Best Video Editing Software in 2024

Video editing software is a digital tool that allows users to modify and enhance video footage by cutting, arranging, and applying effects to create a polished final product. This tool is essential for producing professional-quality videos, whether for personal, commercial, or creative purposes. Filmmakers, content creators, marketers, and hobbyists use it to craft engaging content, improve visual storytelling, and meet specific production standards. 

There are 4 key benefits of a video editing software.

• Allows users to add effects, transitions, and overlays, enhancing the visual appeal of their videos.
• Streamlines the editing process, enabling faster project completion and smoother collaboration.
• Improves video quality, even with amateur footage, through color correction, stabilization, and audio enhancements.
• Exports videos in various formats suitable for sharing on social media, websites, or broadcast platforms.

Geekflare has tested and curated the following list of the best video editing software based on key characteristics like intuitive interface, multi-track editing, color correction ability, and real-time preview.

• 1. Wondershare Filmora – Best for Creators
• 2. Movavi – Best for Beginners
• 3. Adobe Premiere Pro – Best for Professionals
• 4. DaVinci Resolve 19 – Best for Hollywood Effects
• 5. Final Cut Pro – Best for Mac Users
• 6. PowerDirector 365 – AI-Powered Video Editing
• 7. HitFilm – Best for VFX & Motion Graphics on a Budget
• 8. Lightworks – Best to Create Hollywood-Like Videos
• 9. Video Pro X – AI-Powered Editing for YouTube
• 10. AVS Video Editor – Simple, Works on Windows Only
• 11. VEGAS Pro – Best for Creative Professionals
• 12. iMovie – Best for Beginners on Mac
• 13. Microsoft Clipchamp – Best for Beginners on Windows
• 14. LUXEA Pro – Best for Screen & Webcam Recording
• Show moreShow less

Wondershare Filmora offers a comprehensive video editing experience with up to 100 media layers, enabling detailed and visually appealing video creation. It supports green screen editing, keyframing, background noise removal, and full 4K quality.

The platform efficiently addresses common issues from action cams, such as fisheye and camera shake, and provides options for slow-motion and reverse effects. Wondershare Filmora includes free effects, such as drag-and-drop transitions, titles, filters, and motion elements, facilitating diverse effect implementation.

Wondershare Filmora integrates 5 NewBlue effect collections: Title Pro 7, Video Stylizer, Video Elements, Video Filters, and Video Essentials, each with professionally designed presets. It provides 4 denoise options – Wind Removal, DeReverb, Hum Removal, and general noise reduction, to improve audio quality in various recording conditions.

The platform features more than 50 dynamic countdown effects suitable for videos related to exercise, e-commerce, and business reports. The AI portrait feature simplifies background removal and offers portrait effects and AR stickers as well.

Wondershare Filmora has received high ratings from top software review websites.

Wondershare Filmora has a free version and paid plans starting from $9.9/month for the Cross-Platform Monthly Plan. The other plans are Cross-Platform Annual Plan for $29.99/year, and the Perpetual Plan for $49.99.

Try Wondershare

2. Movavi

Movavi video editor is great for beginners as it provides a drag-and-drop method for easy component addition. It allows users to add titles, filters, overlays, and transitions. Movavi provides a toolbox for easily repairing wobbly clips.

Picture-in-picture, pan and zoom, one-click transition, and smart stabilization are a few noteworthy features. The tool is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. Movavi offers engaging effects, AI for backdrop swapping, noise reduction, AI motion tracking, slow motion, sound refining, and fast file conversion to increase productivity.

You can upgrade your video production experience with Movavi’s add-ons, such as a robust CD/DVD/Blu-Ray burner. With a single click, you can increase the clip’s resolution by up to 8 times for better viewing on bigger screens. Even without a green screen, the built-in AI quickly eliminates backdrops so you may replace them with other components, like space or solid colors.

Movavi Ratings and Recognition

The table below shows Movavi’s ratings from top software review websites.

Movavi Pricing

Movavi is free for both Windows and Mac users. The Movavi Video Suite is available for $94.95 for a yearly subscription.

