Gone are days when creating a short film or documentary was a task of technical expertise and one should be quite a professional to deal with editing and related tasks. Now, however, after dawn of all these revolutionary technologies and their day-to-day applications, video editing too has become an easy-to-accomplish task, if you know which video editors you should use. A huge number of video editing software available in industry — both paid and free —, it will be probably a tough task for you to choose one editing tool from the list and then to accomplish your editing task!
In this post, however, understanding this issue, we have prepared a list of top 15 video editing tools. We shall check out note-worthy features, supported platforms and pricing of each video editing tool that is listed.
Why Buy Professional Video Editing Software?
The top performers in our review are Adobe Premiere Pro CC, the Gold Award winner; Final Cut Pro X, the Silver Award winner; and Avid Media Composer, the Bronze Award winner. Here's more on choosing software to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of these eight applications.
1. AVS Video Editor
AVS Video Editor can be the first choice of yours when you are looking for an easy to use, professional-quality-rich & quick video editor for your Windows computers. AVS Video Editor, developed by Online Media Technologies, offers a number of notable features such as a huge amount of effects, support for Blu-ray videos, multilingual support, ability to share videos directly through platforms like Facebook, Flick and MySpace and useful features such as stabilization. Considering these, VPS Video Editor is one of the best video editing software for Windows.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, AMV, 3GP, MPG, DAT, VCD etc.
- Supported Output Formats: AVI, MP4, WMV, SWF, FLV, MPG etc.
- Price: All software from AVS is available as a bundle for $59, but you have an unlimited trial version.
- Key Features: HD Support, Non-destructive Editing, Single Video Track, Dual Audio track.
2. Adobe Premier Pro
Adobe Premier Pro is an immensely-popular, timeline-based video editor that is available for Windows and Mac. In a condition that you are ready to spend, Adobe Premier Pro will be an awesome video editing tool, particularly when we consider features such as Integration with After Effects and Photoshop, top-notch video masking features, superb transitions etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac and Cloud
- Supported Formats: Almost every popular video format
- Price: Different plans (individual and combo) are available through official site of Premier Pro
- Key Features: HD Support, Multi Track editing, storyboard mode, unlimited audio and video tracks, linear timecode display and NDE.
3. Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is the video editing tools that has helped filmmakers to edit some of your favourite movies including The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Being a video editing software developed by Apple Inc, Final Cut Pro has a number of noticeable features such as an impressive user interface, quite useful keyboard shortcuts & lots more. So, if you afford video editing in your Mac, Final Cut Pro is the best video editor for Mac, we assure.
- Supported Platforms: Macintosh
- Supported Input Formats: Any video format that is compatible with QuickTime
- Supported Output Formats: Any video format that is compatible with QuickTime
- Price: $299
4. Sony Vegas Movie Studio
If you want to create stunning videos without consuming that much system resources, Sony Vegas Movie Studio will, most probably, be the best tool for Windows PCs. Sony Vegas Movie Studio is actually the minimized version of Sony Vegas Pro and it is meant for passionate professionals, who would find the simple interface, variety of features along with support for additional elements such as transitions, text, video stabilization, realtime effects etc. Altogether, its features make Sony Vegas Movie Studio an all-in-one solution for professionals who do not want to spend much.
- Supported Platform: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: MP4, AVI, WAV, WMV, QuickTime, MPEG-4 etc.
- Supported Output Formats: AVI, MP4, MPEG-4, WMV, WAV etc.
- Price: $49.95 (Trial version is available)
5. Lightworks
We’ve seen different video editing softwares for different platforms, but Lightworks is the only video editor that does have support for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux. Some un-matchable features of Lightworks include dedicated & powerful support for background I/O, dedicated keyboard to enhance video editing experience, multi-cam editing as well as an impressive set of realtime effects that will come in handy when it comes to professional video editing. The list of features also includes dedicated web export option, background export, import and rendering etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux
- Supported Input Formats: Almost Every Video Format including High Definition ones
- Supported Output Formats: Almost Every Video Format including High Definition ones
- Price: Lightworks is free to download, but it has a Pro version as well
- Key Features: HD Support, Non-destructive editing, storyboard mode, unlimited video tracks and audio tracks, Linear timecode display
6. Sony Vegas Pro
Sony Vegas Pro can be called the BIG BROTHER of Sony Vegas Movie Studio, as it offers enhanced features and it will need you to pay more. Sony Vegas Pro brings a number of intuitive yet productive features such as powerful effects, support for iOS devices through corresponding application, stereoscopic 3D editing, enhanced audio control, support for 4K video, multi-track audio environment, impressive media management, DVD Layout and Design along with one option to preview what you have done. Of course, Sony Vegas Pro will be the best video editing software for those professionals who are ready to pay.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: AVI, MP4, WMV, WMA, OMA, OGG, AAF, AIF etc.
