10 Best Video Editing Software For YouTube (Free & Paid)

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Thanks to modern-day video editing software, now, everyone can create and edit videos from the comfort of their home. The job has never been easier, however, the choice has never been harder.

Yeah! Choosing the right video editing software for YouTube is not easy these days. There are a number of choices with each claiming to be the best. But don’t worry, we are here to help.

In the process of choosing a video editing software for YouTube, you should definitely take these points into account:

• Editing Tools: The software should offer complete and advanced video editing features.
• User Friendly (Learning Curve): The software should be easy to learn and work with.
• Documentation: The software should have tutorials available online.
• Price: The cheaper the better.

Agree? I know you do.

Now, let’s go through some of the most popular video editing software and see which one covers your needs.

Note: If you need a quick word jump to Summary, however, it is highly recommended to read the whole article.

1. Camtasia – Free Trial

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Camtasia is a video editor and screen recorder which can operate on both Windows and macOS. The software is equally useful for newbies and professionals. It has a clean and user-friendly interface that will help users enjoy their time with it.

Worth mentioning, that Camtasia is one of the most powerful screen recorders. It records high-quality videos and doesn’t have any time limitations for recording.

There is also a complete Camtasia Tutorials available on TechSmith.com which will help you quickly learn its basics and beyond. Also, check out Camtasia alternatives.

In short, you can use Camtasia to first create a video by recording your screen, then, splice in other video clips, images, and music into it and finally export it.

Camtasia Pricing

The software offers some discounts for buying more than 4 licenses, but in general, the price will be like this:

• Single user license: $249 (One-time fee)
• Maintenance (Optional): $49.75 (Annual fee)

The Maintenance includes a dedicated phone queue, exclusive training, and the next version of the software.

The software also has a “30-Day Money-Back Guarantee” which means it either satisfies you or pays you back.

2. Pictory AI tool

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Pictory is unlike any other YouTube tool mentioned in this resource.

As long as you are creating content for YouTube or other video content, you will find Pictory to be highly useful.

Here are a few things you could do with Pictory –

• Create YouTube shorts video from existing video or script
• Convert script into the video using AI
• Create Faceless YouTube video
• Convert Blog posts to videos

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The best part, Pictory is free to use for the first 3 videos.

Once you are convinced and find it useful, you can then upgrade to one of the paid plans.

3. Wondershare Filmora – Try For Free

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Wondershare Filmora is a freemium video editing software primarily aimed at beginners. It comes with over 140 filters and over-effects that can do real magic to your videos.

The software operates on both Windows and Mac. It offers the main functions of video editing software like trimming, transitions, overlays, and more. However, it lacks some advanced features like motion tracking and Multicam.

When you first set up Filmora you will have 4 modes to choose from: Action Cam, Full Feature, Instant Cutter, and Easy Mode. You can choose the mode which best accords with your needs.

Filmora features Pan and Zoom, Audio Mixer, and Video Stabilization that are extremely useful for any YouTube video maker. Its Green Screen feature will also come in handy to YouTubers.

Not to forget, the free version offers a good range of features but it exports videos with Filmora watermark on it, and to remove the watermark you need to upgrade to the pro version.

Wondershare Filmora Pricing

Windows Version Pricing

• Lifetime Plan $69.99 (One-Time Fee)
• Annual Plan $39.99/Year (Automatically renew, cancel any time)
• Annual Bundle Plan $99.87/Year (Automatically renew, cancel any time)

All bundles offer: Support, all features, and free updates. However, the Annual Bundle Plan offers two more features: Unlimited Downloads from the Filmstock Standard Library, and New effects every month.

Mac Version Pricing

• Lifetime Plan $69.99 (One-Time Fee)
• Annual Plan $44.99/Year (Automatically renew, cancel any time)
• Annual Bundle Plan $104.87/Year (Automatically renew, cancel any time)

Again the Annual Bundle Plan for Mac offers the two more features that the Windows Bundle offers.

4. WiseCut (Cloud based AI YouTube video editor)

Can you imagine creating videos for YouTube without having any editing skills?

Well, this is what you could do with Wisecut. It is a cloud-based AI video editor for YouTube, that automatically removes the sound gap, adds background music, adds video animation, and also adds captions. What else could you ask from an automated video editor?

5. Apple iMovie

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iMovie is a video editing software by Apple that operates on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices. The software is free, simple, and easy to use but at the same time of high quality, you can produce 4K resolution movies using it.

It features the standard tools of video editing software but is not very good with advanced options. However, since it comes for no cost, any Mac user should give it a try.

One good thing about iMovie is that you can start editing a video on your iPhone and then continue it on your iPad or any other OS system.

iMovie Pricing

iMovie is Free for Apple devices.

6. Final Cut Pro X

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Final Cut Pro X is Apple’s professional-level video editing software that operates only on Mac. The software is well known for its advanced and sophisticated features that can satisfy any video editor.

Besides the AI-driven tools that Final Cut Pro X offers, it also features modern machine learning tools that automatically transform your widescreen project into custom sizes for social media.

Its user interface is extremely smooth which will make everyone get creative with their video editing. It is able to produce both 2D and 3D videos at a blazing fast speed.

