January 18, 2021

12 Best Video Editors for YouTube [Free/Paid, Win/Mac, Easy/Profi]

Anyone can start their own YouTube channel, but how do you edit your videos to ensure they’re professional? Video editing software can help. You’ll find a wide range of software to choose from – some suitable for beginners and other programs aimed at professionals. We’ve picked 12 video editors for YouTube, compared them, and prepared a detailed overview of each one. The programs listed below are in no particular order, although we’ve separated them into beginner, amateur, and professional levels to suit users’ needs. Keep reading to find the best video editing software for YouTube.

Top 12 Best Video Editing Software for YouTube

With so many video editors to choose from, you’ll need to think about what you want to do with the software before choosing the best video editor for YouTube. You might want to crop your video or add a title – in which case an online video editor for YouTube suitable for beginners might work best for you. For those who want to add filters, remove unwanted fragments, and other more advanced tasks, software aimed at professionals may be your best option.

Software	OS	Level	Price
Movavi Video Editor Plus Movavi Video Editor Plus	Windows, Mac	Beginner	$74.95
HitFilm Express HitFilm Express	Windows, Mac	Beginner	Free
Blender Blender	Windows, Mac, Linux	Beginner	Free
Magisto Magisto	Mac, Windows, iOS, Android	Beginner	From $4.99/month, billed annually
AVS AVS	Windows only	Beginner	From $39 for a one-year subscription
IceCream Video Editor IceCream Video Editor	Windows only	Beginner	Free, or $29.95 one-time fee for Pro
DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve	Windows, Mac, Linux	Amateur	Free
Pinnacle Studio Pinnacle Studio	Windows only	Amateur	From $59.95 one-time fee
Lightworks Lightworks	Windows, Mac, Linux	Amateur	Free 7-day trial, then free for home use or from $24.99/month, $174.99/year, or $437.99/lifetime license
CyberLink PowerDirector CyberLink PowerDirector	Windows, Mac	Amateur	Free trial, then from $19.99/month or $51.99/year
Final Cut Pro Final Cut Pro	Mac only	Professional	Free to try, then $299.99 one-time fee
Vegas Pro Vegas Pro	Windows only	Professional	Free trial, then from $299 for Vegas Pro Edit, $399 for Vegas Pro

Easy YouTube Video-Editing Software for Beginners

Movavi Video Editor Plus

Movavi Video Editor Plus is a full-featured video editor that makes it easy to create movies on your PC, even without previous experience. It’s one of the best video editors for YouTube, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started – but you’ll find plenty of advanced features once you get up and running too. Add your own voiceover, remove unwanted fragments, split and join fragments, add titles and transitions, and much more! You can share your edited videos on YouTube or save them to your PC, 4K TV, or mobile device for viewing later.

Pros

The software works on Windows and Mac.
A user-friendly interface means it’s quick to get started.
There are lots of different effects, filters, and transitions to choose from.
It includes built-in videos, stickers, backgrounds, and soundtracks.
It has plenty of advanced features to customize your experience.
There’s an affordable license fee.
There’s a 7-day free trial.

Cons

There’s no free version.
It’s not available for Linux.

Main features

Huge library of effects, filters, and transitions
In-built stickers, backgrounds, and soundtracks
Chroma Key
Vertical Video
Picture in Picture

OS: Windows and Mac.

Price: $74.95 for the full version.

Movavi Video Editor Plus

Your next step in video-making

Edit video clips, images, and audio on a timeline
Add transitions, filters, titles, and stickers
Animate objects using keyframes, use more built-in media
Export videos in any popular format

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Windows version

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Mac version

HitFilm Express

HitFilm Express is free video editing software that’s ideally suited to beginners. With over 100 hours of free video tutorials and an intuitive interface, it’s easy to use. But there are plenty of features for more advanced users too, including 419 powerful effects, animation tools, composite shot enhancement, and unlimited video and audio tracks. You can add standalone upgrade packs to your experience from $9.99, turning your videos into something truly professional. There’s even a dedicated support team, online forum, and reference manual if you get stuck.

Pros

It’s free to use.
The software is available for Windows and Mac.
It couldn’t be easier to get started.
There’s an intuitive interface.
You’ll get free support and over 100 hours of video tutorials.
There are loads of effects and animation tools to choose from.
You can buy standalone add-ons as you become more advanced.

Cons

There’s no Linux version.
Customer support is only available on weekdays.

Main features

Standalone add-ons
Built-in voice recorder
Over 410 effects and presets
Full 2D and 3D composting
Editing and VFX tutorials

OS: Windows and Mac.

Price: free download, with add-ons from $9.99.

