Best Professional Video Editing Software 2019 - PC and Mac Editors
We started reviewing professional video editing software in 2012. Since that time, our best overall pick has not changed. Adobe Premiere Pro CC is the perfect program for users who have cut their teeth in consumer video editing software and are ready to upgrade. Its traditional timeline layout and easy-to-find editing tools mirror the workflow of the best consumer video editors. Also, your subscription gives you access to the incremental updates Adobe makes to the program.
- There are more video editing software applications than we can fit into this roundup of the best options, which includes only software rated three stars and higher.
- Best free photo editor for Mac Apple’s computers are deservedly positioned as an optimal platform for creative work, a universal tool for the artist of the digital era. This collection presents the most exciting photo editing software for Mac users.
- This Mac photo editing software has been available since 2015 for OS X Yosemite 10.10.3, and since 2016 for tvOS v.10. This app has several easy-to-use editing tools, such as filters and Smart Sliders.
- The Mac is still the best device for serious photo editing, so you need some serious photo editing apps to make an impact. The built-in Photos app on Mac offers several useful photo editing tools. You can crop, adjust lighting and color, set the white balance, add filters, remove unwanted blemishes, and a few more things.
- Best From Hobbyist to Pro: Final Cut Pro X at Apple.com, “A video editing software that you can use even if you don’t have much experience.” Most Accessible Apple Editor: Apple iMovie at Apple.com, “If you haven’t done video editing before, this is a good place to get started before moving on to more serious software.”.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is the perfect program for users who have cut their teeth in consumer video editing software and are ready to upgrade. Its traditional timeline layout and easy-to-find editing tools mirror the workflow of the best consumer video editors.
Best OverallAdobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro includes the tools and features professionals demand – this nonlinear editor has the power, versatility and depth to be our top pick.
Best ValueMAGIX Video Pro X
MAGIX Video Pro X is a powerful, capable application. It can edit projects that hold their own against videos made with its competitors, but you own it outright rather than pay for a subscription.
Best for Mac UsersFinal Cut Pro X
If you’re a Mac person, you’ll love Final Cut Pro X. It’s powerful, versatile professional video editing software – plus it’s easy to pick up if you’ve used iMovie.
Product | Price | Overall Rating | Design | Editing Tools | Media Management | Export & Production | Interface & Workflow | Skill Level Required | Windows | MacOS | Enhanced Timeline | Sequence Nesting | Color Correction | Masking | Video Stabilizer | Stereoscopic Editing | Closed Captions | Dynamic Media Folders or Bins | Multicam Support | Automatic Content Analyzer | Automatic Audio & Video Sync | Export as File | 4K Support | DVD & Blu-ray Authoring | Export to Web | Export to Mobile Devices |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adobe Premiere Pro CC | View Deal | 5/5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Excellent | Intermediate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Final Cut Pro X | View Deal | 4.5/5 | 3.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Excellent | Intermediate | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Media Composer | View Deal | 4.5/5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Good | Advanced | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Lightworks | 4/5 | 4.5 | 5 | 2.5 | 4 | Good | Basic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | |
HitFilm Pro | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 3 | Good | Advanced | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
MAGIX Video Pro X | View Deal | 3.5/5 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | Fair | Basic | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
EDIUS Pro | View Deal | 3/5 | 4.6 | 5 | 2.5 | 4 | Good | Intermediate | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
VEGAS Pro | View Deal | 3/5 | 2.5 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | Fair | Intermediate | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Best Overall
Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro CC Single App$20.99
Premiere Pro CC All Apps$49.94
You get all the upgrades as soon as they’re available, without waiting for the next version of the software to be released.
It integrates well with other Adobe CC programs like Photoshop.
You can customize the interface to fit your personal workflow preferences.
You can’t buy the program outright – a monthly or yearly subscription is required.
New features sometimes have bugs when they’re rolled out.
The basic functionality of professional nonlinear video editors doesn't change much from application to application.
