Becoming a true filmmaker has become easier than ever, you just need the best video editing software, a smartphone, and a creative spark. Ok, let’s admit it can be a somewhat difficult combination to achieve, but whether you are starting or are in this process and have doubts here we bring you a list of the best paid and free video editors.
The best video editor software
In the following list, you will find various options to be able to edit your videos easily. Whether you are an expert in video editing or a beginner. Make a list of your needs, such as: what kind of camera do you record with? How much editing do you want to do? Do we publish the video on social networks? Do you need 360 ° video support? Will you use animations or overlay text? Once you are clear about all that, you can choose the one that is right for you.
List of Video Editing Software
1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2020
2. Final Cut Pro X
3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
4. DaVinci Resolve 2020
5. Lightworks
6. Adobe Premiere Elements
7. KineMaster
8. Adobe Premiere Rush
9. Filmora 9
10. iMovie
1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2020: the quintessential video editor for professionals
The program par excellence to create Creative Cloud videos and one of the best options if you are a Windows user. Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a powerful tool for non-linear video editing. Used by professionals from various areas such as filmmakers, content creators, and many more who are committed to creating videos with a professional finish.
It is perfect when you have to work with different video and audio channels since the program allows you to place an infinity of layers. You can also work with imported videos from digital files, camcorder tapes of all formats, and even work with Virtual Reality.
Premiere Pro technical requirements
Processor: 6th generation or newer CPU®
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) for PC and macOS v10.13 or later for macOS
RAM: 16 GB of RAM for HD media and 32 GB of RAM for 4K or higher media
GPU: 4 GB VRAM
Display: 1920 x 1080 or higher recommended
Advantages of Premiere Pro
One of the most important advantages of this software is the variety of formats it supports, as well as fluent editing with various cameras and also the creation of 360 ° videos. The team behind the software are always constantly updating the program to make its interface more user-friendly.
Being part of Creative Cloud, you can work alongside other software like After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, and even Illustrator. It also offers the function of being able to export in various formats, sizes, and quality. You can create from a movie to a story for Instagram.
Remember that the application accepts various third-party extensions that allow you to perform various processes in an automated manner.
Disadvantages of Premiere Pro
Although the software offers a trial period, purchasing the full version can be expensive for people just starting out. Also, your first steps can be a bit slow because it requires a long learning curve. If you want to learn faster, join our video editing course with Premiere from scratch.
2. Final Cut Pro X: The best video editor for Mac
If you are a user of the Apple operating system, Final Cut Pro X is one of the most powerful and versatile options for your Mac. It is very similar to Adobe Premiere Pro and in theory, it is an advanced version of iMovie since it offers you an end of options that the Apple editing software does not offer you.
It has integrated tools with which you can make titles and animated graphics in 2D and 3D. Also complete audio editing, color correction, and color grading all from the same application.
Final Cut Pro X technical requirements
Processor: 6th generation or newer CPU®
Operating System: macOS 10.14.6 or later
RAM: 4GB RAM (8GB recommended for 4K editing, 3D titles, and 360 ° video editing)
VRAM: 1GB of VRAM is recommended for 4K editing, 360 ° video editing, and 3D titles
Available space: 3.8 GB of available disk space
Advantages of Final Cut Pro X
Many editors consider that Final Cut Pro X’s rendering system is one of its greatest advantages, since this process is fast thanks to the fact that the software renders while you work, so it will be much easier when you have to export. If you come from using iMovie, the application is very similar so you won’t feel too lost.
Another outstanding advantage is its efficient video colorization system, giving the editor many facilities to work with color, temperature, saturation, contrast and much more. This makes it easy for all the video clips in your project to maintain similarity despite coming from multiple sources.
Disadvantages of Final Cut Pro X
One of the disadvantages that this software can have is its high cost (about $ 300 USD approximately), but remember that you can try the software with its 90-day trial version. Some users are not entirely satisfied with the structure of the library and the file management system.