Try Movavi

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is integrated with various apps and creative tools, including the AI-powered Adobe Sensei, which streamlines workflows by automating tasks to save time. It supports editing in any format, from 8K to virtual reality, and offers lightweight proxy workflows and faster ProRes HDR for optimal performance. 

Adobe Premiere Pro includes Premiere Rush, an all-in-one app compatible with all devices, enhancing flexibility. It uses industry-standard video editing tools and timesaving AI features, such as three-point editing and Text-Based Editing, allowing users to refine, reorder, and trim clips efficiently. 

Users can choose from multiple built-in effects and transitions. For professional-quality titles, captions, and graphics, Adobe Premiere Pro offers customizable templates. Its powerful color correction and grading tools, including AI-driven color balancing, professional color wheels, and curve controls, ensure precise color adjustments. 

Pro audio tools in Adobe Premiere Pro reduce noise and enhance dialogue, allowing advanced sound design with effects and AI-fitted music tracks, all licensable within the platform. Auto Reframe maintains the focal point while adjusting aspect ratios for easy sharing across social platforms. 

Adobe Premiere Pro Ratings and Recognition

Adobe Premiere Pro has received high ratings from top software review websites.

Adobe Premiere Pro Pricing

Adobe Premiere Pro offers free trial and starts from $22.99/month for the individual plan. With high-end plans you can get up to 1,000 monthly generative credits and 100GB cloud storage.

Try Adobe Premiere Pro

4. DaVinci Resolve 19

DaVinci Resolve 19 combines 8K editing, color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects under one tool. You can switch between editing, color, audio, and effects seamlessly without disrupting workflow, ideal for multitasking. It supports collaboration, allowing team members to work on the same projects simultaneously. It’s suitable for both individuals and companies, even for high-end requirements like feature films and commercials.

DaVinci Resolve 19 features Emmy award-winning image technology with 32-bit float processing, patented YRGB color science, and a wide gamut color space for HDR workflows. It includes Fairlight audio processing for higher sound quality. Project libraries enable real-time local and remote collaboration.

The Blackmagic Cloud website lets you host and access projects globally, facilitating teamwork among editors, colorists, visual effects artists, and sound engineers. The edit page offers drag-and-drop editing, context-sensitive automatic trimming tools, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and a library of hundreds of titles, transitions, and effects for animation.

DaVinci Resolve 19 Ratings and Recognition

The table below shows DaVinci Resolve 19’s ratings from software review websites such as Geekflare, G2, and Capterra.

DaVinci Resolve 19 Pricing

DaVinci Resolve 19 costs $295 for lifetime access. You can also choose to download the free beta version, according to your requirements.

Try DaVinci Resolve 19

5. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro delivers powerful storytelling with a sleek, user-friendly interface. It features an Object Tracker that detects faces and objects, matching their movements with titles and effects. Users can adjust focus points and depth in clips captured in Cinematic Mode on iPhones.

Exclusive to Apple users, it offers robust editing and plenty of tools. The timeline automatically scrolls during playback, and users can view audio and video role colors to organize the timeline. The software employs machine learning technology for intuitive editing by studying user patterns. The Apple Neural Engine analyzes motion, matching movements easily.

Final Cut Pro supports complex projects with larger frame sizes, higher frame rates, and more effects at incredible speeds, utilizing the power of Mac Pro, Mac Studio, or MacBook Pro. It accelerates post-production, enabling editors to create and deliver quickly. 

The Magnetic Timeline allows for easy experimentation with story ideas, moving and trimming clips without collisions. Compound Clips bundle video and audio clips into a single package. Auditions enable multiple takes in the timeline, and Synchronized Clips automatically align video with second-source audio. Color coding helps identify different content types, with customizable timeline looks.

Final Cut Pro Ratings and Recognition

Final Cut Pro has received high ratings from top software review websites.

Final Cut Pro Pricing

Final Cut Pro is available at $299.99 for lifetime access. However, you can use the software for a free trial period of 90 days.

