11 best video editing software

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Video editing is no longer the lot of the elite, and almost everyone can learn this. The level of skill already depends on personal aspirations. Today, the editorial office presents you with an overview of the best, in the opinion of our experts, software systems for creating videos and processing them.

Rating of the best video editing software

Nomination	a place	Program	rating
The best amateur video editing software	1	Shotcut	5.0
	2	VIDEO INSTALLATION	4.9
	3	Openshot Video Editor	4.8
The best mid-range video editing software	1	Avidemux	5.0
	2	VirtualDub	4.9
	3	Pinnacle studio	4.8
The best professional video editing software	1	Adobe Premiere PRO	5.0
	2	Sony Vegas Pro	4.9
	3	Corel VideoStudio	4.8
The best video editing software for Mac	1	Final Cut	5.0
	2	Lightworks	4.9

The best amateur video editing software

Let's start with the simplest applications that will not cause any difficulties for anyone to master. For many people who need to edit a simple video from a party as a souvenir, adding interesting effects, the solutions described below will be completely enough. We will not consider the Standard Film Studio Windows, since everyone already has it and is completely elementary.

Shotcut

Rating: 4.7

First, let's look at a simple cross-platform Shotcut application. The program became really popular relatively recently, and since then its audience has been constantly growing. There is a good reason for this – the amazing combination of simplicity and functionality. Due to this, in the future, Shotcut may even become a full-fledged professional software package.

The basic capabilities of the program are obvious – a collage of videos, making a variety of changes using audio-video filters. The filters themselves are customizable. There are simple tools for adjusting volume, sampling rate, sharpening, and much more.

Shotcut does a good job with file formats and codecs. A wide range of formats is available to the user, including the 'fashionable' WebM, H264 or MJpeg in different versions, as well as the LOSLESS (lossless) format. Of course, the program allows you not only to save your work in one format or another, but also to convert an existing video from one format to another, with the simplest manipulations.

Now a few words about the Shotcut interface. It is organized in an interesting and effective way. In the standard version, most of the working tools are not shown by default, but any of them can be enabled via the 'View' menu item.

The work area is divided into several work areas. On the left is a column with filters (audio and video). Each right-click filter can be adjusted by parameters. This area can also be easily switched to playlist mode as needed.

The right zone serves to display the history of actions, moreover active, with the possibility of repetition and editing, which is very convenient.

Finally, the central area just shows the frames of the processed video with the corresponding playback controls, including the scroll bar.

I must say that Shotcut is quite user-friendly thanks to the help and hints system. The main part, from which a beginner can move further, is shown on the main window.

At the moment the program is available in 9 languages, among which, unfortunately, there is no Russian. The application is distributed freely under the GNU General Public License. The distribution 'weighs' less than 200 Megabytes.

Advantages

• original but effective interface;
• custom filters;
• work with a large number of formats and their different variations;
• accessible and understandable help system;
• small volume;
• free.

disadvantages

• no Russian localization;
• there are cases of 'crashes' for no apparent reason.

VIDEO INSTALLATION

Rating: 4.6

Now let's turn your attention to a domestic product, which even in its name reflects the essence. The program was developed by the AMS Soft studio.

This is an easy-to-learn, extremely convenient, and at the same time quite functional editor, which is perfect for creating colorful videos at home. With certain skills, a decent video using this program can be created in literally minutes. Not least for these qualities, users appreciate it so much. But this, of course, is not its only advantage.

The program is characterized by a successful combination of functionality, interface organization and arrangement of tools. All this makes it possible to quickly create a video based on any source data: photo collections, other video sequences, different audio tracks, etc.

The program supports all the most popular media formats, so the edited material can be saved without any problems in the form necessary for the future player. VideoMONTAZH also supports direct uploading of the edited video to social networks and YouTube, which is important for a beginner video blogger.

Now let's briefly go through the main features of the program. Video Montage has dozens of beautiful effects, transitions between frames in its luggage, can conveniently and accurately trim clips during editing, easily add video fragments, add background music in a couple of clicks, and enter titles of any style. As a result, you can make a beautiful and quite 'level' film in just five steps.

Separately, it should be said about the ability of the program to work with file formats. Of course, the edited material can be saved in any of the many popular formats – MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, VOB, 3GP, MOV and others. In addition, Video Montage supports special compatibility with many camera models, and can import material from various gadgets. In addition, the application even knows how to combine videos shot in different formats on the fly.

Well, in conclusion, let's say that VideoMONTAZH already has a ready-made library of screensavers, titles, filters, interactive menus for DVD burning and even a whole library for offscreen music.

