Video marketing is more popular than ever. Companies that use video get 66 percent more qualified leads per year, and 90 percent of consumers say watching product videos helps them make buying decisions. According to viddedit only 24 percent of small businesses report using outside agencies to produce video, which means they’re creating the majority of their marketing materials themselves. With the number of free and low-cost editing tools currently available, any business can produce high-quality videos.
Here’s our best video editing software roundup.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Adobe remains one of the biggest names in media creation. This video editor for Windows 10 can import files from tapes, cameras, and even VR, while the automatic sync function handles multi-angle shots and an unlimited number of video tracks. The free companion app, Adobe Premiere Rush, is a handy way to edit footage on your phone. For access to Adobe’s entire suite, subscribe to Creative Cloud.
2. Blender
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, this free, open source program was originally designed for animation, but its video editor tab alone is a powerful tool. With up to 32 slots for adding video, images, and audio, Blender performs simple tasks like cutting and splicing as well as more advanced audio mixing, scrubbing, syncing, and waveform visualization. The platform also includes a chroma vectorscope, histogram displays, and adjustable layers for speed control. Blender is the perfect choice for videographers who want a lot of options.
3. Lightworks
The platform behind movies like The Wolf of Wallstreet and The King’s Speech, Lightworks is one of the most robust video editors on the market. The latest package offers high-precision video trimming and sequence grading for a wide range of formats plus a large library of royalty-free content. While the free version will likely meet your needs, the pro version provides 4K video support for exporting content to YouTube and Vimeo. Video tutorials walk you through the many features.
4. Final Cut Pro X
This editing software for Mac is a little pricey, but its versatility makes it a smart investment for creative collaboration. The user-friendly interface allows you to work with your entire team in real time. Your clients can leave comments on individual frames, so you know exactly what changes they want.
Final Cut coordinates with your iPhotos and iTunes collections for seamless navigation within the Apple universe. Video enthusiasts will appreciate the grouping tools, effect options, multi-cam editing, and intelligent color balancing. The software comes with access to the lightning-fast file transfer service Frame.io.
5. Da Vinci Resolve
Another program designed for real-time collaboration is Da Vinci Resolve. The latest version offers better caching and memory management, improved performance tracking, and faster encoding. The new cut page design allows you to move between editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production with a single click.
Use the adjustment clips to apply effects and grades to any point on your timeline. Monitor the video quality with GPU accelerated scopes. Adjust frame rate conversions with the Speed Warp Retiming function. Da Vinci Resolve has everything you need to deliver a superior product and still meet your deadlines.
6. Kinemaster
Kinemaster goes above and beyond what you would expect from a free mobile app. Available for Android and iOS, Kinemaster offers instant preview and smart effects. Edit up to 10 layers at the sub-frame level and experiment with multiple audio tracks, add handwriting and text annotations, and create your own color filters. The app enables you to change video speed without causing sound distortion and customize your bitrate and resolution.
7. VideoPad
This low-price video editing software is ideal for users who want to build videos from scratch. VideoPad provides basic tools like storyboarding, titles, credits, and transition effects. It also includes more advanced features like 3D editing, motion tracking, a green screen, and a stabilizer to correct shaky footage. VideoPad is compatible with the 4K video resolution many new cameras use.
8. Magisto
This award-winning, AI-powered video editor will take your Instagram posts to the next level. Just add your photos and footage, select music from your audio library, choose the type of story you want to tell, and let the app do the rest. Magisto identifies your best content and automatically compiles it into a professional-quality video. Tools like facial recognition, auto-crop, and video filters will save you hours of manual editing.
9. Freemake Video Converter
There’s nothing more frustrating than having fantastic video footage you aren’t able to share. This free software solves that problem by converting more than 500 video, audio, and image file formats. Use it to retain the subtitles in converted videos, extract audio from video clips, embed video in websites, and modify clips for various mobile devices.
10. Quik by GoPro
If you’re a travel vlogger who uses GoPro, this is the app for you. Quik generates content for your Instagram feed by selecting the best moments from your video footage. Add your own effects and soundtrack, and Quik will sync your transitions to the beat. The Quik app also makes inserting text and subtitles a snap.
What are your favorite video editing tools? Let us know in the comments.