In my years of video editing experience, I’ve tried and tested multiple video editing software. The programs listed stood out for multiple reasons, including comprehensiveness, user-friendliness, unique features, and value for money.
| Selling Point | Price in CAD | Platforms | |
| DaVinci Resolve Free | Best overall | Free | Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS (iPad) |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | Best for professional editors | $455 | Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS (iPad) |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Best DaVinci Resolve alternative | $29.99 per month | Mac, Windows, and Linux |
| iMovie | Best for beginner editors on MacOS | Free | Mac and iOS |
| Final Cut Pro | Best for professional editors on MacOS | $399.99 per month | Mac and iOS |
| CapCut | Best for TikTok editors | Free or $9.99 per month | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android |
| Canva | Best for stock video editing | Free or $149.99 per year | Mac, Windows, and Linux |
| AVID Media Composer | Best for editors in entertainment and broadcasting | $339 per year | Mac and Windows |
DaVinci Resolve Free
| Selling Points | |
| Powerful color grading toolsAdvanced audio editing toolsMulti-cam editing, motion tracking, and motion graphics support | |
| Pros | Cons |
| FreeFast renderingAuto-saves projects in the event of a cash | Unintuitive user interface Steep learning curve |
Verdict: Best free video editing software
Price: Free
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS (iPad)
DaVinci Resolve is the most powerful video editing software in today’s market. Formerly a color correction and color grading program, DaVinci Resolve expanded to become an all-in-one video production solution, providing video editing, motion graphics, audio editing, and color grading on a single platform. If you aren’t already sold, you’ll be pleased to learn that the software is also free.
You may worry that DaVinci Resolve trades depth for breadth: a jack of all trades but a master of none. However, each of Resolve’s video production features is powerful and comprehensive enough to compete with dedicated programs.
Because Resolve began as a color correction program, its color grading tools are some of its most powerful. These tools saw nearly three decades’ worth of refinement. They were so well regarded in the industry that they contributed to the production of multiple big-name films, including Avatar, La La Land, and Deadpool 2.
Resolve also boats of excellent performance. It loads its many features fairly quickly and rarely ever crashes. In the event that the program does crash, it will automatically save your work.
The only issue with DaVinci Resolve is the learning curve. Because Resolve is so stacked with features, locating the tools you need can be challenging. Its interface is not as intuitive as Premiere Pro or iMovie. However, because the program is so popular, there is a wealth of resources and tutorials available online.
DaVinci Resolve Studio
| Selling Points | |
| Diverse AI tool selectionExtensive visual effects libraryMulti-user collaboration tools | |
| Pros | Cons |
| One-time payment Fast rendering performanceSupports high output resolutions | Unintuitive user interface Steep learning curve |
Verdict: Best professional video editing software
Price: $455
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS (iPad)
The free version of DaVinci Resolve is enough to accommodate most video editing needs, even for professionals. However, if your projects are more complex, consider upgrading to DaVinci Resolve Studio. It provides all essential video editing features while running at faster performance and offering additional tools and benefits.
Paid-exclusive features include:
- 30+ new visual effects
- Automatic and manual lens correction
- Advanced noise reduction
- GPU-accelerated encoding to speed up performance and rendering
- Output resolutions greater than 4k
- Multi-user collaboration
- AI auto-transcription, auto-masking, relighting, and reframing
The paid version is also more cost-effective than other competitors in the market. It charges a one-time payment of $445 rather than a monthly subscription fee. For example, its biggest competitor, Adobe Premiere, costs $29.99 per month, which adds up to $455 after just 15 months.
Adobe Premiere Pro
| Selling Points | |
| Full suite of video editing toolsMulti-cam editing supportAuto-transcribing | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy-to-navigate and customizable interfaceSupported by Mac, Windows, and Linux | Charges monthly subscription feeRequires additional software for audio editing and motion graphics |
Verdict: Best DaVinci Resolve alternative
Price: $29.99 per month
Platforms: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Adobe Premiere was once the leading video editing software in the market. However, DaVinci Resolve currently eclipses it in many aspects, especially cost-effectiveness, performance, and convenience. The main factor giving Premiere an edge over Resolve is its user interface.
