There are plenty of tools out there to help you make your videos look awesome. To get the most out of editing your vlogs and other videos, you need to know what tools top Youtubers use.
There are many video editing tools that can be used for making tutorial videos. The list below provides the name of the best tools that are commonly used by most video youtube stars. And they are listed in no particular order.
PowerDirector Mobile
An Editor’s Choice on the Google Play store and trusted by millions of Apple and Android users PowerDirector Mobile is a great option for creating your next viral YouTube video. There aren’t many editors out there that are as easy to use as PowerDirector. It’s intuitive design will take no time to learn.
It has built-in stock libraries with free access to thousands of photos, videos and music tracks for commercial use. Comes with cloud storage that allows you to upload your projects and import them onto the desktop version for advanced edits. Did we mention it has both square and vertical style video editing making it an excellent choice for upping your Instagram or TikTok game.
Jam packed full of tools and effects this all-in-one editor will have you creating like a pro in no time.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC
By far the best YouTube editing software for Beginners ($20.99/month).
Adobe Premiere Pro CC has an outstanding reputation as one of the best video editing software solutions for YouTube on the market right now. It’s one of the standard editing tools used in Hollywood, and it helps video creators transform clips into stunning works of creative art.
Whether you plan to work with 4K video or VR, this is a great tool to use as it can easily handle all formats. It can even deal with 8K and boasts end-to-end VR 180 support, allowing you to publish to YouTube directly. Plus, it has cross-platform capabilities and allows you to bring in motion graphics from other Adobe products like After Effects. This is undoubtedly one of the best options for anyone who wants to take their video editing to the next level.
Key Features:
- Stock Audio Library: Save tons of time with the vast stock audio library.
- End-to-End VR 180: Create and share stories in VR 180 with immersive features.
- Auto Reframe: Automatic reformatting of videos helps accelerate your workflow.
- Easy Curve Adjustments: Selective color grading is easy and accurate, plus the software includes color correction as well.
- Premiere Rush: The software includes an app to help you work from anywhere.
- Video and Audio Syncing: This is a nice feature that can make syncing your audio with video files easier.
Pros of Adobe Premiere Pro CC:
- Streamlined interface
- Massive range of formats
- Stellar technical support
- Top-notch tools
- Built for professionals
Pricing:
Adobe Premiere Pro CC offers a free trial so you can test out the software. If you like it, you can get it for $20.99/month.
Premiere Rush
Premiere Rush is available for Android and iOS with a subscription. The developers assume you’ll love it, so there’s no free starter plan, but there is an available upgrade to Premiere Pro, so there’s room to grow into more advanced features.
Specifically designed for YouTubers and vloggers, Premiere Rush is streamlined for videos on the go. There are templates, access to Adobe stock assets to purchase, and audio features that can help give any video a high-polish finish.
There’s a cloud membership so users don’t need to save every project to their mobile device. They can leave the app and pick up editing later on any device, including their desktop.
The free version includes 2GB of cloud storage with unlimited free exports. The upgraded plan offers even more space and features.
Movavi Video Suite
The all-in-one video maker, editor, and converter for work and study (FREE Trial then $79.95/year).
Movavi Video Suite is geared toward novice editors who want a quick and easy way to edit videos. It’s an affordable program that has some great features all packed in one convenient package. Editors can merge, cut, add transitions, and share their videos easily with the suite of tools available.
There’s also a great screen recording feature that is great for making tutorials. The software has 160 filters, as well as caption support, slow motion, and chroma key. If you are a beginner looking for an all-in-one solution to help you edit professional video content, then this is the tool for you.
Key Features:
- Learning Videos: Keep learning to improve your craft with free educational videos.
- Extra Applications: Choose add-ons depending on your needs and skill level.
- Stock Content: Get tons of copyright-free stock media files and video effects.
- Cloud Storage: Exclusive cloud space to ensure your work is always available.
- DVD Burner: New and enhanced CD, DVD, and Blu Ray burner.
Pros of Movavi Video Suite:
- Extremely easy to use
- Very affordable pricing
- Offers 4K support
- Record TV programs easily
- Wide variety of formats
Pricing:
Movavi plans start from $79.95 for the Video Suite. If you need the photo editor, you can upgrade to the $99.95 plan. The software offers a free trial.
CyberLink PowerDirector 365
Hands down, a growing favorite for YouTubers from beginner to pro is CyberLink PowerDirector 365. Given the sheer volume of videos you’re competing with on the Internet, being able to quickly and easily edit your videos to have them go live so you can focus on the next video is crucial. This is where PowerDirector excels.
CyberLink has created a video editing software that streamlines the editing process and makes even the most complicated editing processes effortless. With pre-made templates, AI-powered tools to automate time-consuming processes, and a royalty-free stock video and music library built into the editor, PowerDirector puts everything right into one place.
