Editing a video can give you some headaches if you don’t have the experience or if you are using complex editing software. To make things a little bit easier to understand and to make the perfect video, you need to choose the editing video software that suits your needs. That’s why we write for you this best video editing software in the 2023 articles, to show you the best options in the market.
This list does not follow a specific order, each program was chosen because it is the best in some category. Discover the 10 best paid and free video editing software for Windows and macOS.
Top 3 best video editing software in 2023
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
The best video editing software for Windows
Over the years Adobe has engaged with the task of improving its Premiere Pro with each new upgrade. Unlike Apple and its Final Cut, which decided to start from scratch, Adobe simply adds, enhances, and polish the characteristics, improving the performance, optimization, and tools every professional need for the video editing task. Adobe Premiere Pro CC is available also for Mac and for Windows, which makes it possible to reach a bigger amount of users.
One of the advantages this software offers above other editing programs is its varied amount of tools focused on more professional users, although this characteristic doesn’t restrict new users, because its interface and its operating system are really easy to learn, so it won’t be any complicated to adapt to this program.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, and it costs $19.99 monthly. This payment method makes it easier to get involved in the video editing world because you don’t need to invest too much before knowing if you will use it for too long, and you will still have all the new requirements for professional use. It is, compared to other professional software, the best option to explore in this business.
Premiere Pro offers a feature that other programs don’t. That is the integration with the other Adobe Creative Cloud Suite programs, like Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. This makes so much easier the final edition and it offers multiple tools to the user for video editing, adding effects, importing images, and plenty of extra features.
Pros of Adobe Premiere Pro
- This is the more complete professional software in the market, besides being the most powerful.
- Lower initial cost.
- Easy to use, compatible with all the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
- If you have used a previous version, you’ll have no problems adapting to use the new one
Cons of Adobe Premiere Pro
- More expensive in the long term.
- You need a relatively more powerful computer to use it.
- Some of the effects are only available using other programs of the Creative Cloud.
Learn more about Adobe Premiere Pro
2. Apple Final Cut Pro
The best video editor you can get for your macOS
When Apple decided to update its old Final Cut Pro, it completely redesigned the company, creating the software from scratch, that is to say, they didn’t use the previous versions as a base, they wanted to create a program adapted to new computers and more modern versions of 64 bits Mac OS X. This is how is born the Final Cut Pro X, the more powerful and fluent version of this software created by Apple until the present. 64 bits support, more RAM capacity for use and some new tools are the features that make Final Cut Pro X one of the best video editing programs if you are an enthusiast of the edition, a growing YouTuber, and even if you have been in the video edition business for years.
Some of the main features of Final Cut Pro X are:
- Magnetic Timeline: One of the main features is the improved timeline, in which videos insert themselves as magnets, allowing an improvement in video synchronization and the elimination of white spaces.
- Inline Precision Editor: You just need to make double-click on the magnetic timeline to access the Inline Precision Editor, a tool that allows being the most precise as possible at the time to apply effects and other different tools.
- 64 bits support and performance improvements: one of the characteristics that make Final Cut Pro X a powerful and optimized version is its support for moderns computers because it allows to use of all the available RAM in the device and it is not limited to the 4GB as in the previous versions. Besides, its optimization for the Multi-core CPU is a great advantage.
Pros of Final Cut Pro X
- Able to use all the power of the newest computers.
- An upgraded interface is more practical to use.
- Ideal for video editing enthusiasts.
Cons of Final Cut Pro X
- Its first version lacks plenty of basic functions in other programs.
- Only available for Mac.
- It’s kind of expensive for home users and beginners ($299.99)
3. Movavi Video Editor
The best video editing software for beginners
Movavi Video Editor is one of the easiest to use. One of the reasons many people get discouraged in editing activities and in the video editing learning process is the complexity of some software interfaces, like those of Vegas Pro or Premiere Pro. This is why Movavi Video Editor offers an intuitive interface, designed for easy handling, with tutorials and an “Easy Mode” that almost makes the video for you.
The interface has some features in common with other video editing programs, but achieves a simpler finish, without overloading the main screen with too many options and features, so people who have never edited a video feel confident anyway with Movavi.
Among the features it offers, Movavi Video Editor also includes a tool to stabilize videos with motion and reduce the noise in images and videos.
