What is the best video editing software for beginners?

If you’ve recently decided that it’s high time to learn how to edit videos, you may be standing at a crossroads — trying to choose the best video editing software for beginners, for you in particular. There’s a lot to learn and some of the editors can look quite scary at first, but don’t let that deter you. From the whole lineup of accessible software, we’ve narrowed it down to a few that stand out for their beginner-friendly interfaces, feature sets, and strong community support.

Final Cut Pro

It’s user-friendly, used by professionals, and the learning curve is not even that steep — Final Cut Pro is the go-to software for beginners eager to produce professional-looking videos without getting bogged down by overly complex features. But is it the best video editing software for beginners?

Why Final Cut Pro:

User-Friendly Interface: The magnetic, trackless timeline eliminates the old-school track mess. This means less time wrestling with overlapping clips and more time crafting the story. Its intuitive design helps ease the learning curve, making it perfect for those who might feel overwhelmed by more complex software.
Rich Learning Resources: Apple knows a thing or two about design, and this extends to its tutorial offerings. Newcomers can access a plethora of free, easy-to-follow video tutorials directly from Apple, or from a lively community of enthusiast and professional creators.
Potent Yet Manageable Features: From multicam editing to 4K exports, Final Cut Pro puts top-tier production tools into the hands of beginners. Features such as the automatic synchronization of clips from multiple cameras or the smooth integration of effects make professional filmmaking as tangible as the popcorn you munch on while screening your final cut (pun intended).
Optimized for Mac: Being an Apple product, Final Cut Pro is meant to run smoothly on macOS. This means you get a great experience without the lag or compatibility issues that can come with cross-platform software.

Accessibility and Affordability:

Final Cut Pro for beginners means a one-time purchase, unlike many pieces of software that require a subscription. This means once you buy it, it’s yours forever, including all future updates. At $299.99, it offers value for money, considering the suite of advanced features it offers.

Drawbacks to Consider:

While it’s nearly a perfect entry point, its exclusivity to macOS might limit its accessibility if you’re not already equipped with an Apple device. Additionally, its nontraditional timeline might initially perplex users accustomed to more conventional video editing interfaces.

DaVinci Resolve

It’s impossible not to have heard about DaVinci Resolve by now. With more people switching to it every day (and some even documenting it), it’s clear this software has struck a chord in the creative world.

Why DaVinci Resolve?

All-in-One: Why juggle multiple programs when DaVinci Resolve brings everything under one roof? Edit, color correct, mix audio, and add effects all from a single software.
Masterful Color Correction: DaVinci started as a color grading tool, and it shows. The depth of control it offers over color is simply unparalleled, allowing you to tweak and transform visuals into cinematic artwork.
Fairlight Audio Suite: This audio studio is where every tweak and enhancement can be handled without stepping out of your editing flow. From noise reduction to soundtrack layering, it’s all in there.
Fusion VFX: Need a touch of special effects? Fusion is right there within Resolve, ready to let you weave some visual magic without any extra plugins or software.
Speedy Delivery: Time is money, and DaVinci Resolve saves you loads of it with its lightning-fast processing.

Accessibility and Affordability:

DaVinci Resolve might pack a heavyweight punch, but it’s surprisingly gentle on your wallet. The free version is chock-full of features sufficient for comprehensive professional projects. For the ultimate toolset, the Studio version is available at a one-time fee ($295) — no subscription woes here!

Drawbacks to Consider:

Although by many it’s called THE best video editing software for beginners, DaVinci Resolve asks for solid hardware to run smoothly, which might mean an upgrade is in order if your current setup is a bit dated. It’s also not shy about its learning curve; DVR is extremely powerful, but it might take a minute to get the hang of it all. Lastly, for those used to more traditional, linear editing platforms, the integrated approach of Resolve might feel a bit overwhelming at first.

Capcut

CapCut is an editing app created with a focus on social media creators. It may not be the most capable app on the market but it works on smartphones, and even its free features are enough that make anyone swipe, tap, and edit like a pro.

