In this post, we reveal our favorite video editing software for beginners. We'll discuss each in detail below, but if you're just interested in the name of the top picks, find our shortlist below. Best video editing software for beginners: VideoProc: A full-featured editing software that offers great value for money. Comes with a 30-day. Part 1: Best Video Editing Software for Windows/Mac Very Easy for Beginners Free video editing software programs are either too simple to meet the demands or too challenging to understand the workflow. For example, some of them may lack audio editing and color correction features.
- Music Editing Software For Beginners
- Best Easy Video Editing Software For Beginners For Beginners
- Good Editing Software For Beginners
- Youtube Editing Software For Beginners
- The best free video editor tool for beginners is VideoPad. Created for freelancers and SMEs, this platform comes equipped with a drag-and-drop video editing tool, a built-in media library, as well as support for 3D and 360-degree video editing. It also comes with features for video stabilization, voiceover recording, and even audio editing.
- Bottomline, despite being extremely feature-rich and advanced, still fits the bill for one of the best video editing software for Beginner due to its easy to use & learn interface. A free download is available, however paid plans are available for USD $55.99, USD $99.99, USD $103.99 and USD $129.99.
Multimedia • Nov.4, 2019
Have you ever tried to create or edit a video only to give up halfway through? This is just so damn tough, right? Basic video animation software.
Well, you're not the only one. Many of us struggle to do even the basic stuff, and we know the frustration and confusion of trying to navigate an extensive program that does powerful things with video—we don't even know it does many of those things until years later.
Okay, now that that's out of the way — let's talk easiest video editors for beginners and newbies here.
Quick navigation
The evergreen demand for video editing
There's no doubt that video content is everywhere, and it's only getting more important. Not only Social media platforms are hosting more video content than ever, video interviews are becoming more prevalent – even the classroom is getting more video-friendly.
As per a study by HubSpot, about 70% of businesses say that their sales figures increased by incorporating video content; and, with 85% customers relying more on videos to make buying decisions.
At this moment, there are more than 3,000 available video editing jobs and that's only for freelancing, only for Upwork, and, obviously, only for professionals.
Outside of that, there are also thousands and thousands of professionals who need this kind of software and millions of everyday people – like you – who need to do some basic editing.
While desktop video editing applications are powerful, editing your video content at a high level is still difficult, and if you're getting ready to edit a video for the very first time, you'll need to know the basics like video trimming, audio sync, subtitling, splitting, and the overall complexity of the program, etc.
That's why we decided to make things a bit easier for you by listing some of the best options that are out there at the moment. As the title suggests, most of them are most suitable for beginners. But, some of them can also be used by some more advanced editor.
Let's get started!
Our favorite option: Filmora 9
One of the reasons that we love Filmora so much is because it's very easy to use while still offering the power of storytelling for creative people. Get inspired by the video below.
That being said, it's probably not the best option for professionals. But, then again, if you're a pro, then chances are that you wouldn't be reading this article.
In any case, let us take a closer look at it!
Filmora's editing solutionsOne of the reasons that we love Filmora so much is because of how easy it is to use. If offers a huge variety of different options and features while still keeping things relatively simple.
You may find all the options to be a bit overwhelming at first. But it all becomes a child's play after you get used to it. Trust us when we say that this is one of the editors that's easiest to use.
Regarding the features, let's start with the fact that Filmora does most of the work for you. As you can see at the image above, even if you end up going wrong somewhere, the program will fix things automatically – at least for the most part.
As for editing options, you get to play with titles, audio, transition effects and various other effects, split screen editing, and more.
One of the main differences between Filmora and 'Traditional' editing programs is that we can use this one without having to rely on 3rd party soundtracks.
After all, the program comes with 51 music tracks that are bundled with it. Though, most of them need to be downloaded on demand – definitely something to keep in mind in case that you've got a slow internet connection.
The same thing applies for all the titles, subtitles, effects, transition effects, general effects, and anything that you can use to edit videos.
That's one more reason for picking Filmora 9 as one of the easiest video editing software. For the most part, you don't have to bother with creating custom subtitles, intros, buying soundtracks and dealing with copyright strikes, or anything like that.
And then again, if you like getting your feet wet and creating custom subtitles or inserting your own tracks, you've got that option as well.
UI and ease of useAs you already saw from all the screenshots, Filmora's UI is pretty straight-forward and easy to get used to.