Movavi Video Editor is easy to use but sometimes results are a bit short in performance, so it is surpassed by other programs with greater power of editing and rendering.
Pros of Movavi Video Editor
- Easy to use.
- Available for Windows and Mac
- Inexpensive compared to others ($39.95)
Cons of Movavi Video Editor
- Compared to other software it is kind of short in performance and some other functions.
- Not so powerful
- Not recommended for Pro.
Learn more about Movavi Video Editor
The best video editing software you can buy in 2023
4. Pinnacle Studio
A great all-round video editor to suit most users
Pinnacle Studio is one of the more antique video editing programs which is still in the market, getting upgrades and offering new versions every once in a while. But being the most antique doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best, because for many years it has been plagued with bugs, crashes, and all kinds of issues that affected its stability. For a couple of years, Corel took control of Pinnacle Studio and decided to give it its course.
Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate is the more stable version now, as well as the version with more features and editing power. The interface was completely redesigned to offer the biggest control and a more pleasant experience for the user. The new interface is simple, easy to learn, and includes a high level of customization: you can drag windows, order them as you like, use different windows on a separate screen, and others.
The number of effects, transitions, templates, and titles that Pinnacle Studio 21 offers to the user is impressive: more than 2000 available effects in the Ultimate version. It allows you to work with HD and 4K videos, and also to make 3D editing.
Pros of Pinnacle Studio
- Great variety of video effects and transitions
- Much more stable than other editing software
- Completely customizable interface.
Cons of Pinnacle Studio
- Some of the available effects are of low quality.
- Only available for Windows.
- It can run slowly in some cases.
5. Vegas Pro
The best video editing software for experienced filmmakers
Vegas Pro was part of Sony in the past, but it is no longer since a couple of versions ago when it was sold to Magix and the “Sony” word was erased from the name. Since then, Magix has engaged in making a general overhaul to the program, improving some features, and making a couple of changes here and there.
Vegas Pro is pointed to a semi-professional users market, beginners and enthusiastic people, who will find in this software all the necessary tools to edit all kinds of video without any hassle. It is easy to use and, although it could be a little faster, it can effectively compete with renowned brands such as Adobe and Apple. It supports 4K video and multi-cam and offers different video formats upgraded to new devices.
Pros:
- A lot of video formats to export.
- Full workspace customization.
- Upgraded to new formats, technologies, and devices.
Cons:
- Runs slowly sometimes.
- Lacks an organization system for the video library, a feature available in other video editing software.
- Not so powerful as other programs in this price range ($399)
6. Filmora
An easy-to-use video editor if you’re starting out
Wondershare Filmora is the video editor you need if you want to learn how to edit without expending a lot of money. It’s easy, intuitive, and offers different modes of use that will improve your experience as a user. Although it is engaged with the easy-to-handle feature, it doesn’t mean you cannot create big projects, because it offers 4K editing support, as well as different options and tools you can find only in more expensive software.
Filmora includes two main modes. There’s an extremely easy mode, for those quick not so detailed assembly projects, or for those homemade videos you just want to cut and extract the exciting parts. And of course, the complete model offers plenty of options for cared editing work, but also with a simple and intuitive interface. Filmora has been designed to create and upload videos directly to the most popular platforms, like Youtube, Facebook, and others, besides saving them on the hard disk.
Let’s talk about Easy Mode. Without any doubt, the best feature Wondershare Filmora can offer. You just have to add the files you want to make part of the final video, and Filmora will join them together, using one of several templates, with its corresponding initial title and credits. It is also possible to add music, either the one that Filmora provides or any other of your choice.
Pros of Filmora
- Easy to use, the easy mode can edit any video in a few minutes.
- Inexpensive for the power level.
- Pleasing and intuitive interface.
Cons of Filmora
- Pretty limited advanced options
- Doesn’t include a search bar for effects and transitions.
- No multi-cam support.
7. CyberLink PowerDirector
A powerful video editor with add-ons to suit your needs
Cyberlink offers its PowerDirector, one of the fastest editing video software in the market. For just $129.99 to the more complete edition, this program is able to make a lot of functions when you need to edit a video. It doesn’t really matter if you have been a while using different Cyberlink editors or if this is your first try, with PowerDirector and its simple interface you can edit video in a fast and efficient way.
