The best video editing software depends on your skill level and your computer. DaVinci Resolve is the best free editor for advanced work, Adobe Premiere is the industry standard for professional teams, Final Cut Pro is the fast choice on a Mac, and CapCut or Filmora get beginners to a finished video quickly.
This guide covers eleven editors, from free open-source tools to professional suites, with who each one suits, what it does well and where it falls short. If you are searching for advanced video editing software, read the sections on DaVinci Resolve, Premiere and Final Cut Pro first.
What makes a video editor good?
Flashy effects matter less than how the software feels after five hours of work. These are the things to judge:
File and format support
- It should open the footage your camera or phone produces without a conversion step.
- Check support for high-resolution video, common codecs and different frame rates.
- If you shoot with professional cameras, look for support for their raw and log formats.
Interface and speed
- A clear timeline, drag-and-drop media handling and a layout you can adjust.
- Smooth playback while you edit, even before the final render.
- Hardware acceleration, so exports finish faster on a capable graphics card.
Editing and finishing tools
- Multi-track editing, keyframes, transitions and titles.
- Colour correction and grading, and audio cleanup.
- Captions, which matter for social video that plays without sound.
- AI helpers such as text-based editing, auto captions and background removal, which now appear in most major editors.
Export and support
- Presets for social platforms, web and broadcast.
- Tutorials, forums and active communities when you get stuck.
- Watermarks or limits on free versions.
How to choose
- Skill level. Beginners do better with a guided editor. Professionals need depth.
- Operating system. Final Cut Pro runs on Apple devices only. Most others run on Windows and macOS, and a few on Linux.
- Hardware. Heavy editing needs a strong processor, plenty of memory and a good graphics card.
- Project type. Short social clips, YouTube videos, interviews, films and courses all need different tools.
- Budget model. Some editors are free, some are subscriptions and some are one-time purchases. Decide which model you prefer before you commit.
1. DaVinci Resolve: the best free editor for advanced work
DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design combines editing, colour correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post-production in one application. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and a free version is available.
- Best for: filmmakers, colourists and creators who want professional tools without a subscription.
- Strengths: its colour grading is a reason many professionals use it, and one project covers the whole workflow.
- Watch out for: it demands a capable computer and has a steep learning curve. Some advanced features need the paid Studio version.
2. Adobe Premiere: the professional standard
Adobe Premiere, previously called Premiere Pro, is Adobe’s professional editor. Adobe now uses the name Premiere for both the desktop and the mobile apps. It offers text-based editing, AI search across your clips, object masking and generative tools.
- Best for: professional teams and anyone who already works with Photoshop, After Effects or other Adobe apps.
- Strengths: tight integration with the rest of Adobe’s tools, a huge range of tutorials and widespread use in the industry.
- Watch out for: it is available through a paid membership, with a free trial. There is no free desktop version.
3. Final Cut Pro: fast editing on a Mac
Final Cut Pro is Apple’s professional editor for Mac. It is known for a magnetic timeline that keeps clips in sync as you move things around, and for running well on Apple hardware.
- Best for: Mac users who edit often and want speed.
- Strengths: performance on Apple hardware and a clean approach to organising media.
- Watch out for: it does not run on Windows. Moving projects to editors on other systems takes extra steps.
4. CyberLink PowerDirector: easy and feature rich
PowerDirector runs on Windows and macOS, with an Android app as well. It offers multi-track editing, keyframes, multi-camera sync and a large set of transitions and effects. It also includes AI tools for object removal, background removal, captions and auto reframing.
- Best for: hobbyists and creators who want many features in an approachable interface.
- Strengths: a free edition called PowerDirector Essential, with no time limit.
- Watch out for: advanced AI tools and some export options need a paid plan.
5. Wondershare Filmora: friendly for beginners
Filmora runs on Windows and macOS, with mobile apps for iOS, iPadOS and Android. It offers a multi-track timeline, keyframes, colour tools, captions, text-based editing and a library of templates, effects and music.
- Best for: beginners and social video creators.
- Strengths: a gentle learning curve and plenty of ready-made assets.
- Watch out for: exports from the free version carry a Filmora watermark.
6. CapCut: quick edits and social video
CapCut has a desktop editor for Windows and macOS, alongside its mobile app. It offers auto captions, keyframes, reframing for different aspect ratios and AI-assisted tools, and it is free to download.
- Best for: short vertical video for social platforms.
- Strengths: speed. You can go from raw clips to captioned video fast.
- Watch out for: some features sit behind paid plans, and it is aimed more at short-form content than at long projects.
7. Lightworks: a professional editor with a free plan
Lightworks is a long-standing editor with a free plan and paid tiers for more export options. It has been used on feature films and is built around a precise, trim-focused way of cutting.
- Best for: editors who like a traditional workflow and want a free starting point.
- Strengths: fast, precise cutting and a professional heritage.
- Watch out for: the free plan has export limits, and the interface is less beginner friendly than Filmora or CapCut.
