16 Best Video Editing Software For Filmmakers in 2023
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In a world where the most consumed content in digital or traditional media is video, not only me but everyone understands the importance of videos in the digital world. Videos have started a new revolution in the content creation market and are drastically reaching their peak. The peak that we don’t know of.
Digital media has brought upon a new trend of conveying messages and information through videos or most commonly known as ‘vlogs‘.
With this accelerating widespread of video production, it is common that the demand for video editing software has increased.
One out of every ten individuals is involved in some form of video production as an independent filmmaker or YouTube vlogger and finds the necessity to deal with various video editing software and mobile apps.
Whether it be YouTube, Facebook, Tik Tok, or Instagram Reels, videos and their processing in social media have been widely popular leading to the growing demand for free video editing software.
Previously a major video editing pad was available in the industry that was used by professionals for film editing, production control room services, live editing, etc.
Nowadays, the availability of free open-source video editors has been made easy for enthusiasts who actively make and edit videos for various purposes.
For example, Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing software used by professionals. It’s known for its robust features, seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud products, and ability to handle high-resolution footage.
Another software option is Final Cut Pro X, which is exclusively available for Mac users. It’s a powerful and intuitive editing software that’s ideal for filmmakers who want a streamlined workflow.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced filmmaker, this blog will provide you with insights and information to help you choose the right video editing software for your next project.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the 16 best video editing software for filmmakers in 2023.
Here are the top video editing software for filmmakers, editors and beginners.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most used, standard video editing software worldwide. It is a very professional tool, filled with a plethora of features that keep updating with time.
Premiere Pro is the first choice for professionals involved in high-end video editing for films, production control room, etc.
Adobe Premiere Pro is a product of the Adobe cloud creation that can be used for any type of video editing in your windows and Mac computers. Premiere Pro can be used for creating Ken Burns effect, adding keyframes, stabilizing images, adding special effects, and many more.
Premiere Pro supports all kinds of video formats including 4K and 8K, offering a smooth and seamless experience in video trimming and editing.
The automatic sync feature works efficiently at finalizing videos taken from different angles. However, it can be controlled. Premiere Pro has a highly technical audio editing system that can cancel noise, add echo, and other cinematic sound effects.
Top Features
- High-end video editing capabilities
- Professional sound editing tab
- Rich media library with insightful multimedia effects
- Supports 4K and 8K videos
- Customizable internal tabs
- Unlimited video editing and project sharing feature
- Compatible for Windows and Mac
Price:
- Free- 7 days of Trial
- Monthly- $20.99
- Yearly- $239.88
2. Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro X is an Apple-exclusive professional video editing product that can be installed on your Apple device with a one-time purchase, making it free of subscription charges.
It is an adaptable video editing software for mac that can be used for all types of professional video editing functions.
Final Cut Pro offers exciting features including a magnetic timeline, enriched media library, grouping tools, and a wide range of editing features.
It is a software with friendly user interface and runs without any dispute to the system. The software can seamlessly edit unlimited videos with a dedicated audio editing platform.
Final Cut Pro is a one-time purchase software that does not undergo automatic updates, however, one can manually update the software and buy new features.
This is an exciting software to use considering a 90 days trial period which is enough to figure out its features and necessity over other software.
Top Features
- Supports 360 degrees videos, panorama view, and HDR video formats.
- Efficient with all types of professional video and audio editing features
- Rich media library with diversified sound and video effects
- One time purchase
- Brilliant color correction and grading tools
Price
- Free- 90 Day Trial
- One-time purchase- $299.99
3. CyberLink PowerDirector 365
CyberLink PowerDirector 365 is an innovative video editing software that caters to consumer-level needs and is super easy to understand and create exciting videos.
It has stunning features such as 360-degree video editing, supporting all formats of multimedia. It can be used to produce creative videos, slideshows, pictures with music, etc with minimal clicks.
Powerdirector 365 comes with a limited yet enough 100 footage timeline that makes it ideal for short videos, documentaries, short films, vlogs, etc.
One can use its seamless trimming feature to easily trim videos while editing in the timeline itself. The user interface might look difficult, but a guided tour can easily help you to understand the software in a short time.
Top Features
- Motion tracking features with easy keyframes
- Great sound coverage with speech enhancement and in-app recording.
- Object detection and 360-degree video editing capability
- Extended media library with access to content from shutter stock
- Image stabilization to reduce the shakiness of videos
- Green screen editing like a pro
- Easy video clip trimming
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
Price
- Cyberlink PowerDirector 365- $4.08/mth
- Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 for Mac- $51.99/year
- Powerdirector 365- $69.99/year
4. DaVinci Resolve 17
DaVinci Resolve is the latest version of the software with exciting features that make pro editing easy. The three primary features of the software involve video editing, color grading, and sound editing, making it a perfect video editing software for professional use.
