10 factors to consider before choosing the right video editor?
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
The real reason I am writing this is that many people have asked me which is the best video editor and I spent a lot of time on this question wondering which is the best video editor. So to make this decision simple we’ll use 10 factors to judge the video editors.
Which software are we considering?
I am not considering After effects because that is for digital motion graphics, visual effect sequences. So basically if you want to edit a video using Premiere Pro would help and if you want to add advanced effects, title, or motion graphics, then use After Effects.
Coming Back to our comparison, I have some factors I consider for a video editor to be good. Let’s take a look at them:
1. Timeline management: (winner: Tie between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro)
Adobe Premiere Pro CC has well-integrated workflows which means you don’t need to exit the timeline to edit video. On the other hand, Final Cut Pro offers a magnetic timeline which may feel weird if you are coming from a track-based NLE(non-linear editing) software but I think if you give enough time you’ll see how beautiful it is. On Da Vinci Resolve It’s very easy to quickly add shots to the timeline and trim them without having to invoke the more complicated edit page, which can be a little complicated. iMovie doesn’t offer much customizability.
2. Interface: (winner: Tie between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro)
Premiere Pro has many powerful features but its interface is simple and self-explanatory. Final Cut Pro’s interface has a three-panel view with a minimal interface but some find it difficult to explore. Da Vinci’s interface is easy but again not enough effects to add in the video. iMovie has the easiest interface here as it lacks many features.
3. Compatibility: (winner: Premiere Pro)
Premiere Pro is compatible with Adobe software (after effects, photoshop, Illustrator). You can not use after effect project files or mogrt(Motion graphic templates) for Final Cut slightly difficult to work with. Similar is the case with Da Vinci and iMovie.
4. Operating Speed (winner: Final Cut Pro)
Final Cut Pro has fast rendering because it has a background rendering option and quick display. Da Vinci Resolve is faster than Premiere Pro because it is less advanced in terms of effects. iMovie renders the fastest because *cough* 0 Effects *cough*.
5. Advanced Effects (winner: Tie between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro)
For advanced effects, In Premiere Pro you can use mogrt(Motion graphic templates) or have plugins/presets installed for effects, transitions and titles. You can use After Effects if you want advanced effects in a video. Final Cut Pro has a lot of built-in effects and many plugins and presets available, you can customize it however you want. Da Vinci Resolve and iMovie shouldn’t be discussed in this section.
6. Colour (winner: Da Vinci Resolve)
Hands down to Da Vinci Resolve in this one. As it originally started as a dedicated color grading program, it has evolved a lot. Premiere Pro, on the other hand, has an easy interface for color grading if you’ve any experience in photo editing. There is a lot you can do in Final Cut Pro too but again it’ll lose to Premiere Pro’s built-in LUTs and Lumetri Color effect. iMovie doesn’t offer much here.
7. Plugins and Presets availability (winner: Tie between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro)
Plugins are hugely available for Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. For Da Vinci, I wouldn’t say so. For iMovie, there are plugins and presets which can improve your video editing experience on iMovie but again not as much as for Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
8. Communities (winner: Tie between Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro)
Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro a huge number of users hence peer support is pretty chill. iMovie is used by beginners so not enough groups exist. Da Vinci Resolve is used by some production houses so you can find a good community there too.
9. Price (winner: iMovie)
BlackMagic’s Da Vinci Resolve comes at two prices.
The free version and other offering 3d tools, FairlightFX plugins, and other effects with a one-time payment of $299.
Premiere Pro Price:
- Annual plan, paid monthly — US$20.99/mo
- Annual plan, prepaid — US$239.88/yr
- Monthly Plan — US$20.99/mo
You can also buy Creative cloud’s all app subscription:
- Annual plan, paid monthly — US$52.99/mo
- Annual plan, prepaid — US$599.88/yr
- Monthly Plan — US$79.49/mo
Final Cut Pro offers a 90 day trial after that there is a one-time payment of $299.99.
iMovie is free.
10. Platform (winner: Da Vinci Resolve)
- Da Vinci Resolve is available on Linux, Mac, and Windows.
- Premiere Pro is available on Mac and Windows only.
- Final Cut Pro and iMovie are only available on Mac.
Like a good person I am, I’ll tell you all the video editors are good. I mean yeah it does matter which video editor you’re using but again If you have the creativity and put in work you’re not bound by any limits. I remember I watched Brandon Woelfel ( LIKE THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER) in a video where he tried to use a toy camera. The link is here. So nothing can limit a good artist.
I have tried all of these video editors. Currently, I use Premiere Pro and After effects sometimes to add really beautiful sequences in the videos. I have a Macbook and I still don’t use Final Cut Pro because of the compatibility issue with other Adobe software.
P.S. There is no best software. I hope you find your software match.
