In the best video editing software, there's still more demand than ever – and that also means more competition. With developers adding more and more features to every new release of their programs, including exciting new generative AI tools, it's a time of exciting possibilities for video editors.
As an editor, your editing software is going to be your best friend and closest colleague, so it pays to do some research and make sure you get the right program for you – especially because video editing tools can be a significant investment. This list represents the best programs our experts have tested, including everything from professional editing software to mobile apps and free tools for beginners.
Note that this guide primarily focuses on desktop-based software solutions. But if you're looking to work mainly on mobile, see our roundup of the best apps for video editing. Finally, to complete your setup, you may be interested in our guides to the best monitors for video editing and best laptops for video editing.
Top 4 picks
1. Adobe Premiere Pro: The best video editing software overall - free 7 day trial
Our top pick is the industry standard software for video editing. It supports every format, provides a huge amount of flexibility and is rapidly introducing new AI-powered tools to speed up editing. You can try it for free for seven days.
Get the Premiere Pro free trial.
2. DaVinci Resolve 19: The best free software - free
This very complete professional video editing program is particularly good for colour grading and effects. We love its versatility, and the free version is easily the best free video editing software around, although it's a steep learning curve for beginners.
Get DaVinci Resolve for free
3. CyberLink PowerDirector - free 30-day trial
CyberLink's software is better for enthusiasts, both because of the price and the simpler interface. It still has lots of features, including new AI-powered object detection and background removal. There's also a free version.
Read more below
4. Premiere Elements free for 30 days: Best video editing software for beginners – 30-day free trial
New to video editing? This is the perfect option for you. Elements is a simple version of Premiere Pro, meaning it's easy to learn. Also subscription-free, and comes with a 30-day free trial.
Get the Premiere Elements free trial
The best video editing software in full
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The best video editing software overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want industry-standard software: Premiere Pro is one of the most commonly used video editing programs in advertising and marketing. If you're going to work with an agency, chances are you'll be expected to use it.
✅ You want lots of tools: Premiere Pro is fully featured and often leads the way in the addition of new tools.
✅ You're want regular updates and cutting edge features: with regular updates and the incorporation of Firefly AI tools like text-to-video on the way, Adobe does a good job of keeping Premiere Pro at the front of the pack.
❌ You want a simple video editor: Premiere Pro is well-designed and organised, but it can be a little overwhelming (and unnecessarily expensive) for beginners. If you're just starting out, you might want to start with the more stripped back Premiere Elements (see further down in our guide).
❌ You don't want to be tied to a subscription: Premiere Pro is only available through a monthly or annual subscription. That makes it fairly pricey in the long term.
❌ Color grading is one of your main priorities: We think DaVinci Resolve Studio still has the edge when it comes to advanced colour grading and correction as well as VFX, and motion design, although if you subscribe to Creative Cloud, you'll also have Adobe's After Effects.
🔎 Premiere Pro is one of the most popular video editing programs, along with Final Cut Pro (see below). Final Cut Pro only works on Mac, while Premiere Pro is cross platform, making it an options for Windows users as well. It's a powerful, fully featured program suitable for everything from YouTube Videos to professional movies, and Adobe is continually adding new cutting-edge features, including AI-powered tools that can speed up video editing. It doesn't match DaVinci Resolve Studio for colour grading and effects, and the subscription is expensive, but this model ensures regular updates. ★★★★½
What you need to know
Premiere Pro is one of the most used video editing programs around, routinely employed to create everything from YouTube videos to big brand ads and Hollywood movies. It's commonly used in the workflow of designers, animators and VFX artists, and having extensively tested it ourselves, we can see why.
Features: Premiere Pro contains precise timeline editing tools with an unlimited number of tracks and support for a wide range of formats. Like most of Adobe's Creative Cloud software, it's regularly updated, and subscribers get all updates for free. The latest update in 2024 added AI audio editing tools, which include the ability to automatically clean up speech recordings, reducing noise, and AI labeling, which makes it quicker to identify clips. We've also seen a glimpse of exciting AI-powered tools that could be coming in the future at Adobe MAX 2024, including Project In Motion, a powerful new means to convert text into animation.
