Video editing is a relatively complex process in which the editor uses various software to insert numerous effects and edit the composition of a video clip. Of course, every video editing software offers different possibilities, and not every software is for professional use, so we have a plethora of software to choose from. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the best software for video editing, meaning that we’ll mention both free and paid software. The list of the 10 best software for video editing is below.
1. Adobe Premiere Elements 2018
Adobe is a well-known company mostly because of Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat Reader, however, these lads have something else to offer us. Adobe Premiere Elements 2018 is a brand-new video editing package that can be enjoyed by both professionals and amateurs, offering a very simple workflow and intuitive interface. Once you import your media, things are quite simple.
Organize your videos into a timeline, add some amazing effects or maybe background music, and watch as the magic happens. Of course, this isn’t a free software, but it’s well worth your money.
2. OpenShot
When talking about free video editing software, I think that OpenShot is the king. I mean, just take a look at its features! It’s jaw-dropping how a free software can be this good. And yes, the interface is simply beautiful, its drag & drop way of handling your tasks is amazing and the software is full of beautiful animations and effects that you can apply to your videos. Furthermore, you can resize, snap, rotate, trim or scale your video and have a live sneak peek at your work and admire it if it’s any good. I couldn’t think of a better free app for this matter.
3. Pinnacle Studio 21
Pinnacle Studio 21 is a software that you can use for both professional and non-professional purposes. However, this is a consumer software, so it’s aimed towards non-professional users As such, Pinnacle Studio 21 can pride itself on being very generous when it comes to features. For example, some functions as 360-degree and 3D video editing are here, alongside some amazing transitions and filters. Get ready to have an experience of your life with Pinnacle Studio 21. It’s a lot better than it used to be, oh yeah!
4. Corel VideoStudio Pro X10.5
Due to its simplistic interface, Corel VideoStudio PRO X10.5 might look like a software for newbies, but things aren’t always as they seem. Instead, VideoStudio PRO X10.5 is a full-fledged video editing suite that will blow you away with its features. There’s support for VR, multi-cam editing, 4K video editing, voice detection, etc. Voice detection is probably my favorite feature because it’s great for adding subtitles swiftly to your videos, especially if you are a YouTuber.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe once again carved its place into our list with a software that might be your best bet if you are a professional. Of course, it’s Premiere Pro. You wouldn’t think otherwise, right? When it first came out, Premiere Pro raised the bar for other video editors to follow, simply because of its plethora of options, features, effects, transitions, and much more. Premiere Pro can easily handle 360-degree videos, virtual reality stuff, and astonishing 8K videos! No joking, folks, I told you it’s gonna be awesome!
6. VideoPad
VideoPad is a highly-accessible free video editor available for Windows and Mac. The reason it’s accessible is simply its support for two different operating systems. It’s 100% free, with no ads and other bullshit standing in your way. Feature-wise, it surely isn’t complex as some of the mentioned programs, but its drag & drop workflow and video editing capabilities aren’t going to hurt anybody.
Use it to easily handle 3D video editing, transitions, 2K and 4K resolutions, burn DVDs and such stuff. It’s more than capable for that matter.
7. Cyberlink Power Director 16
Cyberlink Power Director 16 is another generous video editor that has a lot of tricks under its sleeve. Being an affordable piece of software, I’m quite surprised at how many features it sports. With Power Director 16, you can edit any kind of footage you want, having unmatched control over your videos. Again, we have 360-degree video editing, amazing effects which you can use, and the Extreme Toolkit. Extreme Toolkit is here to give you additional tools for editing special kinds of footage like sports, weddings, etc. This software probably offers the best bang for your buck.
8. Handbrake
Handbrake is an open-source video editing software that is very popular amongst content creators. It can be used for rendering and in fact, it’s the main feature of this software. Handbrake can handle multiple popular video formats at various resolutions and framerate. I used it a lot for rendering my videos recorded with Fraps without losing a noticeable amount of quality.
9. Windows Movie Maker
I know you aren’t impressed by Windows Movie Maker, but this boy has been with us for quite some time. Sure, it can’t do complex video editing and be that great like Premiere Pro for example, which isn’t a shame at all because it’s free! If you want a software for your basic needs like adding some effects, shortening the video, etc, then this is a great solution and you’ll save some cash.
10. Apple Final Cut Pro X
It’s quite odd to think only about Windows users, so we included Apple Final Cut Pro X, which is a software for macOS. Final Cut Pro X is great if you want to use it for professional purposes, but its main purpose is amateur use. In this area, the software shines! The only downside here is that there isn’t a classic timeline interface, which can really put off some people. Regardless of that, Apple Final Cut Pro X has features that are easily one of the best in the game, including drag & drop workflow and in-depth media analysis.
Also consider checking out the best video editing apps for mobile devices.
Considering New Trends: AI in Video Editing Software
While the tools we’ve mentioned in this list are all excellent options for video editing, the rise of artificial intelligence in this sector is set to change how we approach tasks. As we move into a new era of video production, artificial intelligence is starting to play a vital role in the video editing process, enabling quicker editing, enhanced creativity, and improved overall video quality.
1. Adobe Premiere Rush (AI-enhanced)
Adobe has once again proven its prowess in digital media editing with its AI-enabled software, Adobe Premiere Rush. It’s designed to cater to the needs of content creators who need to edit videos quickly, especially for social media platforms. The AI features in Premiere Rush enable automatic optimization of audio, auto-ducking, and even video reframing.
It may not be as advanced as Premiere Pro, but it’s perfect for quick edits when you’re on the move.
2. Pinnacle Studio 25 (AI-powered Features)
Pinnacle has also dabbled in AI with the newest version, Pinnacle Studio 25. It includes smart video editing tools like AI scene detection, which automatically identifies changes in scenes and separates them for you, saving you tons of time during the initial editing process.
3. Magix Movie Edit Pro (Infusion Engine 2)
Magix has introduced an AI-driven engine called Infusion Engine 2 in its Movie Edit Pro software. This powerful tool utilizes AI algorithms to significantly reduce the time it takes to render a video, making the process faster and more efficient.
4. Lumen5 (AI-driven Video Creation)
Lumen5 is another innovative tool that leverages AI to streamline the video creation process. It’s designed to convert text content into video. All you need to do is provide the software with a blog post or script, and Lumen5 will generate a video complete with relevant images, videos, and music.
As AI continues to evolve, we expect to see more video editing tools integrating AI to make video editing faster, more efficient, and more creative. Therefore, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest trends in this field and choose the software that best suits your requirements.