10 Best Video Editing Software Programs

10 Best Video Editing Software Programs

Hello there Sea Changers. Welcome back to my series of program lists to assist those of you looking to work with the online world with my 10 best video editing software platforms to spice up your movie clips with this year. And of course, as with anything to do with software, there are a lot of options to choose from.

Hence, choosing which one is the best for your needs can be quite a daunting process. So to assist you here is a list of the 10 best video editing software program options that I have found. Let’s check them out.

Before we start however, let’s have a look at what I mean by the term ‘video editing software’ and how it can assist you with your online endeavours.

What is video editing software?

In this digital age, video marketing has become one of the main avenues for many an online business owner for various purposes such:

  • Creating quality presentations
  • Sharing product launches
  • Product demonstrations and instructions
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Online courses etc.
  • Movies and short stories
  • Any number of other marketing needs.

And in order to develop and edit these videos, you will generally need a good editing software suite that will take all of the images, animations, motion graphics, music, sound effects, captions and camera videos (interviews, ‘talking heads’ etc.) and turn them into your final product.

Hence, in order to manage all of that, you will need software that can:

  • Add titles, music and sound effects
  • Manage transitions between scenes or voice-overs.
  • Stitch or split a video into several smaller clips
  • Remove unwanted sections from a video
  • Add special effects.
  • Stabilize shaky videos
  • Rotate or flip a picture or video file
  • Track objects of focus such as people’s faces

Many video editing platforms also allow marketers to stream video broadcasts using their own webcams and microphones live or upload directly to social media platforms such as FaceBook and YouTube as well.

Best video editing software - Lady using software

10 best video editing platforms

Ok, so keeping the above in mind, let’s now have a look at the 10 programs I have found and run through them by looking at:

  • What they offer
  • Features
  • Pricing

And for those of you working within the affiliate marketing space I will highlight program details too.

1. Filmora

Let’s start with an all in one site in Filmora. The platform forms part of the greater Wondershare suites and as far as Filmora is concerned, covers all aspects of basic video editing and management including:

Computer Software

  • Video Editor for Windows
  • Video Editor for Mac
  • Effects for Filmora

Online Tools

  • Free Online Meme Maker
  • Free Online Video Trimmer

Mobile Apps

  • Video Editor for iOS
  • Video Editor for Android
Best video editing software - Filmora software demo

This is a great platform for those looking to manage all aspects of their video editing requirements with options for the following under Wondershare:

  • High-speed media conversion
  • Tutorial video maker
  • Instant background remover
  • Animated explainer video maker
  • Diagram and graphics creators
  • Chart creators

And to be honest, this is really only the tip of the iceberg as to what this program can offer.

Pricing

Filmora offers a free option that, like many others listed here, offers limited functions and features. It would however make a good choice for small businesses and individuals to get started. From there, pricing is determined by the products/features that are needed. An example here is as follows:

Best video editing software - Filmora pricing

Affiliate program

The Wondershare affiliate program pays 30% per subscription signup. Application is via Share-A-Sale.


2. Camtasia

Best video editing software - Camtasia

Camtasia is another well-known and popular video editing tool offering a full suite of options including:

  • Templates
  • Recording
  • Video Editing
  • Music
  • CTA additions
  • Movie creation
  • Audio recording
  • Drag and drop editor
  • Quizzes and interactivity
  • PowerPoint integration
  • Auto upload to various streaming services

And as someone who uses this program myself, I can safely assure you that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am able to shoot movies, edit and then upload to YouTube all in the one spot.

Best video editing software - Camtasia features

It is part of the Techsmith stable that includes screen capture software as well making this a great option for those looking to shoot and upload high quality videos for any reason.

Pricing

After a 14-day free trial, Techsmith offers a tiered price range of subscriptions as below:

Affiliate program

The Techsmith affiliate program pays a 7% commission per subscription signup. Application is via Impact.


