Video editing is one of the most in-demand skills in today’s content creation era. If you know how to shoot and edit videos in professional video editing software, you can make some amazing stuff and earn literally millions of dollars. While smartphone editing apps are very simple to use, creating decent content with PC editing tools requires some effort and expertise.
MORE: From Beginner to Pro: Top Mobile Editing Apps
If you are new to PC video editing, we have some software recommendations for you. These PC video-editing tools have amazing capabilities and should be on your list if you want to build a name for yourself in the field of content creation.
CyberLink PowerDirector is a top-rated video editing software for desktop and mobile devices. It offers a user-friendly interface similar to LumaFusion, iMovie, and KineMaster. The app allows users to import clips and access various tools through the edit button. While less elegant than iMovie or KineMaster, PowerDirector’s responsiveness and lack of clutter make it enjoyable to use. Its comic-like thought bubbles make it suitable for beginners.
For professionals, PowerDirector aligns with iMovie, allowing for idea sketching rather than finalizing a product. For amateurs, it’s powerful enough without being overwhelming. The app is free, but a monthly or annual subscription is required to unlock all features and create videos without watermarks.
Platform: Windows PCs, Android, iOS, iPad
Plan: Free, Subscription
Key features: Multi-track editing, chroma key, masking
Adobe Premiere Rush is a lightweight, easy-to-use video editing app that offers powerful tools with a simple interface and regular updates. It is multi-platform, allowing users to edit videos across Android, iOS, and desktop devices without missing a frame of footage. Premiere Rush provides a simple entry point into video editing on phones and tablets, offering access to an ever-growing stock media library, a transcription tool, and major performance gains.
Adobe claims the app has been optimized for better battery life and faster exports. However, it is only available as part of a Creative Cloud subscription, either as a standalone app, bundled alongside Premiere Elements or as part of the Creative Cloud All Apps package. Despite its simplicity, Adobe Premiere Rush is unlikely to win an Oscar from any movie edited, making it an ideal choice for those looking to start editing videos.
Platform: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows, macOS
Plan: Subscription
Key features: Desktop and mobile, motion graphics, color correction, Adobe integration
DaVinci Resolve, a free video editor from Blackmagic Design, is now available on Apple’s iPad. It is one of the most powerful video editing software out there for professional video editing. The app offers the same features as its desktop counterpart, including real-time color grading, multi-track audio, and timeline editing tools. It also features advanced AI capabilities for precise video editing.
However, DaVinci Resolve is not for beginners as it is a professional tool with a steep learning curve and complex interface. The app doesn’t add watermarks to videos, but the end result is worth the effort. For professional editors, a paid-for upgrade is available, but for most users, the free app is sufficient. The app is not for the faint-hearted, as it’s unlike NLEs, making the learning curve steep.
Platform: iPad
Plan: Free, Perpetual license
Key features: Identical to desktop version, color grading, audio transcription
iMovie is a popular video editing app that combines ease of use with power, making it one of the best options for Mac PCs, iPhone, and iPad users. It allows users to load clips and arrange them on a magnetic single-track timeline, allowing for easy rearranging and pinching to zoom. The app also features a title editor, which can be adjusted for themes, fonts, colors, and backgrounds. Other features include filters, transitions, clip speeds, audio overlays, and green-screen, split-screen, and picture-in-picture effects.
Despite recent updates, iMovie feels like it’s on life support, especially with Apple’s renewed focus on Final Cut Pro. While it is free, there are other free video editing apps offering more features. iMovie trades depth for speed, making it not the top choice for the ‘best video editing app’ title. However, it is great for combining clips and figuring out narrative flow in a fast, efficient, and low-distraction interface.
Platform: iOS, iPad, macOS
Plan: Free
Key features: Transitions, effects, audio library
GoPro Quik, a video editing app, has been renamed to better suit GoPro users who prefer a more user-friendly experience. The app allows users to choose videos from their devices and edit them into a highlights reel, allowing them to customize themes, trim points, music, and formatting. However, GoPro has made some changes to the app, making the older Quik’s output more dynamic and fun.
The revamped app also encourages subscriptions, offering additional filters, themes, music, a slow-down tool, and cloud backup. Despite these changes, GoPro Quik retains some of its predecessor’s best features, making it a worthwhile download for GoPro enthusiasts. Despite the renaming, Quik remains a valuable tool for those looking for a more efficient video editing experience.
Platform: Windows PC, Android, iOS, iPad
Plan: Free, Subscription
Key features: Unlimited media upload, auto-highlight creator, 4K support, stickers and emojis
Movavi Video Editor is a video editing program that provides a basic workflow for new users, starting with importing media, understanding the video timeline, and applying effects. The program has three main sections: media library, preview window, and timeline. Importing media is easy and smooth, with no lag when reorganizing 4K videos.
The timeline is easy to record using a compatible device. Movavi offers a range of transitions, filters, and effects, with an online store available for a monthly subscription fee. The program also includes a range of audio editing tools, including equalizers, normalization, beat detection, noise cancellation, and distortion effects. The latest version includes an AI-powered version of chroma keying.
Platform: Android, iOS, Windows
Plan: Free, Subscription
Key features: Activity Dashboard, Supports HD Resolution, Brand Overlay, Animations & Transitions
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