At the very top of the interface, we can find the basic file options, a few basic tools and functions like cropping, cutting, zooming, etc. Then we also have export options and a bit of help for anything regarding the program.
Clicking on a category will display several other sub-categories and those sub-categories hide even more options.
We know that it sounds like a lot of information to take in at once. But, really, once you get a sense of direction, this is as easy as it gets.
For example, let's suppose for a moment that you need to add a quick blur transition effect between two clips. The first logical step is to head over to ‘Transition'.
After that, we get to choose between Basic Transitions, 3D, Ripple, Speed Blur, Warp, Lifestyle, and Slideshows.
So, since we're after a quick blur, the next logical step is to head over to ‘Speed Blur' and check out the available options.
All we're trying to say is that the UI is very well made and easy to use. All you need is a bit of logic and some basic foresight on what you're trying to achieve.
And even if you don't have any plans, simply scrolling through the numerous effects and options is sure to give a few ideas.
The editing section is a tiny bit tougher since there are different colors and markings which are there to show us what kind of effects each clip is using. We're not saying that memorizing each different color is a must. But it sure helps a lot.
That being said, if there's something that you don't understand, you can always rely on Filmora's tutorial videos to figure things out!
Pricing and availabilityFilmora is available for Windows and macOS and it's available in a free trial, which offers you all the options but adds a watermark on exported videos. If you want to get the full version, you can get a subscription starting at $39/year. You can also get a lifetime license starting at $69 for a single computer.
Also great: Movavi Video Editor 2020
Don't like Filmora 9? Then your next best bet is quite possibly Movavi Video Editor 2020. It's without a doubt one of the best video editing software for beginners.
As for others who are more experienced and need to do more demanding work, there's always the Video Editor Plus and the Movie Suit.
Still, as we mentioned above, beginners should stick with the basic version instead. And if you feel like you're getting better at this, there's always the option of upgrading later on.
That's enough talking. Let us check out the program!
Movavi's editing solutionsAn older version of Filmora used to have a feature that was called ‘Easy Mode'. This feature could be used to quickly create a very basic clip with little control over the transitions, effects, and music.
Sure – it wasn't the ideal option for those who wanted even the basic level of control. But, some people still found it useful.
For some reason, this feature got removed in Filmora 9. If you're one of these people who liked Easy Mode, then you'll be glad to know that Movavi Video Editor is using a very similar option which is called ‘Quick Video'.
As we mentioned above, you can use this to quickly create a video by putting a bunch of pictures together, selecting a theme (Or choosing the soundtrack and effects on your own), and that's how you get a video ready in less than 10 minutes! How to burn blu ray mac.
It's not the ideal option for those who want attention to detail. But it gets the job done. And for everyone else? Well, you always have the option of using the full-fledged, basic editor.
Just like with Filmora, we get the option of easily adding various filters, transition effects, titles, stickers, and more.
At this point, let us mention that we struggled to find the basic subtitles quite a bit, which is definitely a huge con for an editor that's focused on helping beginners. More on that later.
One thing that we particularly loved with Movavi is the quick tools that it offers.
Things like cutting/trimming, cropping, adjusting the contrast, quickly recording with the mic, and anything like that are nothing but child's play. If you like creating parodies just for the laughs, then this is definitely the ideal editor for you.
UI and ease of useAs we mentioned above on the ‘editing' section, Movavi Video Editor 2020 definitely doesn't feel as easy to use as Filmora. Or at least that's how we feel.
Everything is kind of straight forward and easy to understand. But, the lack of names next to the various icons is something that's going to confuse a lot of people for the first minutes-hours of use. Especially if you're a beginner to editing and your brain is on full processing power just trying to figure out what to do next.
At least the basic adjustments like brightness, contrast, saturation, and everything like that is pretty simple to understand.
The navigation is pretty similar to Filmora. So, if you're a previous user, then switching over to Movavi should be simple.
Still, there were a couple of cases when we had to use Google in order to figure out how something works. For example, since there are no sub-headings/categories, we couldn't find a dedicated category for subtitles – like we did on Filmora.
After a bit of searching, it turns out that you can use some basic titles in the form of subtitles instead. The only problem with that is that we didn't need to rely on Google while using Filmora. So, that's one con for Movavi here.
The lack of sub-categories can be a bit annoying as well. In some cases, like with blur effects, it's not really an issue – because there are not a whole lot of effects to choose from in the first place.
