The best software for editing videos for YouTube

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Best video editing software for YouTube - Apple/Adobe

(Image credit: Apple/Adobe)

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1. Best overall: Premiere Pro
2. Best for Mac: Final Cut Pro
3. Beginner: Premiere Elements
4. Best free: DaVinci Resolve
5. Best value: PowerDirector 365
6. For mobile: Premiere Rush
7. No subscription: Pinnacle Studio
How to choose
How we test
FAQs

If you're an aspiring YouTuber, you'll want top software to edit your videos. Whether you're an absolute amateur or a seasoned professional, there are plenty of options - all of which we've narrowed down in our list below.

1. Premiere Pro: best overall
Adobe Premiere Pro is our pick as the best professional software for editing videos for YouTube. This industry standard program is regularly adds new features and works on both PC and Mac. You can try it first with a 30-day free trialRead more below

1. Premiere Pro: best overall
Adobe Premiere Pro is our pick as the best professional software for editing videos for YouTube. This industry standard program is regularly adds new features and works on both PC and Mac. You can try it first with a 30-day free trial.
Read more below

2. Final Cut Pro: best for Mac 90-day free trialRead more below

2. Final Cut Pro: best for Mac
Got a Mac and don't want a subscription? Apple's Final Cut Pro is an industry favourite with great organisational tools, a reasonable one-off payment and a generous 90-day free trial. Read more below

3. Premiere Elements: best for beginners
We recommend that newbies to YouTube start with Premiere Elements, a simplified version of Premiere Pro that still lets you create very professional results. You can get a free 30-day trialRead more below

3. Premiere Elements: best for beginners
We recommend that newbies to YouTube start with Premiere Elements, a simplified version of Premiere Pro that still lets you create very professional results. You can get a free 30-day trial to test it out. Read more below

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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Adobe Premiere Pro scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesIndustry-standard tools and new AI features.★★★★★
UsabilityQuite a steep learning curve.★★★★
PricingSubscription model requires annual or monthly payment.★★★★
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Final Cut Pro scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesFull professional editing capabilities but updates have been lacking★★★
UsabilityGreat organisational features but may feel intimidating for beginners★★★★
PricingNot cheap, but there's no subscription★★★★
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Premiere Elements scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesSolid basic editing features.★★★
UsabilityClean, intuitive interface.★★★★★
PricingReasonable one-off price.★★★★★
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DaVinci Resolve scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesPro-level editing, effects and colour grading all in one place.★★★★
UsabilityThere's a lot to learn, and it's more than many YouTubers need★★★
PricingGreat value (or even free!).★★★★★
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PowerDirector 365 scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesLacks many pro features, but has plenty for basic YouTube videos, including new AI tools.★★★
UsabilityMore straightforward than pro editing programs★★★★★
PricingGood value subscription, plus free version★★★★★
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Adobe Premiere Rush scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesCross-platform software with limited but effective and intuitive editing tools.★★★
UsabilityA simple interface makes Premiere Rush easy to use on a phone.★★★★
PricingRequires a monthly subscription.★★★
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Pinnacle Studio scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesA wide range of editing tools but fine-tuning is limited★★★
UsabilityEasy to use interface.★★★★
PricingAvailable for free but premium tools require a subscription.★★★
Tom May

Tom May is an award-winning journalist and editor specialising in design, photography and technology. Author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. Today, he is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq and its sister sites Digital Camera World, T3.com and Tech Radar. He also writes for Creative Boom and works on content marketing projects. 

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