Premiere can do most of the things Resolve can do, except it charges a monthly subscription fee of $29.99. It also requires additional programs for specialized video production features, such as Adobe After Effects for effects and motion graphics and Adobe Audition for advanced audio editing. However, it also has a feature called dynamic linking that allows you to use After Effects and Audition tools directly on the Premiere interface.
Adobe Premiere Pro is firmly in second place as the best video editing software after Resolve. The only scenario where the former is more optimal than the latter is if you find the learning curve for DaVinci Resolve to be too steep. I started editing using the user-friendly iMovie and Final Cut Pro and found the transition to Adobe Premiere Pro quite seamless.
Meanwhile, the feature-rich DaVinci Resolve was a little harder to get into. Unlike DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro’s UI is also customizable, meaning you can reorganize tabs and menus according to your preferences.
iMovie
| Selling Points | |
| Basic video editing toolsPre-built editing templatesiOS versions available | |
| Pros | Cons |
| FreeExtremely intuitive interface | Only available for Mac and iOSLimited color grading, audio editing, and motion graphics optionsLimited ability to stack clips and audio |
Verdict: Best entry-level video editing software for Mac users
Price: Free
Platforms: Mac and iOS
iMovie was one of the first tools I used as a beginner editor. It had everything I needed for basic editing projects: easy-to-navigate UI, a decent selection of titles, effects, and filters, and the ability to stack clips and audio. Its accessibility, user-friendliness, and passable range of features make it suitable for hobbyists and beginner editors.
However, professional editors might find iMovie limiting. It lacks advanced features like multi-cam editing, color correction, key-framing, advanced audio customization, and third-party plugin support. You can only stack a maximum of two video layers plus two audio layers (excluding the original video audio). Additionally, it offers very little in terms of resource organization, which can make searching for clips and audio challenging.
One of iMovie’s main strengths is its accessibility. It comes pre-installed on all MacOSX devices and is free on the App Store for iOS devices. The program is also very user-friendly, with an interface that is easy to navigate and understand.
Meanwhile, one of its weaknesses is its comparable inefficiency in rendering videos. Because it was made to accommodate simpler projects, iMovie lacks the processing power to export videos as fast as its professional counterparts.
Final Cut Pro
| Selling Points | |
| Unlimited video tracks Multi-cam editingiOS versions available | |
| Pros | Cons |
| One-time paymentExtensive filter and effect libraryFast performance | Only available for Mac and iOSExpensive |
Verdict: Best professional video editing software for Mac users
Price: $399.99
Platforms: Mac and iOS
Once my video editing needs became too complicated for iMovie’s beginner-aligned features, I upgraded to Final Cut Pro. This program effectively supported the newfound complexity of my projects. It offered everything iMovie left out: multi-clip layering, multi-cam editing, color correction, advanced audio tools, and a more extensive selection of filters and effects.
What I liked about Final Cut Pro is that it let me stack and animate multiple layers of images over my base clips. It supported my projects’ need for more complicated title and effect sequences.
Of course, complexity comes at a price. To buy Final Cut Pro, you must make a one-time payment of $399.99.
The benefit of this payment structure is that you only need to make one payment instead of paying an ongoing subscription fee. Once you purchase it, it’s yours forever. A 90-day free trial is also available for editors who want to test the software out before committing to its price point.
CapCut
| Selling Points | |
| Pre-edited template libraryBuilt-in music libraryExtensive selection of stickers, special effects, text effects, and transitions | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in TikTok connectionIntuitive interfaceAvailable for desktop, browser, and mobile | FreeMobile-focused featuresMany features restricted to pro version |
Verdict: Best video editing software for TikTok
Price: $9.99 per month for Pro version
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android
CapCut is one of the most widely used video editing software for TikTok videos. It is connected to TikTok and allows you to export finished projects directly to the platform. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop. It also offers a lightweight web version. However, you can only use CapCut if you have an account.
I found CapCut to be a user-friendly platform. I can import, move, trim, and edit clips, audio, and filters with ease. While the mobile version limits you to portrait orientation while editing, you still have the option to use the web or desktop versions if you need more space.