Blender

Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux that’s ideal for those new to video editing for YouTube. As well as editing, it can be used for modeling, sculpting, rendering, and more. You can perform basic actions like splitting and video cuts, right through to complex tasks like color grading and video masking. Features include up to 32 slots for video, images, audio, effects, etc, live preview mode, speed control, and a range of filters and transitions.

Pros

It’s cross-platform software.
It’s free to use, even commercially.
Skilled programmers can change the code according to their needs, as it’s open-source software.
There are plenty of basic and more advanced features available.
It’s ideal for beginners.
The interface is easily customizable.
You can use the software for other tasks like modeling or sculpting.

Cons

Because it’s free and open-source, there’s no support available.
If you encounter any issues using the program you might struggle to resolve them.
The interface isn’t intuitive.
Frequent updates may make things seem unfamiliar for beginners.

Main features

Live preview
Chroma vectorscope
Luma waveform
Keyframes
Adjustment layers
Speed control

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux.

Price: free.

Magisto

Magisto is an A.I.powered video editor and YouTube video maker that’s designed for business use. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial and access the software on your Mac or Windows desktop computer or through the iOS or Android app. Magisto has a native player and a library of pre-set editing styles and soundtracks to choose from, plus an online help center and video marketing insights to help you see how your videos are performing. After the free trial, there are three subscription levels to choose from: Premium, Professional, and Business, but it’s worth noting the maximum video length you can create is 10 minutes, regardless of your plan. To access features like the stock photo and video library or HD downloads, you’ll need the Professional plan.

Pros

There’s a free 7-day trial.
You can access it on your desktop or through the iOS or Android app on-the-go.
It has a native player.
It offers video marketing insights.
It uses A.I. powered technology to make smart editing decisions for your videos – ideal for beginners.
There’s a huge library of editing styles and soundtracks to choose from.
There are three subscription plans available.
The online help center answers the most frequently asked questions.

Cons

You’ll find you have less control over the final look of your videos compared to some other programs, due to the A.I. element.
The editing styles and soundtracks are limited, and decisions are often made for you.
For HD downloads and access to stock photos and videos, you’ll need a Professional subscription.
You can only make videos up to 10 minutes in length.

Main features

Powered by A.I.
Native player
Video marketing insights
Online help center
Library of editing styles and soundtracks

OS: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android.

Price: free 7-day trial, then a choice of three subscription levels, starting from $4.99 per month, billed annually.

AVS

AVS Video Editor enables users to perform the full cycle of video editing. This video editor app for YouTube offers fairly basic features and controls aimed at beginners editing videos at home. Your video can be customized in a wide range of different ways, such as applying filters and effects, adding your own narrative, fixing shaking video, and many more. You can also edit videos for DVD and Blu-Ray players by adding menus and other features and there is multi-threading support which speeds up the editing process and can be used on multi-core PCs.

Pros

It has a straightforward interface that’s easy to navigate.
It offers excellent help resources.
It works fast because of multi-threading support and video caching.
There is the option to get video from various devices including VHS cameras.
You can burn a video onto a disc.

Cons

The features and controls are fairly standard and not aimed at professional users.
You can’t save videos in .mkv, .ogg, and some other formats.
There is only a single video editing track available.

Main features

Transfer video from DV/HDV cameras, webcams, or VHS cameras
Video stabilization
Chroma key
Integrated video cache technology

OS: Windows only.

Price: from $39 for a one-year subscription or $59 for unlimited access.

IceCream Video Editor

IceCream Video Editor is free editing software for Windows that’s easy to use. Those looking for good video editing software for YouTube will love that it allows you to easily crop videos, set output video quality and ratio, and add transitions, titles, backgrounds, effects, audio, and more. There’s an easy sharing feature to make it simple to share your creations, and it supports most popular video and image formats including MP4, AVI, MOV, JPG, etc. You can create videos up to 5 minutes long and 10 timeline scenes with the free editor, or upgrade to Pro for unlimited length videos and an unlimited number of timeline scenes, as well as priority support and a lifetime license for two PCs.

Pros

It’s totally free to use.
The interface is intuitive and simple to learn.
There’s a wide range of visual effects, titles, and backgrounds to choose from.
It supports most popular formats.
It’s compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.
You can create videos up to 5 minutes in length and up to 10 timeline scenes for free.
Sharing your videos is easy with the share feature.
You can upgrade to Pro by paying an affordable one-time fee.

Cons

You’ll need to upgrade to Pro to send non-watermarked videos over 5 minutes long.
There’s no version for Mac.
Support can be slow and is via an online form only unless you upgrade to Pro.
Some of the features may be basic for anybody who is a more advanced user.

