List of 20 Best Video Editing Software for YouTube in 2024

Being on YouTube is a great way for businesses to reach their target audiences. The popular video platform is a fertile avenue for providing relevant content to your customers and prospects. This has been a successful strategy for many as brands get to position themselves as trusted sources of useful information and entertainment.

However, this is not as easy as it sounds. Brands and YouTube creators have to stand out to be seen by their prospective target communities. This means that depending on your target market, the way your video is structured and edited can matter. This is why many brands, businesses, and independent YouTube creators use editing software tools. These products allow them to create engaging stories and other types of content. But as you know, all platforms are not created equal. Some are just way better and easier to use than others.

In this article, we will provide you with the best video editing software for YouTube available today. In this way, you can cut down on product research time and find the one that fits you best quicker.

According to recent YouTube statistics, there are about 2.6 billion YouTube users worldwide logging in at least once every month. Also, a little more than 2 billion log in every day. This makes YouTube the second largest social platform next to Facebook. This makes it a fertile ground for content marketing. Popularity, however, has costs. Having tons of users and creators makes creating successful content marketing more difficult because of competition. Thus, to be successful, brands have to stand out in key ways. For that, the quality and entertainment value of content is essential.

In fact, in one study, it was found that effective creative elements account for nearly 50% of ROI. Even though video production quality may not matter for other types of videos and niche audiences, it still matters for the most part—especially for brands. Hence, a good investment in creative talent, production equipment, and post-production tools such as a video editing software solution is essential.

In fact, when you take a look at the top channels on YouTube, their content undergo post-production. This is especially true for the top three channels that are owned by professional production outfits—the top one being T-Series, an Indian production company, with 222 million subscribers. Surely, not all leading channels use Hollywood-grade video editing platforms or big production teams. Consider PewDiePie’s content as the fourth most-subscribed channel with 111 million subscribers. The editing is minimal and, usually, it’s a one-man job (as far as we know, he has two editors taking turns). The lesson, however, is that having a video editing software solution is essential. And, here are the best ones to use for YouTube videos.

20 Best Video Editing Software for YouTube in 2022

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is not just the leading video editing platform for Mac. It is also one of the best video editing software, period. This popular on-premise YouTube video editing software is not only a go-to solution for online content creators. It has also been used to edit major motion pictures. The list includes Disney’s John Carter, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and 300, among others.

Key features include basic ones such as moving and trimming clips, asset management, transition effects, visual effects, audio editing, and motion-graphics templates. Of course, as one of the best video editing platforms available, it has cutting-edge capabilities for multicam editing, advanced color grading, and 360-degree VR editing, among others. All of these are housed in an intuitive platform that is friendly to beginners. Final Cut Pro costs a one-time payment of $299.99. But if you are an adamant PC user, you can find respectable Final Cut Pro alternatives.

2. Filmora

Filmora is another popular video editing software for YouTube creators. Compared to other video editing platforms, the product is quite easy to use, thanks to its intuitive design that appeals to novice and expert creators alike. It has all the basic features for video editing such as trimming, splicing, and video effects. Moreover, like top video editing tools, it also has audio editing and color-grading capabilities. Advanced features include video stabilization, audio separation, noise removal, motion tracking, and keyframe editing, among many others.

Filmora pricing plans are very straightforward.  The on-premise platform is offered in three payment plans: monthly ($9.99), annual ($49.99), and perpetual ($79.99). All have the same features and all subscribers receive free updates for future versions. Lastly, versions are available for both Mac and Windows machines.

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a prime video editing platform of choice for many professionals. In fact, it is considered one of the best video editing software for YouTube content. It has been used to edit many famous movies, including Terminator: Dark Fate, Gone Girl, and Deadpool. Expectedly, the platform has all the basic video editing features such as splicing, motion graphics templates, transitions, and video effects. Additionally, it provides users with advanced capabilities for VR audio editing, VR editing, and simultaneous projects support.

Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud programs, including After Effects, Audition, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop, among many others. Plus, it also works perfectly with Microsoft Teams. The platform is offered via four payment plans. Individual plans start at $29.99 per month or at a prepaid price of $239.88 per year. Also, it has versions for both macOS and Windows operating systems.

4. Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor is another popular easy-to-use video editing software solution. Because of its ease of use, it has become quite popular among content creators. Aside from the basic features that every editing platform should have, it includes noteworthy capabilities such as chroma keying, video stabilization, vertical video for social media, picture-in-picture, creative filters, and adding comments via voiceovers. When it comes to ease of use, it rivals the more popular ones on this list. In fact, in this regard, you can make many Filmora vs Movavi Video Editor comparisons.

All of Movavi’s Video Editor features are housed in an intuitive user interface that is user-friendly for novice video creators. As such, it is one of the go-to platforms for social media videos. This is because it doesn’t lack anything for such formats while never going overboard with super advanced features that YouTube creators typically wouldn’t need. In fact, there is an automatic video creation feature for home use. Moreover, Movavi Video Editor is available for both PC and Mac devices. Pricing starts at $39.95 a month.

5. Fastreel

Fastreel is another product by Movavi. This is a basic, easy-to-use online video editing tool. Basically, it is a pared-down version of Movavi. However, it is packed with all the basic features needed for simple videos. Hence, it is considered one of the best free video editing software for YouTube creators. However, the free version includes a Fastreel watermark. That’s the only catch. Key features include video cropping, muting, video looping, slideshow creation, cutting a video, merging videos, and adding subtitles.

Moreover, it has useful additional features such as those for making a video collage, adding watermarks, converting images to video, and many more. Plus, it offers customizable templates to help users quickly create professional-looking videos in minutes. Premium plans start at $9.95 per video per month.

6. Movavi Video Converter

Movavi Video Converter is a popular free video editing software for YouTube. While not a full-fledged video editor, is one of the easiest platforms to use and has all the basic video editing features for simple, straightforward YouTube videos. These include features for trimming and merging videos. Most importantly, however, is that Movavi Video Converter, as its name claims, helps video editors and content creators convert their files into different formats optimized for YouTube uploads.

Firstly, the free tool can convert media files to more than 180 formats. So, you can shoot using any device and camera application without having to worry if your video file is supported by or optimized for YouTube or other social channels. The same goes for audio files. And, also very important, it enables users to compress their videos without quality loss. So, users can shoot their videos at a high resolution and compress them down for faster upload. Furthermore, premium plans are available. Prices start at $39.95 per month.

7. Camtasia

Camtasia is a video editing and screen recording software solution. It is popular among educators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and, of course, content creators. It has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows users to create different types of video content such as onboarding and instructional videos. Key features include video capture, screen capture, text extraction, screen recording, and scrolling capture.

Moreover, it also has a platform search function and an image editor to boot. Its feature set makes it popular among how-to and educational content creators. Also, thanks to its high out-of-the-box usability, users can quickly pounce on YouTube trends in terms of content, creativity, and format. The platform is offered via different plans for individuals, businesses, and educational institutions, and for governments and non-profits. Pricing starts at $299.99 for individual and business users.

8. Wave.video

Wave.video is a multi-functional video editing software. This is because aside from robust video editing tools, it has video hosting and content calendar features. On top of it all, it has a landing page generator. This makes it a suitable solution for vloggers, influencers, small businesses, and freelance professionals. They can create videos that can capture their audience and manage their content marketing on one platform.

Moreover, there are footage that you can add to your videos to make them pop from the stock footage library of Wave.video. You can also add some background music to enhance your video further. These are royalty-free so you do not have to worry about shelling out money for the clips and audio that you will use.

9. Moovly

Moovly is a web-based video editing solution for users to create videos for personal, business, or educational use. You can access the free version of the tool easily by registering with your email address. After that, you can start creating videos by choosing from available templates.

There are other elements such as images, audio, video, and animated clips available from the Moovly library. These are all royalty-free so you can use them without worry. If you want to use your own video elements, you can simply upload your content to the platform.