The app also offers all its basic features for free. However, if you need more features, monthly subscriptions start at $9.99 and offer advanced features, such as camera tracking, auto reframing, AI filters, custom background removal, vocal isolation, and larger template, transition, and filter catalogs.
CapCut is the best option for video editors who create content for mobile viewing. Otherwise, its focus on mobile-oriented features might be too limiting.
Canva
| Selling Points | |
| Wide selection of stock videosPre-existing designs, templates, and brand kits | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited clip layeringFreeUser-friendly | Limited control over animations$149.99 for Pro subscriptionWeak performance |
Verdict: Best for stock videos
Price: $149.99 per year for Pro subscription
Platforms: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Canva is a decent alternative to iMovie and CapCut. Unlike iMovie, it runs on all operating systems, including Windows and Linux. And unlike CapCut, Canva isn’t designed specifically for mobile videos. It is just as intuitive and easy to learn as both programs, which makes it suitable for entry-level video editors. You can download a desktop app or use the software directly on your browser.
One of the main benefits of Canva is that it provides access to a wide range of stock photos, videos, and templates. This saves you the time and effort of looking up and downloading stock media from other sources. Canva also lets you create your own templates, giving you a higher degree of design flexibility.
Canva is also better than iMovie and CapCut in terms of layering. You can stack as many layers of clips and videos as you want. However, because the program lacks the processing power of professional editors like Premiere and Resolve, overusing this feature might cause crashes.
AVID Media Composer
| Selling Points | |
| Built-in team collaboration supportEfficient organization toolsWide range of effects and transitions | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast, powerful performanceRarely crashesIndustry-standard for entertainment and broadcasting | Expensive subscriptionSteep learning curveOnly available for Mac and WindowsRequires powerful hardware |
Verdict: Best for video editors in the entertainment industry
Price: $339 per year
Platforms: Mac or Windows
For the average video editor, interacting with AVID Media Composer is an unlikely scenario. However, for editors in the entertainment industry, it’s inevitable. AVID Media Composer is the industry-standard video editing software in broadcasting, film, and TV.
What sets AVID apart from other video editors is stability. The software is unlikely to crash and can handle massive amounts of footage in a single project file. This makes it highly suitable for long-form projects.
Another reason AVID hit it big with the entertainment industry is that it offers robust collaboration tools. The AVID Media Composer MediaCentral app lets you plan and assign tasks, track and update project status, and share content with ease. You can also view all team members assigned to the project, including their contact information for easy interaction.
However, as an older, professional-grade program, AVID comes with a relatively steep learning curve. It is not as intuitive as the software designed for the digital age. Additionally, it lacks some of the advanced tools DaVinci Resolve offers, such as color grading, audio editing, and motion graphics.
Features to Look for In A Video Editing Software
DaVinci Resolve is a video editing powerhouse. It covers all major aspects of video editing, timeline arrangement, transitions, filters, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, compositing, and audio editing.
However, not all editors need the entire video editing package. Some only require programs that allow them to stitch clips, audio, text, and transitions together. In this situation, choosing the program that accommodates your needs would be more optimal. There is no need to waste computer space on a feature-rich program if most of its tools are irrelevant to your projects.
To help you determine what tools your software should include, let’s break down the most common video editing tools and their importance. Below, we also have a table of the best video editing software and which features they offer.
| DaVinci Resolve | Adobe Premiere Pro | iMovie | Final Cut Pro | CapCut | Canva | AVID Media Composer | |
| Trimming and Cutting | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Basic | Basic | Advanced |
| Visual and Audio Layering | Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited | Unlimited | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text and Titles | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Advanced for paid version | Advanced for paid version | Advanced |
Frame Editing | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Advanced for paid version | Advanced for paid version | Advanced |
| Speed Editing | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Basic | Basic | Advanced |
| Audio Editing | Advanced | Basic (requires external program Audition) | Basic | Advanced with plugins | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| Transitions | Extensive catalog | Extensive catalog | Limited catalog | Extensive catalog | Extensive catalog with paid version | Extensive catalog with paid version | Limited catalog |
| Color Grading | Advanced | Basic | Very basic | Basic | Very basic | Very basic | Basic |
| Effects, Motion Graphics, and Compositing | Advanced | Basic (requires external program After Effects) | Basic | Basic | Stock graphics only | Stock graphics only | Basic |
Trimming and Cutting
Most video editing software will let you trim unwanted parts from your footage or split clips into separate parts. Professional video editing software improves trimming and cutting by allowing you to split or trim clips down to the millisecond or by providing AI tools that automatically remove excess footage.