At first sight, the interface is pretty similar to the one from other programs we already talked about in this list, but once you start testing its options you will realize that there are a lot of different features, some of them not really necessary that can make it a bit overwhelming. If you don’t mind spending some of your time learning where is located each function, Cyberlink PowerDirector is without any doubt the program you need.
Among the different options, this editing software offers, the most attractive one is the 360 video editing function, which allows editing in plenty of ways any video with this format. You can choose the angle of the video dragging with the mouse one of the three axes: x, y, or z. Also, with the Little Planet option, you can make a cool effect that will make the floor look like a ball and everything in the video turns like a whole planet.
Pros of CyberLink PowerDirector
- 360 video editing.
- One of the fastest software is rendering and exporting videos.
- Great editing power
Cons of CyberLink PowerDirector
- Plenty of unnecessary features.
- It can be a bit overwhelming for new users.
- Some essential functions are not easy to find.
Learn more about CyberLink PowerDirector
8. Corel VideoStudio
The best video editing software for enthusiastic users
Corel VideoStudio is a commercial video editor from Corel, with several versions in the market now. It is characterized by being a simple and powerful video editor, intended for enthusiastic users who want to achieve high-quality graphics results in their videos and professional tools to make them. It is an editing video software designed for working from home but includes options you can only find in professional programs like Premiere Pro and Final Cut.
The last Corel VideoStudio version is worthy of admiration because it is one of the few software engages non-professional people but is able to work with new technologies such as 360 videos. Besides, it also offers multi-cam edition, motion tracking, video masks management, and audio ducking (for the adjustment of several audio signals)
The interface is simple and easy to use and includes tutorials to learn how to handle the software if this is your first attempt to use it and different guides that will lead you through the editing process. The peculiarity that negatively affects the use of this editing program is the speed, which is not too fast if you compare it with others such as Cyberlink PowerDirector and Wondershare Filmora.
As to the graphics corrections, transitions, and other effects, it is a pretty complete software. It includes 150 transitions, 34 templates for titles, and 78 special effects, among which we can find image correction, color balance, noise reduction, and image stabilization (which works pretty well even with 4K videos).
Pros of Corel VideoStudio
- A huge variety of professional options is available
- 360° video, 4K, and multi-cam supported.
- Cheaper: $79.99 for a lifetime.
Cons of Corel VideoStudio
- Slower than others
- No search bar for effects or media
The best free video editing software
9. Shotcut | The best free video editing software for Windows
Shotcut has everything you need in a video editor. The first thing we must highlight is that this software is compatible with almost every format: images, sound, and video, due to its FFmpeg codec. Besides, it is also compatible with 4K video and it is able to record video and audio from all kinds of sources, like a webcam, a mic, or from the internet through streaming.
As to the audio edition, this software offers a series of pretty useful functions and tools that allow us to retouch the audio in our videos, both regulating the volume level and adding any of the filters and effects that you test and set up from the timeline.
When you need to edit a video, this practical software also offers a great catalog of transitions and filters you can use in your assemblies to set the order and the plot of the video, as to several tools designed to customize almost everything and to edit every detail in the graphic aspects of the video.
Pros of Shotcut
- Practical detailed interface
- Fully customizable filters
- Supports plenty of formats
- Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Cons of Shotcut
- Doesn’t include export presets for different devices.
- Can be a little tricky if you are not really skilled in video editing.
- Not so powerful compared to paid software.
10. Apple iMovie | The best free video editing software for macOS
iMovie is an easy-to-use video editing software, completely practical for the average user. It allows the assembly of movies without knowing anything about video editing. It is important to highlight the possibility to import and edit videos from an enormous variety of external devices. Besides, it has a pretty simple interface and it offers a real-time preview of every video, where you can test and add effects, text, and music.
The exportation options allow you to send a video directly to Youtube or to create a DVD. iMovie includes options to correct and stabilize shots that are in motion, color effects, and transitions. It’s basic software but offers all the essential tools for fast home video editing.
Pros of iMovie
- Simple and beautiful interface
- Color adjustments
- Great tool for chroma-keying projects.
- Plenty of audio editing tools.
Cons of iMovie
- Not as customizable as other video editors.
- Limited to two audio tracks
- Only available for Mac