They all have timelines, media bins and a multitude of tools you can use to make advanced alterations, adjustments and outright transformations of raw video, audio and image files. What separates Premiere Pro from the rest is how these features come together. Adobe understands that every editor and project has unique needs, and it created an application that is infinitely customizable to meet those needs.
Media organization is essential to creating video efficiently. Adobe Premiere Pro comes loaded with adaptable media bins and panels, so you can store your media as well as preset attributes before you drag them onto the timeline. Adobe has some great instructional videos on media strategy that can help you optimize your workflow with top-notch bin structure. Once you have a structure that works for you, you can even save a bin template to your hard drive or the cloud. This saves you loads of time at the beginning of each project by eliminating the need to manually create a bin structure each time.
Premiere covers all the bases for transforming your final sequence into a finished work. You can export it as a digital file of any size, from standard definition to ultrahigh definitions like 4K. This application can also burn videos to optical media such as DVD and Blu-ray discs. Additionally, Adobe Media encoder can create a video for any file format or codec.
Media organization is essential to creating video efficiently. Adobe Premiere Pro comes loaded with adaptable media bins and panels, so you can store your media as well as preset attributes before you drag them onto the timeline. Adobe has some great instructional videos on media strategy that can help you optimize your workflow with top-notch bin structure. Once you have a structure that works for you, you can even save a bin template to your hard drive or the cloud. This saves you loads of time at the beginning of each project by eliminating the need to manually create a bin structure each time.
Premiere covers all the bases for transforming your final sequence into a finished work. You can export it as a digital file of any size, from standard definition to ultrahigh definitions like 4K. This application can also burn videos to optical media such as DVD and Blu-ray discs. Additionally, Adobe Media encoder can create a video for any file format or codec.
Best Value
MAGIX Video Pro X
MAGIX Video Pro X
Once you buy the program, it’s yours - there’s no recurring subscription required.
You can import multiple file formats into the timeline without converting them.
The program is very accessible for new users, especially those who have used MAGIX’s consumer-level video editors.
It doesn’t create closed captions.
The program doesn’t include a smart content analyzer to make video organization easier.
Even though MAGIX Video Pro X’s price falls within the average range for the programs we reviewed, we chose it as our best value pick.
That’s because it includes the tools necessary to make professional-quality projects, plus you own the software outright. Competing programs, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Media Composer, require a monthly subscription, putting you at risk of losing access if you can’t make the bill. Plus, you get free updates throughout the current version of the software.
MAGIX Video Pro X’s timeline is unique among the applications we reviewed – it’s an “open timeline” that allows you to handle objects such as video, images and audio with more refined precision. This is because you don’t need to convert disparate file formats before you bring them into the workspace.
One of the most compelling things about this software is it’s accessible to users who are just getting into professional video editing. The application is intuitive enough for new users who already have a grasp on the basics of video editing. This is particularly true of people who have used the company’s consumer-grade product, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.
We would love to see this program adapted for macOS. It would be a natural competitor to Final Cut Pro X and allow cross-platform collaboration.
MAGIX Video Pro X’s timeline is unique among the applications we reviewed – it’s an “open timeline” that allows you to handle objects such as video, images and audio with more refined precision. This is because you don’t need to convert disparate file formats before you bring them into the workspace.
One of the most compelling things about this software is it’s accessible to users who are just getting into professional video editing. The application is intuitive enough for new users who already have a grasp on the basics of video editing. This is particularly true of people who have used the company’s consumer-grade product, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.
We would love to see this program adapted for macOS. It would be a natural competitor to Final Cut Pro X and allow cross-platform collaboration.
Best for Mac Users
Final Cut Pro X
The most commonly used features are on the interface’s main window.
It integrates with other Apple software like iTunes and Photos, so it’s easy to import media.
iMovie users will have an easy time figuring out the program.
Its unusual timeline may make it harder for users of other programs to make the switch.
