The Best Video Editing Software for 2023
Whether you're a YouTuber, a TikToker, or a professional creator with your own media company, you need the right apps to edit your videos. We tell you the best video editing software based on features, capability, and price.
When you want to make a strong impression, nothing works quite like moving images with sound. That's why digital video continues to grow in importance online, whether on news sites, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Couple that trend with the ever-increasing availability of devices capable of high-resolution video recording—smartphones, GoPros, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras—and the case for powerful video editing software becomes clear. The best video editing software works for professionals and nonprofessionals alike and keeps up with newer formats such as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), HDR, and VR. It also must work with 4K video, since current smartphones and cameras are now capable of producing 4K content and even higher resolutions.
Increasingly, features trickle down from professional-level software to the consumer category. Multicam editing, motion tracking, and advanced color grading have all made the leap. This trend is a boon to hobbyist movie editors and vloggers, because the software designed for them simplifies procedures that are complex in the pro-level software. Another plus for nonprofessionals is that they often get features that are relegated to separate apps in the pro world, like motion graphics and color grading.
Here we share your best options for video editing software. Read on after the product summaries to find our guide to choosing the best video editing software for your needs.
1 CyberLink PowerDirector 365
Best for Tons of Tools and Ease of Use
Why We Picked It
CyberLink has long been an industry leader in speed and support for new video formats and effects, and it's long been a PCMag Editors' Choice winner among video editors. Despite its massive feature set, the program interface is clear and not as intimidating as fully pro-level software. It lets you do everything from the simplest clip trimming and joining to VR to multicam to keyframed effects. You can get it either by one-time purchase or subscription.
Who It's For
PowerDirector is suited to serious video enthusiasts and YouTubers who want to do the most with their clips without needing a degree in film. Even professionals may find that it has everything they need.
2 Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for Professional Video Editing
Why We Picked It
Premiere Pro is an industry standard among professional video editing applications, coming from the leader in creative design software, Adobe. Premiere offers all the effects, color tools, and collaboration and output options any pro could want. It runs on both macOS and Windows, so you're not restricted to one desktop platform or the other, unlike some other software. Premiere Pro is only available by subscription, so the cost is low upfront, but it adds up in the long run.
Who It's For
As its name suggests, Premiere Pro is for professional video editors. That said, plenty of serious amateurs use and enjoy it. It's especially strong for those who need to collaborate with others and teams who use Adobe's Creative Cloud suite of applications.
Apple Final Cut Pro
Best for Professional Editing on Macs
Why We Picked It
Final Cut Pro has a rethought, modern interface with a "trackless" timeline. An editor who works in this interface for a while will come to enjoy its flexibility, and to realize that it offers just as deep a set of tools and capabilities as any app with a more traditional interface. Unlike Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro only works on Apple computers, the choice of many video editors in any case.
Who It's For
As evidenced by the number of top Hollywood movies and shows made in Final Cut Pro, the software is a good fit for professionals, but its usability makes it a fine choice for amateur enthusiasts as well, particularly those wanting to move up from Apple iMovie.
Apple iMovie
Best for Easy Editing on Macs
Why We Picked It
Simplicity joins a generous set of video editing tools in Apple's entry-level app. We love the new Storyboards features that helps people craft compelling digital movies, rather than leaving them to their own devices. You also get somewhat advanced tools like chroma-keying, picture-in-picture, and audio filters. Moving up to Final Cut Pro from iMovie makes for a smooth transition, too.
Who It's For
iMovie targets nonprofessionals like people who want to put together a video of that family vacation or Junior's soccer match. But its Storyboard feature makes it a great starting point for those interested in filmmaking. Of course, it's only for users of Apple hardware, as with most things Apple.
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
Best for Stop Motion and Motion Tracking
Why We Picked It
Corel first got our attention with its awesome stop-motion tool, and then reinforced that impression by being the first in this group with powerful motion tracking tools. It continues to add useful new tools while delivering fast performance and ease of use.