Download Final Cut Pro X For Free
3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 – Best Video Editing Software for Beginners
If you are just starting with the world of audiovisual production, Corel Video Studio is an ideal alternative for you, due to its interface designed to help you step by step to achieve high-quality results. Like the aforementioned software, it will allow you to work in multi-camera editing, as well as with 4K files and 360-degree Virtual Reality support. It also offers you a library with various music options and a variety of visual effects.
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate Technical Requirements
Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD A4 3.0 GHz or newer
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit highly recommended or higher
RAM: 4 GB of RAM or more, 8 + GB highly recommended for UHD, multi-camera or 360 ° video
GPU: Minimum 256 MB VRAM, 512 MB or more for hardware decoding acceleration
Advantages of Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
One of the advantages of Corel Video Studio Ultimate is that it is easy to use so it is ideal for beginners. Once you finish editing you can share your video on Facebook or Youtube from the same program. You can burn in Blu-ray and AVCHD format.
Disadvantages of Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
If you are a professional, maybe you can choose the other alternatives. Another limitation that users have encountered is the limited ability to create keyframes.
Download Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
4. DaVinci Resolve 2020: the most powerful of the free video editing software
Looking for the best alternative but with a low budget? DaVinci Resolve is a tool renowned for its ability to colorize and master sound. The best of all is not that it is free, but that it has been used in large productions for film and television. So you are one click away from creating content of equal quality.
DaVinci Resolve Technical Requirements
Operating system: Windows 8.1 or later | OS X 10.10.5 or later | Linux CentOS 6.6
CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 9
GPU: AMD or CUDA | 4 GB or more
RAM: 16 GB or more
SSD: 512GB or more
Advantages of DaVinci Resolve
As we have already told you, its strength is the ability to correct color in a professional way. So the program has various curves and color wheels that allow you to modify saturation, temperature, brightness, and more. It has a tool that facilitates facial recognition so that you can make corrections with follow-up to work on skin tone, eye luminosity, or lip color. In addition, it allows you to adjust the settings to your liking to work in a way that is most efficient for you.
Disadvantages of DaVinci Resolve
When using the paid version you have some limitations, such as the noise reduction option, the option to work on multi-user computers, and a variety of filters. Unlike its competitors, it doesn’t work very well with external tools (plug-ins) like Premiere Pro does, for example.
5. Lightworks – one of the best free and no watermark video editors
Lightworks is another free alternative that has been on the market for several years. This video editing application has tools that have been used in many Hollywood productions such as Shutter Island, Pulp Fiction, and even The Wolf of Wall Street.
Lightworks technical requirements
Processor: Intel i7 or AMD
Operating System: Windows 7 plus. Ubuntu / Lubuntu / Xubuntu 14.04 or more. Mac OS X 10.9 or higher.
RAM: 4 GB RAM or more
GPU: Minimum 256 MB VRAM, 512 MB or more for hardware decoding acceleration
Advantages of Lightworks
Unlike many alternatives, Lightworks has the advantage that you can have all the paid functions in the free version. The only difference is in the export formats since it only lets you export in 720p quality when you do not have a monthly license of $ 24.99 USD.
Despite being a free version, Lightworks is still a professional alternative. Since you can take complete control and perform actions like cutting your audio or video files and being able to put together your next audiovisual production, it is one of the easy-to-use video editing software for video capture and advanced editing. The best thing is that it does not require many requirements so that you can install and use it as soon as possible.
Disadvantages of Lightworks
As we already told you, this version only allows you to export videos in 720p and to obtain a better resolution you will have to pay a membership. Certain knowledge in editing is necessary to start using it, although neglect since there are many tutorials available that can help you.
More Video editing software adds soon…
Video Editing: Give Your Ideas Movement
Did you find the right video editor for you? Remember that these are tools that will help you assemble video files. If you want to improve the recording process, you can take our script, production, photography direction, and post-production courses. So you will become a professional video creator and keep growing.