Versatility: The software supports 4K, 8K and VR formats (we fired up four 4K videos in our testing), and these can be imported from pretty much any source. We found Premiere Pro to be particularly good for audio editing, with a range of meters, mixers, and effects to enhance and clean up audio. The introduction of Interactive fade handles makes it easy to add fade-ins and fade-outs. You can also preview and download high-quality, royalty-free stock audio directly in the software, filtering by genre, mood and tempo, which can save hunting down appropriate tracks. It can't compete with DaVinci Resolve (below) for advanced colour editing and effects work, but if you subscribe to Adobe's full Creative Cloud suite, you'll also have access to Adobe After Effects for that.
Performance: In our experience, Premiere Pro is generally very reliable. Import can be laggy, but we have found the multicam performance and workflow to be smoother than in other programs. The automatic sync works like a dream when you have multi-angle shots, and it's hard to fault the fine-tuning tools. Customisable keyboard shortcuts and superior collaboration features are the icing on the cake. On the latter point, we've found the Productions feature to be excellent for teams, allowing collaborators to share assets and work on the same project without duplicating files or media, which can save storage space.
Usability: When we reviewed the software, we appreciated how it divides up workspaces for editing, effects and audio. Each workspace helps manage a specific task, minimising distraction, and we found it easy to switch between them. The interface is one of the most customisable that we've used, allowing us to adapt it to individual needs. While the software is fairly advanced and many users are likely to use only a small part of what it can do, we think the Learning workspace will be useful for newcomers, providing easy-to-follow tutorials on different tasks.
Pricing: The biggest downside of Premiere Pro – perhaps the only major downside for most people – is that it requires a subscription. We think that for established professionals, the price is more than worth it, especially if you'll also use Adobe's other programs, like Photoshop and After Effects. The subscription model means immediate access to all of the latest features through the beta program. However, newcomers and enthusiasts are likely to find the monthly or annual payment too much of a commitment.
Read more: Adobe Premiere Pro review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Industry-standard tools and new AI features. | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | Wide ranging, although colour grading isn't the best. | ★★★★★ |
| Usability | Steep learning curve. | ★★★★ |
| Pricing | Subscription model requires annual or monthly payment. | ★★★★ |
The best free video editing software
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want editing and high-end colour grading in the same place: DaVinci Resolve is one of the most complete video editing programs we've tested, providing both editing and advanced colour grading.
✅ You want lots of versatility: The Fusion model in DaVinci Resolve provides possibilities to create all kinds of effects and transitions, with plenty of precision.
✅ You don't mind a steep learning curve: if you're new to DaVinci Resolve, the node-based system in Fusion may take some time to get to grips with. Expect to spend time studying.
✅ You don't want a subscription: DaVinci Resolve is free and DaVinci Resolve Studio has a one-off cost, with no charge for updates.
❌ You want a quick-and-easy video editor: DaVinci Resolve is complex software comprising several modules. It's probably not the best option if you only want to combine clips and don't need to add unique effects or colour grade.
❌ You want a full suite of software: As a standalone program, DaVinci doesn't benefit from the broad creative ecosystem that Adobe offers with its vast collection of software for different tasks.
❌ You don't colour grade: If you're an editor and you have someone else who's responsible for colour grading on the projects that you work on, then DaVinici's biggest selling point will be of limited interest to you.
🔎 DaVinci Resolve is a powerful and comprehensive video editing program, and version 19 solidifies its appeal to a broad spectrum of content creators. It combines editing, motion effects and colour grading in one place which can save you from having to use multiple programs (for example both Premiere Pro and After Effects). The colour grading is particularly good. The free version doesn't have all of the features of DaVinci Resolve Studio but it's the only free program we've tested that can really serve for professional video editing. ★★★★½
What you need to know
Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve Studio is a comprehensive video editing package that covers everything from timeline editing to effects, colour grading and audio work. The free version, called simply Davinci Resolve, is our top pick as the best free video editing software out there, while the reasonably priced paid version offers better performance for large projects (it can use multiple GPUs), extra tools, including Magic Mask and depth maps for colour grading, plus support for 8K footage (the free version is good up to 4K).