However, things do get rather confusing when there are a ton of effects and they are all listed on a huge menu that almost seems to be never ending. River belle casino free slots.
Overall, the UI is a noticeable downgrade when compared to Filmora. But, it's still the best alternative.
Pricing and availabilityMovavi can be used on both Windows and Mac. The price starts at $39.95 depending on the edition you choose to go for and has a free trial version for you to test.
Other options that worth mention
There are plenty of others to choose from. Minecraft on macbook air 2019. Here are some that we recommend!
1. Pinnacle Studio 23 ($59.95, Windows)Pinnacle Studio 23 is the cheapest option out of the 3 Pinnacle's offerings. But, that doesn't mean that it doesn't worth anything.
In fact, it's quite the opposite. This program has so many options and features to play with that it barely qualifies as video editing software for beginners!
It's most suitable for intermediate users – and that's one of the primary reasons that we didn't place it on our top 2. Because, otherwise, it's pretty decent!
And you always have the option of spending a bit more and getting a version with more editing power. But, do keep in mind that the more advanced versions are mostly targeted towards, well, advanced users.
2: Adobe Premiere Elements ($99.99, Windows and Mac)Adobe is a huge name in various professional areas – including photo and video editing. Adome Premiere Elements, in particular, is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best options that one can find.
However, just like Pinnacle Studio 23, Adobe Premiere Elements is a bit too good for its own good. Meaning that someone who is new to video editing may feel overwhelmed with all the features and the different options.
The automated modes and the Adobe Sensei AI definitely help a lot. But, again, this is not exactly targeted towards someone who's never edited a video before.
3: Magix Movie Edit Pro ($69.99, Windows)Magix Movie Edit Pro claims to be suitable for both advanced users and beginners alike – and it kind of is. But, compared to our top picks, the truth is that it struggles to compete.
Still, for everything that it offers, this program is a far cry from being a bad option. We're talking about more than 900 effects, 4K support, an ‘Easy Mode', bundled tracks, and more.
All of that and anything else that you may find is only there for the basic version. If you're willing to spend even more, then we're easily talking about more than 1500 effects, 360-degree video editing, and a bunch of other features that beginners are highly unlikely to take advantage of.
4: Muvee Reveal Automatic Video Editor ($79.99, Windows)Unlike most of the other alternative options that we checked out till now, Muvee Reveal is focused towards making video editing easy. Ip wireless wired camera software download.
The only problem with it is that it asks quite a lot of money to do it while also taking away a big part of the control that you otherwise get with a traditional editor. It's basically the ‘Quick Video' feature that Movavi offers – but with a higher price tag.
Of course, it's not like the program doesn't have anything else to offer. But, for about 80 bucks, it's a tough buy. That being said, do keep in mind that pricing may wildly vary from region to region.
Free video editing alternatives
Most of these programs frankly offer more than most of us can handle – which, in a way, is a great thing to have. But the truth is that not everyone can or is willing to pay for video editing software.
That's precisely why we decided to list some free options as well. Here are our top free picks!
1: Apple iMovie (Mac, iOS)This is quite possibly the best freebie that Apple users can get. And we're saying ‘Apple users' because it's only available for the Apple ecosystem (iOS, and MacOS). And that's actually one of the best things about it. Since it works flawlessly with Apple devices, you can easily switch between your iPhone or iPad to your Mac and vice versa.
This is something that can rarely be done with other editors – if ever. So, iMovie is definitely worth checking out. Especially because it's free. While for the most part, it doesn't offer a lot of features and options to play with.
2: HitFilm Express Free (Windows, Mac)HitFilm Express is available for both Windows and Mac and it's another great free video editor. And when we say free, we mean it. It's not a free trial or the actual editor that exports everything with a watermark. It's a full-fledged, basic editor that's mostly targeted towards beginners.
It even offers a bunch of free tutorials that you can use to get better at editing. And when you feel like you're capable of more, there is always the pro variant which is better in pretty much every single way.
3: DaVinci Resolve 16 Free (Windows, Mac, Linux)For a free editor, DaVinci Resolve 16 seriously offers a ton of features to play with. There's so much stuff to do that it's not just, suitable for beginners but for Intermediate editors as well. Not to mention that it's one of the very few editors that support all of the popular operating systems – Windows, Mac, and Linux.
As with our other free picks, Davinci Resolve 16 isn't a trial and can be used indefinitely. And when you feel like you can achieve more, there is always the Studio version – just keep in mind that it's rather pricey.