It’s slightly harder to collaborate on projects than with other programs we reviewed.
In true Apple fashion, Final Cut Pro X’s interface both looks great and is highly functional. For example, you access most of the frequently used tools from the workspace’s main window.
Additionally, you can customize the interface with one of Final Cut’s preset options or organize the windows to fit your preferred workflow. This makes it a good option whether you work on a single display or multiple. Despite its simple design, this program has all the tools necessary to create Hollywood-level movies, commercials, music videos and more.
If you’re steeped in the world of Apple, Final Cut Pro X’s integration with other Apple products, such as iTunes and Photos, is extremely useful – you can access all the music, images and other elements you need to build a video with a personal touch.
Once highly criticized as being too much like iMovie, this has become a strength of Final Cut Pro X. It opens the door of professional movie making to millions of users who might otherwise be intimidated by professional software.
Final Cut Pro X is only available for machines running the OS X operating system. We would like to see Apple do with Final Cut what it did with iTunes and release a version compatible with Windows.
If you’re steeped in the world of Apple, Final Cut Pro X’s integration with other Apple products, such as iTunes and Photos, is extremely useful – you can access all the music, images and other elements you need to build a video with a personal touch.
Once highly criticized as being too much like iMovie, this has become a strength of Final Cut Pro X. It opens the door of professional movie making to millions of users who might otherwise be intimidated by professional software.
Final Cut Pro X is only available for machines running the OS X operating system. We would like to see Apple do with Final Cut what it did with iTunes and release a version compatible with Windows.
Best for Special Effects
Hitfilm Pro
It creates dazzling effects that are second to none.
It’s only suitable for people who are proficient at visually intense tasks like compositing and color grading.
HitFilm is an interesting entry in our review of the best professional video editing software – it’s a non-linear editor and visual effects and compositing tool rolled up into a single application.
Before you buy this program, understand that it is centrally focused around graphics, compositing and special effects. If you don’t generally work with these features, you’d be better served to look elsewhere and get a plugin. However, if visual masterpieces are your thing, there’s no better program than HitFilm to create them.
Best for Advanced Users
Avid Media Composer
Best Editing App For Macbook
Avid Media Composer 1-Year Sub$19.99
Avid Media Composer 1-Year Upfront
Most commonly used software to make blockbuster movies.
Avid Media Composer is the most popular program used by professional Hollywood editors to create movies, TV shows, commercials, music videos and much more – and for good reason.
It has everything you need to create projects as simple as instructional videos or as complicated as blockbusters like “The Avengers.”
If you choose this program, keep in mind that it will take a long time to learn how to use it to its full potential. If you jump right in without training, you’ll likely get lost very quickly. We recommend learning the basics in a different program first. Media Composer has a free version that’s ideal for getting your head around the interface and workflow.
If you choose this program, keep in mind that it will take a long time to learn how to use it to its full potential. If you jump right in without training, you’ll likely get lost very quickly. We recommend learning the basics in a different program first. Media Composer has a free version that’s ideal for getting your head around the interface and workflow.
Why Trust Us
Since 2012 we’ve been evaluating the best video editing software on a periodic basis. In that time, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching, rating and ranking each program. We’ve conducted hands-on editing tests as well as reached out to professional video editors to find out what they look for in the programs they choose.
Richard Dutcher, an independent film director from Salt Lake City, has produced eight feature films including “God’s Army,” “Brigham City,” “Evil Angel” and the upcoming “The Boys at the Bar.”
As we discussed his editing experience, he said, “I learned on Avid, used that until Final Cut Pro X came out,” then added that he’s been using it ever since. He also noted that editors should find what works best for them. “Because of the learning curve and limited amount of time, once I learn something I pretty much stick with it.”
When asked how people new to using professional video editing software can learn to work with the application proficiently, he said, “Classes are great if they’re available and affordable. If not, buy the manuals that are not published by the software companies, such as Final Cut Pro X for Dummies - written by actual users in the language that’s more accessible.”
