12 Best Video Editing Software for 2023

Video editing apps are software programs that allow users to edit video footage on a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. A video editing app provides its users with a range of tools and features to edit, process and encode video content, and then export the final product in a format that is suitable for sharing on various social media platforms, video streaming services, and other websites.

Video editing apps enable users to manipulate video footage – editing, trimming, and reordering clips, adding music and sound effects, text overlays, visual effects, and various other elements to create compelling and high-quality video content. These apps also allow users to adjust the color balance, exposure, and contrast of video footage, giving the content a professional look.

Video editing platforms are useful for a variety of users, including business professionals, content creators, social media influencers, vloggers, marketers, and anyone else who needs to create high-quality video content for various purposes. With the increasing popularity of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, video content has become a crucial part of digital marketing, and video editing apps provide an easy and cost-effective way to create engaging videos with minimal overhead.

Most video editing apps even come with a range of advanced features, including special effects, filters, and transitions, as well as easy-to-use color controls, audio editing tools, and more. These features allow users to create visually appealing and engaging video content without the need for specialized equipment or dedicated editing software.

Moreover, video editing apps can be used for both personal and professional purposes. For instance, they can be used to edit and produce wedding videos, family vacation videos, and other content for social media platforms. Businesses can use these apps to create promotional videos for their products and services, training videos for new hires, and other video content that helps demonstrate their brand’s identity.

There are two broad categories of video editing tools available in the market: open-source and closed-source. Open-source tools are free to use and allow users to access and edit the source code, while closed-source tools are proprietary software licensed under strict terms and conditions.

Open-Source Video Editing Tools

• Blender: Blender is a popular open-source 3D animation and video editing software that’s widely used in the film and gaming industry. It’s loaded with advanced features and has a relatively steep learning curve. Some of its benefits include real-time playback, a built-in camera tracker, and an intuitive interface. However, Blender has a relatively steep learning curve, and some users may find it challenging to master.
• Shotcut: Shotcut is an open-source video editor that’s available across different platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes with a wide range of features, including 4K encoding, multi-format timelines, and drag-and-drop file imports. One of its most significant benefits is its wide range of format support, which makes it ideal for working with different types of media files. However, Shotcut can be challenging to use for beginners, and its interface can be somewhat unintuitive.
• OpenShot: OpenShot is a popular open-source video editing software that’s free to use and available on different platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It provides an intuitive and straightforward user interface that makes it easy to use. Some of its benefits include real-time previews, drag-and-drop functionality, and unlimited layers. However, its lack of advanced features may make it less suitable for professional use.

Closed-Source Video Editing Tools

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is a popular closed-source video editing tool that’s widely used in the film and video production industry. It’s loaded with advanced features, including special effects, audio editing, and multi-format support. One of its significant benefits is its seamless integration with other Adobe products, including After Effects and Photoshop. However, it can be quite costly, and the learning curve is sometimes steep.
• Final Cut Pro: Final Cut Pro is a widely used video editing app designed for Mac users. It comes loaded with advanced features for video editing, audio editing, color grading, and more. One of its significant benefits is its ease of use, making it ideal for both professional and personal use. However, it’s not available on Windows, and it can be quite costly.
• Pinnacle Studio: Pinnacle Studio is an excellent video editing software designed for Windows users. It comes loaded with advanced features for video editing, audio editing, and color grading, making it an ideal choice for those looking to create professional-quality videos. Some of its benefits include its intuitive interface and real-time preview function. However, it’s not an excellent choice for Mac users, and its pricing can be somewhat prohibitive for beginners.
• iMovie: iMovie is Apple’s entry-level video editing tool, suitable for use across different Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs and can be downloaded from the app store. It’s easy to use and that makes it ideal for beginners, students, and casual users. Some of its benefits include its intuitive interface, wide range of video effects, and seamless integration with other Apple products. However, its lack of advanced features may make it less suitable for professional use.
• Wondershare Filmora: Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editor that’s available on both Windows and Mac. It comes with a wide range of features, including audio editing, color grading, special effects, and more. One of its significant benefits is its intuitive user interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
• DaVinci Resolve: DaVinci Resolve is an advanced closed-source video editing software developed by Blackmagic Design. It provides an extensive set of features for professional video editors, including multi-camera editing tools, advanced color grading tools, AI tools for automatic video enhancement, and more.

In summary, video editing tools come in different shapes and sizes, and with unique features and benefits. Open-source and closed-source tools provide users with a cost-effective and easy way to create professional-quality videos. Depending on your specific needs and level of expertise, you can choose the tool that best suits your requirements.