Visual and Audio Layering
Higher-level video editing software allows you to stack multiple assets on top of each other. Visual assets include text, video clips, images, special effects, and graphics. Audio assets include music, sound effects, and voiceovers.
Typically, entry-level video editing software limits the number of layers you can create. Meanwhile, professional video editing software gives you more flexibility when layering both visuals and audio. For example, you can stack effects on your main footage and voiceovers over your music.
Text and Titles
Every video editing software will let you place text and titles in your videos. However, basic programs like iMovie have pre-set text and title templates, which limit added text to a specific layout and position on the screen. Meanwhile, professional-grade tools will give you a higher degree of control over fonts and text placement. They might also provide a wider selection of pre-edited text and title templates.
Frame Editing
You should be able to crop, resize, flip, or rotate video clips to maintain consistent shot layouts and ensure scenes flow smoothly. Most basic video editing software offers these features, but with limited capacity. You would be forced to edit clips one by one, which can be a tedious process. A professional video editing software will let you crop videos by batch, saving you time and effort.
Speed Editing
Good video editing software allows you to edit the timing of your clips to create a desired vibe or atmosphere. With basic video editing software, you can speed up, slow down, freeze, or reverse clips.
Advanced editing tools offer more customization, such as adjusting the precise percentage by which a clip slows down. Some also let you visualize speed editing by allowing you to resize the clip directly within a timeline.
Audio Editing
In-depth audio editing usually requires a dedicated software. However, most video editing tools let you perform basic audio editing adjustments, such as speed, volume, pitch, and quality.
Advanced video editing software has a greater capacity to clean and modify your audio. They will include additional audio editing tools, such as noise reduction, mixing, equalization, and dynamic processing.
Transitions
Video editing software has a catalog of transitions that let you move between clips in a visually engaging way. They connect succeeding shots to create cohesion. Entry-level software will include common transitions, such as wipes, fades, dissolves, and slides. Meanwhile, professional editing software will let you create and customize more dynamic transitions.
Color Correction and Color Grading
Color correction is the process of adjusting video colors to reflect real-world hues accurately. It involves ensuring color cohesion in disparate shots. For example, if a scene is shot over multiple days, color correction aligns the hues to maintain continuity.
Meanwhile, color grading means adjusting hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, exposure, or other aspects of coloring to communicate a desired emotion or atmosphere. The first Twilight movie, for example, casts the entire film under a blue tint to evoke the coldness of the vampire world. Wes Anderson films, on the other hand, use bright colors not commonly found in the real world to arouse a sense of whimsy and wonder.
Entry-level video editing software will have minimal color grading tools. Typically, you’ll have the ability to apply filters to your clips, but customization will be limited. You will need professional-grade video editing software for better color correction and color grading flexibility. Professional video editing software might also provide one-click color correction and intelligent color matching.
Visual effects, Motion Graphics, and Compositing
Video editing software will let you add additional effects to enhance your video and create imagery that would otherwise be impossible to capture in real life. Types of visual effects include:
- Visual Effects: Animations and computer-generated imagery
- Motion Graphics: Digital graphics with custom animations
- Compositing: The process of creating cohesion between multiple visual assets of different sources. For example, editing visual effect fireworks to make them appear like a natural part of your shot footage
Basic video editing software might allow you to add graphics and apply basic animations, such as fades, slides, resizes, and changes in color. However, they’re unlikely to support 3-D computer-generated imagery or compositing.
Professional video editing software will have a broader catalog of effects available. They might also have additional customization options for graphics, animations, and composting.
Considerations When Selecting Video Editing Software
No video editing software is a one-size-fits-all solution. Choosing a video editing software means carefully evaluating its features and pricing against your needs, skill level, and budget.
Below are a few features to consider when selecting video editing software.