Features: We found DaVinci Resolve to be an extremely powerful video editing program, covering pretty much everything you could need for professional work, from timeline editing to colour grading and VFX all in one place. With an Adobe workflow you might need to jump from Premiere Pro to After Effects for motion graphics and colour work, but here you have everything in one interface. Even the free version is very complete and will be all that most enthusiasts need. For professionals, the paid version adds more features, collaboration tools and power for large projects. The latest update, version 19, adds clever features like Smart Reframe, which can take a standard widescreen video and quickly reframe it for a vertical platform like TikTok, automatically keeping key points of interest central in the frame.
Versatility: Colour grading is still where Davinci really shines, but the editing and audio tab are also complete and well designed. We found the smart video-stabilisation tool to be particularly effective ,and we love the built-in loudness metering tools in Fairlight (the audio module). We find motion graphics capabilities to be a bit more limited than After Effects, but there's still a huge range of tools. We were particularly impressed by the power of the Magic Mask tool for tracking a subject, depth maps for localised adjustments and the tools for working with 3D models.
Performance: We found DaVinci to be highly stable, running brilliantly in its latest version on a M1 Mac setup and Windows 11 PC with RTX 3060 graphics card, both of which we tested it on. We experienced minimal lag, no noticeable buffering, and quick, efficient import from SSD drives (both built-in and external). Of course, this isn't a cheap computing setup, and meeting the stated minimum requirements for DaVinci Resolve will require a bit of investment.
Usability: The interface can take a bit of getting used to, particularly the Fusion module for effects work due to the node-based approach. It shouldn't be too much of a problem if you're used to video editing, but it can be daunting for newcomers. Fortunately, there is a large community of users and plenty of help to be found in online forums and video tutorials.
Pricing: One of the best things about DaVinci Resolve is that the basic version is completely free; something that's quite incredible considering the power of the tools provided. The full version costs $295/£245 as a single one-off fee, which makes it very reasonable for what you get – and you can update to the newest version at no extra charge as long as you keep your serial number.
Read more: DaVinci Resolve 19 review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Pro-level editing, effects and colour grading. | ★★★★ |
| Versatility | Can handle everything up to Hollywood-level productions. | ★★★★★ |
| Usability | Steep learning curve. | ★★★★ |
| Pricing | Great value (or free!). | ★★★★★ |
The best video editing software for enthusiasts
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want versatile editing features for non-professional work: PowerDirector can do most of what you're likely to need if you're editing personal videos or clips for social media or a vlog.
✅ You want new AI tools: PowerDirector has added a host of new generative AI tools, including background removal, voice alteration and effects that can follow objects and faces.
✅ You want a simpler, more intuitive interface: We found PowerDirector's interface to more user friendly than Premier Pro and DaVinci. This makes it a better option for those starting out.
❌ You need full professional editing software: PowerDirector has lots of features but is more of a consumer tool. It doesn't provide the level of customisation, precision or broad support for different formats like Premiere or DaVinci. It doesn't support 8K footage.
❌ You need to collaborate with a team: PowerDirector isn't designed to allow professional collaboration with other editors.
❌ You don't want a subscription: PowerDirector does still offer an option to get its software perpetually for a one-off price, but this doesn't include many of the newest features.
🔎 Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 is very impressive for a consumer program but lacks the fine tuning that's possible in professional tools like Premiere Pro and DaVinci. If you're not working as a professional video editor but do a lot of editing as a YouTuber or TikToker, for example, this cheaper, simpler, middleweight video editor may be the best choice for you. ★★★★
What you need to know
CyberLink's PowerDirector 365 is aimed at the consumer market rather than professional video editors, and we rate it as the best video editing software for non-pros who have some experience of editing video. It's well priced and it's regularly adding new features.
Features: PowerDirector is the most complete non-professional software that we've used, with support for multi-camera editing, colour correction and motion graphics and audio editing. However, these are all more limited than in the programs we've mentioned so far. It supports a wide range of video formats and resolutions, including 360-degree video and up to 4K footage. CyberLink is continually adding new tools, with recent additions in 2024 including AI-powered voice alteration, background removal and object tracking.