4: VideoPad Video Editor Free (Windows)Last, but not least, there's also VideoPad. Like our other free picks, it's completely free to use. But, that's only for as long as you don't rely on it for commercial use – meaning that those who are in this for the video editing business should probably consider an alternative option.
Regarding the features, VideoPad may definitely feel a bit underwhelming when compared to some of our best options. But, for someone who is new to video editing and needs something to get started, this is probably more than enough.
There are quite a lot of effects to choose from, you get the basic tools like trimming, splitting, and anything like that, and also video optimization tools – such as stabilization, playback speed control, and things like that.
The way forward
Editing videos and shaping it into compelling ones consistently has always been the underlying objective. So, you finally found the best option for you. Now what?
Well, first of all, stop being afraid of tutorials. Video editors offer them for a reason and they'll help you a lot in the long run.
Second of all, make sure that your computer is up to the task. Video editing is very demanding and it would be awful to get halfway through a project before your PC can't handle the rest. Having at least 8 to 16 gigabytes of RAM with an SSD installed is the least that you can do.
As for editing, start by prioritizing work. For example, splitting and mixing generally comes first. You can start thinking about adding subtitles and/or effects after that's done.
Also, never forget about things like contrast, brightness, audio levels, or anything like that. They can make a huge difference in quality with a very small amount of effort. To make certain repetitive tasks easier, you should learn some basic keyboard shortcuts as well.
Last, but not least, pay attention to the size of the video. The framerate, video quality, and format will make a huge difference in size and quality. So, adjust these according to your preference.
Hopefully, these best and easiest video editors help you create and publish content for your target audience.
Try out a few of these apps, identify the best one for you, and start editing!
Getting a YouTube channel off the ground is a lot of work, but it's also exciting and immensely rewarding as you start gaining your first loyal followers. It all begins with a story worth telling, but how you shape that story matters even more for viewer retention. You'll never get a captive audience if your videos consist of a single cut of you staring into the camera and talking. The key to any successful YouTube video is a mix of worthwhile content and an engaging presentation. You'll have to take care of the former and let an editing program handle the rest.
It's easier than ever to turn your ideas into videos that rack up millions of views. There are dozens of editing tools out there that will get the job done. However, not all of them do a good job of explaining the workflow and easing you into more complicated edits. That's why newcomers need appropriate software that will teach them the basics, make publishing to YouTube a breeze, and ignite in them the passion to take editing to the next level eventually.
The following are reviews of the best video editing software for YouTube beginners. These six programs ease you into editing and let you create impactful videos from the get-go. Some of them are limited and best used as stepping stones for more advanced software. Others offer the full experience and will be of use even with hundreds of videos under your belt. Make a choice and start building your online community in the best possible way.
1. Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe's Premiere Pro is one of the world's most critically-acclaimed video editing programs, but the company has an equally impressive e tool for beginners as well. Think of Premiere Elements as both an exceptional learning tool and video editing software that can do much more than the basics. It's the perfect choice for YouTubers who don't have a clue about editing and want to grow into competent creators fast.
Overview of Features
Unlike its older brother, Premiere Elements is a one-time purchase and works well as a standalone product without utilizing the Creative Cloud. Opening it for the first time presents you with three choices. You may either make a Quick video or edit one from the ground up in Guided and Expert modes.
Quick mode is outstanding for producing simple content that speaks for itself like family or vacation videos. You select the clips and photos to be added to it, add some music, and Premiere Elements will competently create a catchy video. Your editing options are minimal in this mode, but trimming the fat off of boring clips or adding titles is still possible.
Guided mode is where beginners will spend most of their time. Adobe did a fantastic job designing it to function as a comprehensive tutorial area that teaches you with guidance and repetition. The editing steps are logically laid out from start to finish, so you're first prompted to add media, then adjust video and audio parameters, and finish off with effects and filters.
Each task is accompanied by a step-by-step guide and an arrow that points at the pertinent part of the user interface. Speaking of which, the UI is clean and same for Guided and Expert modes. That lets you learn the necessary steps and effortlessly remember and repeat them once you're ready to ditch the training wheels. Guided edits like filling the frame left by a vertical video and time-lapse are universally applicable. Others are more situational and fun, like adding a glass pane effect or freeze-frame transitions.
Expert mode puts all of Premiere Elements' tools at your disposal. Smart Trimming is one of the more interesting ones. It uses the Sensei AI to identify boring parts of clips and deletes them to speed up trimming. There's a suite of audio editing options, color correction and matching, chromakeying, a versatile text tool, and more.
