The video editing software is a key tool to complete our audiovisual works.
The post-production process, in which the recorded or imported material is put together and edited, is absolutely necessary to build our message in an understandable and entertaining way for the public.
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The video editor functions
Basically, what a video editor does is import some audio and image clips into a timeline, it allows us to combine and add labels and transitions to the scenes.
All video editing programs have these basic capabilities, but there are some that also allow light and color adjustments, have more export options and allow you to add very attractive visual effects.
There is no a perfect editor. Each creator has their preference, based on the features they need and the comfort they find using it.
We present a selection of video editors of different levels, depending on the operating system, that you can try.
We recommend that you start with a free one, and, as you progress in your projects, try a paid one, taking advantage of the free version they present, in order to choose the one that is most intuitive for you.
The best video editor for Windows
Basic Level Video Editor: Windows Movie Maker
It is a video editing software that is part of the Windows Essentials software suite. It has basic functions such as dividing and pasting videos into one, support for voice-over recording, audio mixer and allows the export of the video directly to DVD and to YouTube and Vimeo.
Since January 10, 2017, Windows stopped updating, supporting and offering the download.
It is a program to start with video editing, but if you want to have attractive results, it will soon outgrow you.
Intermediate Level Video Editor: CyberLink PowerDirector 365
A range of ready-to-use templates with effects, titles and transitions are available in Express Projects, allowing you to produce in just a few clicks.
Action Camera Center gives you everything you need to make quick edits, fix and enhance videos, adjust frames, motion and more.
It has a free-to-use collection of animated titles, transitions, color presets and music to achieve your creative vision that grows every month.
Advanced Level Video Editor: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
This software is the most used by YouTube creators. It has the advantage that, as Adobe has a large catalog of visual tools (Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Adobe Audition and Adobe Stock), these are included in the monthly payment plan of this program.
They are continually improving it with new features being released regularly and applied in updates.
It also has a version for Mac, but users of this system will find it a bit far from the interface they are used to.
The best video editor for Mac
Basic Level Video Editor: iMovie
This editor comes by default as part of the iLife suite of applications for the Macintosh.
Integrated with FireWire, iMovie imports footage from most digital video cameras and loads them into the Mac. It lets you edit, add titles and music.
It includes color correction effects and video enhancement tools, as well as transitions and slideshow effects. It has plugins to increase its versatility.
Intermediate Level Video Editor: Adobe Premiere Elements
It is designed for users who start in the world of editing. You have many automatic options that facilitate the work.
Premiere Elements can be viewed in Guided, Quick, and Expert modes, allowing for a natural progression for users learning to edit.
Accessing the visual effects and editing tools is very easy with well-organized toolbars and menus.
The payment of this software is unique, although it does not allow updates.
Advanced Level Video Editor: Final Cut Pro
This editor is the jewel of iOS. It has professional capacity and, in addition, it allows a fairly intuitive learning, if you come from iMovie.
It is completely designed for Mac, thus taking advantage of the capabilities of the processor and is quite fast in its functions.
Take advantage of the 90-day free trial to savor all the capabilities it has. If it convinces you, once paid, it is for life.
The best video editor for Linux
Basic Level Video Editor: Kdenlive
Kdenlive is an acronym for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor. This software was primarily conceived for the GNU/Linux platform, but it works for Mac and Windows as well.
Non-linear video editing and editing systems are much more efficient than traditional systems, as they offer greater control and precision when producing professional-level projects.
This software is ideal to be used by beginners.
Intermediate Level Video Editor: OpenShot
OpenShot was designed to be an easy-to-use, quick-to-learn, and surprisingly powerful video editor. It has many easy ways to cut the video, it has animation frame, it can fade, slide, bounce and animate anything, it allows you to add as many layers as you need for watermarks, background videos, audio tracks and more.
You can remove the background of the video, invert the colors, adjust the brightness, display the audio files as waveforms, and even render the waveforms as part of the video.
It creates beautiful 3D animated titles and effects, and allows you to control time, reversing, slowing down and speeding up the video.
Advanced Level Video Editor: Lightworks Pro
Several Hollywood movies have been edited with this editor. It has a limited free version and 3 different paid plans.
Its options for importing, exporting, editing, time and color control, effects, multi-screen, equalization, lettering and other tools are too many to list here. In short, it is an absolutely complete software.
The best video editor online
Basic Level Video Editor: Canva
It allows you to create short and effective videos in just a few minutes from pre-designed templates, free stock videos, animations and music tracks. It is optimized for posting on social networks.
Intermediate Level Video Editor: FlexClip
FlexClip allows you to create videos from templates.
You will be able to add dynamic texts, overlays, widgets, logos and other animated elements.
Gives unlimited access to over 4,000,000 high-quality, royalty-free music, video, and photo files.
Allows you to easily trim your video; easily add animated text, logos, music, color grading, voice recording, and export HD videos for social media.
Advanced Level Video Editor: WeVideo
It has an interface very similar to professional video editors.
Cloud-based flexibility gives you unlimited storage for your media files and there’s no software download to install, giving you plenty of freedom to roam as you can edit from any computer.
It requires uploading the recordings to be able to use it, a step that can be slow.
It has a limited free version with a watermark, and other paid versions.
The best video editors for smartphone or tablet
Video editor for iOS: iMovie app
It is similar to the desktop version. It is useful for simple and quick videos.
Video editor for Android: Kinemaster
It’s free, but requires an in-app subscription to remove the watermark.
It is quite versatile, for basic projects.
Video editor for Windows mobile: MAGIX Movie Edit Touch
It’s free, but requires in-app purchase for some basic features.
It has an interface designed for touch screen.