We also reached out to Drew Tyler, a digital media instructor at Weber State University. He teaches both Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro X to beginning classes. When the class was over, he estimates his students chose Premier over Final Cut at about 65 percent to 45 percent.
He said there are “Two major considerations – does it fit your ecosystem, how much do you want to grow into the software.” Tyler added that you should choose a program that will fit your needs as your skills grow. “Look for something that has the ability to stretch. It might be overkill for what you’re doing now but you don’t want to run into a wall.”
How We Picked the Best
The top editing applications make your job easy and provide the tools you need to make a flawless final cut. We evaluated video editing software based on the following criteria:
Design
We evaluated each program’s interface and workflow to determine the skill level required to use it: basic, intermediate or advanced. We also considered how well each step of the editing process flowed into the next and whether it is customizable enough for editors to adapt it to their personal preferences.
We evaluated each program’s interface and workflow to determine the skill level required to use it: basic, intermediate or advanced. We also considered how well each step of the editing process flowed into the next and whether it is customizable enough for editors to adapt it to their personal preferences.
Editing Tools
We evaluated each program’s timeline tool, looking for features that make it easy to arrange and enhance your footage and other elements.
We evaluated each program’s timeline tool, looking for features that make it easy to arrange and enhance your footage and other elements.
In addition, we checked for features like color correction tools, which adjust the tone, hue, and saturation in your shots so they match and look as vibrant and beautiful as possible. Another feature we looked for was stereoscopic editing, which allows you to create the illusion of depth in your video.
Media Management
The best professional video editing software is compatible with whatever camera, media type and file format you happen to be working with. In our evaluation, we found that every program can import and export all popular video file types, including proprietary files found on cameras and in software.
The best professional video editing software is compatible with whatever camera, media type and file format you happen to be working with. In our evaluation, we found that every program can import and export all popular video file types, including proprietary files found on cameras and in software.
We also looked for smart media bins that can automatically analyze and sort your production elements. Additionally, we checked for content analyzers that examine your video footage and organize it by shot type, generate metadata, detect faces and recognize speech. Further, we made note of which programs can analyze a video file’s raw sound and match it to a corresponding audio file. This feature alone saves a great deal of effort and frustration by automating the syncing process.
Export & Production
Every product we reviewed can export a video as a stand-alone file on your computer. Any video editing program should be able to export your movies as popular file formats such as MOV and MP4, and the best can export videos in a dozen or more formats.
Every product we reviewed can export a video as a stand-alone file on your computer. Any video editing program should be able to export your movies as popular file formats such as MOV and MP4, and the best can export videos in a dozen or more formats.
We also looked for programs let you upload your projects directly to sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. This is a great feature because the software also optimizes your video for those specific platforms. Additionally, we checked whether each program can author DVDs and Blu-ray discs to take your project from start to finish without needing additional software.
Other Considerations in Choosing Professional Video Editing Software
Will It Run on Your Computer?
Before you spend hundreds of dollars on professional video editing software, you should make sure your computer is equipped to handle it. Start by checking your computer’s specifications. You can usually find them in the control panel’s home screen if you operate a Windows machine. If you’re on a Mac, you simply select “About This Mac” from the Apple Menu in the top left corner of your screen. Then, look up the system requirements of the application you’re considering. These can usually be found somewhere on the software’s official webpage. If you have trouble finding them on your own, simply Google the program’s name and “system requirements.” You can then compare what you find against what your computer has.'
Programs like Avid Media Composer use a lot of resources. And even though your system may have the minimum requirements to run the software, you might still have trouble. Such programs are designed to work with specialized hardware with far more processing and rendering power than your average Windows or Mac machine. If you want to experience the full power of a professional video editing program, you may need to invest in a computer that is specifically designed for editing video and other highly intensive tasks.