Premiere Elements runs smoothly and crash-free even on older hardware. It's not the fastest editor around, but its rendering speeds are above average. Publishing a video to YouTube is easy, thanks to a dedicated button. You just have to specify the title and quality, and Premiere Elements will handle the rest.
What We Didn't Like
Premiere elements is a wonderful tool for growing content creators, but it will only get you so far. There are only three audio and video tracks, so your multicam options are limited. There's currently no support for 360-degree and VR footage, either.
Pros |
---|
Fantastic as an introduction to video editing |
Lets you jump between Guided and Expert modes at any time |
Clean and intuitive interface |
Lots of text tools and video effects |
Cons |
---|
Few tracks to work with |
Doesn't support some newer video formats |
2. iMovie
iMovie is to Final Cut Pro X what Premiere Elements is to Premiere Pro. In other words, a simplified yet effective and highly-polished editor for producing striking YouTube videos with little effort. It's firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, so PC users will have to look elsewhere. On the other hand, iMovie is the epitome of stability and speedily renders videos, even in 4K. Best of all, using iMovie will help speed your transition to Final Cut Pro when you feel like growing as an editor.
Overview of Features
iMovie is the epitome of simplicity. Everything from importing files to manipulating titles or audio is done in an accessible, sparse interface. There are no windows and settings unnecessary to the current editing step, which helps to focus on the task at hand and speeds up your workflow. iMovie doesn't come with tutorials per see, but hovering over various icons displays tooltips that will help inexperienced users get a good grasp on the interface.
Importing files is straightforward as iMovie recognizes a wide variety of codecs, including action cam footage. It will automatically pull up all the media you have stored on the iCloud and various Apple devices too. There's no tagging or rating system, but you can designate clips as rejects or favorites and trim or rotate them before adding anything to the timeline.
There are only three tracks or lanes on the magnetic timeline. Clips placed on it move out of the way without creating gaps, and repositioning one you placed earlier moves everything to its right as well. You can even link clips with transitions and effects that remain applied when you move the clip elsewhere.
iMovie has a solid selection of effects or Clip Filters as they're referred to here. On the one hand, you have color correction and chromakeying tools. iMovie lets you brighten up dull footage, adjust the contrast and color temperature, or match the colors of footage shot with multiple cameras to ensure consistency. Chromakeying makes working with greenscreen easy. On the other hand, you may add different filters that impact the mood and overall visuals. This has a powerful impact on appearance and can turn a normal-looking video into a nostalgic retrospective or give it a horror vibe.
Music Editing Software For Beginners
Text effects and audio are equal robust. You have access to many fonts and can import more from the mac. Associated effects and transitions can be configured in minutes, and properties like alignment or size can be changed straight from the preview window. There are several audio enhancement features like noise reduction and a tool that increases voice volume. You may even give your voice a distorted or robotic sound.
What's Bad About It?
As said above, iMovie is an Apple exclusive. Other than that, Apple's minimalistic design philosophy means you'll sometimes need to search long and hard because some obscure tools are tucked away and it isn't clear where to look. You can't customize the interface either, which places iMovie among more rigid video editors.
Best Easy Video Editing Software For Beginners For Beginners
Pros |
---|
Beautifully simple interface |
Magnetic timeline makes editing intuitive for newcomers |
Has an abundance of titling and audio tools |
Excellent chromakeying and color grading given its price and purpose |
Cons |
---|
No PC version |
Rigid interface that makes less-used tools hard to find |
3. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro
Movie Maker Pro from MAGIX is a versatile video editor YouTubers of all skill levels will embrace. It has enough features to accompany you throughout your YouTube career without ever feeling the need to move on to more advanced programs. A basic yet well-thought-out editing experience awaits the novice, while you can also look forward to advanced sound editing, travel maps, and a slew of effects down the line.
Overview of Features
Unlike most video editing software, Movie Edit Pro places the preview window on the left while the contextual part of the interface sits next to it. You can toggle between the timeline and a storyboard mode that makes conceptualizing your video easier. Clips and photos are all represented equally in storyboard mode, so moving elements of different lengths around is straightforward. Even so, you can access an audio mixer or trimming tools from this view without needing to switch to the timeline.