Who It's For
VideoStudio is aimed squarely at the amateur videographer, YouTuber, and TikToker. VideoStudio is also a value play, with a reasonable one-time license price.
DaVinci Resolve
Best for Powerful Free Version and Pro-Level Tools
Why We Picked It
Davinci Resolve is a top-end professional video editing program that, while not the easiest to use, has a full-capability free version, making it appealing to amateurs as well as pros. The node-based editing workflow offers the ultimate in effects control, and the software is replete with keyframing, color grading, and audio tools. It renders video projects with category-leading speed (as long as you select hardware GPU encoding), and the company also makes cameras, consoles, and other hardware that tie in smoothly with the software.
Who It's For
Resolve targets professional video editors and has been used in may top-of-the-line Hollywood productions, including Avatar, Dune, and Snakes on a Plane. But that's not to say a determined amateur can't take advantage of its generous free version and go as deep (or as shallow) into its toolset as they like.
Movavi Video Editor
Best for Fast, Fun Video Editing
Why We Picked It
Movavi is hardly a household name in video editing software, but it features a truly pleasing interface housing all the tools hobbyist video editors and YouTubers are likely to want. Good-looking effects and transitions are included as are a selection of soundtrack music. Exporting is among the fastest, and you can directly upload to YouTube or Vimeo. It's also reasonably priced, with both one-time and subscription options. Versions are available for both macOS and Windows.
Who It's For
Those just getting into video editing will appreciate Movavi's clear interface and appealing set of tools for both video and audio. Everyone will appreciate its fast rendering and built-in uploading. It's also good for those who don't want to spend a lot of money on video editing software.
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
Best for Color Grading and Keyframe Editing
Why We Picked It
Pinnacle is a solid and longtime player in the video editing field. It packs a healthy helping of near-pro-level capabilities into a fairly intuitive interface. Pinnacle has mask motion tracking, titling, and great audio tools, among other features. For speed, this snappy video editing software is among the best. You don't need to pay a subscription, either, though it's not the lowest-priced option.
Who It's For
Pinnacle Studio is video editing software for people who want more advanced tools than the company's consumer-friendly app Corel VideoStudio. If you need mulitcam, keyframing, and the like, it's a good choice for you. Those who don't want to pay a subscription will appreciate its one-time pricing.
Wondershare Filmora
Best for Editing on a Budget
Why We Picked It
Filmora is a reasonably priced and easy-to-use video editing app that continues to receive new features. It has nifty features and capabilities, such as color matching, audio-syncing for limited multicam, motion tracking, and speech to text. It's also a fine performer when it comes to export speed. Versions are available for both macOS and Windows.
Who It's For
Filmora is for amateurs who want to keep getting new effect ideas for their videos but don't want to dig into the weeds of a Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. It's available as either an annual subscription or a reasonably priced perpetual license.
Adobe Premiere Elements
Best for Digital Scrapbooking
Why We Picked It
Premiere Elements makes it easy to achieve a lot of the effects that would be complex in Premiere Pro. The consumer level program contains many of the editing tools of a pro-level application, but it cloaks these in easy-to-use features and Guided Edits. If you want to have some fun with your video without stressing your brain with concepts like timecodes and keyframes, Premiere Elements is a good choice.
Who It's For
Adobe characterizes the audience for Premiere Pro as "memory keepers"—those members of the family who want to preserve fun outings and events, spiff them up, and share them with friends and family. It's also for people who don't want to pay the subscription required by most of Adobe's other software, while getting a good selection of the features. The software is available for both macOS and Windows.
Clipchamp
Best for Template-Based Social Marketing Videos
Why We Picked It
Clipchamp is a template-based PWA (progressive web application) that makes it easy for small businesses to produce videos for marketing. By the way, it also lets anyone else create simple videos with transitions and background music. The software is free, with paid upgrades for more templates and content.
Who It's For
Clipchamp squarely targets the nonprofessional, so if you need advanced video tools, look elsewhere. On the plus side, it's free, and it will be included with Windows 11 in an upcoming version. That said, Mac and mobile users get their own versions of the software, so it's cross-platform.
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