Available Training
Many professional video editing programs are becoming more and more accessible to the average user. But editing video is still complicated and time-consuming, and it takes months or years to become proficient at it. Before you select your video editing software, you should take some time to research the training resources available on the internet. Luckily, there are tons of free training videos on sites like YouTube that are made by professional video editors and targeted at users like you. Some software publishers, such as Adobe, partner with learning services like Lynda to provide in-depth training courses that show you how to use all the tools and features in their software. You have to pay for courses like these, but it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about becoming a professional video editor.
Many professional video editing programs are becoming more and more accessible to the average user. But editing video is still complicated and time-consuming, and it takes months or years to become proficient at it. Before you select your video editing software, you should take some time to research the training resources available on the internet. Luckily, there are tons of free training videos on sites like YouTube that are made by professional video editors and targeted at users like you. Some software publishers, such as Adobe, partner with learning services like Lynda to provide in-depth training courses that show you how to use all the tools and features in their software. You have to pay for courses like these, but it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about becoming a professional video editor.
Do You Need Professional-Grade Video Editing Software?
In many cases, you can save a lot of time and money by opting for a consumer or prosumer editing program instead of a full-fledged professional application. Think about your project and consider your editing skill level and how much time it will take to learn to use the software you choose. Chances are that if you’re new to editing or have limited experience, programs like PowerDirector, VideoStudio and Pinnacle Studio have enough tools and features to meet your needs. They cost much less, have many of the same tools found in their professional editing counterparts and can produce more or less the same results in many cases.
How Much Does Professional Video Editing Software Cost?
The professional video editing programs we reviewed can cost anywhere from $200 a year with a subscription to $600 to buy outright. The average among the programs we evaluated is about $400. A major consideration should be if you want to pay yearly or monthly or buy a program outright. Subscription programs are advantageous because you get the latest updates immediately. On the other hand, when you buy a program outright, you eliminate the risk of losing access to your work if you fall into hard financial times and can’t pay the subscription.
The professional video editing programs we reviewed can cost anywhere from $200 a year with a subscription to $600 to buy outright. The average among the programs we evaluated is about $400. A major consideration should be if you want to pay yearly or monthly or buy a program outright. Subscription programs are advantageous because you get the latest updates immediately. On the other hand, when you buy a program outright, you eliminate the risk of losing access to your work if you fall into hard financial times and can’t pay the subscription.
Professional Video Editors for Free
If you’re making a small- or medium-size project, you may not have to shell out big bucks to buy editing software. Many of the programs we reviewed offer free trials or have free watered-down versions. For example, Adobe Premiere Pro has a 30-day, unrestricted trial period. This is plenty of time to finish post production on a moderately sized project or to at least get a rough cut done before you must pay for a subscription.
If you’re making a small- or medium-size project, you may not have to shell out big bucks to buy editing software. Many of the programs we reviewed offer free trials or have free watered-down versions. For example, Adobe Premiere Pro has a 30-day, unrestricted trial period. This is plenty of time to finish post production on a moderately sized project or to at least get a rough cut done before you must pay for a subscription.
The same applies to Final Cut Pro X – it has a 30-day free trial before you have to purchase the software outright. One of the great things about FCP X is you can import iMovie projects. This means you can take your time making a rough cut in iMovie, then activate the FCP X trial, import your project from iMovie and use FCP X’s powerful tools to fine-tune for a month. This is a great strategy if you’re a Mac user who’s working on a budget.
Other programs we reviewed have watered-down versions you can download and use absolutely free – HitFilm Express and Lightworks Free are two examples. You may find these programs have everything you need to complete your videos. In fact, these programs will likely suit your needs in most cases. Even if you’re editing a feature film that will be seen by large audiences, it’s advisable to see if a free program is good enough before you spend money on a paid version. Additionally, these free programs are an excellent place to learn the ins and outs of professional video editors that cost hundreds of dollars.
How to Become a Professional Video Editor
To become a professional video editor, all you have to do is become proficient in the craft. Having a college degree may help you land a job easier, but it’s not a necessity.
