Video Editing Software

Choosing video editing software doesn’t have to be difficult! They all perform the same editing functions, but in different ways. It’s a personal choice, and the best video editing software for you will depend on what you’re trying to achieve with your editing and what you’re comfortable with using.

But you may also be wondering about the best video editing software YouTube videos, so that’s what you’ll see covered in this article.

Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be compensated when you purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Video Editing Software for Beginners

Video editing software is a topic I have discussed on my YouTube channel a lot, and if video editing software is confusing or overwhelming to you, this post is for you. 

Before diving into the specific video editing software options, I want to recommend that you give yourself an hour to get to know a piece of software. YouTube is full of video editing tutorials, including the VidProMom YouTube Channel! But it can be tricky at first, so give yourself an hour to get a video edit going before giving up!

Here are my favorite recommendations if you’re just learning video editing:

iMovie (Desktop version, Mac only, free)

If you’re on a Mac, iMovie is fantastic for beginners (and even non-beginners). It’s free, which is perfect, and it’s very user-friendly. You probably already have it installed on your Mac!

It’s a user-friendly editor, making it an excellent choice for beginners who are new to video editing. iMovie is equipped with various editing features, such as audio editing tools, visual effects, transitions, and text overlays. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can easily import media files from your computer or mobile device and organize them in the timeline.

Overall, iMovie is a great choice for anyone who wants to edit videos quickly and easily, without sacrificing professional-looking videos. Here are some tutorials where you can see iMovie in action:

CapCut (Desktop or App version, Mac and PC, free)

CapCut is a video editing app developed by the Chinese technology giant, Bytedance (who also owns TikTok). It’s a free app and desktop software that with a user-friendly interface for video editing.

CapCut offers a range of features, including video trimming, text overlays, special effects, and music tracks, which can be used to create professional-looking videos. One of the great things about CapCut is its ease of use, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners who are new to video editing!

CapCut is a great choice for anyone who wants a powerful and easy-to-use video editing app. Here are some CapCut tutorials so you can see how it works:

Descript

Lately, I’ve been using Descript for almost all of my video editing! Descript is a unique video editing software that seems to be taking the world by storm. It offers an innovative approach to video editing that makes the process much more intuitive and accessible, even for those who are new to video editing. In fact, Descript is an excellent choice for those who are looking to learn how to edit videos from scratch.

Descript also offers a wide range of editing tools that can help you create professional-looking videos. You can trim and splice your video, add text overlays, and use effects to enhance your video. The software also offers advanced features such as automatic background noise reduction and automated subtitle generation, which can help you produce high-quality videos in a shorter amount of time.

Overall, Descript is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking to learn how to edit videos.

Filmora (Mac and PC)

Wondershare Filmora is great for beginners: it’s available for Mac and PC, and it’s very affordable. It’s perfect for any level of editing, especially beginners, and it has a bunch of really neat features and effects and stuff that are perfect for editing YouTube videos or videos for social media. One nice thing you can do with Filmora is record your screen for a screencast to incorporate in your videos. 

Although it’s not my favorite video editing app, I can’t deny it’s great for beginners!

Screencast Recording and Editing

Recording your screen and editing screencasts is often a top priority for creating YouTube videos. If you’re going to create a screencast for your YouTube videos, you’ll need screencast software. Personally, I use Screenflow and I love it. With ScreenFlow, you can record your screen, webcam, and audio and you can edit everything you record as well. Unfortunately, Screenflow is for Mac users only… but it’s my go-to editor for Screen recording and editing. It’s SO good! Here are some of my tutorials on Screenflow:

More Video Editing Software Options

Now, it may not seem like it, but all video editing software is pretty much the same. There are basic editing functions, like trimming clips, splitting clips, removing sections of a video clip, adding background music. They all do the same thing. 

Some video editors are more advanced than others. Since I’ve provided my recommendations on editing videos as a beginner, here is a list of more advanced Video Editing Software options.

Final Cut Pro

(Mac only) $299 – Final Cut Pro (owned by Apple) is the cool kids video editing software, and definitely suits any hard core video editor. Yes, it’s pricy. But this is my go-to editor for anything more avanced than what I can do in Descript and Screenflow.

Adobe Premiere Pro

(Mac & PC) starting at $19.99/month – As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud platform, Adobe Premiere Pro only comes through the monthly plan. This program is not for everybody, but it robust. I learned how to edit videos with Premiere Pro although it’s not the software that I use anymore.

DaVinci Resolve

(Mac and PC) free – download here. DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It offers a wide range of features and tools that can help you create high-quality videos, making it an excellent choice for those who are looking to learn how to edit videos (or up-level your own techniques!).

DaVinci Resolve also offers a range of audio editing tools, which is important for creating engaging and high-quality videos. You can easily adjust audio levels, add effects, and remove background noise to ensure that your audio is clear and high-quality.

Adobe Premiere Elements

(Mac & PC) From the world-class graphics editing company, Adobe, you can expect Adobe Premiere Elements to be a top of the line, home movie editing package. It’s not exactly a popular editor among YouTube video creators though. I’m not sure how “up to date” it is for YouTube videos.

VSDC

(PC) free – VSDC is a free video editor for PC users, and it promises to “Cut, merge video files, apply visual and audio effects, use filtration and image correction, make slideshows and add an appropriate soundtrack.” Download VSDC here

In conclusion, choosing the right video editing software can make all the difference in the quality of the final product. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there are many options available that can help you achieve your video editing goals. It’s important to consider your needs, budget, and skill level when choosing a software, as each one offers unique features and capabilities. I hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and guidance to help you choose the best video editing software for your needs! With the right software and a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to create engaging and polished videos that will captivate your audience on YouTube.