Advantages

• a combination of convenience and a wealth of working tools;
• wide functionality;
• flexible settings;
• rich library of ready-made material;
• support for many formats;
• adaptation for video creation for iPhone, iPod, iPad, devices based on Android;
• Russian language.

disadvantages

• paid with a test period;
• there are cases of freezing;
• user complaints about ignoring from the support service.

Openshot Video Editor

Rating: 4.5

And the third number in the selection of the best amateur video editing programs according to the version, we present another interesting solution – a free cross-platform program for nonlinear video editing with open source Openshot Video Editor.

The program will delight those who have dealt with such software with a well-recognized interface from the very first minutes. The working area is divided into areas for files of the current project (divided into tabs), video preview windows, timeline with tracks. These scales, by the way, in Openshot do not have a predefined type (audio or video) and their number can be arbitrary. Most areas support drag-n-drop functionality to add transitions, effects, or whole new files.

Now let's talk, in fact, about the capabilities of Openshot. The program allows you to edit and compose footage with the required number of tracks, support for vector formats, transparency, spreads, manipulation of object sizes, applying a zoom effect and much more. All this is widely supported by the active drag-n-drop function, which significantly increases both the speed of work and comfort in general.

The application offers the user a complete set of effects, including the so much needed chroma key. There are also enough ready-made effective transitions. A separate topic is the creation of titles. Here Openshot offers a whole set of tools and ready-made options, including animated 3D texts (for 3D animation, you will need the Blender tool, which can be downloaded for free at blender.org).

Formatting, importing and exporting Openshot is simple, efficient and transparent, supporting many formats, including high resolution.

For all its obvious advantages, the program is not without its shortcomings, which can be rather characterized as features. They appear in some non-obvious interface. For example, video cropping is possible not in the timeline, but through the context menu in the list of project files, while the speed and effects are set already in the scale itself through the context menu. Then, by default, the properties window for effects, transitions and clips is not displayed anywhere at all and it is not even in the menu, and to enable it, you need to click on any item in the timeline and select the 'Properties' item. Such oddities just need to be known in advance, and they will not annoy.

Advantages

• convenient and recognizable interface for many;
• a number of interesting and original solutions;
• fairly rich functionality;
• library of ready-made content for work;
• Russian language;
• free and open source.

disadvantages

• many are gluttonous for system resources;
• some non-obvious points of the functionality that you need to know about in advance.

The best mid-range video editing software

In the second part of the review of the best video editing software by version, we will consider a slightly more extensive selection of software products. Here will be presented solutions that are far from professional level, but already more versatile than the previous group. Some of them have virtually the same functionality as any of the programs described above, but certain nuances and details just make their level higher and the scope of application wider.

Avidemux

Rating: 4.8

This section of our review will open a program that is appreciated by many not only for its functionality, but also for the fact that it is completely free. Distributed under the applicable open source license.

Briefly Avidemux can be described as a convenient, easy-to-learn video editor, in which a significant component is devoted to format conversion. Actually, many people use it this way – as an extremely convenient, fast and effective video converter.

As for the video editing functionality, here the user is provided with a wide selection of tools for cutting, gluing, replacing frames, applying effects and filters, noise suppression, resizing, deinterlacing and much more that may only be related to non-linear video processing.

The capabilities of Avidemux allow you to edit video in multi-threading mode, easily resize and orientate, and easily insert or delete entire fragments. The program also knows how to encode video sequences using ready-made presets, and also allows you to create custom scripts.

The main part of the program is supplemented with important functional modules, which are entrusted with such functions as: working with subtitles, processing data in a batch semi-automatic mode, import and export (possibly separate video and sound) and much more.

As mentioned above, many people use Avidemux as a convenient video converter. Indeed, the program supports the widest range of formats, among which there are not only the most popular and demanded, but also quite rare ones. The conversion process itself is extremely simple and does not require any special knowledge or effort – you can convert a video from one format to another in just a couple of clicks, and even indicating additional options if desired. Avidemux even has dedicated encoding presets for the PlayStation Portable and other wearable gadgets.

And, finally, a special “highlight” of Avidemux – for especially advanced users who want and know how to make literally jewelery edits to the project, the program has a separate command line mode.

Advantages

• convenience;
• high speed of work;
• support for scripts;
• many formats;
• command line mode;
• easy file conversion.

disadvantages

• cannot capture streaming video.