DaVinci Resolve is quite powerful and challenging software to use. But, it is definitely worth it. The software has an elaborative manual for the new users that can be read with patience to find out its functionality.
Once understood, it can get easy to operate. However, the software is a professional-level operating system and requires practice before one can set his style.
DaVinci is widely used for film editing and cinematic videos. The color grading features of Davinci Resolve are one of a kind and are regarded as the best in the industry.
So, it is an all-in-one software with delightful features that can make your video editing experience enjoyable. It also supports Multicam editing and can be easily connected through different screens.
Top Features
- All-in-one editing platform
- Smooth editing of video with no limit to video tracks.
- Special color grading features
- Best for creating cinematic reels
- Complicated but professional-level editing
- Compatible for Windows and Mac
- Machine learning technology with facial recognition.
- Compatible audio editing tab
Price
- DaVinci Resolve- Free
- DaVinci Resolve Studio(One Time Purchase): $299 USD
- DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor- $295 USD
5. Pinnacle Studio
One of the best professional-level video editing software can be crowned to Pinnacle studio. It has a wide range of useful features that helps create smooth videos. One can easily import, edit, and export videos from Pinnacle studio.
As a benefit, the software includes an effects library with technical cinematic effects that makes the editing better and enjoyable.
It is a professional software, but it still lacks features needed for professional film editing, making it not the first choice for film editing or big video creations.
However, it is an efficient free video editing tool that can be used to create vlogs, short films, and other videos, making it one of the best free video editing software for windows 10.
Pinnacle Studio comes with a home screen tutorial to figure out the application providing simple guided steps. As an addition to the latest version, Pinnacle Studio has a proficient audio editing system with enhanced rendering speed.
It also includes pro features such as clip masking and a vast library of effects and presets.
Top Features
- Fast functioning of import and export of videos
- Ultra-smooth rendering and seamless editing
- Best audio editing tools
- A vast library of LUT presets and Visual effects
- Easy user-interface
- Available for Windows only
Price
- Pinnacle Studio-$59.95,
- Pinnacle Studio Plus- $99.95
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate- $129.95
6. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
Corel has been one of the top competitors for Adobe and emerges with new and different software that prominent visual creation. Corel VideoStudio Ultimatum is a beginner-level video editing software for windows that is rich with features and easy-to-understand configuration.
VideoStudio Ultimate supports all forms of videos allowing Multicam video editing and 360-degree editing advantage. One can import multiple video clips for editing irrespective of its format.
The software gives an advantage to the beginners and learners group by offering a simple interface along with powerful tools without creating any confusion. .
It can efficiently help one create simple videos with enriched effects from the media library. One can also use its lens correction features to make the videos brilliant and attractive. The 3D text editing feature is also something to look up to.
Top Features
- Multicam editing
- 360-degree editing with a supportive interface for 4k, 8k, 1080p HD, 720p HD video.
- Smooth rendering
- Multi-screen editing
- 3D text editing
- Preset factory
Price
- VideoStudio Ultimate 2021- $99.99 USD
7. Wondershare Filmora9
Wondershare Filmora9 is an enthusiast-level free video editing software. It can be used to trim, speed, cut, overlay, etc video clips with the attractive use of available presets, effects, music library, etc. It is a sound software with a good interface that can be comfortable for beginners and enthusiasts.
Wondershare Filmora has a special collection of effects and presets that can make editing easier with try-on effective features. The software is a good choice for general editings and can be brilliant for beginner-level video editors.
However, the software is not the first choice for professionals or intermediate video editors as the interface can get complex and cannot be customized while leveling up video editing.
Top Features
- Efficient tools for beginners
- Large music library
- Fair collection of VR tools
- Smooth and fast rendering
- Motion tracking
- Colour correction
- Image stabilization and keyframe tracks
Price
- Wondershare Filmora9- $59.99 USD
8. Lightworks
Lightworks is a free video editing software that can be very useful but when one chooses to buy its premium version, it results in the production of award-winning films such as Pulp Fiction and Jerry Maguire. Lightworks is a brilliant video editing software for windows, mac, and Linux.
Lightworks has an intermediate interface with 360 degrees video editing features that can be helped to create and edit videos at ease with split-screen functionality.
The software can be used by a beginner, intermediate, and professional-level video editor. The user interface is not as easy as other software but one can get a hold of it given the fast and high-end functionary offered.
