Video editing software is not only used to turn a rush into a harmonized video file. It has to meet the different requirements of modern cameras and formats such as 4K, 360° videos or 3D. There is a well-stocked list of software to meet these requirements. How to find the right one for you? Follow our guide.
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Our selection
"With Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements, make stunning videos without much difficulty in record time."
"Choose VEGAS Movie Studio 15 to make your video projects easier. Modern and intuitive, even beginners will find their account with the software."
"Boost your creativity with the innovative and highly intuitive features offered by the Magix Vegas Pro 16 Edit, a software designed to make professional videos."
"Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editing software. Its panel of automated creative tools will allow you to achieve your goals while respecting your…"
"If you want to learn how to edit video with a tool that is easy to master, then MAGIX Video deluxe Plus 2020 is the…"
With Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements, make stunning videos without much difficulty in record time.
111 £ on CdiscountWith Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements software, you'll take your video editing to the next level. The Elements applications make your work much easier compared to Photoshop and Premiere Pro. You'll have the ability to edit, drag and drop with a streamlined and super intuitive interface. You'll also benefit from features that help you deal with recurring problems during editing. Say goodbye to shaky sequences, inadequate colors and lighting.
In short, you have everything you need to make your movies, clips or Youtube videos. This software is compatible with Windows and Mac, provided you install it on a 64-bit system. You should also have 23 GB of space, whether you work on a PC or a Mac. The license of Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements allows you to install it on a secondary computer or a laptop but the software will not be able to work simultaneously on both workstations.
Choose VEGAS Movie Studio 15 to make your video projects easier. Modern and intuitive, even beginners will find their account with the software.
38,39 £ on AmazonLet your creativity run wild with the VEGAS Movie Studio 15 software. This tool will help you create and tell stories through videos taken with your smartphones or cameras. Are you new to video? No problem! This software has an intuitive, easy-to-learn and particularly innovative interface, guiding you step by step to your first successful rendering. In short, editing has never been easier with VEGAS Movie Studio 15.
In addition to that, this software offers the essential tools for video editing, taking up only 1.5 GB of space on your hard drive. However, in order to take full advantage of the many features of VEGAS Movie Studio 15, you need a machine with 4 GB of RAM. The software will work optimally with 8 GB of RAM while 16 GB is required are recommended for 4K videos. The only downside with this software is that it is meant for windows users only.
Boost your creativity with the innovative and highly intuitive features offered by the Magix Vegas Pro 16 Edit, a software designed to make professional videos.
319 £ on CdiscountWith Magix Vegas Pro 16 Edit software, you've got everything you need for video processing and editing. With image stabilization, HDR color support, and unlimited video tracks, there's nothing to stop you from succeeding with your video projects. This software offers visionary editing with a variety of filters and 360-degree file editing functions. Once you get the hang of Magix Vegas Pro 16 Edit, you'll have a hard time leaving your screens.
In order to take full advantage of the many features of this software, it would be wise to use it under Windows 10 (64bits) running on an Intel Core i5 6th generation processor or AMD equivalent. Plan on a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and 32 GB for 4K.
Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editing software. Its panel of automated creative tools will allow you to achieve your goals while respecting your deadlines.
SubscribeAdobe premiere Pro gives you the resources you need to stay focused on what really matters: the story to be told. Whether you're a beginner or already have some editing experience, this is the tool for you. With an intuitive and simplified interface, you will find the basic video editing functions including trimming, merging and applying transitions. With this software, edit footage to your liking, whether it's 8K or virtual reality.
It is designed to give you a lot of freedom to work with your videos, even on your mobile devices. Adobe Premiere Pro notably used in the editing of David Fincher's 2014 film Gone Girl. Note that it is compatible with all applications in the Adobe suite including After effects and Audition. To take advantage of the many virtues of this software, you must devote 8 GB of space on your hard drive and have 8 GB of RAM.
If you want to learn how to edit video with a tool that is easy to master, then MAGIX Video deluxe Plus 2020 is the right choice.
80 £ on CdiscountAny specific needs?