Main features

Single timeline
15 scene transitions
Wide range of effects
Add music soundtrack or voiceover
Set output video aspect ratio

OS: Windows only.

Price: free download, or upgrade to Pro for $29.95.

Best YouTube Video Editing Software for Amateurs

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is aimed at professionals, but more than suitable for amateur use at home too. It may not be the best video editor for YouTube for beginners as it can be tricky to master and resource-intensive. It offers features such as drag and drop editing, automatic trim cursor, easy clip marking, and dozens of titles, effects, and transitions to choose from. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and is free to use, although to access more advanced features you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version.

Pros

It’s free to use.
It’s available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
There are dozens of 2D and 3D titles, effects, and transitions to choose from.
The modern interface is easy to use.
It supports drag and drop editing.
The automatic trim cursor makes editing faster.
The software supports teamwork.
It is good at color correction.

Cons

Beginners might consider it difficult to master.
The free version lacks some useful effects.
The Pro version seems expensive.
There have been reports of it crashing due to how resource-intensive it is.
The interface can be confusing.

Main features

Metadata based “slate” view with bin dividers lets you organize and find footage faster
Proxies
Smart reframings
Zoomed waveforms for audio editing
Live effect previews

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux.

Price: free.

Pinnacle Studio

Pinnacle Studio is powerful video editing software that’s available only for Windows, and one of the best video editors for YouTube. With features like Advanced Keyframing, MultiCam Editing, Screen Recording, Stop Motion, and DVD authoring, it’s ideal for amateurs or professionals alike. Choose from hundreds of creative effects and tools and customize workflows to suit your needs. Pinnacle Studio is also compatible with many third-party plugins. You can select three versions: Studio, Studio Plus, or Studio Ultimate – and some features are only available with Plus or Ultimate.

Pros

The software is ideal for amateurs and professionals.
There are three versions to choose from depending on the features you need.
The software offers customizable workflows.
You can author DVDs.
It’s compatible with many third-party plugins.
There is a wide range of advanced features, effects, and tools.

Cons

There’s no information available about whether or not there’s a free trial.
There is no Mac version.
Some features like Color Grading are only available in the Ultimate version.
It’s not suited to beginners.

Main features

Enhanced Keyframe controls
Color-correction tools
Basic color grading
Multi-camera editing
Motion tracking

OS: Windows only.

Price: choice of three tiers starting at $59.95 one-time fee.

Lightworks

Lightworks is an excellent video editing program aimed at amateurs through to professionals. It features a clean, intuitive interface and an extensive library of royalty-free audio and video content and effects. With hours of tutorial videos and an active online community, you’ll be up and running in no time, and you can download Lightworks for a free 7-day trial on Windows, Mac, or Linux. After the trial, you can register to continue using the free version or upgrade to Pro, which removes restrictions on exporting formats and gives you access to other exclusive features. Lightworks supports a wide range of file formats, allows for easy timeline editing and trimming, and makes it easy to export videos up to 4K.

Pros

It works on all popular platforms.
It has a simple and intuitive interface.
There are a 7-day free trial and a free version for home use.
There are many timelines to edit video parameters separately.
There’s a library of royalty-free video and audio content.
It offers real-time audio and video FX.
You can choose from monthly, annual, or lifetime payments when upgrading to Pro.

Cons

The full version seems expensive compared to other apps.
The trial version’s functionality is limited.
There are restrictions on exporting formats in the free version.

Main features

Lo-res proxy workflows for 4K
Easy timeline editing and trimming
Up to 32bit GPU precision and histogram tool
Royalty-free audio and video content
Wide file format support

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux.

Price: free 7-day trial, then free for home use or from $24.99/month, $174.99/year, or $437.99 for a lifetime license.

Cyberlink PowerDirector

CyberLink PowerDirector is ideal for amateur and pro users, offering a great combination of ease of use and functionality. When it comes to the best video editing software for YouTube, it has all the features you need, like trimming a clip, adding effects, such as moving titles, changing audio tracks, and more. This app also works well with 360° video editing. The program isn’t difficult to work with, so even beginners can use it. It offers a huge library of stock images, titles, transitions, and more, and its Action Camera Centre makes it easy to quickly apply speed effects and one-click enhancements to your videos.

Pros

There is a free trial.
You can choose from a monthly or annual subscription when upgrading to the Pro version.
It works with Windows and Mac OS.
The software is good at compressing videos.
There’s a wide range of titles, stock images, transitions, and sound effects to choose from.
It offers a range of professional effects such as sketch animation overlays and green screen editing.

Cons

Users have complained about tech support.
There have been reports of frequent crashing.
It is resource-intensive and you’ll need a good graphics card to use it.