Top Features
- 360 Degree editing- supports all forms of video resolution
- Multicam editing with split-screen facility
- Advanced tools with fair sound and audio editing
- Great tools to cater to visual effects
- Color adjustments like a pro
Price
- Lightworks Pro- $240/year USD
- One time Purchase- $390 USD
9. Clipchamp
Clipchamp is an online web-based video editing software that is owned by Microsoft. As a first-party app of Microsoft, Clipchamp is finely coded and is an effective web-based video editing software.
It can be generously termed as an intermediate-level video editing software and can be used for general video editing.
Clipchamp is efficient for general video editing and can be very easily understood by a new user. As a basic video editing software, it does not have a strong learning curve and too many advanced features.
The free plan can offer video export resolution up to 480p, but the paid plan can get one higher resolution. It can be used as a general photo to video maker with music or video creation with music.
Top Features
- Web-based software
- Easy user interface
- Smooth Import, render, and export functionality
- Easy trimming and timeline alteration of video clips
- Inexpensive
Price
- Creator plan- $9/month
- Business plan- $19/month
- Business Platinum plan- $39/month
10. VEED
VEED is an online or web-based video editing platform that offers a user-friendly experience for both beginners and experienced video editors. It provides a range of features to enhance and customize your videos without the need for advanced editing skills.
The platform supports various video formats and allows you to automate the subtitles generation. You can also customize your videos with filters, effects, and transitions.
Focused on developing AI-powered tools to simplify the video editing process, VEED has become a go-to choice for creating different types of video content.
Top Features:
- No need for downloads or installation
- AI avatar generator
- AI voice generator
- Automatic subtitle generator
- Video background remover
- Eye contact correction
- Collaboration features for team project
Price:
VEED offers a free version with limited features. Basic plan is available for $18 per month, PRO plan for more advanced capabilities at $30 per month, and Business plan at $70 per month.
11. Sony Vegas Pro
Sony Vegas Pro is one of the best tools for audio editing but can perform fair as a video editing software too. To get this free video editor, one can be a beginner or professional level video editor as the user interface can get complicated to understand.
However, the advanced tools powered by Sony Vegas Pro are awesome and can give you a brilliant editing experience. The smooth trimming, timeline extension, text overlay, color correction, lens correction, etc are something to look forward to while choosing the software.
Of course, it is a Sony product and bound to be good, considering the brand.
However, the software is much popular for its vast and advanced audio editing features that can create long playlists even for radio stations.
Editing a feature-length film might not be a brilliant idea, but one can definitely edit a short film and rock the project.
Top Features
- Advance video editing tools
- Brilliant audio editing system
- Creative but comfortable user interface
- Supports 360-degree video editing
- Customizable
- Works effectively for color correction and lens correction
Price
- Sony Vegas Pro- $898 USD
12. VideoPad
VideoPad editor is a well-known video editing software for basic edits. It can be used effectively for creating reels, short videos, trimming, timing, and color grading video clips. Videopad video editor is available for free download and can be operated in Windows.
It offers all basic features for free. It has a simple and well-organized interface that allows users to efficiently carry out their work as most of the users are beginner levels.
One can import videos and also drag and drop them to start quick editing.
Top Features
- Trimming and processing of videos
- Speed enhancer
- Drop and drag import
- High range of export video quality
- Well-organized interface
- Free of cost
- Effective audio editing tools
- Music library
- Text and image adding
13. HitFilm Pro
HitFilm Pro is one of the best video editing software for free. It can be used for consumer-level edits as well, but it might lack special effects or advanced creations.
The video editing software is best for the category as no other software performs as well as it, for free. It can be used for casual and professional video editing, given that the requirements are basic.
HitFilm Pro can be installed on three computers and used for multi-screen editing. It has a decent collection of audio editing tools that can be used for efficient sound creation. It is a good tool as a compositor with a versatile interface.
Top Features
- Good compositor
- Supports video editing and export up to 8K resolution
- Animation of videos
- Clipping, trimming, overlaying made easy
- Special effects library to help instant creation
Price
- HitFilm Pro- $359 USD
14. Edius Pro 9
Edius Pro 9 is one of the best video editing software that offers all the features that are necessary to combat leading names in the niche.
The software does not offer any free version or trial mode, but every feature of it is worth a try. It can trim, copy, overlay, keyframe, color correct, lens correct, import, export, render, etc at high speed that is a primary flaunt.
Edius Pro 9 is a simple and well-organized software that can be easily customized according to the editor’s needs. It is web-based software and allows fast editing.