The best video editing software in 2021
The best entry-level video editing software
The best high-end video editing software
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TOP OF THE TOP | NOT EXPENSIVE | TOP OF THE RANGE | EXCELLENT | Very good | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
OUR SELECTION |
ADOBE Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements 2021
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VEGAS Movie Studio 15
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MAGIX VEGAS Pro 16 Edit
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Adobe premiere pro
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MAGIX Video deluxe Plus 2020
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With Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements, make stunning videos without much difficulty in record time.
|
Choose VEGAS Movie Studio 15 to make your video projects easier. Modern and intuitive, even beginners will find their account with the software.
|
Boost your creativity with the innovative and highly intuitive features offered by the Magix Vegas Pro 16 Edit, a software designed to make professional videos.
|
Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editing software. Its panel of automated creative tools will allow you to achieve your goals while respecting your deadlines.
|
If you want to learn how to edit video with a tool that is easy to master, then MAGIX Video deluxe Plus 2020 is the right choice.
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Hard drive space required
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23 GB
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1.5 GB
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1.5 GB
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8 GB
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2 GB
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Compatibility
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Windows and Mac
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Windows
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Windows
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Windows and Mac
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Windows
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Usability
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Advanced and professional users
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Beginners and advanced users
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Professionals
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Beginners, advanced and professional users
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Beginners and advanced users
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Supported format
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AVCHD; DV-AVI; DVD; H.264; HEVC; HDV; MPEG-1 and MPEG-4; MP3; QuickTime; Windows Media
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AAC, AA3, AVI, BMP, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, PCA, SND, W64, WAV, WMA, GIF, JPEG, PNG, WDP, CDA, SFA.
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HEVC/H.265; AVC/H.264; MP4; MOV; MPEG-2; MPEG-1; AVI; WMV; M4V; Sony XAVC / XAVC-S / XDCAM EX / HD / HD 422 / MXF / ProDisc / HDCAM SR; MPEG IMX; DV; HDV; AVCHD, Panasonic P2, Red RAW
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MP4; MPEG; MPE; MPG (MPEG-1, MPEG-2); M2V (MPEG-2 compatible DVD, MTS (AVCHD); MOV; FLV; AVI
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(DV-)AVI; HEVC/H.2651; MPEG-1/2/4; M(2)TS; MXV; MJPEG; MOV; WMV(HD); MKV; VOB
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HD and 4K
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Whether it is dedicated to amateurs or professionals, a good video editing software should have an intuitive and comfortable interface. For amateurs, this interface must help to navigate easily and comfortably through the different features. It should be optimized over pro video editing software that offers several dozen features on the same panel.
The more features, the better. In addition to the basic features (crop, rotate, speed, brightness...), other options can allow you to customize your videos. PIP (picture-in-picture ) or compatibility with videos shot on green screen and various special effects may be necessary depending on your work.
If you work on usual formats, this criterion should not be a problem. On the other hand, if you want to import and export videos in particular formats (DVCPRO...), you will have to choose a video editing software that supports them if you want to work in the best conditions. The support of 4K, 3D or 360° videos are also important advantages.
There
are very easy to use software. This is especially the case for amateur software. They are designed for everyone and especially for novices who do not have skills and knowledge about video editing. The majority of pro software, on the other hand, requires experience or advanced knowledge
of the discipline. Therefore, you need to undergo training to fully master them and exploit their capabilities in an optimal way.
The price range of video editing software is very wide. It goes from 0 € to more than a thousand euros depending on the model. The choice is yours. Free software can serve you for basic video editing tasks. You will have to pay at least 200 € for a professional video editing software.
Before installing any video editing software, make sure your computer is compatible. Each program has minimum PC requirements (processor, graphics card, RAM, available hard drive space).
If your PC is compatible, you should follow the installation procedure recommended by the developer. This procedure also varies for Windows and Mac. It is the same for the usage. The usage, from importing the rush to rendering, varies from one software to another. In some cases, a little training is necessary to master all the features offered on the interface.
There are two main types of video editing software, those designed for Windows and those suitable for Apple Macs.
These software have been specially developed to be installed on Microsoft operating systems. Generally, the compatibility starts on Windows 7 and continues on later versions. Newer video editing software is compatible with Windows 8 and above.
Windows is the most widely used computer operating system in the world. This means that there are many more compatible programs available, whether they are for amateur or professional use. In fact, PC editing software for Macs usually has Windows versions.