To become a professional video editor, all you have to do is become proficient in the craft. Having a college degree may help you land a job easier, but it’s not a necessity.
You can learn everything you need to know about editing videos for free online. On sites like YouTube, there’s endless content that teaches you both the theory of video editing and the practical use of individual applications. If you’re willing to put in the time to learn, there’s nothing to stop you from mastering all aspects of video editing.
Since your body of work will be the primary way potential employers and clients judge you, it’s critical that your work shines as brightly as possible. A strong reel and completed projects will far outweigh a degree in most people’s eyes. Getting that takes a lot of time and practice, so if you’re forgoing formal training, you’ll need to work at the craft every day until you’re proficient with video editing software.
You should also consider becoming certified in as many editing programs as possible. Adobe offers a certification exam for Premiere Pro, and Apple has an official certification for Final Cut Pro. Certifications enhance your resume and are great augments to a strong demo reel, especially if you don’t have a college degree.
Best OverallHitFilm Express
Balancing creativity, ease of use and performance is a trade-off, but HitFilm remains an inspired software package brimming with features, and paired with a dynamic website offering an abundance of fun, funky training videos.
Best for Mac UsersApple iMovie 10.1.8
iMovie is the ultimate Mac video app for novice filmmakers, combining professional trailers and themes, abundant special effects, and an easy-to-learn interface.
Best for Beginners/Social MediaVideoPad
Beginners looking for a free app to quickly edit and output a movie to YouTube or other social networks should check out VideoPad.
Unless you're editing the next Star Wars trilogy, there's no reason to spend a fortune—or anything, for that matter—on video editing software for your Mac or PC. While there are many reasonably priced video-editing suites, going for less than $100, completely free or freemium editing packages can accomplish most or all of what some of the paid software packages can do.
After testing numerous suites, our favorite free video editing software is HitFilm Express for its lavish cinematic capabilities and high-powered interface. Our favorite video editor for Mac owners, Apple's iMovie, is a no-brainer choice, because of its macOS integration, top-notch output, professional themes and trailers, and support for professional shooting and editing techniques.
Best Overall
HitFilm Express
Reasons to Buy
Playback options that speed up editing
Flexible and intuitive export features
Many new features derived from the $299 Pro version
Reasons to Avoid
Some playback options remove special effects
Hitfilm Express's high-energy style appeals to budding filmmakers who want to put a special touch on a personal event or get creative with a video blog, but it's still easy enough for the adventurous friends-and-family crowd. The one concession you have to make is that you have to give the software maker a shout out on social media in order to download the free app.
New features include animation keyframing in the editor, motion blur, enhanced preview options, a new layout panel, improved masking in composite shots, additional workspaces and new export features.
Other great features include the ability to create your own lightsaber battles, support for 4K video, as well as such features as 3D effects, 360-degree video editing and lens distortion correction from action cameras. Our one quibble is that some features, such as picture-in-picture and animated text require a $9.99 expansion pack.
As with previous versions, HitFilm wasn't the fastest at encoding videos, but that's a trade-off we're willing to make for such an expansive feature set.
Editor's Note: Since our initial review, HitFilm has been updated to version 12.3; improvements GPU-accelerated decoding on Nvidia and Intel graphics cards, changes to the interface, and native support for Dolby AC3 audio.
Editor's Note: Since our initial review, HitFilm has been updated to version 12.3; improvements GPU-accelerated decoding on Nvidia and Intel graphics cards, changes to the interface, and native support for Dolby AC3 audio.
MORE: HitFilm Express Full Review
Best for Mac Users
Apple iMovie 10.1.8
Reasons to Buy
Professional-looking themes and trailers
Theater feature shares movies to all Apple devices
Reasons to Avoid
Lacks multicam, motion tracking and 360-degree features
iMovie is the Mac-based amateur filmmaker’s best friend, delivering themes, Hollywood-style trailers and video effects with minimalistic panache, a cinematic flair, and deep integration and optimization with the Mac OS. Recent updates tweaked the interface and added Touch Bar support for the latest MacBooks.