VirtualDub

Rating: 4.7

Our review continues with a somewhat unusual solution, but this unusualness does not prevent it from collecting an impressive audience of users around the world. Actually, this unusualness lies in the utterly laconic interface. At first glance, especially for a beginner, there is practically nothing in the working field of the program, and it is not clear where to start work and how to manage it all. Doubts arise whether the program can do anything worthwhile at all. But this is only the first glance, which is expectedly deceptive.

In fact, the idea of ​​the creators consisted in a kind of antagonism to 'monsters' like Adobe Premiere, where, on the contrary, almost all the tools are displayed on the screen, and there is no living space left for the workspace. But if you start to really work with VirtualDub, then the impressive potential of the program becomes quickly apparent.

The very functionality of the program includes everything you need for a full-fledged video editing – tools for video capture, separation and gluing of individual parts, swap whole fragments, insert arbitrary moments, synchronize sound with the video sequence. In addition, VirtualDub has an integrated package of special effects and filters and even a whole separate graphics editor.

The original implementation of the program allows it to be used both for full-fledged video editing and for quick and convenient work on simple tasks – for example, for video capture and typical processing of a whole series of videos in batch semi-automatic or even fully automatic mode. This is how it is often used by a solid percentage of users.

A complete surprise to many, VirtualDub has an interesting feature – support for multiple workstations in a local network with distributed and coordinated work between them. This often turns out to be an invaluable service from the creators of the program for large teams engaged in permanent work strictly in the field of video editing.

Separately, it should be said that with all the advantages of VirtualDub, it also 'weighs' almost nothing, installs with lightning speed and works with enviable stability – another big plus for the development team who worked hard on optimization.

Advantages

• wide functionality;
• possibility of simple batch processing of data;
• support for distributed work in a local network;
• simple tools for installation.

disadvantages

• poor interface;
• high barrier to entry for beginners.

Pinnacle studio

Rating: 4.7

The top three middle-level software systems for video editing are completed by a solution that is familiar to almost everyone who was at least somehow interested in this topic. Many even consider Pinnacle Studio to be professional software, but if you compare it with any solution from the following collection, Pinnacle in terms of 'professionalism' still falls far short. However, it is a powerful tool that can solve most of the tasks of an entire studio.

Being the flagship product of the software company of the same name, Pinnacle Studio has several versions with different prices and, accordingly, different functional content. The most complete is the Ultimate version. By the way, the company itself belongs to the Corel corporation, which already speaks volumes.

The basic and advanced versions have natural limitations, but we will talk about the maximum, which provides the user with the widest functionality and additional capabilities.

So, the maximum version is capable of covering the vast majority of all imaginable tasks that set the standards for modern video editing, no matter in what genre – cinema, animation, documentary, etc. It doesn't make much sense to describe in detail the toolkit, since it is obvious that in Pinnacle Studio this is complete order. But the program also gives the user a huge bonus in the form of thousands of ready-made special effects, many filters.

The versatility of Pinnacle Studio is also explained by the fact that the program supports work with an unlimited number of tracks, editing by 3 and 4 points, and has effective cross-control tools. The program also allows you to work with split screens.

When it comes to formats, Pinnacle Studio has wide compatibility with many of them, and with ultra-high resolution 4K, the program works without problems and without restrictions.

What else is worth saying about this software product is its amazing intellectual accessibility against the background of extremely powerful capabilities. This also manifests itself in a logical interface, convenient and obvious tools, a well-thought-out system of help and tips. This is not to say that Pinnacle Studio is a product for beginners, but it is definitely a product on which you can learn the skill of video editing at a high enough level to then move into the 'professional league'.

Advantages

• sufficiently low entry threshold;
• ease of use from the interface and tools;
• almost limitless functionality in the maximum version;
• work with ultra-high resolution;
• high-quality Russian localization.

disadvantages

• long recording of the finished project into the output video;
• few tools for creating custom special effects.

The best professional video editing software

The third selection in the review of the best video editing software according to the version includes three software systems that are already considered professional without any conventions. Previously, they were available only to large companies solely for financial reasons, since the price of such a package could be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Now, thanks to the subscription policy, almost everyone can use them, but the goal is another matter. Still, such huge monstrous products are more expedient to use in studios, where they, in fact, are found in large quantities.

Adobe Premiere PRO

Rating: 4.9

The first place not only in the list, but also in importance is taken by perhaps the most famous software package for video editing from Adobe Systems. Its audience in the world is huge, and its possibilities seem simply endless. Of course, Adobe Premiere is not without its drawbacks, but more about them later, first let's talk about the features and advantages.

