The 7 best video editing software for beginners and pros

There are more video editors than ever, and most of them are good. The question is which one fits what you make and where you want to go. These are the seven I would recommend, from free tools for beginners to the software used on professional projects.

1. DaVinci Resolve: best free professional editor

Resolve's free version is a full professional editor with the industry's best colour grading, Fairlight audio and Fusion for effects built in. It runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. The paid Studio version adds features such as more AI tools and higher-resolution exports. If you want professional skills without a subscription, start here.

Best for: anyone serious about editing or colour, on any budget.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro: the agency standard

Premiere is what most agencies and production houses use, and its link to After Effects makes it the natural choice for edits with a lot of motion graphics. It is subscription-only and needs a reasonably powerful computer.

Best for: freelancers and editors who work with agencies or other editors.

3. Final Cut Pro: fastest on a Mac

Final Cut is a one-time purchase and runs extremely well on Apple silicon. Its magnetic timeline makes rough cuts fast. It is Mac-only and less common in shared workflows. I compare it with Premiere in detail in Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro.

Best for: solo editors and creators on a Mac.

4. CapCut: quickest for social video

CapCut is built for vertical social content: templates, auto-captions, trending effects and direct export to TikTok, Reels and Shorts. It has a free tier and a paid Pro plan, on phone and desktop. It is not designed for long-form or client work.

Best for: creators making short-form social videos quickly.

5. Descript: edit video by editing text

Descript transcribes your footage so you can cut a video by deleting words from the transcript. It removes filler words, cleans up audio and handles screen recordings well. It is ideal for talking-head content and podcasts, less so for visually complex edits.

Best for: podcasts, interviews, tutorials and marketing teams.

6. iMovie: simplest place to start

iMovie is free on every Mac, iPhone and iPad. It covers the basics (trimming, titles, transitions, music) and nothing more. Projects can be moved into Final Cut when you outgrow it.

Best for: complete beginners on Apple devices.

7. Avid Media Composer: for film and TV

Media Composer remains the standard in feature film and broadcast television, thanks to its media management and multi-editor workflows. It has a steep learning curve and is overkill for most commercial and social work.

Best for: editors aiming at film and TV post-production.

Which one should you learn?

If you are a beginner, start with iMovie or CapCut to learn the basics of cutting. If you want a career in editing, learn DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, and preferably both. The software matters less than the skills: pacing, story and knowing when to cut transfer between every program on this list. My 12 steps to better video editing covers those basics.

Planning a film? See my AI video production and motion graphics services, or email me about your project.