Try Final Cut Pro

6. PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 integrates AI features for creators. You can enhance your videos with AI-driven effects, motion graphic titles, and transitions. The software allows precise control over video movement using keyframe anchor points, allowing you to create dynamic motion by adjusting these points. 

Subscribers receive regular updates, ensuring access to new features, templates, and effects. This keeps your editing capabilities updated with the latest in the industry. PowerDirector 365 offers a vast stock library with pre-made effects, LUT packs, and sound FX.

The tool is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It offers cloud storage and backup options. With the help of the High Dynamic Range effect (HDR), you can highlight selected parts of your footage to increase the appeal.

PowerDirector 365 offers an effective video stabilization feature, as well as a range of tutorials and customer support options. It caters to the creative needs of YouTubers, vloggers, streamers, and filmmakers.

PowerDirector 365 Ratings and Recognition

The table below shows the ratings received by PowerDirector 365 from software review websites, such as Geekflare, G2, and Capterra.

PowerDirector 365 Pricing

PowerDirector 365 can be downloaded for free, and the paid version starts from $19.99/month.

Try PowerDirector 365

7. HitFilm

HitFilm provides an extensive VFX toolbox, as well as strong chroma key, particle, and text tools. It also offers professional tiling tools from Boris FX, support for Video Copilot plugins, and 3D camera tracking from Foundry.

The platform operation is smooth and lag-free, allowing for effective audio syncing, animation, and editing. Additionally, users can benefit from simple tools for editing, including cut, slice, trim, split, crop, and flip. It helps in creating 2D or 3D titles and adding simple subtitles. 

For an efficient process, HitFilm automatically aligns audio and video. The keying tool makes green screen background changes and edge clean-ups easier. Lighting and lens flare tools offer cinematic effects with high-quality light leaks and glows. 

Foundry’s award-winning technology, used in major films, ensures perfect VFX integration. Mocha’s advanced motion tracking provides realistic results. The text tool supports the creation of dynamic 3D titles with numerous animation and distortion options. HitFilm also includes multiple render options and presets. Through the platform, users can join a community of over 6.5 million creators.

HitFilm Ratings and Recognition

HitFilm has received high ratings from top software review websites.

HitFilm Pricing

You can download HitFilm and use it for Free. For paid versions, pricing starts at $7.99/month. With higher-end plans, you can get unlimited exports of 8K video, and 200 songs and sound effects.

Try HitFilm

8. Lightworks

Lightworks is versatile video editing software that supports uninterrupted editing. With background rendering and exporting, you can maintain your creative flow without any interruptions.

The software’s timeline features drag-and-drop functionality for beginners and advanced tools for experts, ensuring a smooth editing experience for everyone. Lightworks prioritizes performance and quality with its use of proxy files. This allows for swift editing while maintaining high-quality output. 

You can customize your workspace with the creation of custom layouts. This feature lets you create, define, and adjust your workspace to maximize your editing efficiency. For those looking to add professional-quality effects and adjustments, the video mask effects provide powerful control over your VFX.

The VFX toolset has been enhanced, making it easier to incorporate visual effects into your productions. The audio suite has been enhanced as well, ensuring better audio quality for projects. However, it lacks a comprehensive audio mixer.

Lightworks Ratings and Recognition

The table below shows Lightworks’ ratings from software review websites, such as Geekflare, G2, and Capterra.

Lightworks Pricing

Lightworks provides a free tier plan for an unlimited period. The paid version comes with advanced features like 4K video export, and High Res proxy editing. It can be availed at $13.99/month with the Create plan, and the Pro plan costs $27.99/month.

Try Lightworks

9. Video Pro X

Video Pro X works well for both simple and intricate jobs. For the best possible workflow, the software offers multi-camera editing, a multi-format timeline, and tools for precise edits. The program has an audio mixer and cleaner that operate in real time. The Text-to-Speech wizard, driven by AI, transforms text into empathetic comments.

The speech-to-text feature produces subtitles from audio in more than 100 languages and styles. Users can mimic the art style of famous artists like Picasso or Vincent van Gogh as well, with the help of AI.

