Mac devices are well-known for enhancing creativity and making digital artistic projects accessible to everyone. Whether you write music or edit videos, there is a ton of programs available for all your needs. If you want to edit a video on Mac and are looking for the best Apple video-editing program, you may feel a little lost as there are so many options. Read this guide to learn more about the best video editors for Mac. Hopefully, it’ll make your choice easier!
App | Features | Download | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for beginners: Movavi Video Editor Plus | Includes all popular features and effects Trial version has limited functionality | ||
| Best for professionals: Adobe Premiere Pro CC | Advanced tools and settings for professional editing Hard to learn | ||
| Best for Mac loyalists: Final Cut Pro X | Clean and powerful interface Complex interface |
| Best for beginners: Apple iMovie | Free for all Apple users Limited to two timeline tracks | ||
| Best for color correction and audio processing: DaVinci Resolve | Full free version Unintuitive for beginners | ||
| Best enthusiast-level video editor: CyberLink PowerDirector | Stable performance Overwhelming number of options in the interface | ||
| Best video-editing software on a budget: Hitfilm Express | Built-in library of effects and animations High system requirements | ||
| Best basic video-editing software with motion tracking: Adobe Premiere Elements | Artificial intelligence features High price |
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Best video-editing software for Mac
Pros
- Free download
- Simple interface
- 24/7 technical support
- A lot of helpful tutorials
Cons
- Trial version has limited functionality
Movavi Video Editor Plus is fast and powerful video-editing software for Mac and Windows devices. The program is designed for creating engaging content with minimum effort. It offers basic video-editing features as well as advanced tools such as Chroma key, keyframe animation, and motion tracking. The clean interface with intuitive controls makes video editing on your MacBook, iMac, or iPad pure joy.
Movavi offers regular updates and releases of new content and features based on feedback from its users. This and all the above mentioned advantages make Movavi Video Editor Plus one of the best movie editing apps for Mac.
PCMag review: 4 out of 5
Features
- Built-in filters, titles, and transitions
- All popular video and audio formats available for export
- Direct upload to YouTube, Google Drive, and Vimeo
- Unlimited number of tracks on the timeline
Pros
- Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem
- Hundreds of video tutorials available
Cons
- Hard to learn
- Expensive monthly subscription
Adobe Premiere Pro is the program widely considered to be the industry standard. With a rich interface and a wide range of editing features, it is the go-to video-editing tool for many editors. Due to the program’s popularity, you can find a video tutorial to solve any problem you come across. While an overwhelming number of settings makes it quite intimidating for a beginner, it is definitely one of the best video-editing software for Mac and Windows.
PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5
Features
- Advanced tools and settings for professional editing
- Automation functionality
Pros
- Clean and powerful interface
- Built-in library of professional effects
Cons
- Complex interface
- Expensive
Final Cut Pro X is Mac video-editing software available for free on iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and other Apple computers. It is a professional-level program with a clean, powerful interface and many built-in effects. Suitable for beginners and professionals alike, it offers everything you need to get started as well as the opportunity to grow. However, its price tag is rather high.
PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5
Features
- 8k resolution support
- 360-degree movie editing
Pros
- Preinstalled on OS X
- Free for all Apple users
- Simple interface
Cons
- Limited to two timeline tracks
iMovie is basic video-editing software for Mac available to all Apple users for free. With a simple interface and a good set of features, this app is among the best video editors for Mac for beginners. However, it lacks the more advanced features needed for professional work. So if you want to take your video editing to the next level, have a look at more advanced programs.
PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5
Features
- Basic video editing tools
- High-fidelity filters
- Built-in sound effects
Pros
- Full free version
- Powerful features for professional editing
Cons
- Complex interface
Unlike other professional video-editing programs for Mac in this list, DaVinci Resolve offers a fully functional version for free. Its powerful color correction and audio processing tools make it possible to produce high-quality videos. This program is a good option for experienced users. Beginners, however, may find it hard to make sense of the complex interface.
PCMag review: 4 out of 5
Features
- Detailed color correction
- Audio post-production tools
Pros
- Free editing software for Mac
- Stable performance
Cons
- Overwhelming number of options in the interface
PowerDirector by Cyberlink is another video maker for Mac designed for creative editing. Its smart AI-powered tools such as masking and blending, keyframing, and motion tracking offer precise control over each frame and make it possible to create stunning cinematic effects.
PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5
Features
- Masking and blending
- Chroma key
- Keyframing
- Motion tracking
Pros
- Free version available
- Built-in library of effects and animations
Cons
- Complex interface
- High system requirements
Hitfilm Express is video software for Mac with a focus on visual effects. It offers a free basic version as well as paid Pro options. However, the most attractive parts of the program — VFX content packs with pre-made animations and toolkits — are sold separately and for a relatively high price.
PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5
Features
- Effects and animations
- Free learning resourses
- GPU acceleration
Pros
- Artificial intelligence features
- Helpful video-editing tutorials
Cons
- Limited functionality
- High price
Adobe Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Adobe Premiere Pro. This program is much easier to navigate and still offers many useful features. There are few tutorials available for it, but even beginners will find it easy to use. If you only need some basic editing tools, you might want to consider a cheaper alternative, however, this is still one of the best video editors for Mac.
PCMag review: 3.5 out of 5
Features
- Smart automation tools
- A good selection of effects
Best video-editing software FAQ
What do most YouTubers use to edit their videos?
Choosing a video editor for YouTube depends on your video-editing needs. Most YouTubers stick to the classic — Adobe Premiere Pro. Another popular choice is iMovie, which comes preinstalled on macOS and includes all basic editing tools, and has intuitive controls. While Adobe Premiere Pro is too complicated for beginners and iMovie lacks advanced features, Movavi Video Editor Plus is a good middle-ground option. It provides tools and effects for creating high-quality content and its interface remains clean and easy to use, which makes it one of the best video editors for Mac.
Which video-editing software is best for beginners?
The best video-editing software for Mac for beginners is one with a simple interface and useful tutorials that will help you get the first result quickly and with little effort. Movavi Video Editor Plus, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere Elements have all the qualities of the above. They are the easiest Mac video editors to master and have everything you need to make videos. If you are just getting started, give one of them a try!
Is iMovie good enough for YouTube?
The basic iMovie features are enough to make a good-quality video to post on your YouTube channel. However, if your goal is creative film editing with many effects and transitions, try a program with more precise control over the editing process, such as Movavi Video Editor Plus.
Final thoughts
Now you’ve had a look at the best video-editing software for Mac. If you still find it difficult to choose the right program, here are a few more tips.
Most video-making software offers at least basic editing features. So, if you don’t plan on doing anything more complicated than cutting, cropping, or rotating, don’t overthink this. You might as well start from the top of the list.
Many of these programs are free to use or offer a free trial. So if you’re unsure, pick one of the free Mac video editors. Even if you are unhappy with your choice later, at least your money will remain safe.
Download Movavi Video Editor Plus now and start making videos at once!
Movavi Video Editor Plus
Make videos. Create. Inspire.
* 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
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