- Supported Output Formats: MP4, WAV, WMV, MVC, MP3 etc.
- Price: $599.95 (Trial version also available)
- Key Features: HD Support, Non-destructive editing, unlimited video & audio tracks, linear timecode display.
7. Cinelerra
Cinelerra is a video editing tool that lets Linux users edit videos in an intuitive manner that no previous experience is required. Written in C++, Cinelerra offers powerful features that are quite simplified by means of the simple UI it has. You can download Cinelerra for almost every Linux distribution and the tool will be quite useful, we bet. UI Cinelerra has three sections that help editors do their job neatly — Timeline, Viewer, Resource Window and Compositor.
- Supported Platforms: Linux
- Supported Input Formats: Almost every Video Format, including HD
- Supported Output Formats: Almost every video format, including HD
- Price: Free
- Key Features: High Definition Support, Non-destructive editing, Multi Track editing, unlimited video and audio tracks, linear timecode display.
8. Pinnacle Studio
Pinnacle Studio is a widely used video editor available for Windows devices and it is a scaled-down version of a fully-fledged video editor from same developer. Through a number of impressive features, such as drag and drop editing of HD video, timeline-based editing up to 6 tracks, DVD authoring, title and overlay creation, free training, ability for adding sounds and music, collection of royalty-free tracks, a huge collection of transitions & effects, Pinnacle Studio has ensured top position when someone is looking for an effective video editing software for Windows.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: AVI, MVC, QuickTime, MKV, HDV etc.
- Supported Output Formats: DVD, MPEG-4, MP4, QuickTime, MKV and some device-based platforms
- Price: $59.95
- Key Features: High Definition Support, Non-destructive editing, Multi Track editing, unlimited video and audio tracks, linear timecode display.
9. Corel VideoStudio
Corel VideoStudio comes from the same family of CorelDraw, the popular graphics suite. Powered by 64-bit power, Corel VideoStudio is something great, as the tool makes creative video editing a simple task for everyone. Also, when you purchase the ultimate version, you can get features such as variable speed in video editing, easier ways to create overlays and titles, multi-monitor support, DSLR enlarged mode, stop-motion animation etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: Almost every video format including dedicated formats for devices like iPad, DSLRs and Smartphones
- Supported Output Formats: Almost every popular video format, including ability to export files as to be quite suitable in popular devices
- Price: $79.99
- Key Features: HD Support, Non-destructive editing, storyboard mode, 6 video tracks and 4 audio tracks, linear timecode display.
10. iMovie
Here comes iMovie, yet another popular and immensely used video editor for Macintosh devices, which comes from Apple Inc. Being a tool from Apple Inc, iMovie can help you deal with video editing even while you are using an iOS-based device — let that be your iPhone, iPod or iPad. Although iMovie has a tremendous number of features, some of those include truly impressive collection of transitions, drag-based interface, iMovie Theatre that lets you watch movies from your Apple TV, ability to fine tune clips etc.
- Supported Platforms: Macintosh and iOS
- Supported Input Formats: QuickTime compatible with HD support
- Supported Output Formats: QuickTime compatible with HD Support
- Price: $14.99
- Key Features: NDE, HD Support, 2 video tracks and 4 audio tracks, linear timecode display and storyboard mode.
11. Pitivi
Pitivi is an open-source video editing software that is available for Linux-based devices and it offers an intuitive UI in a way that Pitivi can be your favorite in a few seconds. Although Pitivi offers more than enough features for all video editors, some of notable ones are simple yet effective video editing capabilities, hundreds of transitions, filters and effects, availability in multiple languages, precision-based video editing etc.
- Supported Platforms: Linux
- Supported Formats: Almost every modern video format
- Price: Free
- Key Features: HD Support, NDE, Multi Track editing, unlimited video and audio tracks, and linear timecode display.
12. CyberLink PowerDirector
PowerDirector from CyberLink is a consumer-focused software for video editing, and it comes with a simple UI that is capable of allowing any user get accustomed with the tool in seconds. From Professional looking animations as well as slideshows to stunning videos, CyberLink PowerDirector has an option for you; you can keep editing even when you are away from PC because CyberLink has published Smartphone applications for this tool. Apart from a number of transitions that are built it, you can get more from DirectorZone as well.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Input Formats: FLV, AVI, 3GP, AVI, DAT, WMV, MPEG-4, MP4 etc
- Supported Output Formats: MVC, MPEG-4, MKV, WMV, QuickTime etc.
