Let’s face it, the world is becoming more and more interested in video production. Although this has made our lives easier when it comes to shooting and editing videos, there are many things that you still have to keep in mind in order to create a great looking video. The best software for video editing will ensure you spend your time creating rather than editing.
There are many platforms for video editing, but the best truly depends on what you’re working with. Read on for my favorite software for video editing.
Adobe Premiere Elements 2021
The best video editing software overall
SPECIFICATIONS
Compatible with: Mac, PCMinimum system requirements: Windows 8.1 (64-bit), 2GHz processor, 6.8GB hard disk space; MacOS 10.13, 4GB RAM, 7.4GB hard disk spaceTODAY’S BEST DEALSUS$87.10VIEW AT AMAZONUS$99.99View at Adobe€83.99View at Conrad ElectronicSee all prices (4 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Works with both Macs and PCs+Easy to learn and use+New artificial intelligence features now include video+4K support and video stabilization
REASONS TO AVOID
-No 360-degree or VR support-No multicam supportAdvertisement
When it comes to user-friendliness, sophisticated features and ways to output your video, the best video editing software is the cross-platform Adobe Premiere Elements.
The program uses Adobe’s Sense.ai artificial intelligence to make it easier to perform edits. Its Guided Edits feature remains a great tool for demystifying the entire process for novice filmmakers, and there’s now additional support for 4K resolutions and stabilized video. This edition includes such upgrades as selecting a subject and making selective edits, double-exposure video, and real-time effects.
However, it still lacks features such as 360-degree video editing, or support for multicam editing. But Adobe’s program is the most well-rounded of all the video editing software we’ve tested.
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
Great video editing software for novices on Windows
SPECIFICATIONS
Compatible with: WindowsMinimum system requirements: Windows 7 (64 bit); Processor: Core i3 or AMD A4 series; Memory: 4 GB (8+ GB highly recommended); Display resolution: 1024 x 768TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Extensive 360-degree-editing features+Split-screen video facilitates elaborate video collages+Broad 3D-text support
REASONS TO AVOID
-Windows only-Interface isn’t very customizable
Corel has long been a competitor to Adobe for video editing software, and continues that rivalry with VideoStudio Ultimate, an outstanding editing package for beginners on the Windows platform.
VideoStudio is a powerful but easy-to-learn app for anyone who wants to make simple videos quickly without fussing around with complex controls. Its spare but inviting interface offers a huge array of tools, including 4K support, 360-degree video editing, multicam support, more than 2,000 effects, enhanced lens-correction tools, and 3D text editing. Our biggest issue is that it’s Windows-only and you can’t customize your workspace as easily as you can with other programs.
Pinnacle Studio
Decent video editing software for beginners using Windows
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: WindowsKey features: Multi-camera capture and editing, colour controls, stop motion animationFree trial: No, but 30-day money back guaranteeBest for: BeginnersTODAY’S BEST DEALSUS$54.95VIEW AT AMAZON
REASONS TO BUY
+Super-simple to use+Varied features+Free effects, titles & templates
REASONS TO AVOID
-May be too basic for someAdvertisement
Pinnacle Studio isn’t the best-known video editing software for Windows, but it’s well worth considering if you’ve never edited video before. For a quite reasonable price, you get more than 1,500 effects, titles, and templates, six-track HD video editing, colour correction tools, a dedicated stop motion feature, time remapping and more. It’s very easy to use too.
The latest edition, version 25, includes a host of new features including smart object tracking, 8K import, keyframe groups, new blend modes and new audio features. Overall, Pinnacle Studio sits somewhere between the more basic free tools and professional-level video editing tools, both in terms of price and capability.
This video editing software is available for a one-off fee and is subscription-free. And if you like it, you can always upgrade to one of the more fully-featured and professionally oriented packages, Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.
Adobe Premiere Rush
The best video editing software for mobile
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, AndroidKey features: In-app motion graphics, 4K supportFree trial: Free starter planBest for: Enthusiasts (Premiere Rush alone), professionals (with Premiere Pro)TODAY’S BEST DEALSAdobe Premiere Rush CCUS$9.99/mthAdobe Premiere Pro & Premier Rush CCUS$20.99/mthAdobe CC All AppsUS$52.99/mthVISIT SITEat Adobe
REASONS TO BUY
+Simple interface+Good for social videos+Interoperable with Premiere Pro
REASONS TO AVOID
-Less powerful than Premiere ProAdvertisement
Going to be working on the move? Then check out Premiere Rush, which makes all the most important bits of Premiere Pro available on your tablet or phone. Available for iOS and Android, this is the best video editing software for mobile.
Premiere Rush offers a simpler version of the Premiere Pro interface, with large icons and panels that are easier to click on a small touchscreen. And while there this means fewer features, you still get all the basics, such as adding videos to the timeline through drag-and-drop and mixing in background music. (For all the differences, see our article Premiere Pro vs Premiere Rush.)
One of the best video editing apps around, Premiere Rush can be used as a mobile app in its own right, or in concert with Premiere Pro. For instance, when you’re on a train, you could make some extra edits to footage you previously worked on at the studio on your desktop PC.
If you’re a YouTuber who wants to make quick edits to your clips, Premiere Rush is good for that too. There are export options optimised for Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and more. Like all Adobe software, it’s updated regularly. The most recent release (version 1.5.58) introduced the ability in iOS to tap a clip and bring up a context menu, which allows you to split, delete, duplicate, or separate audio from it.
You can get Premiere Rush as part of the Creative Cloud, or subscribe to Premiere Rush alone. Alternatively, this month Adobe announced that subscribers to the Photography Plan would now be getting Premiere Rush for free.
So there’s a lot of options there, and here’s one more. There’s also a free starter plan that includes access to the app, 2GB of cloud storage and unlimited free exports on mobile. That free version alone makes it among the best software for editing videos for YouTube.
Apple iMovie
Ok—so to those of you working with PCs, this one won’t really apply; but we’d remiss to leave it off the list. If you’re looking for simplicity and elegance, it doesn’t get much better than Apple iMovie. iMovie’s ten high-fidelity filters are some of the classiest in the video editing game; and if you’re shooting on your iPhone, or have been editing a project on your iPad, you can use AirDrop to wirelessly and seamlessly transfer your project over to your Mac.
One of iMovie’s most coveted features is its green-screen, or “chroma-key” tool, which allows you to place your characters in exotic locations—Hawaii, say—at a moment’s notice. Want to overlay the scene with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”? iMovie ties directly in with iTunes and GarageBand, so you can easily implement custom tracks and sounds. When your movie’s finally ready to ship, release it into the wild using iMessage, Facebook, YouTube, or any other of iMovie’s succinctly connected platforms.
Standout Features: Seamless Apple product integration; green-screen; audio and social platform integration
Pricing: Free with the purchase of a Mac
Conclusion
If you want to create videos professionally, then you need to use video editing software. You’ve probably seen the trends in current movies, music videos, TV shows and commercials, but the possibilities with video are endless when you’re in control of your video creation process with professional software.