If you’re really new to editing and in a hurry, one of the great features for creating YouTube videos quickly is the easy editing feature called the Magic Movie Wizard. It uses intelligent recognition software to automatically combine your photos and clips for you into premade templates. Genius.
For those who want to spend some time crafting a video with purpose, there are advanced features, such as multicam editing, keyframing, green screen tools, motion tracking, and 360-degree editing. All of this is included in the subscription, so you always have room to grow when you’re ready.
With an easy learning curve, and a very competitive price, this YouTube video editing software offers a lot of flexibility at a great value. Plus, you’ve got access to tutorials that have an easy learning curve so you can go from noob to pro in no time. There’s also the option to download PowerDirector Essential which is completely free. It features all the video editing tools as the paid version without the premium stock library and design packs.
Filmora X
An elegant YouTube editing software for users of all skill levels ($39.99/year or $69.99 One-Time)
Filmora X from Wondershare is an elegant software that allows you to edit video clips and make them unique even with no technical skills. It has a simple user interface that lets you add audio and special effects easily, especially considering they have so many presets with elements, transitions, filters, and more.
You’ll also be able to create moving titles, add movie filters, and create without limits. With this amazing tool, you have infinite ways to express yourself. If you want a YouTube editing tool that offers endless effects, then Filmora X is for you.
Key Features:
- 100 Media Layers: Allows you to craft complex stories quickly and easily.
- Noise Removal: Perfect your sound with background noise removal.
- 4K Support: Create videos with frames as crisp as reality with 4K Support.
- Easy Sharing: Tailor your videos to any online course platform and upload easily.
- User-Friendly Interface: This software is perfect for beginners.
Pros of Filmora 9:
- Filmstock effects store compatibility
- Available for both Mac and Windows
- Supports over 50 formats
- 4K editing support
- Option to burn your project to DVD
Pricing:
Filmora costs $39.99/year, or they have a one-time fee of $69.99. They also have a $99.87/year bundle plan that includes effects and filmstock.
Pinnacle Studio 23 Ultimate
Even though this box says “advanced video editing,” this product is designed primarily for beginners. This may lack some desirable features and wow factor, but what it’s missing, it makes up for with a basic interface that can feel comfortable for users without any experience and just need to make a few simple edits.
Instead of a subscription, this is a one-off-purchase. And it’s worth noting that there is no free trial, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
They do have a few more advanced features available. Just be aware that those features are only available at a higher tier, which comes at a higher price. Having the upgrade option is nice for those who don’t mind paying for each feature but it can turn into a “pay-to-play” editor if you’re looking for something that will grow with you.
Advanced features include options like 360 VR editing, keyframing controls, and dynamic video masking. The only downside is that you aren’t opened up to any additional resources once you buy the higher tier, such as Adobe Stock or Shutterstock. Without the option of stock footage included in the video software, you’ll want to watch your budget as you add those investments from other subscriptions.
Corel Video Studio
The Best YouTube editing software for gamers and novice editors ($79.99)
Corel VideoStudio offers easy video editing using a wide range of fantastic tools. It has a clear interface that makes it easy for beginners to navigate. The software also offers fast rendering, and it supports 360-degree VR, 3D media, and 4K Ultra-HD.
The 2020 update added an automatic Highlight Reel feature, extra timeline modes, and color wheels. This tool now boasts a robust range of features to help you produce magnificent videos that look professional and sleek.
Key Features:
- Upgraded Color Grading: New color panel packed with color wheels.
- Blending Modes: Photoshop-like overlays, like screen overlay and multiply.
- Painting Creator: Feature to animate hand-drawn text like you’re writing.
- 4K Monitor Support: Upgraded software now looks much better in high-DPI display.
- Improved Masking Tools: More basic mask shapes in UI.
Pros of Corel VideoStudio:
- A wider selection of video-creation tools
- Simple user-friendly interface
- Superfast rendering
- Multipoint Motion tracking
- HTML5 video page creation
Pricing:
Pricing for this video editing software for YouTube starts at $79.99 for the Pro and $99.99 for the Ultimate package. You can try out Corel VideoStudio for free by downloading it from their website.
Shotcut
What do YouTubers use to edit if they need something completely free to get them started? Shotcut. This Windows-based editing software is free and open-source. It’s also great for those who are just starting out. Learning video editing on free software, so you get a better feel for what to look for when you are finally ready to buy can relieve a great deal of purchase anxiety.
Shotcut comes with the promise of being easy to use, and because it is open-source, there is a community of people with whom you’re gaining a range of tools and tutorials.