10. BeeCut

BeeCut simplifies video editing because of its intuitive user interface. Users can easily choose their preferred aspect ratios in a few clicks. What’s more, it has a straightforward drag-and-drop function. You can select media, filters, overlays, and other functions with a simple click. And if you want something that is a little more complex, it has tools for cutting frames, merging video clips, and deleting select parts. Despite that, it is still suitable even for those with little or no experience with video editing.

There are effects you can add to your video, too, such as the mosaic effect. As well, you can choose from any professionally designed templates so that you do not have to edit videos from scratch. And if you want to make your videos more interesting or to run smoothly, you can add transitions to them.

11. StoryXpress

StoryXpress is more than just a simple video editing software. It can record videos via screen record or your web camera and lets you annotate while you are at it. And with its editing tools, you can blur inappropriate scenes or content from the video. The solution enables you to crop the video and trim clips, too.

Once you’re done, you can add it to your website in a jiffy. StoryXpress also offers video hosting and management so you can share your creations quickly. Additionally, you can check how effective your videos are with analytics, which tells you the behaviors of your viewers.

12. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a suitable companion for video game content creators. It can record game sessions and help them stream their games live, too. It can record directly from your microphone and webcam and lets you switch between multiple stream sources. Because of this, you can create a seamless broadcast or record that your viewers will surely enjoy.

And while you are live, the tool lets you insert existing videos. There are other features that can enhance live streams, too, such as an audio mixer, video filters, and themes. Plus, there are configurations that you can tweak to make sure that your broadcasting or recording goes as you see fit. OBS Studio is free and open source. As such it is popular in streaming communities among the huge number of gamers worldwide.

13. iMovie

iMovie is a simple video clip editing software tool for iOS and Mac devices. It allows users to quickly turn their videos and photos into storytelling movies with features such as a studio logo and credit rolls. The platform is very intuitive and easy to use. And, with all the basic editing features in tow, it is enough for creating simple videos for YouTube.

Key features include automated video editing, audio and music editing, video color settings, video stabilization, clip browser, and pre-built themes and backdrops. Moreover, it allows users to open multiple projects simultaneously. What’s also great about the product is that it is free for all macOS and iOS users.

14. Nero Standard 2018

Nero Standard 2018 is a simple all-around multimedia software for video conversion, editing, organizing, and playing. The popular platform has also been widely used for burning files into CDs and DVDs. Moreover, the software is integrated with the Nero MediaHome suite that allows users to manage and organize their media files. Key features include a simple video editing interface, music editing capabilities, photo editing, and media file conversion.

The platform is designed for simple video editing and management. It is quite enough for creators to make simple videos online. Its media management features are quite helpful as they can be used to manage files for single or episodic uploads. Pricing starts at $59.95.

15. WeVideo

WeVideo is a cloud-based video editing solution for creators, businesses, and schools. The platform is very intuitive to use. Hence, it comes with high out-of-the-box usability that is friendly to both novices and experts. This makes it a good go-to option for YouTube creators. Aside from the basic editing tools like splicing and merging, it offers features such as motion tiles and templates, a GIF creator, voiceover, and screen recording capabilities. Moreover, for paid plans, the max video resolution is 4K Ultra HD.

Other features include cropping, green screen, slow motion, and audio boost. Also, the platform allows users to upload their videos directly to social media. The Creator plan costs $7.99 a month billed annually while the Business plan for multiple users costs $29.59. Lastly, WeVideo has a free version available but it has a lesser number of features and a limited publish time of just five minutes per month.

16. Promo.com

Promo.com is an intuitive and easy-to-use video creation platform for businesses. As its name suggests, it helps users to create eye-catching promos for social media sites such as YouTube. Key features include online video editing tools, video compression, slideshow maker, YouTube intro maker, montage maker, and a YouTube thumbnail maker. Also, it includes useful social media tools such as a YouTube money calculator, social media calendar, a Snapchat video editor, and a TikTok video editor to boot.