Some of Final Cut Pro X’s advanced features are: Multicam, Smart Conform, Key Burns Effect, and Flow Dissolve, which will do magic to your videos.

In short, if you are a Mac user who thinks iMovie is not enough for your work, then grab Final Cut Pro X.

Final Cut Pro X Pricing

• Single License: $299.99/Year

7. Adobe Premiere Pro

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Here comes the Master!

While searching for an all-in-one perfect video editing software, you will surely reach to Adobe Premiere Pro.

Adobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based video editor developed by the great Adobe Systems. It has rich video editing tools, such as the Slip Tool, Rolling Edit Tool, and Ripple Edit.

The software operates on both Windows and Mac and provides a user-friendly interface. Its responsive interface helps reach maximum performance.

It can be a little head-scratching for beginners to work with it, but good thing is, that there are an infinite amount of tutorials for it.

Some features like Multiple Sequence Support, Multi-Camera Editing, Time Remapping, Color Correction Tools, and Audio Mixer Interface make it a good choice for YouTubers.

In fact, Premiere Pro is quite popular among YouTubers, more than 50% of the biggest YouTubers use it for editing their videos.

Adobe Premiere Pro Pricing

The software doesn’t offer lifetime pricing, this is why it is considered a little pricey.

• Annual plan, paid monthly – US$20.99/mo
• Annual plan, prepaid – US$239.88/yr
• Monthly plan – US$31.49/mo

8. Lightworks

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Lightworks is a non-linear video editing software that operates on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems. The software also has a free version which is considered the most powerful free video editing software.

Lightworks is a big name in the film editing industry. It has been used to edit some of the finest films in history including The Wolf of Wall Street. But apart from that, the software is suitable to make videos for YouTube and social media.

Its interface can be a little intimidating because of the professional toolkit it offers, but it just takes some time to get used to it.

Some of its main features are: Easy timeline editing & trimming, Drag-And-Drop Interface, Rendering Effects, Boris FX Plug-Ins, and Export video for YouTube/Vimeo, SD/HD, up to 4K.

Lightworks Pricing

The software offers the most powerful free video editor, so, make sure to give it a try. But the pro version has the following price option:

• Single License – $24.99/month

9. VivaVideo – Free Video Editor (Mobile)

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VivaVideo is a freemium video editor with all video editing features: cut video, trim video, crop video, merge video, edit video with music, edit video for youtube, add stickers to video, add text to video, and more.

But it is not limited to this, VivaVideo is also a social platform that lets users create, edit, and publish their videos. Users can select themes, use stickers, text, and music in their videos.

It has an intuitive elegant interface that makes working with it fun. Not to forget, it operates on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

It is well popular too, it has more than 100 Million downloads just on Android, so, there is a great chance you have already heard about it.

VivaVideo Pricing

The free version offers a good amount of features but in upgrading to the pro version you will get:

• Removes watermarks
• No ads
• Video adjustment
• Animated texts and more

Before upgrading you will be offered a 3-day free trial to check how the pro version feels. Then you will have to pay $2.60 (£2.04) per month.

10. WeVideo Pro

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WeVideo Pro is the # 1 online, cloud-based video editing platform that works in web browsers and on mobile devices. It has more than 30 Million registered users worldwide which makes it the leading in online video editing.

This online editing software has both a free and pro version. The free version is limited in features and options but helps you get an overall idea about the power of WeVideo pro.

Being an online video editor doesn’t cause it to offer fewer features than normal editing software. Some of its outstanding features are: Slow Motion, GreenScreen, Record Screen, and Webcam together, and a rich Media Library.

Using WeVideo you can edit your videos anywhere with an internet connection. Its cloud-based performance also helps you save storage on your device.

WeVideo Pricing

You can choose to pay monthly or annually. Of course, the annual is cheaper.

Monthly Pricing Options

• Power – $9.99/mo
• Unlimited – $15.99/mo
• Professional – $35.99/mo
• Business – $59.99/mo

Annual Pricing Options

• Power – $4.99/mo (billed annually)
• Unlimited – $7.99/mo (billed annually)
• Professional – $17.99/mo (billed annually)
• Business – $29.99/mo (billed annually)

Summary: Best YouTube Video Editing Apps

There is a lot of good video editing software out there, but important thing is that you find the one that best covers your needs. Check out below:

• If you want to create professional tutorial videos, Camtasia is the best option.
• For beginners who want cheap, easy-to-use, and feature-rich video editing software, Filmora is recommended.
• iMovie is best for Apple users who want to create not-so-professional videos for free.
• If you are a Mac user who wants the most feature-rich and advanced video editing software for Mac, then your options are Final Cut Pro X.
• If you are serious about video editing and thereby want the most perfect software for both Windows and Mac, then Premiere Pro is your choice.
• If you are looking for the best film editing software, grab LightWorks.
• If you want to create videos quickly using prebuilt themes, songs, videos, and effects, then VivaVideo should do it for you.
• If you are looking for the best online, cloud-based video editing software, then you are looking for WeVideo.

Don’t forget to share your ideas and experiences with video editing software with us, use the comments below.

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