The dashboard has customizable pre-made panels so you can work in a way that makes sense to you while you’re learning. Who doesn’t love to have a few options that make sense to you when you’re starting out. It reduces confusion and frustration.
The downside is that it isn’t as polished as the other paid video editing products that are available because it is open-source. If an unattractive interface and lack of more advanced tools isn’t a problem for you, Shotcut could be a good starting point for novice editors.
VideoProc
All-in-one video processing software, with built-in video editor, video converter, video recorder. ($37.95/Lifetime).
VideoProc is a powerful video conversion and editing tool that was created by Digiarty, it offers a one-stop solution in video processing to those who are a fan of broadcasting and video-making. WIth VideoProc, you’re able to process and touch up your large 4K/8K/HDR footage from GoPro, DJI, smartphones, etc. in an easy and non-destructive way.
Key Features:
- Simple editing that allows you to cut, crop, merge, effects, that will polish your footage
- Stabilize shaky video footage from GoPro, iPhone, etc.
- Convert video into GIF, extract jpg/png from video, resize image.
- Pass-through video streams into MKV with no encoding.
- Build M3U8 playlist with single or multiple .ts files for HTTP streaming.
- Extra video tools included: video format converter, screen recorder and etc.
- Convert video footage into a format that can be recognized and read by the media players. For instance, 4K to 1080P, MKV to iPhone, video to GIF, AVI to YouTube, 3D to 2D, etc.
Pricing:
VideoProc has a 7-day free trial and then costs $37.95/lifetime. Sometimes, they will offer a giveaway. At the time of this writing, they are offering a special giveaway where you can get the lifetime version for free.
PowerDirector for Mac
In terms of ease-of-use, efficient editing tools, and overall value, PowerDirector for Mac is an excellent solution for the Mac platform. PowerDirector for Mac brings the best features and performance, like its Video Collage Designer, powerful chroma key tool for green screen, as well as a robust Title Designer to create custom titles.
In addition, you’ll find a complete collection of effects, transitions, color adjustment tools, and speed controls common in most video editing platforms. But what makes PowerDirector for Mac stand out is its combination of these advanced tools, its ease of use and its overall value. Compared to some of the other softwares mentioned on this list, PowerDirector for Mac can be adopted and put to work for both beginners and experts alike, without compromising on functionality. If you’re looking for a complete suite of tools that won’t break the bank and you can start using right away, PowerDirector for Mac is a perfect solution.
Premiere Elements
Mac users that are familiar with other Adobe products will feel right at home with Premiere Elements. It’s a one-off purchase model with a free 30-day trial period. Those who will get the most out of it will be beginners who are just learning how to edit videos for YouTube.
It’s not the most powerful, but Premiere Elements has options that won’t bog you down with so many tools that you end up overthinking all the options you have for video polishing. There are a stripped-down version and a pro version at a higher tier, so there is some room to grow.
Even though the interface is straightforward and easy to use, there’s a video creation wizard to help you along, three editing modes to choose from, and step-by-step tutorials.
For those with a little more experience, or when you’re ready to try out some pro features, there are tools included, such as audio effects and soundtracks, noise reduction, face detection, and guided edits.
Final Cut Pro X
If you are one with the Mac cult, you will have already heard of Final Cut Pro, even if you haven’t used it yet. While it’s a bit of an overkill for beginners, this is Mac’s video editing software of choice for YouTube professionals.
Final Cut Pro X has a generous 90-day trial period, sophisticated features, and can be purchased for a one-off fee instead of a subscription. Aside from being the favorite of many YouTube influencers, it’s also been used to edit countless Hollywood films, including Blockbusters anyone would recognize.
This video editing software offers plenty of features to polish your YouTube videos, but most people comment on the Magnetic Timeline system that makes moving scenes around no-fuss and straightforward.
Another feature YouTubers enjoy is the multicam option where you can simultaneously view up to 16 angles while syncing up to 64, giving this software an ooh-la-la response from experienced users.
iMovie
iMovie is not only free for Mac users, it’s included with every macOS. This is ideal for beginners and those who don’t need their video editing software to do a lot of heavy lifting.
This favorite among people who are getting to know how to work with video and audio comes with features like a movie trailer option that will help you fit your footage into templates that keep the process clean, simple, and fast.
Even though this is built for beginners, there is a bit of a learning curve. The interface is often commented on as not being as user-friendly as people might expect. Another limitation is that videos are limited to two video tracks and two audio tracks, making this something you’ll likely outgrow pretty quickly.
Conclusion
Now you know the best YouTube editing programs available right now, and how to choose the one that’s right for you to make your editing capabilities even better.
Find your favorite software from the list above and dive in! One of the best ways to become better as an editor is to practice, practice, practice. If you’re already familiar with the software but find yourself struggling, consider taking a course on Skillshare or Udemy.