The cross-platform Adobe Premiere Elements 2022 is the best video editing software for most people in terms of user-friendliness, advanced features, and output options.
The program utilizes Adobe’s Sense.ai computerized reasoning to make it simpler to perform alters. It now supports 4K resolutions and stabilized video in addition to tools for selective edits, double-exposure video, and real-time effects. Its Guided Edits feature is still a great way for novice filmmakers to understand the entire process. Additionally, support for vertical videos, video reframing, and new social media outputs are included in the 2022 version.
However, it still does not support multicam editing or 360-degree video editing. However, out of all the video editing software we tested, Adobe’s is the most complete.
2. CyberLink PowerDirector 365
Finally, CyberLink PowerDirector is accessible for Macintosh as well as Windows clients, bringing an astonishing cluster of tomfoolery, high level video altering highlights enclosed by a shocking, simple to-utilize bundle to another crowd.
PowerDirector is available in multiple versions from CyberLink: PowerDirector 365 ($69.99/year) is a subscription model that comes with Shutterstock integration, unlimited access to CyberLink’s background music, and video editing plugins. PowerDirector Ultra ($99) and PowerDirector Ultimate ($139) are one-time purchases.
The fact that the Windows version of PowerDirector 365 has more tools and features than the Mac version is one reason why Mac users may want to stick with a different program. Importing 360-degree videos and photos, for instance, is not supported. However, there is still enough else to keep many people interested.
3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is a great video editing package for beginners on the Windows platform. However, the interface isn’t very customizable. Corel has long been a rival to Adobe for video editing software.
Anyone who wants to quickly create simple videos without having to fuss with complicated controls should use VideoStudio, which is a powerful app that is also simple to learn. It supports 4K video, 360-degree video editing, multicam editing, more than 2,000 effects, enhanced lens-correction tools, and 3D text editing, among other features, in a minimalist but inviting user interface. The fact that it is only compatible with Windows and that you are unable to customize your workspace as easily as you can with other programs is our primary issue.
Check out our full review of Corel VideoStudio Ultimate.
4. Apple iMovie combines numerous special effects, professional trailers and themes, and an intuitive user interface to make it the best Mac video editing software for novice filmmakers. Also, it’s free, so it’s a good place to start or if you just need to edit a video. iMovie now lets you edit and share videos in 4K, as well as handle 1080p and 60 fps video. The interface was modified in recent updates, and Touch Bar support for the most recent MacBooks was added.
Another advantage of iMovie is that you can continue editing on your iPad after working on the same project on a desktop or laptop Mac. Those who require flexibility will find this feature to be extremely useful.
5. Hitfilm Express is one of the best value packages for video editing software because it is free to start with and you can add more features for a reasonable price. For threaded rendering and decoding, the program supports discrete Nvidia and AMD GPUs in addition to being compatible with PCs and Macs.
Auto-stabilization, a new Hitfilm Express feature that helps smooth out shaky footage, is our favorite new feature. WAV audio exports, a crop and pan/zoom effect, a GoPro FX reference effect, and a color adjustment effect are among the additional new features. We like Hitfilm Express for its low entry cost and affordable and scalable features, despite the fact that it can be a little intimidating for novices.
Read our full review of Hitfilm Express.
6. Lightworks The fact that the Pro version was used to create multiple award-winning films like Pulp Fiction, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Jerry Maguire serves as evidence of the respect that Lightworks receives.
Even the free version has a lot of fairly advanced tools, like some impressive options for editing audio, VFX, and color, among other things. Against that, the maximum resolution is 720p, which may be sufficient for a home movie to share with family members but not for anything more serious.
You can get 4K output as well as a slew of additional features, including the Boris Graffiti plugin, additional import features, advanced project sharing, timeline rendering, and more, by upgrading to the Pro version for $24 per month or $240 per year. Or, you can buy it outright for $390 and get Boris FX in addition to everything else.
Compared to other programs, the interface may take some getting used to, but it is still simple enough for a novice to master with a little help from the numerous tutorials. It also works with almost every platform, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
VideoPad (Photo courtesy of: 7. VideoPad VideoPad is unique among the best video editing programs in that it can be used on both Macs and PCs, expanding its appeal and audience. However, the Windows version offers more features than the Mac version.
VideoPad can be downloaded for free in a non-commercial version, but you’ll have to put up with some annoying notifications. Those are removed from the Home Edition ($39) and Master’s Edition ($69), which provide additional features such as an unlimited number of audio tracks and plugins.
Even though VideoPad doesn’t have the glitz and glam of some commercial apps, it’s still a great choice for simple video editing. In addition to Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox, and Google Drive, the app provides a selection of YouTube videos in resolutions ranging from 480p to 4K.
8. Final Cut Pro X When it comes to feature-rich, professional-level video editing, Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro are pretty much neck and neck. It’s hard to say which one is superior overall because both are market leaders. However, there are significant distinctions.
The pricing scheme is one of those. Final Cut Pro, unlike Premiere Pro, does not require a subscription. However, there is a price to be paid for it. Although it is certainly less expensive in the long run than paying for a subscription each month, some users may be reluctant to commit to spending such a large sum. Thankfully, Final Cut Pro also comes with a free trial period of 90 days, so you can experiment before making a decision.
Final Cut Pro fits perfectly into the larger Apple ecosystem, whereas Premiere Pro works flawlessly with Creative Cloud (our recommendation if that is your primary workspace). It is optimized for Mac Pro and built to take advantage of Metal for lightning-fast graphics.
The Magnetic Timeline, range-of-effect options, and intelligent Smart Conform cropping are just a few of the advanced features. Smart Conform cropping follows the predominant motion on the screen to ensure that nothing essential is cut. Built for Mac, it is intelligent and quick. Final Cut Pro has a lot to offer if you don’t subscribe to Creative Cloud.