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BEST Video Editing Software Tier List 2024 (For PC & Mobile)

Science & Technology

Introduction

In my video editing journey, I've had the chance to work with numerous video editing software options. Today, I'm going to rank each one in a tier list to help you find the perfect tool for your needs. Links to all of these software will be in the description below. Let's begin!

Number One: Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to video editing. It's packed with pro-level features like auto transcription, AI-powered audio cleanup, and seamless integration with other Adobe apps like After Effects and Audition. The interface is highly customizable, and the performance is lightning fast, even with 4K footage. It's my go-to for any serious video project. The only downside is its subscription-only pricing, but for professional work, it's 100% worth it. I'm placing Adobe Premiere Pro solidly in the God Tier.

Number Two: Adobe After Effects

After Effects is the industry standard for motion graphics and visual effects. The number of features is mind-blowing; you can do everything from simple titles to 3D animations and compositing. The tight integration with Premiere Pro saves a lot of time. It has a pretty steep learning curve, though, and can be overwhelming if you're just starting out. After Effects is overkill for basic editing, but if you need high-end effects and graphics, it's unbeatable. That's why I'm ranking Adobe After Effects in the Great Tier.

Number Three: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve blew me away, especially for a free program. The color correction tools are the best I've ever used. The auto color balance and match features are like magic, but it's not just for color; the editing tools are intuitive and rival those of paid software. The Fairlight audio tools are incredibly powerful too. It's a true all-in-one post-production solution. The only drawback is the lack of some Adobe integrations that I rely on. But for a free program, DaVinci Resolve is unbelievably good. It absolutely earns its place in the God Tier next to Premiere.

Number Four: CapCut

CapCut is a surprisingly powerful video editing app that works across phones and tablets on both Android and iOS. It's easy to use with many impressive tools available for free. CapCut offers a huge library of stickers, fonts, text templates, filters, and effects that can be applied to your video in seconds. It also has advanced features like automatic background removal, masking, and tracking. CapCut is great for creating short-form videos for social media platforms like TikTok. However, it only works in portrait orientation, and some advanced features are locked behind a subscription. Overall, I'm placing CapCut in the Great Tier for its ease of use and powerful features, especially for mobile video editing.

Number Five: Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a professional-level video editing software for Mac. It offers a clean and intuitive magnetic timeline, powerful organization tools, and advanced features like multi-cam editing, 360° video support, and HDR. The latest updates have added an improved object tracker, a scrolling timeline, and faster exports. Final Cut Pro used to be the industry standard, but some pros were dismayed when Apple redesigned it. However, it's still a very capable editor with a one-time price instead of a subscription. I think Final Cut Pro deserves to be in the Great Tier; it's powerful and great for Mac users, but not as widely adopted as it once was.

Number Six: Camtasia

Camtasia is a screen recording and video editing software aimed at beginners with a simple interface and straightforward features. Its strengths lie in its screen capture capabilities, with options to record your computer audio, camera, and mic simultaneously. Camtasia also offers some basic video editing tools like annotations, transitions, and effects. However, it lacks the advanced editing features found in professional software. Camtasia is best suited for creating software tutorials, presentations, and educational videos. At $ 249, it's more expensive than some competitors. I'm placing Camtasia in the Average Tier. It's great for its intended use case of screen recording but limited as a general video editor.

Number Seven: Filmora

Filmora is a fantastic video editing software that offers a wide range of features and effects. It's incredibly user-friendly with a customizable interface and easy drag-and-drop functionality. The software comes with a vast library of royalty-free music, sound effects, and stock media to enhance your videos. Filmora also provides built-in preset templates, titles, and text effects to help you create professional-looking videos quickly. While it may not have all the advanced features of some high-end software, Filmora is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate users looking for a powerful yet intuitive video editor. I'm placing Filmora in the Great Tier because it strikes a perfect balance between ease of use and functionality.

