Today’s video editing industry isn't only for professionals and experts. The new view of video creation has changed, with the shift to automatic features, user-friendliness, and accessibility. There are free and paid, desktop and online video editors, open-source and commercial software in the market that you can choose from.
And with that many options, it's quite hard to pick the best video editor that you will love to use and that will have all the features you need. To help you out, we have listed the top 10 best video editing software in 2024 that are worth checking out and might just be your perfect match.
1. Movavi Video Editor
Fast, easy, and allows you to express yourself creatively — that’s what Movavi Video Editor is. With a content library, you can just drag and drop your clips and start editing right away. This beginner-friendly movie editor enables you to learn video editing fundamentals and create stunning videos without any difficulty. It also supports 4K videos and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.
Pros: easy to use, affordable, and offers everything from AI to advanced editing
Cons: watermark in the free version
Cost: starting at $19.95 for a one-month license
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
The industry-standard video editing software that is used by professionals all around the world, Adobe Premiere Pro offers a suite of powerful features for advanced video editing. Masking, motion tracking, and color correction are just some of the many tools available in this software. It also integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products like After Effects and Photoshop.
Pros: professional-grade features, advanced editing capabilities, and cross-platform compatibility
Cons: expensive subscription model, high learning curve for beginners
Cost: $34.49 per month as a starting subscription cost
3. Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro X is one of the best video editing software designed specifically for macOS. It offers a clean and organized interface and advanced features like multicam editing, 360-degree VR editing, and renowned color grading tools. With its intuitive timeline and powerful media organization capabilities, you can easily create professional-looking videos.
Pros: sleek interface, powerful features, and optimized for Mac
Cons: only available on Mac, expensive one-time purchase
Cost: $299.99 one-time purchase only
4. CyberLink PowerDirector
CyberLink PowerDirector is a popular best video editor that offers both intuitivity and advanced features. It has a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to edit videos quickly. But it also comes with motion tracking, keying, and 360-degree editing, and other useful modern stuff for better video production.
Pros: user-friendly, fast rendering speed, and quite affordable
Cons: some features only available in the paid version, can be buggy at times
Cost: starts from $74.99/year for an annual plan
5. Lightworks
Lightworks was once the greatest Hollywood digital non-linear editing system. However, now the free version is more than enough for most users to do what they need. This program has a simple and intuitive interface, but still offers a wide range of features like VFX toolset, advanced trimming tools, a chroma key, and more.
Pros: feature-rich, good editing experience, and it's freemium software
Cons: 720p export resolution limit in the free version, limited codec support
Cost: begins with $12.99/month for Create version
6. Pinnacle Studio
Pinnacle Studio is a great option for beginners who want to create professional-looking videos with ease. It offers intuitive editing tools, multiple timelines, and a wide range of effects and transitions. The software also has a screen recording feature, making it an excellent choice for video tutorials.
Pros: easy to use, suitable for novice users, plenty of features
Cons: limited capabilities compared to other software on this list
Cost: $59.99 with no additional fees
7. HitFilm
For users who want to learn more about visual effects and compositing, HitFilm may be the best video editing software. It provides all the tools needed to create stunning VFX, such as keying, tracking, and particle simulation. The software also has unlimited layers for creative control over your projects and offers tutorials for beginners.
Pros: extensive visual effects capabilities, plugins support, built-in assets
Cons: somewhat clunky, limited audio editing options
Cost: free version available, $12.99/month for Creator
8. Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor where you can find things like audio mixing, frame-accurate cuts, and many other effects. It's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and comes with a simplified interface that makes it easy to use. Although it may not have all the advanced features of other video editors, it is a great option for users on a budget.
Pros: open-source, easy to use, cross-platform compatibility
Cons: limited features compared to other software
Cost: free
9. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is mostly known as the movie editor made for professionals to edit professionally with professional equipment. It offers a complete suite of tools for color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects, each with their own dedicated workspaces. The program also has a free version that provides most of the features, making it an attractive option.
Pros: extremely powerful, industry-standard color grading tools, and the free version available
Cons: doesn't suit beginners or casual users, high system requirements, can be overwhelming for some users
Cost: Studio version at $295.
10. Magix Movie Studio
Formerly known as Movie Edit Pro, Movie Studio comes with advanced AI tools for completely different creative possibilities for your video editing. You can effortlessly transform your phone-made clips, professional shoots or anything into movies quickly, on any Windows PC. The software also includes a variety of templates and effects to enhance your videos.
Pros: audiovisual editing, pre-made video templates, and high DPI monitor support
Cons: only available on Windows, lacks some advanced features
Cost: starting at $47.88/year
Conclusion
Choosing the best video editing software can be harsh if you don't know what you need and what software offers. But this variety actually gives users of any level an opportunity to make videos that are unique and high-quality.
There is no end to learning and improving your video editing skills with these top 10 best video editors. So pick the option you think suits you best and start creating!
Author Bio
Ben Jacklin is an expert technology writer. He has qualifications in Media and Music Technology and specializes in software reviews and tutorials. Ben has been blogging about media and tech subjects since he was a teenager from his base in the East of England.