There are many video editing software out there that allow you to express your creativity through video editing. Whether you are a content marketer or a Youtuber, chances are you are competing with thousands of other creators in the online space.
From basic transitions to CGI effects, editing software are constantly getting updated to keep up with the times. This article aims to help you decide which editing software would suit your needs with our buying guide, reviewed by video editor Mau Regodon, and our top 10 list of recommendations.
Quick List - Top Video Editing Software
A video editor and freelance producer who has worked for Solar Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Amplify, and Intake. Loves working on fun and informative video content for social media and TV.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Not all editing software is compatible with every device. Phones and tablets are usually only limited to installable editing apps from the PlayStore or AppStore. On the other hand, laptops and desktop PCs are much more flexible as they can access web-based editors or those that can be opened through a web browser.
Before choosing which editing software to purchase, you should also determine what kind of mobile/operating system you are using, as some software only runs on certain MS/OS. For instance, Apple iMovie only runs on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Knowing what MS/OS you already use would make things much easier because you can narrow your choices to editors that use certain systems.
Well-known mobile systems include Android and Apple iOS. For operating systems, the most popular ones are Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. Linux is another popular OS, although not as mainstream as the other two.
Other editing softwares allow cloud storing or automatic syncing and uploading saved data on a cloud account. Connecting your video editor to a cloud account makes it perfect for remote team collaborations as well as in file back-ups, making sure that you have a copy in case something unexpected happens.
Aside from that, this feature is also extremely helpful to editors with many devices as it erases the need to transfer your videos to every new device. Instead, you could just log into your cloud account and access your in-progress or edited videos from there.
Picking the right software depends mainly on what you would use it for. If you work as a professional, then those with advanced tools might be the best option. However, if you are editing for personal purposes only like a hobby, you can also consider simple editors for practicality. The important thing is that you don't overspend, but you also don't end up with an underperforming software.
When it comes to editing videos for academic requirements, an editor with basic functions such as cropping and close captioning can easily do the trick. These kinds of editing software that include only the standard tools are perfect for students and occasional editors alike.
Since there is really no need for videos with high production value, the best editing software to use for class is one that's easy to learn how to navigate. This is because editing here is done solely for the purpose of submissions, and students usually do not use the software on a regular basis afterward.
On the other hand, advertisers, content creators, and other professionals who edit for a living can rely on editing software with advanced video output features. These advanced features can include filters, overlays, and added tracks, to name a few. They are also usually optimized for quick edits, making sure you save precious time and effort in editing your videos.
Aside from marketing professionals, aspiring and professional YouTubers can make high production value videos as well through full-feature software. Although pricier, they also make editing easier because of their built-in features such as templates, titles, and more.
Do not worry, though, as you can still find many ways to be creative considering the many possibilities they promise with their tools and features!
Another factor to consider is software usability. Some video editing software are much harder to navigate than others. This learning curve is important especially if you want to save time in the editing process.
If you are still learning the ropes, it is ideal to start with editors that include standard tools and a simple and straightforward User Interface (UI). The reason for this is that using software with complex editing tools without any background knowledge or experience will likely result in you wasting time just learning the ins and outs of the software, possibly delaying your editing and stressing you out.
Start with simple, standard, and easy-to-navigate editors first for ease-of-use, then transition to the more complicated and powerful ones when you have mastered the basics and think it would no longer suffice.
Considering that some editing softwares are absurdly expensive, make sure that you are actually able to use the software you purchased and you are able to maximize its features.
The better choice for skilled editors would have to be advanced software because of their complete and up-to-date features. These advanced features, which can include color manipulation, sound effects, and video effects, are perfect for those who edit short films, documentaries, commercial videos, and even YouTube videos.
Although they come at a high price, their full-feature software allows for many possibilities that both those in the corporate and creative field can appreciate. Learning how to use advanced software might be trickier than their basic counterparts, but once you get the hang of their UI, you will eventually learn how to maximize their specific and complex functions.
Of course, other than the common tools, each software has at least one unique feature that gives it an edge over its competitors. It might be video quality, audio control, special effects, or any other tools. This section lists three additional features and breaks down exactly how helpful they are in making your videos better.
To keep up with each other, many paid editing software have made 4k resolutions their standard when exporting videos. With some, it has even reached up to the 8k Ultra-HD resolution — although this quality requires a larger memory space. If you wish to create videos that appear in outstanding quality, then you should consider editors that export to at least 4k resolution.