Templates are another feature beginner YouTubers will love. They are guided storyboards that help you lay out a video in an engaging way while supplying appropriate titles, transitions, and sounds. Each template type comes with a distinct number and sequence of shots. Simple graphics tell you when to insert nature scenes or close-ups to get the desired effect.
You can tinker with finished templates or make videos from scratch on the traditional non-linear timeline. The Pro version of Movie Edit contains 32, while upgrading to either Plus or Premium ups this to 200. Other benefits include access to more filters and effects as well as multicam editing. You can always start off with the basic version and upgrade as your channel and editing needs grow.
While Movie Edit Pro offers many excellent color correction, titling, and effects tools, audio is its stand-out feature set. MAGIX is renowned for the Sequoia audio editing software, and some of its features have made their way into Movie Edit Pro. You can manipulate audio by adding reverb or adjusting multiple sound levels. Several noise-removal tools get rid of sibilants or camera noises while bringing your voice to the forefront.
Travel vloggers will love the Travel Maps add-on. It allows you to quickly visualize a route you've taken on a series of detailed maps from all over the world. Using the add-on takes some getting used to, but the result is an attractive visual aids that makes your videos look more professional.
What We Didn't Like
Media organization and input is Movie Edit Pro's weak point. Tagging and rating tools are absent. You can't specify what file type you're looking for either and are limited to your OS's file browsing interface. Movie Edit Pro is only available on PC.
Pros |
---|
Excellent storyboard mode |
Templates make putting simple videos together easy |
Advanced audio editing options |
The Travel Maps add-on |
Pricing |
---|
$69.99 for the Pro version |
$99.99 for the Plus version |
$129.99 for the Premium version |
4. Wondershare Filmora9
Filmora markets itself as the video editing solution for everyone, from beginners to professionals. Spending some time with it reveals that this isn't just a gimmick; Filmora9 is easy to get into yet offers plenty of room to grow. It's a strong contender for the only editing program you'll ever need as a YouTube creator. Its stand-out features? An extensive library of effects and transitions along with fast rendering times and a broad range of supported media.
Overview of Features
Filmora9 doesn't let you make many changes to its interface, but its well organized and accessible layout offsets that. The UI will be familiar to users who've edited videos before as there's a timeline on the bottom third of the screen while the upper portion is divided in two. A preview window takes up the right side with a contextual workspace on the left. Changer clavier macbook pro apple store. The latter changes based on the current editing step you can quickly select through a series of tabs.
Starting a project requires imported media, which you can access from your hard drive or camera. Recording directly from a webcam and desktop screen is supported, as is downloading videos from Instagram or Facebook. Selected footage is arranged on the timeline and ready for trimming. You can do this yourself or let an AI similar to Adobe's Sensei shorten clips to their most exciting parts.
There are 100 video and audio tracks to work with, making Filmora9 one of the most in-depth solutions for compositing videos with lots of B-roll and multiple camera angles. It accepts different video formats and has tools designed to work with action cam footage. You can remove the characteristic fish-eye look and apply further stabilization if the video is shaky. Reversing playback and altering speed is at your disposal too.
Filmora9's selection of effects is extensive. There are more than 170 transitions and 130 title effects for putting together a truly unique video. You can enhance its look by adding filters, changing color and light properties, or importing look-up tables to simulate camera or film looks. Audio isn't neglected either, with more than 70 musical tracks and a robust equalizer. You can take advantage of keyframing as well once you're more experienced. Dell d6000 macbook pro 2019.
Are There Drawbacks?
While the main interface isn't cluttered, the same can't be said for the effects library. Splitting them into categories helps, but finding a specific one can be a chore. Filmora9 lacks a storyboard mode. This isn't a major drawback, but it does mean it will be harder to visualize your video's layout.
Pros |
---|
Easy to use yet brimming with advanced features |
Extensive effects library |
Main editing interface is laid out clearly |
Fast render times |
Cons |
---|
Cluttered effects library can be hard to search |
No storyboard mode |
Pricing |
---|
$39.99 annually or a one-time payment of $69.99 |
5. Lightworks
Lightworks is a great choice for people looking to get into YouTube video editing on a minimal budget. Its free version is restrictive, but the tools at your disposal are good enough to create eye-catching videos. The interface can be customized or locked into place, there are tabs for each editing step, and render times are blazingly fast.
Overview of Features
One of Lightworks' unique features is its dual UI. There's Fixed mode, which separates the interface into four workspaces corresponding to media importing, editing, adding effects, and adjusting audio. Alternatively, you can enter Flexible mode and reposition or resize any window in the UI to create a workspace uniquely suited to your habits.