While you can now edit and share 4K videos, iMovie lacks features found in other free apps, such as the ability to edit 360-degree video, multicam editing and motion tracking. You also have limited control over output settings.
Because it's so deeply entwined with the macOS, iMovie was one of the fastest apps when it came to encoding video. Once that's finished, it also gives you plenty of sharing options: You can upload directly to YouTube and Vimeo, and share any video frame as an image. When you couple iMovie with iMovie Theater and iCloud, you can also view your creations on any Apple device or via Apple TV.
Editor's Note: Now on version 10.1.12, you can no longer share movies to iMovie Theater; you have to save your movies to iCloud Photos to watch them on other devices including Apple TV. On a previous update, Apple has removed the ability to share videos directly to Facebook, but has added an option to export Facebook-compatible videos, which you can then manually upload.
Editor's Note: Now on version 10.1.12, you can no longer share movies to iMovie Theater; you have to save your movies to iCloud Photos to watch them on other devices including Apple TV. On a previous update, Apple has removed the ability to share videos directly to Facebook, but has added an option to export Facebook-compatible videos, which you can then manually upload.
MORE: Apple iMovie 10.1.8 Full Review
Best for Beginners/Social Media
VideoPad
Reasons to Buy
Supports 360-degree camera editing and output
Extensive YouTube, social media and mobile-output formats and specs
Reasons to Avoid
Lacks some advanced features like multicam editing and motion tracking
VideoPad Home Edition
VideoPad Masters Edition
This free video editor makes it a cinch to export your creations to YouTube, Facebook, Dropbox, Flickr, Google Drive and an assortment of mobile devices through a simple pull-down menu. You have to sign in to these services first. And while YouTube uploaded directly to my channel without incident, you may have to save your video to your hard drive with social media specs and then upload to the social network yourself.
Compared to HitFilm's high-energy interface, VideoPad has a simple, soothing look which makes it more approachable for novices. It works with both Macs and PCs and still lets you edit 360-degree video with the same ease as you would traditional movies, though adding text to 360-degree clips can be a bit tricky. VideoPad also lacks some of the advanced features you'll find with HitFilm, like multicam editing, high-end special effects and motion tracking, but you can purchase a number of add-ons to expand VideoPad's feature set.
Our biggest issue with VideoPad was not knowing which features were disabled in the free version versus the trial and paid versions. We found VideoPad to be a bit slower on our transcoding tests than Hitfilm, too. But that may not matter for those looking for an app that they can use to quickly and easily edit video and then upload to the social media outlet of their choice.
MORE: VideoPad Full Review
DaVinci Resolve 15
Reasons to Buy
Free with no limits or watermarks
Exquisitely deep app for color grading, compositing and audio production
Reasons to Avoid
A powerful computer is needed for high-end graphics functions
No direct export to social media
DaVinci Resolve 15
A powerful pro-level app, cross platform you’ll want to use a system with discrete graphics to get the most out of this editor.
Best Editing App For Mac Free
The latest version of DaVinci incorporates Fusion, previously a stand-alone application, which brings with it four high-end video-production modules for editing, color correction, audio production, and video effects and motion graphics. This video editor is quite powerful, but has a bit of a learning curve. If its 256-page manual doesn't intimidate you, high-level enthusiasts will find a lot of tools at their disposal.
Editor's Note: DaVinci Resolve 16 is now available, and includes such new features as facial recognition, fast export to YouTube and Vimeo, and 3D audio.
![Programs Programs](https://www.igeeksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/Best-Video-Editors-for-Mac.jpg)
Also Reviewed
VSDC
Reasons to Buy
Variety of stylish built-in effects, transitions and audio filters
Consumer-oriented and easy enough for simple video tasks
Includes a screen-capture tool for recording video and taking still images from the desktop
Reasons to Avoid
No popular features like 360-degree, motion tracking or multicam editing
Windows only
VSDC is not bad for basic edits, but its interface has a learning curve, and it lacks some popular features.
