Beginners guide to video editing: Best 12 software picks of 2024

Anyone can create professional-looking videos quickly and easily; you just need to find the right tool. When it comes to video editing software, there are so many choices available. It’s great to have options, but finding the right one takes time and some apps are too complex for most people’s needs. 

Whether you’re looking to complete a one-off project or are embarking on a new hobby in videography, finding beginner-friendly software is a priority. Aside from being easy to use, you’ll want to look at other aspects, such as compatibility with your operating system, price, features, and support.

In this post, we’ll reveal our favorite video editing software for beginners. You’ll find more detail on each below, but first, here’s a quick overview of our top picks:

Best video editing software for beginners:

1. VideoProc Converter AI: A full-featured editing software that offers great value for money. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Wondershare Filmora: An intuitive editing tool that boasts a built-in webcam and screen recorder.
3. Movavi Video Editor: A full-featured editor that’s not too complex for beginners.
4. InVideo Online Video Editor: A web-based tool to help you create polished videos in no time.
5. iMyFone Filme Video Editor: A robust tool ideal for making videos in a hurry.
6. Adobe Premiere Elements: This software has plenty of features including guided edits for helping beginners get started.
7. Adobe Premiere Rush: An easy-to-use editor that can be used on mobile and desktop.
8. KineMaster: This mobile app has a decent selection of features even in the free version.
9. Instasize: This software is ideal for social media lovers. Has a 3-day trial.
10. CyberLink: A more advanced tool that works across operating systems.
11. Apple iMovie: This super simple app is great for quick video edits on iOS.
12. Corel: A well-priced tool with advanced features and solid support.

On your hunt for the perfect video editing software, you’ll no doubt come across a ton of great free and paid tools. That said, these software vary greatly in terms of features, performance, and price. When selecting the best video editing software, we focused on the following criteria:

• Intuitive and beginner-friendly
• Good value for money
• Plenty of features
• Solid performance
• Available for popular operating systems
• Ample sharing options
• Knowledgeable technical support

Best video editing software

Here’s our list of the best video editing software for beginners:

1. VideoProc Converter AI

(Windows, MacOS)

VideoProc Converter AI by Digiarty is a great all-in-one solution for beginners. Now, this is paid software, but it costs less than many of its competitors while offering a ton of functionality. Additionally, you can try before you buy with a seven-day free trial (though there are limitations on video length). This isn’t a standalone editor either; the software also enables you to convert, record, and download videos.

Even though you have multiple functions in one software, VideoProc doesn’t skimp on editing features. You can cut, crop, merge multiple files (in different formats and from different devices), rotate, and add subtitles or effects. This app even supports GPU acceleration and recently introduced AI-powered features that let you intelligently upscale or stabilize low-quality footage.

You can use VideoProc for virtually any project, whether it was shot with iPhone, Android, GoPro, DJI, or any 4K DSLR or mirrorless camera. It supports more than 370 input formats and you can even use videos of 8K resolution (most software supports up to 4K). Special features such as deshake and denoise are great for GoPro footage in particular. With preset export options, you can easily share your finished product on sites like YouTube and Facebook.

VideoProc is very simple to get started with, although it has plenty of options for more advanced users. The website support section provides comprehensive tutorials, but you can always contact email support should you need additional assistance.

Price:Paid plans start at $25.95 for the first year for one PC and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also save at least 40% by using the coupon on VideoProc Lifetime license.

2. Wondershare Filmora

(Windows, MacOS)

Wondershare is a fantastic option for anyone looking to edit or enhance video. The interface has a similar aesthetic to Adobe products and looks a little overwhelming at first. However, once you get going, it’s really quite straightforward.

You have a ton of features to play with, but the client is highly intuitive. Options include transitions, effects, elements, filters, titles, split screen, 3D LUTs, and audio files. There are also sound enhancement features (keyframing and background noise removal), fixes for issues like fish eye and shaking, and options to add slo-mo or reverse. Bonus productivity features include extra-fast processing and adjustable preview quality. Sharing to various platforms is quick and simple.

This app has recently added new AI-powered features that can automatically cut objects out of a scene, stretch audio to fit a given timeframe, or create a highlight reel by detecting periods of silence.