Why CapCut

Designed for Simplicity: As a piece of software primarily dedicated to smartphone users, CapCut throws out complicated menus. The intuitive interface eliminates the steep learning curve and makes it accessible for enthusiasts who want to quickly produce content.
Feature-Rich Free Version: Despite being free, CapCut offers a surprisingly large set of editing tools that cover basic cuts, stickers, an audio editing tool, and most of the more sophisticated effects.
Directly Linked to TikTok: If TikTok’s the social media of your choice, it’s one more reason you should consider CapCut.

Accessibility and Affordability:

CapCut is free to download and use, with some premium features available behind a subscription paywall. This model makes it an attractive option for those just starting out or operating on a tight budget.

Drawbacks to Consider:

CapCut operates primarily in portrait mode, which may be restrictive for some users. Also, the app requires extensive access to your device’s photo library, which might raise privacy concerns for some. Additionally, the interface, while thought-through, features small icons and text that can be challenging to navigate on smaller devices.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Although it’s not the first piece of software that comes to mind when thinking of the best video editing program for beginners, it’s not such a bad choice. Approachable yet professional-grade — Premiere Pro seems to have been a bit forgotten by Adobe recently, but it still holds its ground as a solid entry point for beginners in video editing.

Why Adobe Premiere Pro

All-in-One Adobe Suite: Premiere Pro, by itself, is not capable of guiding the user through each step of a video-editing process but it does integrate quite well with Adobe’s other tools. This means you can animate some part of your video with After Effects, or create a thumbnail in Photoshop while still in the same environment.
Rich Asset Library: With Adobe Stock integrated right into the interface, Premiere Pro provides a library of assets that’s hard to run out of. This is perfect for varnishing your projects without ever leaving the timeline.
Customizable Workspace: When you’re a beginner, one of the most irritating issues is trying to remember where everything is. The workspace that you can tailor to your needs, mitigates at least a part of this concern.
Competent Color Tools: While it may not be the industry leader in color grading, Premiere Pro’s Lumetri Color tools are more than enough for substantial non-professional color correction and grading.

Accessibility and Affordability:

Premiere Pro comes with a subscription model, which, while continuous, ensures that you are always up to date with the latest features without having to pay for major upgrades. Depending on whether you need some extra tools aside from Premiere Pro itself, the costs can vary from $22.99 to $59.99 a month.

Drawbacks to Consider:

The subscription model can add up, especially if you require the full suite of Adobe tools to match the functionalities found in competitors like DaVinci Resolve.

What’s more, switching between different Adobe applications can sometimes disrupt one’s workflow, which might extend the learning curve for new users.

Apple iMovie

If you’re just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of video editing, Apple’s iMovie presents an inviting starting point, especially if you’re already familiar with the Apple ecosystem. It strips away the struggles commonly associated with video editing, offering quite a straightforward, and intuitive platform that encourages even absolute beginners to start creating with confidence.

Cost-Effectiveness: It’s hard to argue with free. iMovie is a great editing suite and the lack of the price tag makes it accessible to anyone with an Apple device — no strings attached.
Versatile Editing Modes: iMovie provides three distinct editing modes —Magic Movie, Storyboard, and the traditional Movie mode — each of them designed with different uses in mind. Magic Movie is perfect for quick, automated edits, and Storyboard for some guided creativity. With the Movie mode, you can also gain full control over the edit.
Tools You Actually Need: Even if you need to green-screen a backyard into a jungle, iMovie has you covered. It’s packed with just enough features like transitions, effects, and text tools to spice up your videos without overwhelming you.

Accessibility and Affordability:

You can’t beat the convenience of having a solid video editor right on your iPhone or iPad. When it comes to the cost — $0 always seems to be more than a fair price.

Things to Consider:

iMovie is great for the basics, but let’s keep it real—if you’re looking to get more serious with video editing, you might find it a bit underwhelming. It’s perfect for starters and quick projects, but as you get better, you might crave for more functional environment. Plus, Apple isn’t rushing to roll out new features, so what you see now is pretty much what you get.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best software is one that not only fits your current needs but also grows with your skills, so don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s about finding a balance between user-friendliness and the ability to evolve your creative expression. As you go on with your video editing journey, remember that every editor was once a beginner. The key is to start, learn, and adapt. With any of these tools, you’re well-equipped to turn your video visions into vivid realities, just keep experimenting, keep learning, and let your creativity lead the way.