Learning Curve
What is your current skill level, and how much time can you spend learning a new platform? Typically, software geared for simple projects like iMovie, CapCut, and Canva are more intuitive and easy to learn. Developers invest in UX to accommodate their target customers: beginner editors.
Most entry-level editing software developers want to provide a better user experience. Thus, they ensure all features are easy to locate, with appropriately labeled buttons and easy-to-parse icons.
Of course, intuitiveness is easier to achieve when your program has fewer and simpler features. Professional video editing software provides advanced tools beyond clip trimming and audio adjustments, often using industry-standard names that may not clearly indicate their function.
Even if the programs do their best to make their tools intuitive, some, such as motion tracking and color grading, may be too complex to grasp on first use.
It’s best to start with a program that can teach you the fundamentals of video editing. Once you understand basic skills, such as assembling a timeline, cutting clips and audio, adding titles and transitions, and exporting, you can upgrade to a higher-complexity software. Your experience with the general workflow will make transitioning to a different interface easier.
Here’s my ranking of our top video editing programs based on ease of use:
- Easy: iMovie, CapCut, Canva
- Medium: Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro
- Hard: DaVinci Resolve
Price
Determine how much you are willing to pay for a product. Identify the features you need, then choose the program that offers them at a fair price.
With the exception of DaVinci Resolve, free software like iMovie, CapCut, and Canva tend to offer limited features. You would need to upgrade to paid versions to gain access to advanced tools. Other options, like Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut Pro, and Canva Pro, charge subscription fees, so costs will build up over time.
Advanced Tools
If you’re a professional editor, you might want to consider the advanced tools your editing software offers. Examples of advanced editing tools include:
- Multi-cam editing
- Keyframing
- Non-linear editing
- Motion tracking
- Advanced 360° editing
- Chroma key or green screen
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Your video editing software should work on your operating system of choice. This is especially important if you work with multiple editors and need to pass the project around multiple computers. It also helps to have mobile compatibility if you want to edit on the go. Below is our list of the best video editing software and their compatibility.
| Windows | MacOS | Linux | iOS | Android | |
| DaVinci Resolve | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (iPad) | ❌ |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| iMovie | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Final Cut Pro | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (iPad) | ❌ |
| CapCut | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Canva | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AVID Media Composer | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Video Format Support
How high do you want your video quality to be? Typically, higher resolutions are only available with paid programs. Free versions tend to limit resolution export options and even add watermarks over your video.
Customer Support
Consider the level of customer support offered by the software. It’s best to choose programs from companies that provide easy access to assistance when needed. Support options should include an online FAQ or help center, support via phone, email, and chat, and community forums.
| Help Center | Support | Community Forum | |
| DaVinci Resolve | ✅ | Phone and email | ✅ |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | ✅ | Twitter and teams | ✅ |
| iMovie | ✅ | Phone | ✅ |
| Final Cut Pro | ✅ | Phone | ✅ |
| CapCut | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Canva | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AVID Media Composer | ✅ | Chatbot and paid live support team package | ✅ |
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FAQs
What do most YouTubers use to edit videos?
The most popular video editing software for YouTube is DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro. The programs are available for most operating systems, including Mac, Windows, and Linux. DaVinci Resolve has an edge over Adobe Premiere because it is free, but Adobe Premiere was the industry-standard tool prior to DaVinci Resolve’s surge in popularity.
What do most TikTokers use to edit videos?
Most TikTok content creators use the in-app editor to create simple videos. However, the most popular third-party video editing software for TikTok is CapCut, which was primarily developed to accommodate mobile video editing needs. It has a direct connection to TikTok and allows you to export rendered projects straight into the TikTok app.
What is the easiest editing software to use?
CapCut and iMovie are the easiest editing software for beginners. They feature intuitive UIs that help users quickly grasp basic editing workflows. Their lack of advanced tools limit you to learning only the basics.
What is the best video editing software for Facebook Ads?
If you are a beginner, the best video editing software for Facebook Ads is Canva. The software is free and comes with a diverse selection of free-to-use stock videos, allowing you to create videos on the go with limited investment in actual production.
Once you get used to the workflow, you can consider advanced options such as Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, which offer comprehensive video editing features that can accommodate high-complexity projects.