1. Selection of video templates: Having a selection of video templates to choose from is a great way for video editors to get started quickly, as the process of creating custom graphics from scratch can be quite time-consuming. Popular video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro have a large library of high-quality, professionally designed video templates available for editors to select from. These templates can then be customized with text, colors, and effects to create stunning videos in no time at all.
2. Drag and drop functionality: Drag and drop functionality allows editors to quickly move objects, clips, and images on their timeline with a simple click and drag of the mouse. This makes it easier for video editors to organize their footage quickly, as well as make precise adjustments to timing and positioning.
3. Useful presets: Many advanced video editing platforms offer presets which help automate certain tasks and speed up the editing process by simplifying complex tasks or by providing access to predefined styles and effects. Adobe Premiere Pro’s Lumetri Color panel allows users to apply custom color grades utilizing pre-made presets, while Final Cut Pro has an extensive collection of built-in audio plugins that can be applied quickly and easily with just one click.
4. Flexible video clip arrangement: To create high-quality videos efficiently and easily, it’s important to have the flexibility to move, resize, and adjust clips quickly. This feature allows you to create multiple designs in a shorter amount of time while ensuring accuracy and quality. Some video editing suites even include additional features like ripple delete, which lets you trim clips without affecting the overall video timeline or project elements.
5. Audio editing tools: To create a sense of balance between dialogue, music tracks, and sound effects in a video, professional video editors require audio editing tools. Platforms like Adobe Premiere Pro have powerful audio tools including de-noisers and vocal enhancers that can help to reduce background noise in dialogue for a polished final product.
6. Closed captioning: Closed captioning technology is a feature that displays text subtitles alongside dialogues in videos. It helps make videos accessible for everyone, including those who face language barriers or hearing impairments. This feature comes equipped in most popular editing software, giving users the ability to adjust the formatting, font size, color, etc. They can also access files formatted specifically for broadcast networks.
7. Interactive overlays with CTA: Adding interactive overlays with Call To Actions (CTAs) to your videos can help viewers become engaged with your content by allowing them to take actions such as sharing, commenting, and liking. This results in higher engagement rates on various social media platforms. Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut have been regularly updating their interactive overlay toolsets, featuring user-friendly interface designs and smooth performance for editors who wish to incorporate this feature into their workflows.
8. Color correction & filters: Color correction is a process that involves adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation levels while intensifying or reducing certain hues in footage. This helps achieve a consistent look across multiple clips, which is especially useful for creating behind-the-scenes footage from shoots with varying lighting conditions from shot to shot. Filters are also helpful in giving footage a specific look and feel. They can sharpen images or add vintage qualities by adjusting the film grain settings, giving you more control over the final output’s appearance.
9. Motion tracking: Motion tracking is a technique that accurately follows moving objects such as faces, logos, etc., on the screen. It ensures that these elements blend seamlessly into the background, capturing even subtle movements on screen. Video applications such as After Effects support motion tracking tools that allow for precise placement of tracked objects over time, indicating their position, rotation, and scale information despite any camera movement.
10. Video stabilization: Handheld footage captured under extreme conditions can often result in shaky pictures making it difficult for viewers focus on what’s really important –the content itself. Thankfully modern day video makers are capable of correcting shaky shots using complex algorithms accurately mapping out each pixel over time resulting cleaner stable image without having any impact on quality.
11. Green screen keyer: Chroma keying, also known as green screening, allows for different backgrounds to be added digitally to separate image frames without physically replacing the backdrop during productions. This greatly increases flexibility during post-production. The tools found in Adobe’s software allow you to customize parameters to pinpoint the exact shade needed, ensuring smooth transitions throughout the edit and eliminating unwanted artifacts between frames.
12. Real-time previews: Real-time previews provide users with an immediate view of any changes or effects applied to their projects. This allows for faster editing, allowing editors to make quick adjustments and keep up with the pace of a project. Additionally, this feature can also help reduce rendering by displaying a live preview before final output is created.

Video editing apps are a valuable tool for content creators who want to streamline their workflows, reduce costs, and increase the quality of their productions. Whether you’re an independent creator looking to get your message out there quickly and easily or a business professional wanting to engage with customers more effectively, using a video editing app can help you achieve all three. Here are 12 benefits of using video editing apps for coaches, influencers, vloggers, entrepreneurs, and marketers:

1. Cost savings: Many content creators working with a limited budget face challenges while looking for reliable editing software that offers all necessary tools without being too expensive. Video editing apps are a pocket-friendly option as they provide access to a variety of video editing features including automated color correction and sound effects. You can find affordable subscription plans and free trials of popular video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro to evaluate the service before purchasing.
2. Convenience: Thanks to cloud-based technology, video editors can work remotely from any location and at any time, without the need for expensive hardware setups or complicated file transfer systems. This helps them to meet their deadlines and work more flexibly, without having to worry about connectivity issues or file transfers.
3. Collaboration: Thanks to advancements in peer-to-peer sharing technology, working collaboratively on projects has become more convenient than ever. This feature enables multiple users within an organization or project team to access the same files simultaneously, regardless of their geographic locations. Video editing apps also support this feature, making it easier for teams from different parts of the world to collaborate more efficiently on videos by providing real-time feedback through shared workspaces.
4. Fast publishing: After finishing your project, video editing apps make it easy and fast to upload your content onto social media platforms. This frees up more time for you to focus on other aspects of your project such as marketing and promotion. Some popular apps like Final Cut Pro X even have the ability to render content automatically on remote servers, saving your local system resources and speeding up the entire workflow.
5. Organization: It can be confusing to have various versions of a project on different devices, especially if working with other people. However, video editing apps provide useful organizational features allowing users to arrange clips into storyboards in their preferred order. This gives users better control over timeline management and ensures that the final output looks great.
6. Audio management: Effective audio management is crucial in conveying the emotions of the stories being told. While visuals are important, they may not always be sufficient. High-end video editors offer users powerful audio manipulation tools such as frequency equalizers, special effects controls, and panning to capture the intended moods through different audio elements present in tracks.
7. Scriptwriting tools: Scriptwriting tools help in the critical initial stage of content creation, paving the way for the rest of the journey. Services such as Adobe Premiere Rush provide an integrated scripts window to complete tasks like grouping dialogue, automatically adding featured performers, credit text, storyboard and more. This reduces the workload significantly for hour-long projects.
8. Split screen effects: Using professional-looking split screens can help in creating visually appealing videos that the audience will remember. It’s a surefire way to break the monotony of single long clips and add flavor to engagements. By using readymade templates, custom graphics can be easily incorporated into a wider clip, adding depth to the viewer’s browsing experience without breaking the bank or redoing the entire project from scratch.
9. Filters & transition effects: Fancy transitions and eye-catching filters can enhance the viewer’s experience without going overboard and making the videos too playful. These effects provide finishing touches to the footage and can boost engagement numbers and impressions by drawing attention to the aesthetic nuances of individual frames and shots.
10. Integration with professional quality footage: More and more video apps are offering seamless integration with professional quality footage from popular sources such as Adobe Stock or Shutterstock, giving users access to tens of thousands of premium-quality video clips, photos and soundtracks. This allows them to craft better visuals for their projects without compromising on production values or spending a lot of time searching for resources.
11. Undo/redo features: In the event that you make a mistake while editing, undo/redo buttons come in handy. They help you reverse any changes easily and quickly so that you can go back to what you were originally working on. These tools also allow users to experiment with different layouts and effects until they get the desired output without having to re-render entire clips every single time they try something new.
12. Storage and accessibility: Video editing apps also provide cloud-based storage options and mobile support allowing you to access the footage anytime, anywhere. This makes it easy for teams to collaborate on projects remotely without worrying about synchronizing versions or having to send files back and forth. It’s a great way to save time while working on larger projects.

Video editing software can be a valuable asset to many professionals in different industries. It allows content creators to quickly and easily produce high-quality video content. From marketing professionals and social media managers, to influencers, musicians, coaches and course creators, video editing software can help improve productivity, reduce costs and create better content for their audiences. Here are some of the ways different types of professionals can benefit from using video editing software:

1. Marketing professionals: Utilizing video marketing can be highly effective in engaging target audiences and delivering important messages. By mastering the art of visual and audio storytelling, marketers can create impactful videos that effectively communicate their brand’s message. Furthermore, interactive elements like motion graphics can be incorporated to produce visually captivating campaigns that drive increased engagement.
2. Social media managers: Video editing apps have features that make it easy for people managing multiple social media accounts to upload and directly publish content. This gives them more control over the content workflow and helps ensure consistency across different channels, even if there are differences in the platforms. This ensures that all posts look great every time.
3. Influencers: Advanced non-linear video editors are very useful for effective influencer marketing strategies. These editors help them to align shots quickly and accurately, add transitions and effects, and trim clips fast, which shortens their entire workflow and gives them back precious time to reach out to viewers, engage with their audience, and further expand their reach with a TikTok video or Instagram reels.
4. Content creation teams: For businesses with large content creation teams working on video projects, it’s important that they have access to comprehensive collections of video editing tools that enable streamlining workflows while maintaining consistent quality across all projects.
5. Artists and musicians: For artists and musicians, audio is an essential component in conveying emotions and the story being told. Sometimes, visuals alone are insufficient. With advanced video editing software, users can access powerful audio manipulation tools like frequency equalizers, special effects controls, and panning, which can help capture the intended mood through different elements present in an audio track.
6. Coaches: Videos are important for creating lessons in online coaching. Coaches selling online courses need to be able to create great-looking videos with engaging and informative content. By using video editing software, coaches can easily produce high-quality videos that are optimized for different platforms, helping them reach more students and increase their income potential.
7. Teachers: Teachers are adopting a digital approach to provide their students with easier access to their courses and lectures. They are moving away from the traditional classroom style and some of them are recording their lectures for replay. These digital courses often include interactive modules, slideshows, animations, and other features. To create these courses, it has become necessary for teachers to use pro-level video editors to bring everything together into one video.

