More video content is being produced today than ever before. This is in part to the accessibility of the latest video editing software as well as the fact that video has become a cornerstone of communication and entertainment. Whether you are a business owner, videographer, a content creator, or a video hobbyist, having the right video editing software can make all the difference. Now that we're in 2024, it's time to explore the best video editing software options available to help you bring your creative vision to life.
Table of Content
Understanding Your Needs
Before we delve into the list of the best video editing software for 2024, it's essential to understand your specific needs and use cases. If you are new to editing, you may not have a computer that is optimized for Different software applications cater to various skill levels and purposes. Are you a beginner looking for user-friendly software, or are you a professional in need of advanced features? Do you work on a Mac or a PC? Consider these factors when making your choice.
CapCut
Price: Free with subscription add-ons
CapCut is the newest high-end video editing software to enter the market and cause a huge splash to the entire industry.
Over 200 million users are currently on CapCut, which is like saying the entire nation of Brazil are CapCut editors. What makes CapCut such a good option for most people is that it simplifies many of the more difficult editing processes so even a beginner can have high quality content with polished effects.
We love that CapCut has made this list because it will put a flame under software developers that do not listen to what consumers want.
Democratization of editing also means that editing will soon become possible on even the lowest spec machines .
Who it's best suited for:
-
TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Content creators
-
Beginners
-
Smart phone editors
-
Effects lovers
Despite being a great beginner program, CapCut has some impressive features that I've only seen in professional editing software.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| User-Friendly Interface | Desktop projects does not sync with mobile or browser |
| Cloud Storage that syncs across mobile and browser | Cloud storage is capped at 100GB |
| Caption generation | Does not support external plugins or VSTs |
| Auto-filler word remover | Multi-layer editing can be buggy |
| Effects Library: Elevate your videos with stunning effects, filters, and transitions that give your content a professional touch. | Lack of control over effects |
| One click background removal: remove backgrounds of a video with one click | No support for multi camera syncing |
| Music and sound effect library | Limited control over export settings |
| Integration with TikTok and YouTube accounts | |
| Audio cleanup effects | |
| Dual Screen editing support | |
| 4K Export | |
| Log Support | |
| One click proxy editing |
Adobe Premiere Pro
Price: Subscription-based
Adobe Premiere Pro has long been a favorite among professional video editors. In 2024, it continues to be a powerhouse for video editing, offering a wide range of features, including multi-camera editing, motion graphics, and advanced color correction. Its seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps makes it a top choice for many.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Professional-grade video editing | Monthly or annual subscription required |
| Extensive range of advanced features | Resource-intensive and have not optimized software for playback on low end computers |
| Seamless integration with Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator and other Adobe Products | Advanced layout is difficult for beginners |
| Multi-camera editing and motion graphics | Some features may require additional purchases |
| Excellent third-party plugin support | Crashes can cause loss of work |
| Adobe Libraries supports collaborative project support | Project files are not backwards compatible on older updates (i.e.- it's difficult to share your project with someone with an older version of Premiere) |
| Student discounts | Not GPU optimized |
| Supports plugins and professional tools |
Who it's best suited for-
Premiere is for the professionals who work in the industry and spend a lot of time editing, collaborate with others and are required to provide projects out put in a very specific way. Interestingly, who Premiere is for is a narrower market than last year. I've personally edited documentaries, short films and projects with terabytes of footage and Adobe has been able to handle al of it. If you bought a computer just for editing and plan to make content that could be featured on a streaming platform or a theater, Premiere is a safe choice.
Final Cut Pro X
Price: One-time purchase
If you're a Mac user, Final Cut Pro X remains one of the best video editing software options. Known for its speed and efficiency, it offers features like 360-degree video editing, advanced audio editing, and an intuitive user interface. The 2024 version brings even more enhancements to streamline your editing process.
Final Cut Pro 7 was the easy choice for every Mac user up until around 2010 when they released Final Cut Pro X where they made the editing suite for prosumers which alienated industry professionals by removing key features required for a high level of control. The biggest letdown by far was removing the ability to edit frame by frame level which is crucial for any professional project. Although that setback no longer exists, the damage was done and many editors switched to more robust solutions.
Who it's best suited for-
Mac users doing prosumer level content.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-speed and efficient video editing | Exclusively for Mac users |
| User-friendly interface with a sleek design | One-time purchase can be costly for some |
| Supports 360-degree video editing | May lack some advanced features found in Premiere Pro |
| Robust audio editing tools | Limited compatibility with third-party plugins |
| Continual updates and enhancements | Requires a Mac system for optimal performance |
| Apple Motion is far behind After Effects |
DaVinci Resolve
Price: Free (with paid upgrades)
DaVinci Resolve has been the industry standard color grading software for over a decade. Blackmagic Design is Australian-based company that has been innovative in the post-production workflows. You can do everything in Resolve that you would want to in any of the other top level editing software. As I own and operate a Blackmagic camera, I often use Resolve to color grade my footage before I start my project.
DaVinci Resolve has been known to take users needs and improve their software over time with the professional in mind.
Who it's best suited for:
-
Professional editors who don't want to pay for subscription based software plans
-
Anyone with a Blackmagic Camera
-
Color graders
-
New editors looking for a robust industry standard software
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful color correction and grading tools | Steeper learning curve for beginners |
| Comprehensive video editing capabilities | Some advanced features may overwhelm casual users |
| Fusion visual effects compositing included | Free version may have limited collaboration features |
| Excellent audio post-production tools | Less resources available for getting started |
| Impressive free version with paid upgrades | Node based effects is difficult to understand |
| GPU optimized editing | Does not integrate with graphic design |
| Free version is really good | Limited plugins |
| Has a quick edit tab that's great for beginners | Project files only available from Project file panel |
| Faster editing in Premiere | Keyboard shortcuts are not intuitive |
| Auto-saves by default |
iMovie
Price: Free (for Mac users)
For Mac users looking for simplicity and ease of use, iMovie is a reliable choice. It offers basic editing features, making it perfect for beginners and casual video editors. While it may lack some advanced capabilities, it provides a straightforward platform for creating impressive videos.