Aside from offering royalty-free music and images from its partners such as Getty Images, the platform offers its users templates and formats. Templates include those for industries like real estate, health and fitness, beauty and care, and education. Available formats include meme videos, six-second videos, listicles, and inspirational quotes. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other tools, including Instagram, Wistia, HubSpot, and Shopify. Lastly, pricing starts at $49 per month.

17. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is an editing, color correction, and audio post-production software suite. It is a professional video editing software platform from Blackmagic Design. In fact, it is a video editing software of choice for Hollywood productions. Also, the software works best with DaVinci Resolve hardware such as its editor keyboard, speed editor, and audio editor, among others. And, the basic DaVinci Resolve version is free.

Moreover, there are advanced features for visual effects, motion graphics, color correction, and audio post-production. And, if it is good enough for Hollywood, it is good enough to create great YouTube videos. For more advanced capabilities, there is a paid DaVinci Resolve Studio version. It provides additional features such as its DaVinci Neural Engine, extra FX filters, Fairlight FX audio plugins, and stereoscopic 3D tools. The paid version costs $295.

18. HitFilm

HitFilm provides users with professional video editing and visual effects tools. It is popular among independent filmmakers and hobbyists. And, it is great for creating more technically advanced videos for YouTube. Also, it is free. It has all the basic features such as slice, crop, cut, and more. Furthermore, it has drag-and-drop transitions, ready-to-use presets, text tools, and audio sync features. Also, it provides users with creative assets, including professional stock footage, sound effects, and music.

Other features include grading tools, lighting effects, layering tools, and 3D model animation. Moreover, it integrates well with Imagineer Systems and Boris. The platform has a free plan, which is enough for simple YouTube videos. Premium plans start at $6.25 per month billed yearly.

19. Vegas Pro

Vegas Pro is a professional editing solution, providing users with great video editing, color correction, and video effects capabilities. Key features include nested timelines, keyframing, automation control, smart AI for editing, and compositing tools. Moreover, it provides users with access to advanced video effects through subscriptions. And, it allows them to create 3D projects.

Even though it provides professional-grade features, the product is intuitive to use, thanks to its well thought-out design. The platform also works with other Vegas solutions, Open Effects Association Platform, and NewBlueFX. Monthly subscriptions cost $19.99.

20. VideoPad

VideoPad is a video editing software solution that is known for making professional tools more intuitive to use. Key features include text effects, audio tools, 360 video editing, 3D video editing, audio tools, color adjustments, and chroma keying. Moreover, it is also great for YouTubers who prefer to have subtitles on their videos because of its auto-generated subtitles capability.

Other features include voiceover recording, a media library, and voiceover recording. Also, it has native integrations for Vimeo and YouTube. Currently, promo pricing starts at $34.99 for its home edition.

Which video editing software for YouTube is best for you?

What counts as the best video editing software for YouTube for you would really depend on the type of content you wish to make. If you are looking to post quick promo-type videos, then simple online editing tools such as Promo.com would suffice. If you are looking to produce simple how-to videos, even free solutions could work. But if you are looking to create professional videos with a big production budget, your best bet would be a Hollywood-grade one like DaVinci Resolve.

For brands, small businesses, and individual creators, platforms that are in the middle of the pack in terms of features and capabilities are the best fit—products that cater to both professionals and consumers alike. Call them prosumer if you will. Within this category and for Mac users, the best one is Final Cut Pro. It has all the video editing features that you would need for YouTube presentations, ads, promos, how-to’s, and content marketing in general. As mentioned, it has also been used for editing blockbusters such as 300 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The platform is very easy to use. It works well with virtually any hardware such as mixers, microphones, and other panels for more advanced production. Moreover, as there is a large user base, a lot of training resources and peer support can be found online.

By Nestor Gilbert

Nestor Gilbert is a senior B2B and SaaS analyst and a core contributor at FinancesOnline for over 5 years. With his experience in software development and extensive knowledge of SaaS management, he writes mostly about emerging B2B technologies and their impact on the current business landscape. However, he also provides in-depth reviews on a wide range of software solutions to help businesses find suitable options for them. Through his work, he aims to help companies develop a more tech-forward approach to their operations and overcome their SaaS-related challenges.