjustments
Reasons to buy
  • Cross-platform editing on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Digital video effects, including green screen, greyscale, hue, brightness, and more.
  • Advanced drag-and-drop timeline with snapping, zooming, panning, etc.
  • Image overlays and video composting.
  • 400 video transitions with real-time previews.
Reasons to avoid
  • Constant software crashes.
  • No notification window or splash screen.
  • Long export time.
  • Inconsistent 3D animations.
  • Unstable and unreliable.

Why We Picked It

OpenShot deserves a place on our list for the sheer range of cutting-edge video editing features the software offers for free.

From amazing digital effects, audio mixing, editing, and impressive transitions to advanced timeline-based editing, frame-by-frame previews, keyframe animations, and time mapping, the tool excels in every department. In addition, it's compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

What Do Other Users Say About It

Despite being a free video editing software for PC devices, OpenShot video editor gathers nothing but the highest ratings across the leading software review websites.

Ratings on different platforms:

While positive reviews have only the best things to say about OpenShot's video editing capabilities, negative reviews seem to point out its shortcomings regarding software stability, animation inconsistency, and operational layout functionality.

Here are some good and bad reviews to help you weigh your options.

Openshot is a fantastic tool, I like it very much, it fulfills very well the function of being a free and competitive video editor, it allows us to do almost everything related to post-production, to a greater or lesser extent, but we can do it. If you want to create simple videos, this is a good option.

Cristhian Josue J., CEO

Although the OpenShot video editor has all the functionality and a great user interface with all the necessary buttons, I would really want to see them offer some third-party plugins for 3D animations.

Chandrakeerthan P., Student

OpenShot Specs

Number of video tracks Unlimited
Keyframing
Motion tracking
Multicam editing
3D LUTs
3D editing
Plugins
Keyword tag media
AI ability
4k XAVC S format
Export to H.265 HEVC

How We Picked the Best Video Editing Software

For software performance testing, we had each video editing software tool combine several videos of different resolutions, ranging from 720p up to 8K. We applied the cross-dissolve video editing technique to add seamless transitions between the video clips.

We paid the most attention to the time it took to render a five-minute video to 30fps and 1080p with H.264 and 192Kbps audio.

We tested all the tools on our list on a Windows 11 PC with the following specs:

  • 3.60GHz Intel Core i7-12700K;
  • 512GB Samsung PM9A1 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD;
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti;
  • 16GB RAM.

And a MacBook Pro 16-inch model (2019) with the following specs:

  • 6GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 processor;
  • 512GB SSD;
  • AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory;
  • 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM.

In addition, we also checked other performance characteristics, such as software stability and startup time. Due to powerful features and many effects, video editing can be quite power-consuming, requiring vast processing power and resources.

In our latest video editing software test runs, Wondershare Filmora takes the prize, with Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve following closely behind it.

How to Pick the Best Video Editing Software for Your Needs

Here are a few professional tips to help you find the best video editing software according to your video production requirements:

  • Consider the price - first, start your search by determining your budget. Remember, going with high-priced software doesn't mean the tool will address all your needs. We recommend selecting a few video editing software solutions from the list and using their free versions to test their features and see how they address your editing requirements.
  • Number of available features - video editing software should come with both basic and advanced editing features, from video trimming, splicing, cutting, and interface customization to chroma keying, video stabilization, lens correction, and object tracking.

However, selecting a solution with too many features may feel overwhelming for you, especially if you've never used a video editor before.

  • AI capabilities - modern video editing solutions like Filmora and Premium Pro offer AI-enabled video editing features to help users streamline the video creation and editing process. These features allow you to push your content even further than before.

So, we recommend selecting a video editing tool with AI capabilities like Wondershare Filmora to expedite the process and ensure top-grade results.

  • Speed and performance - video editing is a resource-intensive process, requiring powerful CPU and GPU resources. Therefore, performance and speed greatly matter when it comes to selecting the ultimate video editor.

Of all the solutions on our list, Filmora and Premiere Pro take the spotlight in the speed and performance department, taking just above 30 seconds to render a 1080p video at 30fps.

  • Mobile optimization – most solutions we mentioned here offer optimized mobile apps for Android and iOS users. Mobile optimization can come in handy if you plan to edit videos on your smartphone. Filmora, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro are all excellent solutions optimized for video editing on mobile devices.
  • Luts and color grading - color grading and 3D LUTs (lookup tables) are fantastic color editing features you should look for in a video editing tool. They allow you to transform dull footage into professional-grade content for online streaming and social media platforms.
  • Ease of use - last but not least, the video editing tool you opt for should be easy to use and navigate. In addition, the software provider should offer 24/7 assistance and access to online tutorials to help you get ahead of the tool's video editing features, tools, and options.

Conclusion

We took our time to gather the top 10 video editing software that both beginners and professionals should check out. This guide brings you detailed reviews, including specs, pros, and cons, of the 10 best video editing solutions for Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.

Since most tools come with free versions, you can test their basic and advanced video editing capabilities for free before deciding to subscribe. Out of all the tools we mentioned here, Filmora takes the crown as the most user-friendly, intuitive, and potent video software solution.

Filmora is perfect for beginners, amateur editors, and semi-professional videographers looking for a powerful software tool to upgrade their video editing skills. Tap into Filmora's free trial to test its vast editing features and make an informed decision.

Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett Dec 05, 24
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