AI functions in Video Pro X adds color to analog black and white images. Moreover, high-quality stock films and sounds are offered to users, with up to 20 royalty-free items that can be downloaded monthly and used indefinitely. Email or a direct link can be used to share files with collaborators.

Video Pro X allows comprehensive editing when working with a green screen. A more efficient workflow is achieved by redesigning the recording dialog. Direct object selection is possible without having to search the timeline, thanks to improved selection capability. Finally, the editing process is made much simpler by the Bounding Box feature.

Video Pro X Ratings and Recognition

Video Pro X has received high ratings from top software-review websites.

Video Pro X Pricing

Video Pro X offers a free trial version for 30 days. Paid plans start at $15.99/month.

Try Video Pro X

10. AVS Video Editor

AVS Video Editor allows users to edit and save videos in various popular formats, including MP4, M4V, MOV, MKV, WEBM, and AVI. It processes videos in multiple resolutions such as HD, Full HD, 2K Quad HD, 4K Ultra HD, and DCI 4K, catering to different quality needs.

The platform enhances the recording experience by adding mouse click effects and animations. It allows users to take snapshots with a click and save them in JPEG, PNG, or BMP formats. Recordings can be split by file size or duration, and automatic stop options are available by setting a time limit or maximum file size.

AVS Video Editor supports splitting videos irrespective of their size and formats, and users can join as many video files as required. They can also cut out specific scenes or remove shaky and unnecessary parts from their videos. The tool offers color tuning features to fix white balancing issues and color mismatches. It also adjusts videos for playback on iOS and Android devices, making it versatile for different platforms. 

The platform enables users to create videos specifically tailored for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, and other video hosting websites. It also allows users to publish their creative work directly on social networks.

AVS Video Editor Ratings and Recognition

AVS Video Editor has received high ratings from top software review websites.

AVS Video Editor Pricing

AVS Video Editor has a 1-year plan and an Unlimited plan. The yearly plan has a one-time fee of $49, and the Unlimited Plan is available for $279.

Try AVS Video Editor

11. VEGAS Pro

VEGAS Pro provides users with editing capabilities, integrated audio, and compositing technologies. With the Smart Mask feature, you can shift scenes, and remove backgrounds without using a green screen or manual masking. The tool’s Z-Depth feature makes compositing easier by adding titles, objects, and effects between video layers without requiring manual masking.

Transcribing audio to text allows you to quickly edit and organize video recordings, eliminating bloopers. VEGAS Pro fills in the black bars on the sides of the footage and gets rid of neon light flickering.

The Update 3 improves stability and performance, enabling proxy-file-free decoding and fluid playback. Additionally, users can combine CGI, realistic animations, and 3D models with live-action video to create realistic interactions with dynamic lighting and shadows. With Quick Upload for simple file addition and Media Share for team updates, Update 3 also makes it possible to share and view media in one location. 

For sophisticated visual effects, Mocha VEGAS provides precise motion tracking, planar tracking, and stabilization. With the help of this tool, you can create visual effects by pinning motion-tracked masks to precise locations and guaranteeing their stability.

VEGAS Pro Ratings and Recognition

VEGAS Pro has received high ratings from top software-review websites.

VEGAS Pro Pricing

Starting price plan of VEGAS Pro is $19.99/month. It also offers a 30-day free trial.

Try VEGAS Pro

12. iMovie

iMovie offers the Magic Movie feature for creating styled, edited videos with titles, transitions, and music. Select media from your library, and Magic Movie identifies the best parts to create an edit. Users can choose from over 20 styles and rearrange or delete clips from a simplified list. Tools for trimming and splitting clips are available, and the music dynamically adjusts to the project’s length.

iMovie is available on Mac and iOS devices, allowing users to create Hollywood-style trailers and 4K resolution movies. Pre-made video templates guide users through the movie-making process with 20 storyboards based on genres like Cooking, Product Reviews, and Science Experiments.

