10+ Best Editing Software for YouTube Videos

10+ Best Editing Software for YouTube Videos

Editing a YouTube video comes with its own challenges, however, you don’t have to have mad skills to edit your videos. Luckily, there are many great YouTube video editors out there to help you complete this task quickly and effectively.

But how do you know what YouTubers use to edit their videos like a pro? What is the best video editing software for YouTube beginners?

These and more questions will be answered in this guide, made just for you. 

Check out our list of the best video editing software for YouTube to help you create terrific videos. It doesn’t matter what system you’re using; everyone will find an option in this list. 

 

1. Renderforest YouTube Video Editor

Renderforest homepage

You’ll Love:

  • ~ 177 video template packs with 10 to 300+ scenes each
  • A special video template pack for YouTube intros, outros and promotions
  • AI video generator
  • Widescreen, portrait and square sizes to fit any device
  • All-in-one video editor with a simple drag-and-drop interface
  • Hundreds of royalty-free media elements, including videos, photos and music tracks
  • Many cool effects, including changing the video’s geolocation, replacing characters, and creating 3D animations
  • Built-in voiceover recorder and text-to-speech tool
  • 24/7 support

 

Pricing:

  • Create HD720 videos with the free version
  • HD1080 videos are available in Pro ($19.99/mo)
  • Unlimited up to 4K videos in Business ($29.99/mo)

 

General Overview:

If you’re looking for a way to create a YouTube video without downloading and installing any software on your computer, you can create brilliant YouTube videos online.

Renderforest offers a variety of YouTube video templates that you can choose from and edit with your text, image and video files, and music track. You can trim, rotate, add a filter to your video clips with just a few clicks.

Besides editing videos for YouTube, you can also create various intros and outros, slideshows, music visualizers, and so much more!

 

Choose a Video Template You Like

Browsing through Renderforest’s video template library, you can find ready-to-use packs for any purpose. Each video template pack comes with up to 500 scenes, which are designed as separate parts of the same video. 

You can find opening slides, title slides, text animation scenes, transitions, and end slides in a single template. The best part is all templates inside the pack stylistically fit together, so your output will look consistent and professional. 

See how many scenes each pack contains and press “Create Now!” if that’s what you need.

Video editing template scenes online

Edit Now!

 

AI Video Generator

When you land in your video editor’s dashboard, all scenes inside the pack are available to you in the timeline below to rearrange, add, remove or adjust to fit your needs.

If you’re not sure how you’ll want your video’s flow to be, ask Renderforest’s AI video generator to help you. 

  • Type a script or a general idea of your video
  • Press “Generate Project” and AI will create a video for you in seconds

Renderforest project template

 

Edit Text, Trim, Add Photos, Videos and More!

Renderforest is your unlimited source of creative ideas! With its powerful editor, you can replace the text with your own, add music and sound effects from the library, trim video clips or upload unlimited media files. You also have access to royalty-free photos and videos from the huge library. 

Access all the editing tools from the editor located on the left side of your video’s preview screen. Whatever change you make from the editor is instantly available to you in the video preview, which makes it very easy to make changes and see the result right away. 

Video editing functionality online for free

Edit Now!

 

Go the Extra Mile: Change Characters and Geolocation

Your YouTube videos would look like a million bucks if you decide to add some extra special touches. 

For example, why not move your characters to Paris and make actions happen near the Eiffel Tower? Or maybe the mystic atmosphere of Egyptian Pyramids can turn your video into the next viral sensation? 

Renderforest gives you the ability to change characters and geolocation of your scenes with a simple click. 

add geographical location in the video presentations

There are many characters acting, dressed and moved as you wish! Choose “Replace” in your preferred scene and land on the character library to choose from. 

video presentation template characters

Whatever your YouTube video project is, Renderforest has all the tools and features to turn it into a great success! 

Edit Now!

 

2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Adobe premiere pro homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Offers to create VR 180 videos 
  • Automatic video reformatting
  • Cross-platform capabilities 
  • Audio editing and syncing 

 

Things to Consider:

  • May have a steep learning curve for non-professionals 

 

Pricing:

  • £30.34 per month with a free trial

 

General Overview: 

Adobe Premiere Pro CC is one of the most popular and best video editing software for YouTube. With its intelligent editing features, the video editor is suitable for both professionals and people with no video editing experience. Although people falling into the latter category might need to get used to it first. 