• Video CMS software is a useful tool for storing, managing, and delivering secure and scalable video content. This software includes features like video encoding, streaming, custom playlists, user authentication, and analytics, which can be integrated with existing workflows. It is particularly helpful for businesses or teams who need to manage hundreds of videos across multiple channels.
• Animation software is an invaluable tool for creating professional-grade animated videos quickly and efficiently. It allows users to edit their projects by combining text, graphics, audio and motion elements into dynamic projects with ease. Popular animation software packages such as Adobe After Effects offer cutting-edge tools for creating stunning visuals like green screen effects, transitions, titles and more.
• Filmmakers use visual effects software to create realistic scenes without the need for expensive shoots and post-production processes. This type of software allows you to add special effects such as fire, explosions, smoke, and rain to your video. It also includes features like color grading, which can give your project a unique look and feel.
• Video hosting platforms provide an easy way to share videos securely with large audiences while remaining compliant with copyright laws and regulations. Platforms such as Vimeo Business, Wistia, Vidyard, and VadooTV provide advanced security settings so only the intended viewers can watch your content no matter which device they are using at the time of viewing.
• Streaming software allows businesses and organizations to broadcast data over a network connection, making events available in real-time to viewers located anywhere. Popular services like Twitch, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live enable producers to broadcast digital content live, instantly connecting them with a global audience and generating immediate engagement.
• Screen recording software makes it easy for users to record their device’s screen, whether it’s for YouTube video tutorials, website demonstrations, or gameplay. The software saves recordings locally or on a central server, and viewers can access the recorded content through a direct link shared on social media or a website.
• Video transcoding apps help users convert compressed video formats into other formats that are suitable for different devices. This ensures quality playback and optimized performance. Media companies use these efficient conversion methods to maintain a high standard of quality across multiple platforms and to avoid poor viewing experiences that could negatively impact customer experience.
• GIF creation tools allow anyone to share live depictions of their favorite moments without storing extra footage, and reviving old clips to make them funnier. This is a perfect social media marketing strategy for increasing online presence and gaining followers organically.
• Text to video makers are innovative tools that allows users to easily and quickly create videos from text data. It is ideal for businesses or organizations who need to generate videos quickly and efficiently, such as video tutorials, product reviews, customer testimonials, or promotional content. This software can also be used to turn long-form blog articles into engaging video content without the need for additional editing.
• AI video generation software: The latest trend since OpenAI and ChatGPT, AI video software is used to quickly create videos and generate realistic visuals. This technology can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating lifelike avatars, generating facial expressions and lip-syncing in videos as well as voice-overs. AI video generators can also produce high-quality digital content that is indistinguishable from human-made content. Additionally, this technology can automate tedious tasks like editing and trimming video footage, making it easier for producers to focus on more important aspects of their projects.

Understanding the difference between paid and free versions of video editing software can help you make an informed decision on which one to use.

For business professionals who are looking to scale their video creation process, paid video editing software is often a must in order to access features such as optimization for multiple platforms and AI-powered tools that can simplify tasks. Paid software also offers more options when it comes to transitions, filters, titles, and other effects that help level up the quality of your videos, as well as extra resources like stock footage libraries or royalty-free audio soundtracks. By spending money on a paid version of the software, business professionals are able to gain access to additional tools, customizations and support services that can help them produce better quality work faster. Some popular examples of paid video editing apps include Adobe Premiere Pro CC (a professional solution used by many filmmakers), Apple Final Cut Pro X (a user-friendly application geared towards beginners) and Sony Vegas (which is perfect for short projects).

On the other hand, regular users have access to many free video editing apps which can be sufficient depending on their needs – especially if they are just starting out with video editing. Free apps often come with all the basics needed for creating simple projects like cutting clips, adding captions or music tracks. They usually offer fewer customization options than paid versions but they still have enough features available so users don’t feel limited while creating their content. Additionally, they often make it easier for users to share their finished projects across various popular platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo without having to worry about compatibility issues or file transfers. There are plenty of great free alternatives available on both desktop and mobile devices such as Blender (open source software ideal for 3D animations), Lightworks (offers full range of hardware accelerated effect processing) and OpenShot (easy-to-use app featuring powerful curve-based key frame animations).

Ultimately, whether you choose a paid or free version depends largely on what you need from your video editor and how familiar you are with the editing process. If you’re comfortable working within limitations then chances are a free app may be all you need – however if you require advanced features in order to get quality results then it might be worth investing in a paid version so you get access to more capabilities and options. Regardless of which option you choose – paid or free – it is important that whatever application meets your specific needs in terms of features and ease of use while helping you produce high quality content efficiently.