However, if you really want to take it to the next level, VR formats and 360 editing allow for a more heightened experience. Specifically made to add a 3D feel, VR and 360 formatting are getting more popular by the day and show great promise in the future.
Audio control features such as background music allow you to add audio tracks to your videos for a more intense viewing experience. Fortunately, most editors include royalty-free music on their programs, which you can add to your videos as tracks. If you went for full-feature software, you might even further edit the audio on your videos through its audio control tools.
Among those tools is the background noise reduction setting, which is perfect for lessening or editing out unnecessary noise on your videos and making sure that recordings are crystal clear.
Another one is audio-mixing, which allows you to add effects to your audio tracks. These audio mixing features are appealing specifically to filmmakers, who value the quality of the sounds as much as the video's visuals.
Special effects encompass color correction tools and filters that adjust the tone and make the colors pop in your video projects. Other special effects include transitions and overlays that help you make seamless shifts and add images and even videos to the video you are currently working on.
The most up-to-date and popular special effects, however, are the ones made possible by Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). This technology can be done through a green screen and chroma-keying editing tools present in some editing programs. Familiar with professional editors, special effects is an indispensable feature, especially for creatives in the film/entertainment industry.
If you are not completely decided yet on the editing software, then you can avail yourself of the free trial version of it in the meantime. By doing so, you can test out its features and see if its interface is something that works for you. Usually, free trials last for a month or two, giving you enough time to experience the editing software thoroughly.
Here are free trial periods of famous editing software that you can utilize: 30-day free trial for Adobe Premiere Pro, 90-day free trial for Apple Final Cut Pro X, and a 30-day money-back guarantee from Cyberlink's PowerDirector 365. Lastly, Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve is completely free.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adobe Adobe Premiere Pro | ![]() | Powerful, Feature-Packed Editor for Professional Video Editing | |
2 | Wondershare Filmora | ![]() | Simple and Easy-to-Use Software Compatible With Mobile Editing | |
3 | Apple iMovie iMovie | ![]() | Free, Mac-Based Editing Software For Complete Beginners | |
4 | Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 | ![]() | Make Stunning and Creative Videos Minus the Learning Curve | |
5 | Apple Final Cut Pro X | ![]() | Produce High Production Value Videos With an Editor That Has a Sleek UI | |
6 | Lightworks Lightworks | ![]() | Video Editor With Advanced Tools for Professional Editors | |
7 | Microsoft MovieMaker 10 | ![]() | Make Videos On-The-Go With a Software Built for Basic Functions | |
8 | Blender Blender | ![]() | Edit Realistic Animations Through This Software's 3D Editing Tools | |
9 | Shotcut Shotcut | ![]() | Free, Open-Source Editor Perfect for Aspiring Youtubers | |
10 | Powtoon Powtoon | ![]() | Make Eye-Catching Promotional Videos With This Animation Software |
Adobe's editing software is the complete package as it features 3D editing, cloud storage, and collaborative editing across multiple users. With its simple interface, this editor is easy to learn and master, whether you are a beginner or an expert. It is customizable, too, as it allows you to edit tools for easier access and a more personalized feel.
Since Adobe Premiere Pro is availed and accessed through a Creative Cloud subscription, expect that the software is constantly getting updated and made better for users. While its wide array of tools can be overwhelming, it also makes sure that you get what you pay for with its full-feature program.
Filmora is a video editing software that allows you to create fun, creative videos with ease. With its intuitive design, you can learn how to use basic editing tools within hours and seem like an absolute pro. Considering its audio control functions and color tuning features, this editing software is built for those who want a simple yet functional editing program.
One of the well-known editors, Filmora, has a huge following mainly because of its accessibility even with mobile users. With Filmora Scrn, users can edit screen recordings, making it perfect for gameplays and tutorials. On the other hand, through the mobile app FilmoraGo, beginners can make quick edits of their videos on their phones with only a 98 mb download requirement.
If you are a macOS user, you are probably already familiar with this editing software. Apple iMovie is an editing software that includes basic editing tools with an uncomplicated UI built right in with your MAC. Using its simple drag-and-drop feature, you can easily add footage from your device or even straight from your Apple Cloud account.
On the other hand, users might have a problem with the two video and two audio track limit. It can work with simple montages that include a single track, but it might not be enough for YouTube videos that require multiple audio additions. Still, with its availability and chroma-keying capabilities, this editing software deserves the recognition it gets from users.
