360 video making is the new thing, and if you want to get in on the action, you can get started with an easy 360 camera. We’ve tested a lot of 360 cameras so we’ve put together this list. We have also put together a list of best free 360 video editing software, in case you need it. 360 video editing is not necessarily a hard task, in fact in most cases it can be a breeze. We have been there when you know that your completed work will not be what people expected from you. It can be quite disappointing for even seasoned filmmakers who have been doing their job for years.
Best software for 360 video editing is one of the most important things, when it comes to creating 360 VR video from GoPro or similar cameras. The quality of the result depends on the completeness and accuracy of this process. The market is full of software solutions, but I’ve finally found some top choices:
HitFilm Express
Best free 360 video editing software to convert videos
Pros
- Export in 4K 60 fps
- Fish-eye option
- Sound effects
- Color LUTs Support
Cons
- Not found
HitFilm is the best free 360 editing software for classic videos. Moreover, it shows great results when working with 360° videos and correcting lens distortion from action cameras. Recently, the video editor has been updated and now it supports export in 4K 60 fps. However, you need the best computer for video editing not to deal with constant freezes.
HitFilm includes such basic functions as “Blur” (a tool that performs 360 blurring), “Chanel Blur” (it blurs color channels). It also has a fisheye effect that allows you to convert a video to a standard equilateral editing format.
This 360 video software also includes several sound effects. You can apply noise reduction and adjust the sound balance using special mixers. It is also possible to add echoes and even sounds like a phone or radio.
You can test a fisheye lens function and use such tools as curves, color wheels to adjust the color, apply the StarterPack, a selection of color gradations, titles, moving graphics and compositing effects, art and graphic effects, color LUTs. Use the dehaze tool to restore or reduce detail and apply exposure settings to correct poor light and more.
VIRB Edit
Pros
- G-Metrix Function
- Text is automatically edited to match a video
- Expandable Music Library
Cons
- Transitions library cannot be expanded
- Not for professional 360 video editing
Not so long ago, Garmin action cameras manufacturers released their own 360 camera. In addition to it, they presented completely free video editing software for PC – VIRB Edit.
The basic settings allow you to stabilize your video, adjust the speed, flip or rotate 180°, crop and split the footage. Besides, you can add captions that will be automatically edited to match your 360 videos, while maintaining the normal proportions of the text. This free 360 editing software also contains a transition library compatible with 360 videos.
You can add left/right/up/down sliding and a spectacular transition. You can also insert sound, using the built-in sounds, or download the necessary one from the net.
This 360 software has several unique features including a separate option called “G-Metrix”. It allows you to add a map of the area or car races with statistical fully working dials to your video. They will automatically calculate and show your speed, altitude, depth, heart rate, time, and angle, but are rather demanding on CPU for video editing.
As for the drawbacks, I should mention the lack of advanced tools and the limited export options (only 2K). Although this is quite enough for personal use, Premiere Pro or After Effects offer 4K or even 8K, which is perfect for professional needs.
VeeR Editor (Android & iOS)
VeeR Editor is a free virtual reality video editing software to revolutionize the way you edit 360 videos.
It comes with innovative features tailor-made for 360 content creators:
You can add animated “live stickers”, filters, and background music with volume adjustment;
You can edit multiple clips at the same time, rearrange clips and preview in VR mode before sharing;
You can share to VeeR, Facebook and YouTube with just one tap, as soon as you’ve finished editing;
You can import and export up to 4K resolution videos.
This list has more details concerning the resolution limit for various phone models:
For Android
Note 5, S6, S7,S8, S8+ (3840*1920 editing and 2560*1280 exporting)
For iOS
7p and 8p (3840*1920 editing and exporting)
7 and 8 (3840*1920 editing and 2880*1440 exporting)
5SE, 6, 6P, 6S and 6SP (2880*1440 editing and exporting)
With its most recent update, VeeR Editor also supports 360 photo editing and you can make your photos into a slideshow. Try it out now!
VeeR Editor is currently available for download for both Android and iOS devices.
When your videos and photos are rendered, share them to VeeR——your one-stop solution for organizing ALL your 360 content, YouTube, Facebook and WeChat!