Windows PCs come in a wide variety of configurations. In some cases, if the computer is not powerful enough, the potential of the video editing software will not be optimally exploited. This type of video editing software is made for those who use one or more Windows-based computers.
Mac
is Apple's proprietary operating system. All software, including video editing software, for this operating system is specially designed to fit its environment
. Therefore, not all video editing software offered is compatible.
Apple computers are known for their reliability and power. The video editing software is therefore used to the fullest on these machines.
The choice of video editing software for Mac is more limited compared to the catalog available for Windows. This type of video editing software is logically suitable for people who work on computers that run on MacOS (MacBook, Mac or iMac).
Smartphones have become a must-have device today. Therefore, video editing software has also been adapted to be installed and used on mobiles. These can be mobile versions of software usually used on PC. Some video editing applications are available exclusively on Android and iOS.
The free video editing software is offered as freeware. You can download, install and use it for free. They are an ideal option for novices and hobbyists who practice video editing for fun. It usually offers basic and limited functionality.
The paid video editing software offers many more features. The customization options are therefore wider, as are the formats (audio, photo and video) supported. They ensure better quality rendering with, for some pro software, support for 4K or 3D videos.
The use of a paid video editing software is a must if you are looking for a very high quality final result. This type of software is also essential for professionals in the audiovisual field. Free video editing software is therefore only recommended for small amateur editing jobs.
No need for plug-ins
The major advantage of using video editing software is that it does not need any kind of plug-ins. Using the software, you can make video recordings with your small cameras or smartphones. Adding effects or transition is also possible with different photo editing software.
Improves the quality of the video
Improving the quality of your video is another best benefit of the software. If your video quality is not good (mp4 or 3GP), you can turn it into high resolution and high definition videos.
Create videos at home
With the help of video editing software, you can easily create and edit videos from the comfort of your home. Video editing involves a number of techniques to learn, but the software allows you to edit and recreate videos quickly and easily. You can customize the videos to your taste and needs. Gather all your photos stored on your PC and then make slideshows or can choose the layout or drawings you want to add.
Save money
You can save a lot of money by using these types of software, as traditional methods of video editing are more time consuming and costly and should only be done by professionals. Video editing is now possible for everyone, even for a totally unprofessional and inexperienced person. So, if you don't have any practical training on video editing, you don't have to worry. Just choose the best photo editing software and start using it with ease.
Quick
The video editing software works in a fast way. When you are creating short films using various transition effects, audio, music and graphics, this would be the ultimate and fast video editing software.
Discover cutting and assembly techniques
To make a successful cut, you need to know the different cutting and assembly techniques. Browse through the options offered by your software to discover them and take the time to try them out. This will help you master them to obtain a harmonious final result.
Improve the quality of the soundtrack
To
adjust the soundtrack, take the time to listen to it without watching the video. This will allow you to listen to the tracks and adjust them to get a better sound quality. In the end, this will definitely improve the video and make it more immersive.
Calibrate your PC monitor before mounting
Screen calibration is a must-do step. It allows you to adjust the parameters of your screen so that its display is faithful to reality. If you don't calibrate properly, the video can look very different when you watch it on another screen. Windows and Mac have native calibration tools you can use.
Adopt a unique graphic style
It is
risky to change the graphic style several times in the same video. When calibrating, keep one style from start to finish unless the context of the video requires a change. This concerns image settings (brightness, tint...) and filters, but also typography...
Think about the editing when taking pictures
Good shots make editing much easier. So think about capturing the scenes in the best angles to save time in editing.
The best video editing software depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.
Yes, but only in certain cases. You will have to be very creative and ingenious to achieve this. Nevertheless, the use of a paying software, more powerful, is always recommended for a high quality professional work.
Generally, video editing software includes sound adjustment features. Some are limited to cuts and volumes, while others go as far as filtering noise to give you the best possible audio. However, these features will be limited compared to those offered by a software dedicated to mixing and mastering.
Yes, after payment, you will receive a link and access to download the software, which you will then install on your computer.
No, the exported video formats vary from one software to another. For high definition rendering, 4K... opt for a pro editing software which is usually not free.
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