The user is greeted with a well-recognizable and practically 'native' interface for those who have dealt with other Adobe Systems products like Photoshop. In the course of working on a new project, a second pleasant understanding comes that even a basic set of functions is more than enough to solve most of the tasks. Convenient frame-by-frame editing, many ready-made special effects, intelligent noise reduction, selective color correction, a rich toolkit for adding and drawing vector objects – this is just a small part of the capabilities of the basic set of tools.

And also work with VR video, import and export in all imaginable and unimaginable formats, work with ultra-high resolution without any restrictions. Of course, unlimited tracks are supported, streaming video import and much more.

All of the above is just the backbone of the program. If something is not found in it that you need, it will definitely be found in one of the plugins and add-ons, of which there are already a huge variety, and they are constantly added and updated.

You can endlessly praise Adobe Premiere PRO, but it would be dishonest not to mention the shortcomings, but they are. Firstly, this is quite the expected monstrosity, and, accordingly, exorbitant system requirements, when it comes to comfortable work. And this is still more the fault of the developers who didn't care too much about optimization. And then, even the most powerful “hardware” is not a guarantee that unpleasant incidents will happen in the course of work – freezes, crashes, crashes. The situation will get worse as the main package is loaded with plugins, which inevitably contain their own shortcomings and errors. However, the sheer power of Adobe Premiere PRO forces users to put up with these risks.

The combination of the pros and cons of Adobe Premiere still greatly outweighs the positive. The program is used by many well-known TV and radio companies, including even the BBC, and with its help many Hollywood blockbusters have been edited.

Advantages

• the broadest functionality, and thanks to plugins – almost limitless;
• a native interface that is well recognized by any user with Adobe products;
• affordable subscription price;
• high-quality professional Russian localization;
• quality service;
• a huge number of plugins that extend the capabilities of the main package;
• deep integration with software from other manufacturers.

disadvantages

• explicit ignorance of optimization by developers;
• overestimated system requirements;
• frequent interruptions in work.

Sony Vegas Pro

Rating: 4.8

The second number in this part of the review is the product of another giant corporation with a much broader specialization than Adobe Systems. This is the well-known Sony and its Vegas Pro. I must say right away that this product does not even come close to comparing its capabilities with Adobe Premiere, but this does not make it bad. It's just that Premiere is so huge and powerful that it leaves even the most ambitious competitors far behind.

Briefly going through the functionality of the program, we will say that there is an abundance of everything that is needed for full-fledged nonlinear video editing, and besides this, there are also many ready-made special effects, video filters, image quality enhancers, a whole set of tools for creating very impressive animation, and much more. Rendering and saving of the project can be carried out, of course, in many formats.

Like any other professional video editing software package, Vegas Pro supports work on a project with an unlimited number of tracks, can import live broadcasts, works in ultra-high quality 4K without any restrictions. Also the package supports work with multiple monitors and MIDI keyboards.

In fact, the capabilities of Sony Vegas Pro are more than enough for the needs of most studios, which is why many of them prefer this particular product, although Adobe Premiere, it would seem, is orders of magnitude 'cooler'. But the fact is that Vegas is 'lighter', faster, more stable and corny more expedient for most tasks than the largely redundant Premiere, with all its indisputable advantages. In Vegas, it is noticeable that the development team has carefully worked out optimization, debugging, and achieved high stability and reliability of the application.

I must also add that the main package of Vegas Pro may not contain certain necessary functions. This is by no means a 'verdict', as they are likely to be found in other Sony products that can be installed side-by-side without problems and will work closely together.

The main consumer of Vegas Pro is web developers, but the program can often be found on workstations of quite serious television and film studios, including Hollywood ones.

Advantages

• wide functionality;
• work with ultra-high resolution;
• stable work and reliability;
• high-quality optimization;
• professional Russian localization.

disadvantages

• some lack of functionality (subjective);
• no subscription, only one-time and expensive license.

Corel VideoStudio

Rating: 4.8

The selection of the best professional software for video editing according to the expert group of the editorial board of the magazine is completed by the solution of another corporation that does not need special introduction – this is VideoStudio from Corel. In the top three professional products, this one is the 'weakest', if such a term is appropriate here. But, nevertheless, in the professional community, Corel VideoStudio is respected and has a serious demand. Let's clarify that VideoStudio has two versions – Pro and Ultimate. The latter is slightly more expensive, but has some advantages.

Now let's go over the functionality. Corel VideoStudio has, of course, all the basic tools, and in addition, the program has many built-in filters and special effects, can import live broadcasts on the fly, works without problems with ultra-high resolutions, and supports a lot of video and audio formats. There is, however, a limit on the number of tracks, but their maximum number is 25, and this will be enough for most projects without question. A separate feature of Corel VideoStudio is especially correct and convenient work with 3D and 360 degrees formats.