Compatible on almost every device, PowerDirector 365 is an editing software that includes basic and advanced editing tools such as chroma-keying for green screen and easy video manipulation (trim, splice, rotate). Aside from that, it also has an Express Project feature, which includes a wide range of pre-made templates with titles, effects, and transitions, making editing easier for you.
With its competitive pricing, PowerDirector 365 remains to be a great option for those who want a powerful software. In fact, if you started off with this, there is really no need to transition to a more advanced one because of its many features. Still, the selling point of this editor would still probably be its simple and intuitive UI that promises to be adaptable even for newbie editors.
Another editing software familiar to MAC users, Final Cut Pro X is a superb editor that includes advanced editing tools. Among those is high-definition resolution and color grading features, which make your videos stand out from the rest. Also, its multicam function allows you to view 16 angles at once, ideal for editing films and YouTube content such as vlogs.
With its high price, you can expect a lot of amazing features from this editing program. Despite its many advanced tools and functions, it guarantees that you would not have a hard time navigating the program with its sleek user interface (UI) design. Lastly, since it also has a one-off fee option, the expensive price tag becomes more reasonable considering the features it offers.
Whether you are an advertiser or a vlogger, this editor caters to your professional video editing needs. With its pro-level tools such as precise video editing and real-time project sharing, this software is perfect for full-time editors with a strong video editing background. Plus, it can export straight to YouTube or Vimeo, making it more convenient for users to upload content.
The only thing you need to worry about with this software is its advanced tools and complicated UI, which according to many, require a bit of a learning curve. But hey, if editing is part of your work already, you are bound to learn the ins and outs of the editing software you are using anyway.
Windows Movie Maker 10 is a heaven-sent for students and occasional editors who are looking for a software that covers the basics. If you just want to join multiple videos and add captions and background music, then this editor is one of the best ones that you could find. Aside from that, you can easily export it to a wide range of file formats too, making it a versatile editing tool.
A huge advantage of WMM is that it is available for all Windows users since it is free on the Microsoft Store. However, if you want upgraded features, you can spring for its Pro version for green screen editing and Full-HD output. Unlike other subscription-type models, WMM only requires a one-time payment, which makes a huge difference in terms of affordability.
If you wish to take your editing skills to the next level, then Blender's 3D editing capabilities might be worth considering. Whether you are a professional editor or a budding animator, this software allows you to make impressive animations out of characters you can easily make from its seamless digital sculpting tools.
Aside from image rendering, this software is also ideal for video game developers who wish to create 3D game characters. If coupled with the audio-mixing tools, you can add sound effects to heighten any animation or game experience. Overall, the only downside with this program is that it does not support every file format.
Available for free across a wide range of operating systems, Shotcut is a good starting point for aspiring Youtubers who want to begin learning video editing. With detailed tutorials of its functions, it is unlikely to get confused with this editing software. In fact, you can even customize its basic tools to make your editing experience as a beginner much more optimized.
Considering that you are not paying for anything, Shotcut is a pretty good software because of the non-standard features it has. These include 4k resolution, chroma-keying, and extensive audio editing. While the UI might not be as sleek as its competition, Shotcut still delivers with the features mentioned that make it perfect for YouTube editing.
Want to explain or promote something through video? Powtoon is a great tool that can do that through its animation and professional editing capabilities. With templates made for business content, this platform is designed for online marketers who want a flexible editing tool for work. With its template choices, it allows you to choose a design that fits your business' branding.
Aside from promoters, Powtoon is also popular among editors who upload informative videos on YouTube. This is because the subscription includes access to a wide array of animated characters that add a fun and creative flair to your videos. If you want a personal touch, you can even go for the Pro+ version, which allows you to build your own characters from scratch!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
You can find video editing software at a wide range of prices, from free software to more advanced programs that cost up to Php 15000. If you're a beginner, it's best to start with free or budget-friendly software and work your way up as you gain more experience.
Many creative professionals who use Mac prefer the PowerDirector 365, the Adobe Premiere Pro, and the Apple Final Cut Pro X. The Apple iMovie is also a good starting point for beginners who use Mac.
Professionals hail the Adobe Premiere and the Apple Final Cut Pro as the industry standard for video editing software programs.
Want to give your editing devices an upgrade? Here are some of our articles on desktop computers, action cameras, and vlog cameras that you might want to check out.
Author: Katrina Balingit
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Adobe|Adobe Premiere Pro
No. 2: Wondershare|Filmora
No. 3: Apple iMovie|iMovie
No. 4: Cyberlink|PowerDirector 365
No. 5: Apple|Final Cut Pro X
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