However, if you are a beginner in video editing, you don’t need to stress about working with this video editing software. The good news is that the user-friendly interface of Adobe Premiere Pro CC is quite straightforward and easy to figure out. It’s also customizable, so you can edit the tools section and bring the ones you use most to the front.

Many famous YouTubers use Adobe Premiere Pro CC to edit their YouTube videos and present professional video content to their subscribers. Some of these YouTubers are PewDiePie, Jake Paul, and MrBeast․  

The reason for this is the advanced editing tools the editor offers, that can help you create videos of any kind, style, and video file format. You can also edit VR, 4K resolution, even 8K, or 360-degree videos, and publish them on YouTube directly. 

With all the tools and options Adobe Premiere Pro offers, it’s not a surprise it’s one of the most used and brilliant YouTube video editing software on the market right now. 

 

3. Lightworks

Lightworks homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Simple interface
  • Multicam editing feature 
  • Compatibility with major operating systems 
  • 3D video processing 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Free version only allows exporting 720p videos

 

Pricing:

  • Unlimited free version provides only basic features and 720p HD export
  • Create plan with £9.99/mo is for 4K video export
  • Pro plan with £23.99/mo unlocks all advanced features and requires valid QScan license

 

General Overview: 

Lightworks is the best free video editing software on this list if you’re trying to make a high-quality YouTube video at zero cost. Sure, the pro version of the video editor also exists, and it’s been used to put together movies like “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The King’s Speech,” etc, but the free version is not much different when it comes to its features. 

It offers superb customization options that allow you to edit your social media or 4K quality videos exactly how you want it. It’s a great free video editing software for YouTubers new to video editing, as well as skillful editors, camera operators, and moviemakers. 

But there’s more to Lightworks!  You can also customize the editing windows and the interface of this free video editor, and set custom keyboard shortcuts to make your working process easier and faster. Note that Lightworks also supports almost all video file formats, including 4K videos, so working in this editor will be a real joy. 

However, note that with the free version of this video editor, you can only export your videos at 720p. 

 

4. Final Cut Pro

Final cut pro homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Works well with Apple ecosystems, including iTunes and Photos 
  • Multi-cam editing 
  • Noise reduction 
  • Option for collaborations through Frame.io extension

 

Things to Consider:

  • Available only for Mac users

 

Pricing:

  • $299.99 with a free trial for 90 days

 

General Overview: 

Available only for Mac users, Final Cut Pro is perfect for creating not only professional and unique YouTube videos but also Hollywood movies and music videos. 

It has a user-friendly interface and a magnetic timeline system that makes editing videos with this software easier and quicker. It also includes support for 4K, 5K, HDR, and 360-degree videos, automatic and smart cropping, device optimization options, multi-cam editing, and much more.

Note that with the multi-cam editing feature, you’ll have the perfect chance to view up to 16 angles simultaneously, as well as sync up to 64 videos on your timeline. 

With Final Cut Pro, you can create terrific and professional YouTube videos that will surely grab the attention of your subscribers. 

 

5. Pinnacle Studio

Pinnacle studio homepage

You’ll Love:

 

  • Multicamera editing 
  • Keyframe control 
  • Build-in voice recorder 
  • Music and sound effect stock 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Hard to find some special effects

 

Pricing:

  • Standard plan ($29.99/mo) allows for up to 6 HD videos with 2 camera editing
  • Ultimate ($79.99/mo) and Ultimate Bundle ($109.99/mo) Plans allow for HD 4K videos with 6 camera editing, where the latter also unlocks all advanced features

 

General Overview: 

Pinnacle Studio is the next best YouTube video editing software with various advanced features and editing tools. Created by Corel, the editing software allows you to create high-quality video files to charm the world of YouTube. 

It’s the perfect video editing software for a beginner with zero editing experience and skills. Depending on your editing skills, you can choose one of the three offered tiers and start editing your YouTube videos. 

360-degree, HD, and 4K resolution videos, audio ducking, video masking, color grading, and more advanced features, are right at your fingertips. However, some users report it’s sometimes hard to find the needed special effect in the effect library. 

In short, the intuitive interface of Pinnacle Studio makes it easier for people who are new to video editing feel inspired to experiment and create their best YouTube videos. 

 

6. CyberLink Power Director Suite 365

Cyberlink homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Intuitive motion tracking
  • Motion graphic titles 
  • Precise color grading 
  • Green screen maker 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Not suitable for professional use

 

Pricing:

  • Starting at $29.99 per month 

 

General Overview: 

Another grand video editing software for YouTube is CyberLink Director Suite 365. With its intuitive interface and various editing tools, you have all the things you need to create YouTube videos that can stand out. 