3. Autodesk Smoke

Best video editing software - Autodesk Smoke

Autodesk Smoke is an Apple Mac based video effects software that “helps production studios increase productivity by combining editing workflows with node-based compositing tools in a timeline-centered editing environment”. Like many others here, it forms part of a larger range of platforms under a parent company (in this case Autodesk) with the features of the Smoke program including:

  • Timeline-based creative workflow
  • ConnectFX node-based compositing
  • Powerful compositing in Action
  • 3D text and geometry
  • Dynamic trimming
  • Smoke and FCP X

It also provides for interactivity with other Autodesk modules such as:

  • 3D CAD software
  • 3D modeling
  • 3D animation
  • Civil engineering
  • Drafting
  • Manufacturing
  • Product design
Best video editing software - Autodesk Smoke features

Pricing

Autodesk Smoke offers a 30-day free trial option with ongoing pricing as follows:

Best video editing software - Autodesk Smoke pricing

Affiliate program

The AutoDesk Smoke affiliate program offers 9% on all sign ups. The program is managed by CJ Affiliates.


4. Pinnacle Studio

Best video editing software - Pinnacle

Pinnacle Studio allows users to “edit like a pro with powerful and creative video editing software” with a vast range of tools and special effects options with features including:

  • HD and 4k Video Resolution
  • Unlimited Video & Audio Tracks
  • Burn Disc with DVD Menus
  • Multi-Camera Editing
  • Screen Recording
  • Color Grading
  • Split Screen VideoWith keyframes
  • Keyframe Controls
  • Audio Editing
  • Blend Modes
  • Motion Tracking Including mosaic blur
  • Smart Object Tracking
  • Video Masking
  • Seamless Transitions
  • 360° Video Editing
  • Premium effects

This is a great option for those who are producing high end videos for presentations, advertising and social media alike.

Best video editing software - Pinnacle stripe

Pricing

I was unable to locate a free trial options for this one however the following pricing options are available:

Best video editing software - Pinnacle pricing

Affiliate program

Pinnacle Studio does offer an affiliate program paying between 14 and 20% per sale. Application is via Commission Junction.


5. Adobe Premier

Best video editing software - Adobe premier

Our next site, Adobe Premier, is another that forms part of a larger suite of graphic based products. The premier Pro platform, as with most others here, offers a rich range of ‘industry standard’ features for those looking to create and edit videos including:

  • Drag and drop editor
  • Import and edit any video type up to 8K (incl iPhone, GoPro and DSLR etc.)
  • Animation and video effects
  • Audio and sound effects
  • Speech
  • Colour matching

It will also integrate with Adobe Premier Rush for seamless social media integration as well as the ability to bundle with other products such as:

  • Creative Cloud
  • Photoshop
  • Lightroom
  • Illustrator
  • Adobe Stock
  • After Effects
  • And more
Best video editing software - Adobe premier stripe

Pricing

After a 7-Day free trial, Adobe Premier offers the following pricing options:

Best video editing software - Adobe premier pricing

There is also the ability to set up bundle offers with other products as well.

Affiliate Program

Adobe offers a range of affiliate opportunities for products such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Stock and Adobe Document Cloud — including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Application is via the website.

6. Corel VideoStudio

Best video editing software - Corel Videostudio

Corel VideoStudio promotes the platform as an opportunity to “live life and make movies with fun and easy video editing software”. In terms of the software, it offers a huge range of features and functions for all manner of visual file creation and editing including:

  • Easy-to-use video editing tools
  • Drag-and-drop overlays, titles, graphics and transitions
  • Instant Project Templates
  • Face-tracking AR Stickers
  • Creative filters and effects
  • Customize Motion
  • Screen recorder
  • Multi-camera editing
  • Split Screen Template Creator
  • Video stabilization
  • Color grading
  • Video masking
Best video editing software - Corel Videostudio functions

And again, as is common with many of these platforms from these larger software houses, there is also the opportunity to integrate with other parallel platforms such as:

  • MotionStudio 3D
  • Photo Video Bundle
  • Corel Draw

Pricing

After a 30-day free trial that gives full access to all of the features, VideoStudion offers the following pricing options:

Best video editing software - Corel Videostudio pricing

Affiliate Program

The Corel affiliate program pays commissions starting at 10% on sales generated – Application is via CJ Affiliates.