One of the primary features of Edius Pro 9 includes its vast media library of effects and presets. This makes it a tough competitor for the well-known brands out there.
Top Features
- 360-degree video editing
- Timeline trimming
- Drag and drop import
- Huge effects and presets library
- Audio editing tools
- Advanced video editing tools
- VFX adding mechanism
Price
- EDIUS Pro 9 Jump Upgrade- $299 USD
- EDIUS Pro 9- $499 USD
- EDIUS Pro 9 Education- $199 USD
15. OpenShot
OpenShot is a free and open-source video editing software that can perform all types of major edits required for a basic or intermediate level video creation.
It can also be used for professional videos if the requirement matches the features offered by OpenShot.
Open Shot is easy to use software and has a customizable interface. One can seamlessly edit videos and their audios in the software on its vivid timeline and export it in high-resolution format. It is a brilliant tool for creating vlogs and reels.
The software is not efficient like a paid and pro-level video editing tool but can be used as an alternative for all types of basic needs.
Top Features
- Import, render, and export videos seamlessly
- Create video effects and use them from the library
- Edit audio using efficient editing tools
- Keyframe videos
- Add effects on videos
- Export high-resolution videos
- H.264 codec
- Open-source video editing software
Price
- OpenShot- Free
- OpenShot Cloud API- $0.15/instance hour
16. Blender
Blender is an amazing video editing and creation tool if one is inclined towards animation and illustrations. It can be used as a 3D creation suite to create all types of visual treatment with added graphics. It is also a great tool for compositing.
The other remarkable features of Blender include animating, rendering, and motion tracking objects. It can be used to create and modify audio to fit in the video or animation.
The integrated 3D modeling software supports all types of file formats and provides pipeline storage with a media library.
Top Features
- Animation and 3D Modelling tools
- Motion tracking advanced features
- Variety of brushes for drawing
- Sculpting and topology tools
- Library of effects
- High rendering capacity
Price
- Free and Open-source software
17. Flexclip
FlexClip is an online video editor. You read it right! You don’t need to download any program to edit your videos. You can do everything directly from their website, where you’ll find 4000+ exquisitely-designed video templates you can customize with your videos and text. Or you can create your video from scratch.
Its interface is very easy to use without any knowledge of video retouching, and it is available for Windows, Mac and Linus. You can also add special effects to your videos, filters, sound effects to polish your clips.
FlexClip has a free plan to export videos of a maximum of 1 minute, exported to 480p without a watermark. In the free plan, you are allowed to enjoy all the features as a paid user.
Top Features
- Rich media library with insightful multimedia effects.
- AI auto subtitle generator, GIF maker, image background remover, screen recorder and video converter supported.
- Cloud-stored function for trans-devices editing, anywhere and anytime.
- Unlimited video editing and project sharing feature.
- Compatible for Windows and Mac and Linux.
Price
- Free
- Monthly- $5.99/month
- Yearly- $71.88/year
Conclusion
There is always a plethora of options available for even minute service in the contemporary world. This has made choosing the best difficult as most of the services offered are top-rated and highly efficient.
In such cases, one can choose the software that is best suited according to the work they need to be catered to.
With a plethora of filmmaking courses and screenwriting majors, video editing has become important to learn if one wants to be a part of the industry. It is a useful skill to know generally but when mastered, it can cater to big goals.
There are several award-winning films that have a story to tell but the editing makes the story aloud.
If you want to be a successful video editor, one primary thing that might come in handy is practice and never give up attitude.
FAQs
Q: What criteria did you use to select the 16 best video editing software for filmmakers in 2023?
A: We considered several factors, including the software’s user interface, features, compatibility with various operating systems, performance, and cost.
Q: Do all of the video editing software options you mention support 4K and 8K footage?
A: Not all of them do. However, we made sure to note which software options are best for handling high-resolution footage.
Q: Are these video editing software options suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, some of the software options we mention are designed specifically for beginners, while others are more advanced. We provide information on each software’s level of complexity and user-friendliness.
Q: Can I use these video editing software options on both Mac and PC?
A: Most of the software options we mention are compatible with both Mac and PC. However, there are some that are only available on one platform or the other, which we note in our descriptions.
Q: How much do these video editing software options cost?
A: The cost of video editing software varies widely. Some options are free, while others can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We provide pricing information for each software option.
Q: Can I use these video editing software options for commercial projects?
A: Yes, most of the software options we mention can be used for commercial projects. However, some may have limitations on the types of projects you can use them for, such as projects with adult content. We note any such limitations in our descriptions.
