Best Video Editor Software for PC and Mac
After analyzing what we believe to be the best free video converters for PC and Mac, we see in this article the ones that are the best video editors, that is programs capable of editing or creating new videos from any multimedia file (photos, images, audio).
Are you approaching the world of video editing and are you looking for a good software that allows you to take your first steps as a video maker without too much effort? If the answer is yes, I think you have come to the right place at the right time. In fact, below you will find a collection of video editing programs suitable for all needs and software platforms: from professional editors for budding video makers to “home” applications for those who simply need to make their holiday movies more interesting.
The video editing programs that I am about to suggest you to use are the software solutions that in my humble opinion are going to be some of the best on the market. Yes, it is software thanks to which everyone, even the least competent in new technologies, can easily change the most popular video formats in no time at all. As I told you, there are for Windows, macOS and also for Linux, you have to identify only the one that you think may be more suitable for your needs.
Analyze well the characteristics of each of the video editing programs that I am about to offer you and you will surely find one that is right for you. They are not all free but even the paid ones can be used at no cost for an initial trial period (which usually lasts 30 days). That said, let’s roll up our sleeves and move on!
Index
Multi-platform programs
Let’s start with a selection of cross-platform video editing programs, i.e. compatible with Windows, macOS and / or Linux.
Adobe Premiere Pro
The first of the video editing programs I suggest you focus on is Adobe Premiere Pro. If you have never heard of it, know that it is a professional video editing software made available by Adobe (the same software house as Photoshop, to be clear) that tries to combine advanced functions and ease of use in the best way. In part it succeeds but it still takes a bit of study to get decent results.
This program is widely appreciated by a large number of users and is capable of processing all video formats natively.
Adobe Premiere Pro is for Windows, macOS and is available for a fee in different formulas and plans that meet various needs. However, the program can be downloaded in a free 7-day trial version (after registering with the Adobe Creative Cloud service). To download Adobe Premiere Pro to your computer click here.
Wondershare Filmora
Wondershare Filmora is the best solution for those looking for powerful, flexible yet easy to use video editing software. It is available for free for both Windows and macOS and supports all major video and audio file formats. Its main strengths are the user interface, extremely intuitive and fully translated into Italian, and the many features included. In fact, it includes tools for cutting and editing videos, adding filters, music columns, recording audio narrations and inserting extra elements, such as stickers and emojis. To underline, then, the presence of a One-Stop store, which allows you to obtain audio clips, video effects and media, and the availability of royalty free audio clips, to be used freely in your projects.
After downloading and installing Wondershare Filmora, you can edit the videos in the program by starting the creation of a new project and dragging the movie you want to operate on in the center of the window (and then on the timeline, below). For the rest, the program interface is so intuitive that it does not require too many explanations: at the top there are the classic menus with all the commands for managing files and calling up some program functions; immediately below is the toolbar with buttons to access Media, Audio, Titles, Transitions, Effects and Elements (e.g. emojis and badges), while in the center is the work area in which to select the elements to be transported to the timeline.
Above the timeline, then, there are two toolbars, one on the left and one on the right, with elements such as the trash can (to delete the selected elements), the scissors (to cut the scenes), the adjustment bars (to modify the video via rotation, zoom etc,); the microphone (to record audio narrations), the musical note (to open the audio mixer) and so on. All selected items can be added to the project simply by dragging them to the desired point in the timeline. By clicking, on the other hand, on the video thumbnails in the timeline it is possible to modify them by cutting them, dividing them, deleting scenes etc. (just press the relative buttons on the various toolbars).
When the work is completed, to export your video, all you have to do is click on the EXPORT button (above), log into your Filmora account (or create one) and choose the format in which to export the work. Know, however, that the free version of Filmora imprints a watermark on the videos made: to remove it (and also get free technical support), you must subscribe to a subscription of 39.99 usd / year or buy a lifetime license for the program, at one-time cost of 59.99 usd.
Lightworks
Didn’t the video editing programs that I have already proposed to you have been able to attract your attention in a particular way? No? Well, then try to take a look at Lightworks: it is the best solution for those looking for professional-level video editing programs at no cost. It is not very light, it is not very easy to use but it ensures full use of the PC’s potential.
Among its main functions there are all the basic ones for video editing plus others reserved for professionals.
Lightworks is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and is free in its “basic” version. The program is eventually also available in a paid edition that provides additional functions such as exporting to YouTube’s 1080p format and creating stereoscopic content. To download Lightworks to your computer click here.
Avidemux
An excellent free and open source video editing program capable of processing videos in all major formats (AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, etc.) and saving them with or without re-editing is without a doubt Avidemux.
The program, with a somewhat spartan interface but in Italian, also allows you to apply many special effects, adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness and much more and allows you to work both in direct stream mode (without recompression) and in full mode processing (with video re-encoding).
Avidemux is available for Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems and is a free resource. To download Avidemux to your computer click here.
Software for Windows
Now let’s move on to software compatible exclusively with Windows, the most popular operating system in the desktop environment.
Sony Vegas
Another among the video editing programs to which I invite you to contact is Sony Vegas: it is a professional solution for video editing characterized by an interface (in English) vaguely inspired by that of multi-track audio editors . At first glance it is not as intuitive as the most basic editing software but after a little practice it can be used with profit even by those who are not a professional video maker.
Sony Vegas, as I have already told you, is a program intended for professionals in the sector but can also be used by video editing enthusiasts. In this case, however, a little practice is required in order to obtain good final results.
The software is available only and exclusively for Windows and is paid. However, the program can be downloaded in a free trial version lasting 30 days which can be obtained after a short registration on the official website of the program. To download Sony Vegas to your computer click here.
VirtualDub Mod
In a list of the best video editing programs there can be no VirtualDub Mod. If you have never heard of it, I will immediately clear your mind: it is a modified version of the equally popular VirtualDub which, although not updated for some time, ensures maximum flexibility in AVI, MPEG and MKV movie processing with audio tracks and subtitles.
The software is able to work both in direct mode (without recompression) and in full processing mode, also offering the possibility of applying filters and special effects to videos, as well as dividing or joining them naturally.
VirtualDub is a program available only and exclusively for Windows operating systems and is free. To download VirtualDub to your computer click here.
Video editors for macOS
Do you use a Mac? So here are some video editing programs that might be right for you.
iMovie
iMovie is the most famous video editing application in the Mac world: it is a product made available directly by Apple and is ideal for creating home montages but also includes advanced functions that allow even more experienced video makers to obtain excellent quality movies.
The application combines a highly intuitive user interface with a rich set of advanced features and special effects. The program also makes available to its users a wide range of predefined styles to create themed trailers and montages.
iMovie is an application that is provided free on macOS but is also available as a separate application that can be downloaded for free on older Macs where it is not present. You can find iMovie directly on your Mac by going to the Applications folder or you can download it to your computer from this page.
Final Cut Pro
If iMovie is mainly intended for home users but can also be used by more experienced users, Final Cut Pro is the professional video editing program par excellence in the Mac environment. Like iMovie, Final Cut Pro is also a software produced by Apple itself but offers all the most advanced editing and editing tools.
The program also supports multi-track editing of 4K movies and, if well used, allows for high-level final results worthy of the best director.
Final Cut Pro is only available for macOS and only for a fee, at a price of 299.99 USD. However, you can try the software without spending a single cent for a period of 30 days. To download Final Cut Pro to your Mac click here.