The video editor includes multicamera and 360-degree editing, motion tracking, templates, a large media stock, unlimited effects, color editing tools, and much more. 

In total, there are over 200 editing tools in this video editing software that will help you to easily create the YouTube video of your dreams.

However, it’s worth noting that this YouTube video editing software isn’t suitable for creating professional-level videos, as its features are more for amateur users.

 

7. Vegas Pro

Vegas pro homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Free lessons to improve your video editing skills
  • Multi-cam editing 
  • A big library of filters, effects, and transitions 
  • HDR color support 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Users report frequent crushes

 

Pricing:

  • $19.99 per month or $449 one time purchase 

 

General Overview: 

Sony Vegas Pro is one of the best video editing software with advanced features and editing tools. It’s a perfect choice for both beginners and professionals since the video editor is a) full of all the necessary editing tools, and b) not pricey. 

It has various features that can help anyone come up with amazing YouTube video content. Some of those features include color correction, 3D and multi-cam editing, text animations, compositing, filters, effects, and much more.  

If you’re a better adopter and a skillful animator, you might also want to check out the Vegas Pro 365 version, which includes more tools and editing possibilities. 

Another Sony Vegas Pro is that after purchasing the editing software you’ll automatically get all the new updates and features. 

The drawback is many users claim this software crushes quite often when editing videos. So, you’d better regularly save your progress when editing large files. 

 

8. Shotcut

Shotcut homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Customizable interface 
  • Wide-format support
  • Cross-platform 
  • Tutorials 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Not intuitive interface and no stock music

 

Pricing:

  • Free

 

General Overview: 

Here comes the third-best free video editing software for beginners on YouTube. With a number of intuitive features, support for different formats, including 4K resolution videos, filters, trimmers, audio editing tools, and more, Shotcut is an incredible video editor for quick and easy editing.  

Through built-in tutorials, you can learn the ins and outs of the editing software, as well as customize the interface for easier access to your most-used editing tools. 

It’s a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor. And while it’s suitable for most amateur users, you’ll experience some inconveniences if you’re a seasoned video editor who needs a comfortable editor. 

Users report that the interface is not that intuitive, and there is no stock music inside the tool. 

 

9. iMovie

Imovie homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Free lessons to improve your video editing skills
  • Multi-cam editing 
  • A big library of filters, effects, and transitions 
  • HDR color support 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Doesn’t have many advanced editing tools

 

Pricing:

  • Free

 

General Overview: 

iMovie is another best free video editing software for beginners with less editing experience. With the video editor, you can effortlessly create Hollywood-style videos and trailers, using basic tools like cropping and trimming. 

It comes with Mac, iPad, and iPhone, so if you own any of these Apple products, you might want to keep the software and experiment. 

With its simple interface and editing tools, it makes the process of editing a video feel like a walk in the park. iMovie doesn’t have too many advanced tools like most of the editing software above, but it’s surely a helpful software for a beginner to learn video editing for free. 

Another Sony Vegas Pro is that after purchasing the editing software you’ll automatically get all the new updates and features. 

 

10. HitFilm Express

Hitfilm express homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Supports 360-degree and 4K videos 
  • A large library of tracks, transitions, and presets
  • Intuitive timeline 
  • Build-in voice recorder 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Intrusive export errors happening sometimes

 

Pricing:

  • The Free version offers unlimited HD export and limited songs and sound effects
  • Creator plan for $12.99/mo unlocks HD 4K export, more songs + premium support
  • Pro with $19.99/mo allows for 8K export and all advanced features

 

General Overview: 

When it comes to the best free video editing software, HitFilm Express is probably at the top of the list. 

The video editor comes with a simple interface and a compelling set of tools that can help you create a YouTube video with high quality and original look.

HitFilm Express includes a large number of built-in templates, an easy-to-use trimmer, unlimited tracks to make your video complete, and much more.    

Using the tools this video editor offers, you can nail the job of trimming your video clips, adding effects and transitions to them, as well as adjust their colors and export the final video in high quality within a short time. 

HitFilm Express also supports 4K resolution and 360-degree videos. So, making a professional-looking video is both easy and free with this video editing software.

While many users praise the software for its advanced features, some report there are frequent intrusive export errors. 