V360 (Android & iOS)
V360 is a leader in 360 video mobile editing. It packs the following features that enable you to edit multiple clips, where you can trim, rearrange, delete or add clips; add background music; share to mainstream social media complete with 360 metadata.
VideoProc Vlogger
This is a free video editor for Mac and Windows 10/8/7 and compatible with VR and 360 Videos in monoscopic, stereoscopic, and equirectangular format. I know some big names come to your mind when talking about 360 degree videos and VR videos. And then you are deterred away by complicated editing methods and terminologies in these editors. Don’t be upset. VideoProc Vlogger makes it trickle down from professionals to hobbyists.
- Custom Features for Insta360, GoPro Max 360, and GoPro Hero series cameras.
- 360 video editing: lens correction, color grading, reframing, stabilization, etc.
- Better support for video formats and codecs, Apple ProRes, CineForm, MP4, AVI, etc.
- High Quality Render to make UHD 4K 360 videos without quality loss.
- Full GPU accelerated to power up the processing speed of UHD 4K 360 videos.
Quick Workflow
1. Import a 360 video or multiple videos to VideoProc Vlogger and drag the video to Video Track in the timeline.
2. Click to select the video clip on the timeline and move to Inspector beside the preview panel. Expand the option of Lens Distortion Correction to adjust fix correct wide-angle distortion. If there are still annoying distorted edges, enable Crop to trim them off.
3. If the video was shot in low light, you can adjust fit that in the Color option including brightness, contrast, hue, gamma, and saturation.
4. Proceed to edit the video with other tools including Speed, Crop, Motion, Transitions, Titles, Effects, Overlay, etc.
5. Hit Export above the timeline. Enable High Quality Engine and hardware acceleration for encoding to export a lossless 360 video in a fast manner.
VideoPad
Pros
- Wide collection of transition effects
- The ability to create your own effects
- Export to 4K 60 fps
Cons
- Adding text may seem complicated
- It is too basic for advanced users
VideoPad is a free 360 video editing software for Windows and Mac OS. It is a great choice for novice users, who need a simple and clear program for video post production. Unlike HitFilm, this software has a clear interface with a standard look.
VideoPad is compatible with both PC and Mac devices for video editing. Using this video editor, improving 360° video won’t be more difficult than working with classic footage. However, you can get a bit confused while learning how to add text.
You can download this 360 video editing software free and get an excellent choice of transition effects for moving between clips and images, as well as a wide range of filters. You can combine several filters to create your own effect and decide how long the transitions should last.
You can find the new Text Effects module on the Home tab. It includes text, character animation, counters, drawing, and 3D effects. All you need to do is to select the desired effect. After that, the preview will appear and you can customize it with fonts and colors.
VideoPad makes it easy to export your finished work directly to YouTube, Facebook, Dropbox, Flickr, Google Drive in several resolutions, including Full HD, 2K, and 4K.
Premiere Pro
Pros
- 8K support
- A huge collection of training lessons
- Spot editing support
- Professional LUTs
Cons
- Monthly payments
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular programs, with advanced features for editing 360 videos in virtual reality and 8K frames in its own format. It can also import and export XML, and function as a powerful photo video maker.
Since Premiere Pro has been the most popular VR video editing software for over 10 years, you can easily find over 100,000 tutorials on blogs, forums, and even 360 video editing books.
If we talk about the basic functions, Premiere Pro allows you to work with multiple cameras, create multi-sequences, crop, adjust the level of tilt and rotation, apply generators, and add various effects, titles and soundtracks. You can stabilize the image (this feature is especially valuable for the first 360 cameras).
If you convert the video using a fish-eye tool, you will see the full functionality of the program, including Lumetri Color, professional LUTs, and titles. This 360 video editing software allows you to perform camera masking as well as general spherical tracking and masking tasks. You also have the opportunity to work closely with any program that is a part of Creative Cloud and Final Cat Pro.
Conclusion:
Virtual Reality has been always on the edge as a technology that challenges our thinking as it taps into new user experience territory. The possibilities of 360 video production are immense and many of those not only still lay ahead but also cross over into real-life technologies that we use everyday.