Who it's best suited for:
-
Mac users and beginners
-
People making videos for fun
-
People making videos on Photobooth (is that still a thing?)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly | Limited advanced editing features |
| Basic video editing with ease of use | May not meet the needs of professional editors |
| Suitable for beginners and casual editors | Limited export options |
| Seamless integration with macOS | Limited third-party plugin support |
| Ideal for quick and simple video projects | May lack advanced audio editing tools |
| Exclusively for Mac users |
Sony Vegas Pro
Price: One-time purchase
Sony Vegas Pro is a favorite among Windows users. In 2024, it continues to provide a comprehensive editing experience for those seeking advanced functionality.
Who it's for:
-
Windows only editors
-
People who want a one time purchase software that has been around
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive video and audio editing | Windows-exclusive, not available for Mac |
| Advanced features like multi-camera editing | One-time purchase can be expensive |
| 3D editing capabilities | Learning curve for complex features |
| Robust audio editing tools | May not be as widely used in the industry |
| Excellent third-party plugin support | Higher system requirements for optimal performance |
Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer has been the go-to choice for professional video editors in the film and television industry for years and is the only editing suite used by union editors. In 2024, it continues to set the bar for advanced video editing and post-production.
Key Features:
-
Precision Editing: Avid Media Composer offers precise editing tools for frame-accurate editing and seamless storytelling.
-
High-Resolution Workflows: With support for 8K and HDR, it caters to the demands of modern filmmaking.
-
Collaboration: Media Composer's collaborative features allow multiple editors to work on the same project simultaneously.
-
Advanced Effects: From color correction to audio post-production, it provides a comprehensive suite of advanced editing and finishing tools.
-
Integration: Seamlessly integrate with other Avid solutions, making it a preferred choice for large-scale productions.
Who it's best suited for:
For professionals in the film and television industry,
Film students looking to make it in the film industry as a union editor
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Precision editing with frame accuracy | Steeper learning curve for beginners |
| Supports high-resolution workflows (8K, HDR) | Higher cost, making it less budget-friendly |
| Robust collaboration features | May require specialized hardware for optimal performance |
| Advanced effects and finishing tools | Overwhelming for basic video editing needs |
| Integration with other Avid solutions | Best suited for professional film and television projects |
| Great for projects with several hours of footage | |
| Great at organizing footage |
Kdenlive
Kdenlive is an open-source video editing software that has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and powerful editing capabilities. It is a versatile tool suitable for both beginners and experienced video editors.
Who it's best suited for:
-
People looking for a free open source editing software
-
Linux users
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Open-Source and Free: Kdenlive is free to use, and its open-source nature means a dedicated community of developers continually enhances and improves the software. | Learning Curve: While Kdenlive is user-friendly, it may still have a learning curve for those entirely new to video editing. |
| Cross-Platform: Kdenlive is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of users on various operating systems. | Stability Issues: Some users have reported occasional stability issues and crashes, although the software is generally reliable. |
| Intuitive User Interface: The software features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started with video editing. | Limited Advanced Features: While it offers a wide range of features, Kdenlive may not have the same advanced capabilities as some premium video editing software. |
| Multitrack Editing: Kdenlive allows users to work with multiple video and audio tracks simultaneously, enabling complex editing and layering of content. | Slower Rendering: Rendering times can be slower compared to some other video editing tools, especially for complex projects. |
| Customizable Layout: Users can customize the layout to suit their preferences, arranging tools and panels to optimize their workflow. | Limited Third-Party Integration: Kdenlive's third-party plugin support is not as extensive as that of some other video editing software. |
| Wide Range of Effects: Kdenlive offers a variety of built-in video and audio effects, transitions, and filters to enhance and stylize your videos. | |
| Keyframe Animation: The software supports keyframe animation, providing precise control over elements like text, images, and effects, allowing for creative and dynamic editing. | |
| Proxy Editing: For users with lower-powered hardware, Kdenlive allows for proxy editing, which makes it easier to work with high-resolution footage. | |
| Powerful Export Options: Kdenlive offers various export presets and formats, ensuring compatibility with different platforms and devices. | |
| Active Community: Kdenlive benefits from an active and supportive user community, making it easier to find tutorials, help, and plugins/extensions to extend its functionality. |
Conclusion
In the world of video editing, you need to determine the scope of your work and how many hours (or years) you want to invest in editing. The best video editing software for 2024 ultimately depends on your specific needs, skill level, and platform preference. If you are not making money from the videos you are producing, you should not pay for editing software.
If you are in the range of being a editing hobbyist or want to start editing videos to grow a social media following, then CapCut is a great place to start.
If you want to be a professional editor, your best options are:
-
Premiere Pro
-
DaVinci Resolve
-
Avid Media Composer
Whatever you choose is going to have a learning curve before you start seeing you own proficiency in the software so it's important to give yourself time to get better and continuously challenge yourself to make each project better.
Leadwell uses a combination of Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve and CapCut depending on the project type.
Whether you're editing videos for fun or pursuing a professional career, there's a software option on this list that's perfect for you.
If you have an other editing suite you are interested in know more about, share it in the comments!