 

11. Movavi Video Suite

Movavi video suite

You’ll Love:

  • Screen recorder
  • Huge stock of media files
  • Wireless transfer of files 
  • Chroma keying 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Slow rendering time

 

Pricing:

  • $25.95 for one-year subscription

 

General Overview: 

If you are just starting your video editing experience and are looking for an all-in-one video editing software to edit eye-catching YouTube videos, then Movavi Video Suite might be made just for you. 

The video editor contains a set of advanced tools with which you can create videos for YouTube as well as other platforms like a pro. 

Some of the editing features of Movavi Video Suite include trimming, merging, adding transitions, slow motion, tutorials, and over 160 filters. So, if you’re a beginner with a goal to learn video editing and create videos at the same time, then this is probably your app. 

One drawback you should consider about this platform is slow rendering times, which can cause inconveniences, especially when editing large videos. 

 

12. Filmora

Filmora home landing

You’ll Love:

  • Noise removal 
  • Motion tracking 
  • Keyframing 
  • Green screen 

 

Things to Consider:

  • No free trial

 

Pricing:

  • The most popular cross-platform plan costs $59.99/year. It’s the only one that works not only for Mac but also Windows PCs, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Android tablets. This plan also gives you all the updates of future versions.
  • The other two plans – The Annual plan ($49.99/year) and the Perpetual plan ($79.99/year) work only for Mac and provide limited update versions. 

 

General Overview: 

Filmora truly lives up to its tagline — “Make videos that inspire.” Created by Wondershare, this video editing software is giving its users a chance to create creative and unique video content for YouTube and other social media platforms. 

The video editor has an easy-to-use interface, thousands of elements to add to your videos as stickers, filters, transitions, and more. It also supports 4K resolution videos and over 50 file formats, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of your videos.  

This is also a great YouTube video editing tool if your video concepts are trendy, playful, and just full of color and transitions! 

Many users who want to test the tool first before buying it are dissatisfied with the absence of a free trial. 

 

13. Corel VideoStudio

Videostudio homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Animating hand-written text 
  • Motion tracking 
  • Over 2000 effects, animated titles, and transitions 
  • Fast rendering 

 

Things to Consider:

  • The quality of color is offset after rendering videos

 

Pricing:

  • Bundles start at $79.99 per year, with the lowest-priced plan being a VideoStudio Pro. 
  • Its more advanced, VideoStudio Ultimate ($99.99/year) unlocks more editing features for professional use. 

 

General Overview:

One of the best video editing software for YouTube is Corel VideoStudio. Due to its clean interface and tools, the video editor is perfect for both beginners and skillful animators. 

Corel Video Studio supports 4K Ultra-HD, 3D, portrait, and 360-degree VR videos, which makes it a smart editor choice for gaming YouTubers.

The video editing software also offers a number of features including video collage templates, automatic Highlight Reel, color grading, multi-cam, masking tools, and more.  

In parallel to loving VideoStudio for its easy-to-use interface, many users are frustrated with the low quality of the videos after exporting them. Some report the quality of the color is offset after you render a video.  

 

14. Blender

Blender homepage

You’ll Love:

  • Live preview 
  • A large library of transitions 
  • Audio editing options 
  • Intuitive timeline 

 

Things to Consider:

  • Due to its wide spectrum of tools for game creation, it may lack some necessary features for YouTube video editing

 

Pricing:

  • Free 

 

General Overview:

Besides being a perfect 3D graphic and animation maker, Blender is also a great free video editing software. The video editor offers a number of helpful editing tools, including trimming, access to chroma vectorscope, filters, and transitions.  

Because Blender is foremost used for modeling, animating, and game creation, the video editing part of the software might lack in some areas that are important for creating a YouTube video. It doesn’t support many video file formats, so exporting your project might be slightly challenging. 

 

Conclusion

There are many YouTube video editing software out there, but now you know our favorite editors based on their features, price, and compatibility. 

Some of the video editing software mentioned above are better for YouTube beginners, and some for skillful professionals. 

To choose the best one for yourself, you first need to realize what features you need most when editing your YouTube videos. Once the answer is clear, you can make up your mind according to it and your budget. 

If you’re just entering the YouTube video-making world and you need an ultimate, all-in-one solution that can help with various types of videos (both animated and your own shoted ones), try Renderforest

It’s an excellent universal tool suitable for beginner and advanced users due to its wide range of features packed inside a user-friendly interface. 

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