![Best Editing Programs For Mac Best Editing Programs For Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126030348/187077449.jpeg)
Shotcut
Reasons to Buy
Flexible interface
Large selection of audio and video filters
Reasons to Avoid
Different interface conventions than other video apps
Shotcut has a ton of features, but is not as intuitive to use as other programs.
Why You Should Trust Us
We have been testing the leading consumer video-editing suites, both free and paid, for several years. With such knowledge, we can compare things like performance, interfaces and features, and improvements in the various suites over time.
The reviewer, Jackie Dove, is an obsessive, insomniac freelance tech writer and editor in Northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, photo-app fanatic and VR/AR/3D aficionado, her specialties include cross-platform hardware and software, art, design, photography, video, and a wide range of creative and productivity apps and systems.
What to Look for in a Free Video Editor
The Definition of Free: There's free and then there's freemium. Some software, like iMovie, is genuinely free. But just as some video-editing packages are sold in tiers — with more-expensive versions offering more and expanded features — a freemium video program may just be the lowest level of a paid version. Or it may be a trial version that hobbles the end product in various ways, like putting a huge watermark on your video or limiting output formats.
But there are variations on this theme. HitFilm, VideoPad, DaVinci Resolve and VSDC, for example, offer paid versions with high-end features that most consumers probably won't miss, but otherwise allow for full use of the basic program.
MORE: The Best Video Editing Software Under $100
Another hidden 'cost' is periodic or even constant in-line advertising or reminders that an upgrade is available. Our favorite program, HitFilm, never pushes an upgrade on you, but it makes you go through a social media and authorizing song and dance to download the product or switch computers. VideoPad (on the Mac) makes you verify at every launch that you are using the free version for noncommercial purposes.
Both DaVinci and VSDC mix paid features in their basic programs, but they do not explicitly mark these features as such. However, if you try to use them, you'll get an error message and an ad. We can't fault the software companies for trying to get users on board with paid versions, but just be warned that such annoyances are the hidden cost of otherwise-free video apps.
Those looking for a powerful editor with a huge variety of built-in resources and responsive technical support may be better off dropping some cash on a consumer video-editing program, like award winners Adobe Premiere Elements, CyberLink PowerDirector or Corel VideoStudio. However, first consider trying out software such as HitFilm Express 2017, VideoPad, DaVinci Resolve or VSDC, which offer all of the basics for free, and then purchasing additional features à la carte or simply upgrade as your experience and needs grow.
Basic Features: The watchword with free apps is often which one offers the best combination of technically complex software for which you would otherwise have to shell out the big bucks. All video editors should, at the very least, have some combination of familiar features like a viewer or playback window, library, timeline, and access to transitions and effects.
Tech support and documentation: One of the big distinctions between paid and free software is the level of documentation and tech support; paid software has more-explicit and -detailed documentation and guides than the free versions. That said, many software packages post instructional videos of the most popular features to YouTube, and more-complex free packages may offer extensive documentation.
Many independent vendors, who are often sole proprietors in charge of the software, make themselves available to users via social media and email to assist with problems, troubleshoot, take suggestions and criticism, and otherwise oversee the software. Programs with intuitive interfaces and tool-tip hints, and even built-in tutorials to greet new users, make free software popular.
System requirements: Many free software packages technically serve most consumer hardware systems with integrated graphics, as opposed to more-powerful discrete graphics cards. If you have a consumer machine like a MacBook or a Windows laptop with integrated graphics, make sure your machine is powerful enough to run them efficiently.
Export options: Another area where free meets inconvenience may be at the tail end of the project, when you want to export your video, only to discover that the free version will not output to your desired format. Before you start using a free package, make sure that it will save your video to the platform and resolution you need, whether your video will eventually wind up on YouTube or on a Blu-ray disc.