- Price: $74.99
- Key Features: High Definition support, NDE, 100 audio and video tracks, linear timecode display and storyboard mode.
13. Kdenlive
Kdenlive, built on MLT Framework, is a great solution when you are looking for an open-source video editing software that makes sense. Available for Linux, FreeBSD and Mac OS X, Kdenlive offers impressive features that are impressive when it comes to preparing stunning video results. Some other features of Kdenlive include rendering that you can pause according to your need, ability to apply special transition effects, multi-track editing feature etc.
- Supported Platforms: FreeBSD, Mac and Linux
- Supported Formats: MPEG2, MP4 and other popular video formats
- Price: Free
- Key Features: HD Support, storyboard mode, 2 video tracks and 4 audio tracks, linear timecode display, NDE.
14. ivsEdits
If you are looking for the best free video editing software in market, for Windows PCs, ivsEdits will be one of the finer choices you can make. Through its simple User Interface, ivsEdits can impress almost every editor as far as he or she does not want to spend much on video editing solutions. Some notable features of ivsEdits are multiple live inputs, multi-camera editing, various video effects, realtime video I/O, hardware integration etc.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Formats: Most popular video formats
- Price: Free
15. Windows Movie Maker
Although simple, Windows Movie Maker can come in handy if you want to create videos without using that much of system resources. Through its ultra-simple User Interface, Windows Movie Maker will help you add transitions, set up tracks and export the video into a Windows-compatible media format — things are simple enough, we hope.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Supported Formats: Any Windows-compatible media format
- Price: Free
- Key Features: HD Support, Storyboard Mode, 1 video track and 2 audio tracks, linear timecode display.
Why Professional Video Editing Software?
Editing is one of the most important steps in the video production process. Whether you're creating a feature film, a TV show or a simple YouTube video, the editing station is where you build what your audience will see, hear and experience. While consumer-level video editing software will suffice for small projects, if you're working on something that has a large audience, a big budget, or many complex elements, you need the power and precision offered by professional movie maker software.
The best professional video editor applications for PC let you organize a wide variety of media types, including video, audio and images, into bins and folders where you can easily find them when you need to place them on the timeline. They also offer superior enhancement options in the form of visual effects and tools, such as precision trimming, color correction, masking and key framing, that go far beyond what is possible in consumer-level applications.
How It Works
Even though they're more powerful programs, professional movie editing software applications possess all the functions their consumer-level counterparts have and follow a similar workflow.
You start by importing all the media you want in your project into the program. When you're working with this level of software, it's highly likely that your source material will come from several sources. The best movie editing software can import video and sound from high-powered movie cameras and audio equipment. Even video shot on lower-cost devices such as DSLRs, or even smartphones, work in these applications. With rare exceptions, if you can capture video, images or sound with a device, you’ll be able to use it with professional movie maker software.
Once your entire media is imported into the program, you'll need to organize it for easy access when you begin the editing phase. If you're creating a complex project, this task is usually time-consuming. The best video editing software makes this process as easy as possible by providing media-analyzing tools. These features help you review and categorize your project elements more effectively.
The editing module of professional movie editing software is where the magic really happens. Each of the eight products on our lineup have all the tools industry professionals use to produce the content that you watch in the theater and on your TV, computer, and mobile device. The toolsets found in these programs are so deep that it takes years of training and hands-on experience to master them. But if videography is your passion, you would be well served to invest the time learning these tools so you can produce the best possible results.
When you're done crafting your film or video, it's time to create the finished product. The best video editing software allows you to export your video from directly within the program. However, many of the products we reviewed come with sister applications such as Adobe’s Media Encoder or Apple’s Compressor. These programs give you more control over the finer aspects of your finished video like resolution, frame rate, bit rate, codec and more. These programs even allow you to configure your audio for surround sound systems that give your projects a more immersive experience.
What We Looked For, What We Found
Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate all products and services in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experiences of a typical consumer. The software companies in our lineup had no input or influence over our evaluation methodology, nor were the methodologies provided to them in more detail than is available through reading our reviews. The results of our evaluation were not provided to them in advance of publication.
Simply put, the top editing applications make your job easy and provide the tools you need to make a flawless final cut. We evaluated the best top video editing software based on the criteria below.
Design
When you reach this level of sophistication in the video editing world, you'll find that most applications have very similar tools and feature sets. Indeed, you can import the same footage into any of the products in our review and achieve more or less the same results.