Each storyboard includes a shot list with examples to guide users in capturing footage and organizing clips. Users can save storyboard videos to their Photos library for easy sharing on social media or via Messages or Mail. Cinematic mode videos can be added and adjusted directly in the Storyboards feature. 

iMovie also supports importing and editing ProRes video and adding Apple ProRAW images. Titles can be customized by choosing fonts and colors, scaling, and positioning them over photos or videos. A range of templates in various genres is available, allowing users to pick a studio logo, type in a movie title, and add credits.

iMovie Ratings and Recognition

iMovie has received high ratings from top software review websites.

iMovie Pricing

iMovie is free of cost for all devices in the Apple ecosystem.

Try iMovie

13. Microsoft Clipchamp

Microsoft Clipchamp streamlines the creative process with advanced AI technology. Users can turn text into speech, create automatic captions for videos, and utilize intuitive AI tools to produce content using their footage. The platform offers thoughtfully designed templates with royalty-free media, and users can quickly add their own footage.

The Clipchamp library provides access to over 1 million stock assets for every creative need. Users can customize their color palette to personalize their content. Microsoft Clipchamp also allows for easy brand integration. Users can set their brand fonts, colors, and logo, then easily apply them to any video using the Brand feature.

Microsoft Clipchamp Ratings and Recognition

Microsoft Clipchamp has received high ratings from top software review websites.

Microsoft Clipchamp Pricing

Microsoft Clipchamp is available for a 30-day free trial and paid versions start at $9.99/month, which includes almost all the products in the Microsoft suite, like Copilot, Teams, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, etc.

Try Microsoft Clipchamp

14. LUXEA Pro

In LUXEA Pro, users can scale the timeline to fit their media, providing a comprehensive view of their project. Media can be rotated in 2 clicks, and you can copy and paste filters straight onto the timeline. Creative control is made easier by centralizing all settings—regardless of the type of media—in the Properties Panel. 

Extreme close-ups and dramatic slow zooms are made possible with keyframes, which also highlight important events. Luxea Pro facilitates multi-display workflows for work processes. On one monitor, users can view their project in full screen mode while still having access to tools on another. The revamped Home Screen also makes it easier to launch new projects, continue editing after a break, and initiate new recordings.

With the Keyboard Shortcuts Manager, Luxea Pro provides programmable keyboard shortcuts. It works well when preparing slideshows for training sessions and events as it supports a wide range of still image formats, such as JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, HEIC, DNG, and TIFF. With choices for system audio and speech recording, as well as widescreen or bespoke proportions, screen recording capabilities span up to 120 frames per second. 

The hotkeys allowing easy access to recordings can be customized, and recordings can be interrupted and resumed. For increased audience engagement, users can add motion and sound to their mouse clicks. They can even highlight the pointer while filming. Additionally, it’s easy to capture webcam videos, and you can adjust the viewer for the required framing.

LUXEA Pro Ratings and Recognition

The table below shows LUXEA Pro’s ratings from the top software review sites.

LUXEA Pro Pricing

LUXEA Pro offers a free trial, and the paid version starts at $49.99/year.

Try LUXEA Pro

How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software?

When choosing the best video editing software, there are 6 factors to consider, as listed below.

• Price: Firstly, determine your budget. Free options like iMovie offer standard features, but paid software like Adobe Premiere Pro has extensive toolsets and is best for professional editing tasks.
• Ease of Use: If you’re a beginner, opt for user-friendly software with intuitive interfaces like Filmora or iMovie. Professionals will prefer more complex options like Final Cut Pro.
• Features: Based on your project, identify essential tools (trimming, transitions, effects) and advanced features (color grading, motion graphics). Choose video editing software that offers all the essential features and a few advanced additions for added versatility.
• Compatibility: Ensure the software supports your video formats and operating system. For complex editing projects, choose software like Final Cut Pro, which offers advanced editing features for handling large projects.
• Performance: Consider your system’s capabilities. High-end software requires powerful hardware to perform properly, and systems with older processors, graphics processing units, and lower amounts of RAM will not be able to process larger files.
• Community and Support: A strong user community and reliable support are invaluable in fostering a full-scale ecosystem of the video editing software. A user community will help resolve any specific questions that you have, and 24/7 support will handle product-related queries.

More Video Editing Resources

• 
  Best Open Source Video Editors
• 
  Top Video Editing Apps