Video Editing Software List 2024

Video editing software is an essential tool for anyone looking to manipulate and arrange video footage to create engaging movies, advertisements, tutorials, vlogs, and other video content. There are many popular options for video editing software that cater to a wide range of users, from beginners to professionals.

Which software is used for video editing?

One of the most widely used professional video editing programs is Adobe Premiere Pro. This software offers advanced tools for cutting clips, adding transitions, applying visual effects, correcting color, adding text and graphics, adjusting audio, and exporting high-quality finished videos. Premiere Pro is highly versatile and integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and After Effects. Its timeline-based editing interface is intuitive yet robust. The latest version also offers powerful AI-powered audio cleanup tools. Premiere Pro is the go-to choice for video professionals across film, TV, and online media.

Another professional-grade editor popular with filmmakers is Final Cut Pro X, designed by Apple exclusively for Mac users. Final Cut offers a streamlined timeline interface and a variety of organizational tools ideal for large projects. It also features an extensive library of effects, titles, transitions, and templates. Automatic analysis tools help optimize video playback performance. Final Cut’s integration with Apple’s other products makes it a natural choice for the Apple ecosystem.

For advanced color grading and correction capabilities, DaVinci Resolve is a top choice. The free version already includes professional editing tools for cutting, animating, and rendering visual effects. However, DaVinci is renowned for the coloring suite in its paid version. It offers Precise color wheels, custom curves, automatic facial recognition and tracking, and more for detailed color correction. DaVinci is a go-to for major Hollywood productions.

For beginners looking to start editing videos on their Mac computer, iMovie provides an intuitive and user-friendly editing experience. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to import clips, organize them, and add transitions, titles, music, and effects with just a few clicks. iMovie offers various templates and creation tools to quickly assemble videos like trailers, personal movies, and more. It also integrates with other Apple apps for smooth sharing and exporting. While advanced users may find iMovie limiting, its simplicity makes it the perfect choice for novices.

One free, open-source option popular for its range of features is HitFilm Express. It provides a composite shot-based timeline for organizing clips and applies visual effects and color correction. An extensive library of effects and presets allows quick customization of videos. Add-ons can expand its capabilities further. HitFilm is available across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The free Express version appeals to new users, while the paid Pro version caters to professional editors.

For those seeking a straightforward and intuitive editing experience, Filmora is a solid option. Its simple interface and layout make it easy for beginners to stylize videos with filters, overlays, titles, transitions, and effects. Various drag-and-drop tools speed up the editing process. And ready-made templates for different video types make it simple for novices to put together compelling videos quickly. Advanced users may want more control than Filmora allows, but its ease of use is hard to beat.

Sony Vegas Pro offers strong competition to premium editors like Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. It offers a flexible timeline-based editing workspace with extensive tools for audio editing and visual effects. A robust Transitions package elevates the quality of edits. Powerful color correction tools give videos a professional grade finish. An intuitive interface simplifies the editing process. Sony Vegas offers cross-platform flexibility, running on Windows and Mac. The latest version also provides improved GPU acceleration for rendering videos.

For those looking for an advanced editor available across multiple platforms including Linux, Lightworks is a great choice. The free version already offers a customizable interface, multicam editing tools, and real-time effects. The Pro version expands the timeline functionality and exporting options. Lightworks is optimized for speed, allowing editors to work nimbly to produce videos swiftly. Originally focused on editing for film, it has tools ideal for YouTube, TikTok, and other digital video platforms today.

Known for its wide use across the film and TV industry, Avid Media Composer offers robust project management and collaboration tools sought after by professionals. Its comprehensive toolset for organizing media and editing complex timelines makes it suitable for large productions. Teams can work together on content and provide feedback within the software. While the interface has a steep learning curve, Media Composer is unmatched for its workflow efficiencies at scale. The latest updates enhance its editing, collaboration, and color grading capabilities.

While designed primarily for screen recording and video tutorials, Camtasia also offers an intuitive timeline editor for general video projects. Recordings can directly be imported for edits. Its drag-and-drop interface makes rearranging clips simple. Annotations, animations, transitions, and effects allow enhancing videos easily. Final videos rendered share well on modern devices and platforms. For training videos, Camtasia’s editing and screen recording power together make it an ideal tool.