Main features

Advanced mask tools
Dynamic Keyframe controls
Customizable Motion Graphic Titles
Stabilization
Stop Motion, Freeze Frame, Zoom, and Pan

OS: Windows and Mac.

Price: free trial, then from $19.99/month or $51.99/year.

Professional Video Editors for YouTube

FinalCut Pro

Final Cut Pro is an Apple product that’s oriented towards professionals. Available for Mac only, it is the go-to tool for professionals editing video on Mac – yet its interface is simple enough for users of all levels. This video editor app for YouTube uses a modern Metal engine that accelerates tasks like real-time effects, rendering, and exporting by up to 20% on a MacBook Pro and up to 30% on an iMac Pro. Its magnetic timelines let you easily move and trim clips without sync problems or collisions, it supports 360° editing, there’s Multicam mode which lets you automatically sync up to 64 angles of video and powerful noise reduction tools for professional results. You can try the software for free after which you’ll need to purchase to continue using it.

Pros

You can try it out for free before deciding to purchase.
It can work with 360° video.
It supports resolution up to 8K.
It can synchronize a video from up to 64 cameras.
It offers a magnetic, trackless timeline.
It includes organization tools like libraries, tagging, and auto analysis for faces and scenes.
It offers fast performance.
There’s support for iPad Sidecar and MacBook Touch Bar.
It’s optimized for the new MacBook Pro.

Cons

There’s no free version.
It may be expensive for some compared to a monthly or annual subscription.
It doesn’t work with Windows.
There is limited support for high-resolution images.
The interface might seem complicated if you’re new to Mac.
Pro editors may not like the nontraditional timeline editing.
There is no motion tracking or stabilization for 360-degree video.

Main features

Advanced color grading, HDR support, and ProRes RAW
Magnetic Timeline
Compound Clips bundles separate clips into a single moveable package
Auditions let you try out multiple takes in the timeline
Multicam editing

OS: Mac only.

Price: free to try, then $299.99.

Vegas Pro

As can be guessed from the name, Vegas Pro is software for pros who need advanced video processing features like superior video stabilization, motion tracking, complete HDR color support, and a wide range of special effects to choose from. Vegas Pro is a YouTube video maker that’s only available on Windows. Beginners will most probably find the program overwhelming, while experienced users will appreciate the fact new features are regularly added. It is possible to try Vegas Pro for free before you decide to purchase.

Pros

There’s a free trial.
It’s not resource-intensive.
There are built-in tutorials and YouTube videos to help you learn how to use the software.
It’s ideal for professional video editing.
The built-in effects are suitable for professional use.
A wide range of free and paid plugins are available.
It has powerful, easy frame-by-frame editing.

Cons

It is expensive for beginners and amateurs.
There’s no Mac version.
It doesn’t work with .svg.
There are limited options for transitions and titles.

Main features

Planar Motion Tracking
Video stabilization
Nested timelines
Flicker control and denoise filter
Unified color grading workflow

OS: Windows only.

Price: free trial, then from $299 for Vegas Pro Edit, $399 for Vegas Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

👩‍💻 What Do YouTubers Use to Edit Their Videos?

There are lots of programs capable of editing videos for YouTube. Here’s a list of examples:

🖥 What Is the Best Video Editing Software?

Everything depends on what you want the software to do with your videos. It is worth checking several apps to see what suits you best. Follow the link below to read our article about the best free video editing software and how to choose a video editor for your purposes.

Best free video editing software

💻 What Is the Easiest to Use Video Editing Software?

Having no experience in video editing doesn’t mean you can’t make great videos from your footage. There are many programs with a clear interface that even a beginner can use without efforts. Click the link below to read about the top 10 apps that are easy to use.

Top 10 easy video editing software for beginners

📽 What Do Professional Video Editors Use?

Professional video editors value functionality, and video editing software has to meet their needs. Consider checking the list below: we hope it will help you to find a useful app.

The best free professional video editing software

Movavi Video Editor Plus

Your next step in video-making

Edit video clips, images, and audio on a timeline
Add transitions, filters, titles, and stickers
Animate objects using keyframes, use more built-in media
Export videos in any popular format

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Windows version

Download for Free Buy Now More about the Mac version

* The free version of Movavi Video Editor Plus has the following restrictions: 7-day trial period, watermark on the output videos, and, if you’re saving a project as an audio file, an ability to save only half the audio length. Learn more

12 Best Video Editors for YouTube [Free/Paid, Win/Mac, Easy/Profi]

Top 12 Best Video Editing Software for YouTube

Movavi Video Editor Plus

Frequently Asked Questions

Movavi Video Editor Plus

See other useful how-to guides