8. Shotcut: free and open source
Shotcut is a free, open-source editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. It supports a wide range of formats, multi-track editing, filters and colour tools.
- Best for: users who want a free editor and do not mind a plain interface.
- Strengths: no watermark, no cost and broad format support.
- Watch out for: its interface feels technical, and it has fewer ready-made templates than commercial tools.
9. Kdenlive: open source with serious features
Kdenlive is a free, open-source editor from the KDE community. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS and offers multi-track editing, keyframes, proxy editing for slow machines and a flexible layout.
- Best for: Linux users and anyone who wants a capable free editor.
- Strengths: proxy clips make editing high-resolution footage smoother on modest hardware.
- Watch out for: it relies on community support rather than a company help desk.
10. OpenShot: the simplest open-source editor
OpenShot is a free, open-source editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. It has a drag-and-drop interface, unlimited tracks, titles and basic effects.
- Best for: first-time editors who want something free and simple.
- Strengths: easy to learn.
- Watch out for: it is less suited to complex projects, and heavy timelines may slow down on older computers.
11. Microsoft Clipchamp: simple editing on Windows
Clipchamp is Microsoft’s video editor. It works in the browser and as a Windows app, with templates, captions and a stock library. It is a quick way to trim, join and add text to a video.
- Best for: simple edits for work, school or social posts.
- Strengths: nothing complicated to install, and easy for first-time users.
- Watch out for: it is not designed for advanced colour or effects work, and some features require a paid plan.
Comparison table
| Editor | Platforms | Free option | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Advanced |
| Adobe Premiere | Windows, Mac | Trial | Advanced |
| Final Cut Pro | Mac | Trial | Advanced |
| PowerDirector | Windows, Mac | Yes, Essential | Intermediate |
| Filmora | Windows, Mac | Watermarked | Beginner |
| CapCut | Windows, Mac | Yes | Beginner |
| Lightworks | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, with limits | Intermediate |
| Shotcut | Windows, Mac, Linux | Fully free | Intermediate |
| Kdenlive | Windows, Mac, Linux | Fully free | Intermediate |
| OpenShot | Windows, Mac, Linux | Fully free | Beginner |
| Clipchamp | Windows, browser | Yes, with limits | Beginner |
What happened to HitFilm?
Older lists of video editors include HitFilm. Its maker, Artlist, discontinued HitFilm and the related Imerge image editor in early 2025, so it is no longer an option. If you used it, DaVinci Resolve is the usual next step for effects-heavy work, and Kdenlive and Shotcut are free alternatives.
Tips to edit faster
- Organise footage into folders before you import it. Rename clips so you can find them later.
- Learn the keyboard shortcuts for cutting, trimming and moving. They save more time than any plugin.
- Use proxy files if playback stutters on large footage.
- Make a rough cut first and add effects last.
- Save templates for titles, lower thirds and intros you reuse.
- Clean the audio before you polish the picture. Viewers forgive soft video faster than bad sound.
- Back up your project and your media to a second drive.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying too much too soon. A free editor teaches you what you need before you spend anything.
- Over-using effects. Simple cuts and clear sound hold attention better than constant transitions.
- Ignoring export settings. Match the resolution and frame rate to where the video will be watched.
- Skipping captions. Many viewers watch without sound, and captions help accessibility.
- Not testing on a phone. Check titles and text at a small size.
Where to go from here
Editing is one part of a creative toolkit. Our guide to graphic design software covers thumbnails and artwork, AI audio editing tools help with sound, and the best software for PC rounds out the rest. If you are writing a script, see software for writing a book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best video editing software overall?
DaVinci Resolve is the best overall for most people who want advanced tools at no cost. Adobe Premiere suits professional teams, and Final Cut Pro is the best fit on a Mac.
What is the best advanced video editing software?
DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro are the main advanced options. Resolve stands out for colour grading, Premiere for integration with other Adobe apps, and Final Cut Pro for speed on Apple hardware.
What is the best free video editing software?
DaVinci Resolve has the most features of any free editor. Shotcut, Kdenlive and OpenShot are fully free and open source, and PowerDirector Essential and CapCut also have free options.
What is the best video editor for beginners?
CapCut, Filmora and OpenShot are the easiest to start with. Pick CapCut for short social video, Filmora for ready-made templates and OpenShot if you want something free and simple.
Do I need a powerful computer to edit video?
For simple edits, no. For high-resolution footage, effects and colour work, you need a strong processor, plenty of memory and a good graphics card. Proxy files let a modest machine handle large footage.
Is Adobe Premiere still called Premiere Pro?
Adobe now calls it simply Adobe Premiere, covering the desktop and mobile apps. People still search for the old name, and the editor works as it did.
Is HitFilm still available?
No. Artlist discontinued HitFilm and Imerge in early 2025. Existing users usually move to DaVinci Resolve, Kdenlive or Shotcut.
Next step
If you edit videos for lessons or a membership site, see how a course site looks with real content. Try the live Reign demos and follow the course community build guide.