Number Eight: Adobe Premiere Rush

Adobe Premiere Rush is a versatile video editing app that allows you to create and share videos on the go. It's available on both mobile and desktop platforms, making it easy to start a project on your phone and continue editing on your computer. Premiere Rush offers a simple timeline, customizable titles, and built-in audio tools to help you create engaging videos. The app also integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, giving you access to a wide range of assets and templates. However, some users may find the app's features limited compared to more advanced video editing software. I think Adobe Premiere Rush deserves a spot in the Good Tier because it's a solid choice for content creators who need to edit videos quickly and easily.

CyberLink PowerDirector 365 is feature-packed video editing software that offers a wide range of tools and effects. It supports 360° video editing, motion tracking, and even offers AI-powered features like audio denoise and vocal remover. PowerDirector also provides a vast library of plugins, effects, and templates to help you create stunning videos. However, some users may find the interface a bit overwhelming, and the software's advanced features may require a learning curve. Additionally, some of the effects and templates may not be of the highest quality. While PowerDirector is a powerful video editor, I feel it falls short in terms of user-friendliness and overall polish compared to some of its competitors. That's why I'm placing CyberLink PowerDirector 365 in the Average Tier.

Number Ten: Apple iMovie

iMovie is Apple's free, beginner-friendly video editor that comes pre-installed on Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It's super easy to use with a simple drag-and-drop interface, but the simplicity comes at a cost. It lacks advanced features and flexibility compared to other editors. The audio editing is pretty basic, and it can be slow when exporting videos. Honestly, iMovie belongs in the Bad Tier for anyone looking to do more than the most basic edits. It's just too limited.

Number Eleven: Pinnacle Studio Ultimate

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is a near pro-level video editor for Windows that won't completely break the bank. It's got a ton of high-end features like multi-camera editing, 360° video support, color grading, video masking, and motion tracking. The latest version, 26, made big improvements to performance and stability. However, the interface can take some time to learn for beginners. Overall, with its great balance of advanced features and a relatively affordable price, I'm putting Pinnacle Studio Ultimate solidly in the Good Tier.

Number Twelve: HitFilm Express

HitFilm Express is a free video editor that packs a surprising amount of pro-level features and effects. It really shines for compositing and VFX with tools for green screen, 3D rendering, motion tracking, and more. The latest version got a nice new interface and added useful quick-start templates. The downsides are that it has pretty high system requirements and pushes you to upgrade to the paid HitFilm Pro. But for a free editor, it's incredibly capable, especially for VFX. That's why I'm also placing HitFilm Express in the Good Tier.

Conclusion

These are my experiences with various video editing software, ranking each one based on its features, usability, and overall performance.

  • God Tier: Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve
  • Great Tier: Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro, CapCut, Filmora
  • Average Tier: Camtasia, CyberLink PowerDirector 365
  • Good Tier: Adobe Premiere Rush, HitFilm Express
  • Bad Tier: iMovie

Remember, the best video editing software for you depends on your specific needs and workflow. Be sure to check out the links in the description for more information on each of these programs. Thanks for joining me on this ranking journey. See you on the next video!

Keywords

  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • CapCut
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Camtasia
  • Filmora
  • Adobe Premiere Rush
  • CyberLink PowerDirector 365
  • iMovie
  • Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
  • HitFilm Express
  • Video Editing Software
  • Tier List 2024

FAQ

Q: Which video editing software is considered the best for professional work? A: Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve lead the pack in the God Tier, offering unmatched capabilities for professional projects.

Q: What is the best free video editing software? A: DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm Express are highly recommended for their powerful features despite being free.

Q: Which software is best for beginners? A: Filmora and Camtasia are excellent choices for beginners due to their user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features.

Q: Are there any good mobile video editing apps? A: Yes, CapCut and Adobe Premiere Rush are both solid choices for mobile video editing.

Q: Is iMovie a good option for serious video editing? A: No, iMovie is quite limited in functionality and is better suited for very basic edits.

Q: What is a cost-effective alternative to expensive professional editing software? A: Pinnacle Studio Ultimate offers a near pro-level experience at a more affordable price.

Q: Can I use Final Cut Pro on a Windows PC? A: No, Final Cut Pro is exclusive to Mac users. If you're using Windows, consider options like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.