What differentiates one professional video editing application from another, however, is how well all the tools come together. This means that aspects of the software, such as user interfaces, workflow and usability, become extremely important in making your decision about which product to buy.
With each of the eight professional video software on our side-by-side comparison chart, our video editing experts evaluated the interface and workflows of each one. They determined the skill level required to operate each program: basic, intermediate and advanced. They also assessed their workflows to determine which programs are the most accessible, intuitive, and useful for the novice and veteran user alike.
If you are new to movie editing, you'll probably want to use a basic program like Magix Video Pro or Lightworks. Users who have experience with consumer-level video editing software should have enough skill to operate intermediate programs like Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Apple’s Final Cut Pro X.
More advanced programs like Avid Media Composer and HitFilm require special hardware and superior editing ability to operate the application properly. Users should honestly evaluate their editing prowess before purchasing one of these video editing applications.
Editing Tools
It's sometimes said there is no such thing as professional software – only professional users. There is a degree of truth in that; a skilled editor can utilize any editing program to its fullest potential. What separate these applications from those on the consumer level, however, is the power, precision and control you have over tools in the application.
For example, every program we looked at has a timeline where you arrange your media and craft your video. The best professional movie-making software products enhance this basic tool with magnetic features that allow you to automatically snap your footage into place. They also offer what is known as "ripple delete" that removes empty portions of your timeline without disturbing other portions of your sequence.
Since the color of your footage will vary from shot to shot, it is essential your professional video software has color correction tools. These tools allow you to adjust the tone, hue and saturation so your shots not only match but also look as vibrant and beautiful as possible.
Another great tool found in professional movie editing software is stereoscopic editing. This feature allows you to create the illusion of depth to your video, which has the result of making your video look more realistic and creates a more immersive experience for viewers.
These are just a few of the tools we look for in the best professional video editing software. Again, these programs possess everything you need to make a feature film, commercial, music video, TV show or any other video you need. You'll need to take the time to familiarize yourself with all of these tools before you can realize their true potential.
Media Management
As mentioned above, your video project will contain media from a variety of sources. The best professional video editing software is compatible with whatever camera, media type, file format or other element you happen to be working with. In our review, we found that all the programs can import and export all popular video file types, including proprietary files found on cameras and software.
Organizing your media files is one of the most important tasks in the video editing process. The best professional movie editing applications contain tools like smart media bins that automatically analyze and sort your elements. They also have content analyzers that examine your video footage and organize it by shot type, generate metadata as well as detect faces and recognize speech. These tools can shave hours off the organization phase if you're working on a particularly large or complex project.
Another time-saving feature found in pro video editing software is the ability to sync audio and video files. It's common to capture video and audio on separate devices to ensure high-quality sound. You used to have to do this manually by comparing and lining up waveforms so your final video was in sync with the audio. Now, the best pro movie-making programs can analyze the raw sound from the video file and match it with the corresponding audio file. This feature alone saves a great deal of effort and frustration by automating the syncing process.
Export & Production
When you're done crafting your project, you need to remove it from your editing station and launch it into the world. There are myriad ways you can deliver your creation before the eyes of an audience, and the best professional video editors come equipped with comprehensive export options.
Every product in our review can export a video into a stand-alone file on your computer. Any video editing program should be able to create a video in any of the popular formats such as MOV and MP4. The best pro video editing software exports videos in a dozen or more formats. If you're required to use an uncommon format or you need to export your video for more work in an additional program, you should look into purchasing the companion media encoder applications such as the ones we mentioned earlier for even more options.
The best video mixing software also gives you the ability to upload your projects directly to sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. This is a great feature because the programs will also optimize your video for those specific services.
When you reach this level of sophistication in the video editing world, you'll find that most applications have very similar tools and feature sets. Indeed, you can import the same footage into any of the products in our review and achieve more or less the same results.
It's sometimes said there is no such thing as professional software – only professional users. There is a degree of truth in that; a skilled editor can utilize any editing program to its fullest potential. What separate these applications from those on the consumer level, however, is the power, precision and control you have over tools in the application.
As mentioned above, your video project will contain media from a variety of sources. The best professional video editing software is compatible with whatever camera, media type, file format or other element you happen to be working with. In our review, we found that all the programs can import and export all popular video file types, including proprietary files found on cameras and software.
When you're done crafting your project, you need to remove it from your editing station and launch it into the world. There are myriad ways you can deliver your creation before the eyes of an audience, and the best professional video editors come equipped with comprehensive export options.
Great list of video editing tools. I’m also thinking of creating & leveraging videos for my blog posts. I’ll be going to used klippyo. It’s amazing that this software is available with nearly all the features present.
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