For hobbyists and video enthusiasts, Pinnacle Studio provides a timeline and storyboard interface for easy editing. Its dual monitor preview allows seeing changes in real-time. Pinnacle offers over 2,000 effects and templates to quickly customize projects. The latest version features multi-camera editing, split screen previews, and an enhanced Green Screen tool. Its intuitive approach to editing suits beginners as well as intermediate users looking for creative options.

Corel VideoStudio boasts of an impressive toolkit while retaining ease of use. Its three-mode editing interface allows storyboard, timeline, or multi-camera editing based on project needs. An extensive collection of effects, templates, and split screen options elevates videos. New AI-powered tools automatically color correct footage and provide audio cleanup. Fast rendering previews streamline the editing process. From quick personal videos to elaborate productions, VideoStudio is a flexible choice.

Popular as a mobile video editing app on Android and iOS, KineMaster makes it easy to edit clips on the go. Its multi-track timeline allows organizing clips visually. KineMaster has advanced tools like chroma key, blending modes, audio filters, and more at hand. The asset store grants access to visual and audio elements to spruce up edits. Intuitive controls and a clear interface allow quick editing without a complex learning curve. KineMaster is a powerful yet accessible mobile editing solution.

While primarily used for 3D modelling and animation, open-source Blender includes a capable video editing workspace called the Video Sequencer. It allows importing video and audio clips onto a familiar timeline. Cuts can be trimmed and arranged, and filters applied with keyframes for dynamic effects. Transitions help blend clips smoothly. Titles and captions can enhance videos further. For those already using Blender for animation, its video tools integrate efficiently into many projects.

The open-source program OpenShot simplifies video editing across Linux, Mac, and Windows desktops. Its user-friendly timeline makes it easy to drag, cut, and snap clips into place. Visual effects, animations, titles, and filters help augment videos. Real-time previews allow efficient iteration. For basic editing needs, OpenShot delivers solid performance and stability in an open-source package with no license fees.

Another open-source option, Shotcut packs professional tools like 4K resolution support, multicam editing, and color grading into an intuitive interface. XML project files allow exchanging edits across different machines and operating systems. Filters and other editing tools allow both quick cuts and detailed fine-tuning. Under the hood, FFmpeg powers fast and efficient rendering. For advanced open-source editing capabilities, Shotcut is hard to beat.

A trimmed down version of Sony Vegas targeted at enthusiasts, VEGAS Movie Studio provides a professional editing environment at a lower price point. The Streamlined workflow retains key features like audio editing, color correction, compositing, and hardware acceleration. An expanded library of effects and templates accelerates editing. The software scales up to suit more complex projects over time while meeting essential video editing needs for hobbyists initially.

Strictly speaking not a traditional video editor, Adobe After Effects is the industry leader for motion graphics, visual effects, and 3D-compositing work for film and video. Its layer-based interface and plethora of effects tools allow extensive compositing capabilities. Keyframing animates elements dynamically over time. Integrated tracking and camera tools expand possibilities further. While in-depth compositing requires significant learning, After Effects is the go-to choice for integrating visual effects into professional footage.

HitFilm Pro represents the next step up from the Express edition for advanced video editing. It offers an expanded effects library, 3D compositing tools, and support for additional formats. 120fps editing and enhanced color grading help elevate results. The customizable interface adapts across projects. An active community creates add-ons and presets to expand HitFilm’s capabilities. Priced attractively, HitFilm Pro brings professional editing within reach for emerging filmmakers.

For quick and easy editing augmented by templates and effects, Magix Movie Edit Pro is an editor loved by casual users. Its large library of templates allows dragging and dropping clips into professionally designed openings, titles, and transitions. An expanded music library and multi-track audio editing refine the audio experience. Intuitive tools like video stabilization, freeze frame, and slow motion augment edits. For hobbyists and social media content creators, Movie Edit Pro delivers solid results without complexity.

This range of video editing options caters to users across the spectrum, providing the right tools for every skill level and project type. Beginners can start simple with user-friendly editing software like iMovie, while professionals can create Hollywood-grade productions with tools like Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Whether looking for portability on mobile, free open-source software, or premium professional grade packages, there is a video editor to meet any video creation need and style.