Versatility: Available for both Windows and Mac, the software features a 100-track timeline, strong stabilisation and video correction tools, professional effects, multi-cam editing, motion tracking and surprisingly easy trimming. We found that it doesn't offer the level of fine tuning as the professional tools above, relying on more preset effects. It's not going to serve for making a feature film, but it does a good enough job for creating YouTube videos and social media content. You get free, unlimited access to royalty-free library of content from Shutterstock, and there are slideshows, screen recording, DVD menus, object design tools and more.
Usability: While complete beginners might still find the interface a little complex (in which case, we'd recommend Premiere Elements, below), those who've used any type of video editing tool before will find this easy to pick up and run with. It's one of the most simple and well-designed desktop video editing interfaces we've used to date. There are a lot of intuitive controls that speed up the process, too, including automatic gap filling and an overlay channel that sits beneath the primary video on the timeline. And when it came to exporting our test piece, we loved the simplicity of clicking the Produce button.
Pricing: PowerDirector is available either as a one-off purchase or a subscription, but be aware the the one-off version doesn't include all of the newest features or access to the stock content. The subscription version is significantly cheaper than Premiere Pro.
Read more: Cyberlink PowerDirector review
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Strong editing suite and new AI tools | ★★★ |
| Versatility | More for enthusiasts, but has another tools for vloggers | ★★★ |
| Usability | More straightforward than professional editing programs | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Good value subscription, plus free version | ★★★★★ |
The best video editing software for beginners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want simple video editing tools for non-professional work: Adobe Elements is perfect for those with no experience of video editing who want to start experimenting.
✅ You want guidance: Guided edits make it super quick to get up and running.
✅ You want a one-off price: Unusually for Adobe, Premiere Elements has a one-off price rather than a subscription model. Hooray!
❌ You want precise fine-tuning: Elements is quite limited compared to its professional sibling.
❌ You need to edit high-resolution footage or long videos: Premiere Elements supports up to 4K footage, but not 8K, and we found rendering out to be slow.
❌ You need support for lots of formats: Premier Elements doesn't support 360-degree VR, 3D editing or multicam editing.
🔎 Premiere Elements is a more straightforward option that makes video editing easy for beginners. If you only want to edit clips and add basic transitions and music, it will do just fine, offering plenty of video effects to play with and text tools that you can use for social media videos. However, it lacks support for many formats and doesn't allow the level of fine tuning suitable for professional work. ★★★½
What you need to know
Premiere Elements is a (very) stripped down version of Adobe's professional video editing software Premiere Pro. We think it's the best video editing software for beginners because it's simple to use and offers to guide your hand while still providing enough features to experiment with.
Features: As the name suggests, Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Premiere Pro. It's cheaper and easier to learn, but it still has many practical, high-end features, including face detection, audio effects and bundled soundtracks. All this power is placed behind an easy-to-use interface, and you get plenty of video effects and tools, including transitions, chroma-keying and opacity.
Versatility: We think Premiere Elements is suitable as beginner video editing software rather than for professionals or anyone who needs a high degree of fine tuning. It has enough flexibility for hobbyists, for whom programs like Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve will be unnecessarily complex.
Usability: While the options we've listed so far can present an intimidating learning curve for beginners, we found Premiere Elements to be perhaps as clear and simple as a desktop video editing program can be while still including enough features to be interesting. We found it possible to develop a fast workflow by using features like its smart search functionality, video stabilisation options, and automated functions like motion tracking and smart toning. And if you don't know what any of that means, don't worry. The set-up wizard and general interface are geared towards beginners, making it easy to start with the basics (such as importing and trimming clips) and then work your way up as you gain confidence. The software helps you learn through 'guided edits', which take you step by step through various tasks.
Pricing: Although it's made by Adobe, Premiere Elements is not part of a Creative Cloud subscription but is available for a fairly affordable one-off fee. There's also a 30-day free trial so you can test the interface our for yourself before you commit.
Read more: Premiere Elements review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Limited features but covers all the basics and more. | ★★★ |
| Versatility | Lacks multi-cam tools and 8K support. | ★★★ |
| Usability | Clean, intuitive interface. | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | Reasonable one-off price. | ★★★★★ |
The best video editing software for Mac and iPad