Lightworks has one of the most comprehensive media import systems on the market but isn't overwhelming for beginners. The more footage you create, the more you'll appreciate it as Lightworks lets you tag clips and organize them into bins. These contain all the project files you need for a specific video, or you can make separate bins and sort them by content type and subject matter.
Editing in Lightworks is done on a timeline that takes up the bottom half of the screen with two preview windows and a media library on top. Adding multiple clips from the library will give each a different color, so they're easier to recognize. You can trim, adjust the speed, etc., either with industry-standard keyboard shortcuts or do everything with icons. Clicking on a tool you've never used before brings out a helpful mascot with tips on how to best use it.
The VFX tab is home to numerous transition, filter, and effect options. Lightworks has an excellent color correction tool and lets you make fine adjustments to brightness or contrast by using intuitive wheel s and sliders. LUTs are available, too, as are pre-made filters. Most editing software forces you to apply effects to clips individually. Lightworks is innovative in that it has a separate VFX track. You set up effects on it and can then determine their duration by dragging it to fit the desired number of clips on the timeline.
Lightworks supports a limited selection of the most popular video and audio formats for exporting. Luckily, it is optimized for YouTube, so uploading directly to your channel isn't a hassle. Best of all, you don't have to wait until the project is finished to render. Lightworks renders parts of the video you aren't currently working on in the background, which means upload times are limited only by your internet connection.
What's Bad About It?
You can use Lightworks for free but should consider paying for it because of the basic version's shortcomings. Most notably for YouTubers, the maximum output resolution is 720p. There's a chance that the audio on finished videos won't be synced. You can't check this before rendering is complete since the problem doesn't show up in the editor.
Pros |
---|
Lets you choose between fixed and customizable workspaces |
Excellent organization and import system |
Color-coded clips and helpful tips |
Uniquely handles effects application |
Renders in the background for faster exporting |
Cons |
---|
Video output in free version limited to 720p |
Audio syncing issues |
Pricing |
---|
Free |
$19.99/month or $139.99/year for the Pro version |
6. Camtasia
The editors we've talked about so far will create any video you can dream of, but none of them have special tools that make interacting with the audience more engaging. Enter Camtasia, a video editor and eLearning tool in one that's perfect for YouTubers who specialize in tutorial creation. It has a versatile screen capturing tool, supports callouts, and doesn't have a steep learning curve. Moreover, it's a full-fledged editor you can use for other types of content.
Overview of Features
Camtasia's interface may look complicated to new users. However, you aren't given time to feel overwhelmed as a first-time startup also triggers an in-depth tutorial. It walks you through a sample project, introducing core editing functions and other features along the way. You'll pick up everything there is to basic editing and are directed to TechSmith's site for further learning.
Good Editing Software For Beginners
The interface is a standard three-parter that looks similar to Filmora's. You start by selecting pertinent media and add it to the timeline either directly or by dragging it onto the preview window. The same drag & drop approach is applied to transitions and effects. Managing transitions is intuitive since adding one creates an overlapping portion between two clips. You may then move it to determine the transition's length.
Camtasia has excellent screen capturing tools. You can record either the entire screen or have it share space with a clip. It's also easy to zoom into parts of the screen to highlight a detail without impacting the resolution. How-to videos will benefit from Camtasia's extensive cursor and keyboard options. You can highlight the cursor or hide it depending on the situation. There's also a tool for creating mouse click and keystroke captures, so your audience knows which actions and shortcuts you're using at any time.
Camtasia's audio options tie in with the work as you record mentality. You can use a track's audio or separate and mute it. This lets you use voiceovers for narration as the video is playing once you have a structured script to read from. You may adjust various sound levels and get rid of noises for cleaner, more professional-sounding results.
Are There Drawbacks?
Youtube Editing Software For Beginners
Camtasia isn't cheap, and it's hard to recommend it over free alternatives like iMovie if your content isn't focused on tutorials. Buying the license doesn't entitle you to updates either; for these, you have to pay a yearly fee. There aren't many effects and filters to choose from, which is another downside considering the price.
Pros |
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Great tutorials for newcomers and advanced users alike |
Excellent screen capture tools |
Real-time voiceover |
Efficient drag & drop workflow |
Pricing |
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One-time payment of $249 plus optional annual fee of $49.75 |
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