7. LightWorks

Best video editing software - Lightworks

LightWorks is a well-known video editing suite based on the large array of features and options on offer within its free option. These include:

  • Import formats
  • Operating systems
  • Powerful Ttimeline
  • Background processing
  • Instant auto-saving
  • No watermark
  • Inbuilt Effects, Titles & Transitions
  • Advanced Transitions
  • Advanced Titles
  • Advanced Correct & Enhance Effects
  • Plus a who9le lot more around Audio capture and export capabilities

They also offer a vast range of enhanced functions under their paid subscription offerings to provide ‘Hollywood quality’ editing and video management. This is a great option for those looking to work on the long form video side of things.

Best video editing software - Lightworks stripe

Pricing

As above, LightWorks offers probably the best free version within this list with enhanced requirements available within the following pricing options:

Best video editing software - Lightworks pricing

Affiliate Program

From what I can see, LightWorks does not operate an affiliate program.


8. OpenShot

For those still in the bootstrapping stage of their online journey, OpenShot provides a free, simple, open-source video editor for any use. Even though it is free however, it is still extremely rich in features as per the graphic below:

Best video editing software - Open Shot features

I have to admit as to not having much to do with this platform myself but based on the reviews I could find online, It is definitely something for those what want to edit plain videos without all the bells and whistles. I.e. for free, you will not get much better.

Pricing

Free open source download

Affiliate Program

N/A


For those working on a PC, Cyberlink PowerDirector is a simple to use and straight forward video editing suite that offers a range of options for all needs and requirements. This product forms part of the greater CyberLink portfolio of multimedia and AI facial recognition technologies with features including:

  • Drag and drop editor
  • Keyframing
  • Chroma key
  • AI motion tracking
  • Sky replacement
  • Object detection
  • Wind removal
  • Speech enhancement
Best video editing software - CyberLink PowerDirector blurb

Higher pricing options also provide access to Shutterstock and iStock images and other advanced functions as well as integration with other platforms including:

  • PhotoDirector
  • Director Suite
  • PowerDVD

Pricing

Power Director offers a decent free version however for full functionality needs, their pricing is as follows:

Best video editing software - CyberLink PowerDirector pricing

Affiliate Program

CyberLink offers up to 40% commission on all sales – Application is via CJ Affiliates.


10. DaVinci Resolve

Best video editing software - Davinci resolve

And finally we finish up with DaVinci Resolve. This site promotes itself as the “world’s only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post-production all in one software tool!” And best of all, most of this functionality is totally free including:

  • Editing
  • Visual effects
  • Motion graphics
  • Color correction
  • Audio post-production
Best video editing software - Davinci resolve suite

And to be honest, each of those has so many functions underneath that this list really doesn’t do them justice. Should you upgrade to the DaVinci Resolve Studio as well, you will also receive access to the following:

  • DaVinci Neural Engine
  • Stereoscopic 3D tools
  • Extra Resolve FX filters
  • Fairlight FX audio plugins
  • Advanced HDR grading and HDR scopes

Pricing

  1. DaVinci Resolve: Free
  2. DaVinci Resolve Studio: $USD 295

Affiliate Program

From what I can see, DaVinci Resolve does not operate an affiliate program.

Conclusion

So… There are 10 best video editing software platforms to spice up your movie clips with this year. I hope it has been helpful for you and as usual, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, need some advice or have any experiences to share. Oh, and especially comment if you have any experience with these, or any other platforms as well.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul

Note: If you make a purchase from this page, there is a very good chance that I make a commission from it – these commissions do not increase your sale price. This may include sales made via wealthy affiliate or any of the video editing programs listed above.

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Hey there, my name is Paul and I am the owner and founder of Make That Sea Change.  I spent 30 years in a cubicle working the 9 to 5 grind and just wanted to live at the beach.  I was lucky enough to achieve that with the help of my wife and our new Pilates studio.

Then I decided to help fund my new sea change with some affiliate marketing.  I joined Wealthy Affiliate, and as they say, the rest is history.

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