The creators supplemented the latest version with a set of continuous and transformational transitions, an improved complex for post-production, improved tools for working with titles, as well as all sorts of interesting things like effects in the style of '360 degrees' – a rabbit hole, the effect of a 'small planet' and more.

The maximum version of the program, in comparison with the PRO version, has a number of additional plug-ins, compatibility formats, stabilization tools, a number of other add-ons and provides extended service support.

Advantages

• combination of high functionality and modest system requirements;
• availability for study;
• ease of use;
• a number of interesting and sometimes unique special effects;
• comprehensive support for ultra-high resolutions;
• speed of work;
• stability.

disadvantages

• some lack of functionality for a number of tasks.

The best video editing software for Mac

We conclude our review of the best video editing software by version with a mini-collection of applications for those users who use Mac computers in their work. And there are a significant number of such users, as well as designers in general. The reason for this is the initial focus of stationary technology Apple on graphic design and all related areas.

Final Cut

Rating: 4.9

The first issue in the final part of our review will look at a program that is even considered a kind of 'mainstream' among Mac users. However, deservedly so. It is a popular professional video editor, and to take full advantage of its capabilities, you should target Final Cut with PRO. In this program, more than one Hollywood blockbuster was also edited.

To avoid possible confusion, recall that the program has a long and dramatic history. Initially, the team of Macromedia company worked on its creation. Then it was completely redeemed Apple, the project developed for a while, and then the Cupertinians simply rewrote the program completely, and only one name remained from it.

The first thing that captivates even beginners in Final Cut is the simplicity of the interface, which is very much like a simple free iMovie. But behind the external simplicity lies powerful functionality. On the other hand, this can be regarded as a competent move by the Cupertinians, who, loyally treating their fans, in every possible way contribute to the transition of 'young' editors from 'children's' programs to professional software.

In terms of features, Final Cut is hard to overestimate or underestimate. There is absolutely everything you need to fully work even with the most complex project. A lot of filters and special effects, import of a stream from any source, amazing ease of editing even without a mouse, but only with the help of a touchpad – all this is considered a standard for Final Cut.

In addition to the necessary set of tools and tools, you can pay attention to some interesting solutions. This is, for example, a whole toolkit for full-fledged work with potential products for virtual reality devices, full and correct support for the '360 degrees' format, amazingly effective and correct work with the high dynamic range (HDR) format.

Needless to say, the program was created with all the thoroughness typical for products Apple, flawlessly optimized, stable and extremely reliable.

Now a little about the sad. Of course, the program is paid. And the license is one-time. And it costs quite a lot – about $ 300. But when it comes to professional work, this is definitely a profitable investment.

Advantages

• rich functionality;
• availability in development;
• careful optimization;
• stability and reliability;
• the industry standard in the film and television industry.

disadvantages

• English only.

Lightworks

Rating: 4.8

And the rating of the best video editing software according to the version is completed by another interesting, powerful and functional application – Lightworks. Despite the huge fan base of the previous Final Cut, Lightworks also has an army of fans, and a considerable one. By its capabilities, Lightworks even loses out to Final Cut quite objectively, but not critically, and fulfills its tasks. In the end, he too has a place on the computers of Hollywood studios – no comment here.

Lightworks was originally created as a software package for working with large projects, and its peculiar specialization is the final assembly. Accordingly, the development team was faced with the task of creating a set of tools that would make life as easy as possible during post-production and save the film crew from a maximum of pitfalls. For this, an appropriate workspace, tools, aids were created. I must say, the developers coped with the task completely, and the result of their work is now the main advantage of Lightworks.

On the other hand, this program is by no means for beginners. The interface is by no means simple or intuitive. The program is literally loaded with add-ons, it assumes flexible customization of everything that is possible, and this affects the threshold of entry. Simply put, you have to learn to work in Lightworks. But this cannot be called a drawback, since the program was originally created for professionals who, from a half-glance, understand what is happening and what to do about it.

Lightworks is paid, of course, and is distributed under a proprietary license. Its cost will be about $ 400. I am glad that there is a heavily stripped down version of Lightworks Free, which makes it possible to at least preliminarily familiarize yourself with what you have to deal with in the paid version.

Advantages

• rich functionality;
• the presence of highly specialized functions;
• high professional level;
• speed and stability of work;
• sparing system requirements;
• limited free version available.

disadvantages

• difficulty in mastering and a high threshold of entry.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.