The Wondershare site offers separate “centers” for learning and support, and there’s an active community of users ready to share their knowledge. This is one of the more expensive options on the list, but it’s reasonable for what you get.

Price:A one-year plan costs $49.99 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Movavi Video Editor

(Windows, MacOS)

Movavi used to offer two different versions of its editor: Movavi Video Editor and Movavi Video Editor Plus. However, only the Plus version remains, which is fine, since it had a better interface and several additional features, plus updates and faster processing.

The software is easy enough to use that even beginners won’t take long to figure it out. There are lots of tutorials and user guides available and support is available via webform should you need it.

This app boast a large suite of editing features including crop, rotation, pan, zoom, trimming, deshake, transitions, filters, animated titles, intros, picture-in-picture, stickers, callouts, and effects. There’s also a built-in video recorder, as well as a voice recorder and screen recorder. You can choose from 14 interface languages including German and Japanese.

Additional features include slow mo, reverse, animation, timeline markers, background changes, and other special effects such as stabilization and picture-in-picture support. There’s even a built-in effects store in case you’d like even more customization options.

You can try the software for free for seven days but videos will bear a watermark. If you’re saving audio files, you can only save half the audio length unless you pay for the premium plan. Note that Movavi also offers a full-featured video converter for macOS and Windows, but you’ll have to purchase that separately.

Price: Movavi Video Editor Plus costs $54.95 per year or $79.95 for the software and an effects pack. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. InVideo Online Video Editor

(Browser only)

InVideo is a freemium tool that offers a full-featured free version with watermarked videos. The watermark is pretty subtle (just a small InVideo logo in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen) so this version is very usable, although you can expect a lot of upsells.

InVideo is quite a bit different from others on this list as it’s a completely web-based tool. This is handy if you want to be able to access and edit your projects from anywhere, without having to use an app or desktop client. And it means that while the monthly price is fairly high, you won’t have to worry about purchasing separate licenses for multiple PCs as is the case with some other software.

The interface is intuitive and will enable you to create professional-looking videos quickly and easily. The suite of tools available does differ from other video editing software. The focus here is on templates (think Canva but for video) of which there are more than 3,000. There’s also a choice of over a million photos and videos from Storyblocks and Shutterstock (use up to 300 per month). Newer additions include automated text-to-speech, AI script generation, and background-removal tools.

You can add voice overs, music, text, customized branding, stickers, effects, shapes, and enhancers (such as collage layouts and masks). A standout feature is the text-to-video option which lets you quickly convert text (for example, a blog post) into a polished video. InVideo makes it easy to collaborate on projects and share videos to various platforms. That said, it is missing some editing features you’ll find in others on this list such as a built-in recorder and options like transitions, deshake, and denoise.

There’s a large selection of FAQ categories in case you run into issues, but if you don’t find what you’re looking for, knowledgeable support is available 24/7 via live chat.

Price: All editing features are included in the free version, but you’ll need to pay $30 per month or $180 per year (an almost 50 percent discount) to remove the watermark. There’s also an unlimited plan (which costs $60 per month or $360 per year) that doesn’t limit premium photos and videos or HD video exports. Paid plans include a seven-day money-back guarantee.

5. iMyFone Filme Video Editor

(Windows, MacOS, iOS)

iMyFone is paid software but you can try it out on a free trial basis without having to submit any information. This tool is fairly easy to learn and the Fast Video mode enables you to quickly create professional-looking videos without having to do much actual editing.

That said, you have plenty of tools at hand such as cut, trim, crop, split, speed adjust, and rotate. Additional features include templates, filters, animations, overlays, titles, audio (music and voice), text options, transitions, picture-in-picture effects, and more. You can add up to 10 layers to videos and even test your mixing skills with multiple audio tracks. An instant preview feature allows you to view your content while editing. iMyFone supports over 50 video and audio formats, and up to 4K resolution.

There’s a knowledge base on the website where you should find the answers to most common questions. If not, you can contact support via email, five days per week. The desktop version of the editor is available for Windows and MacOS, and there’s a Lite version available for iOS.

Price: A paid subscription costs $29.95 per month, although this provider clearly wants you to sign up for a longer term as it offers extremely steep discounts. A one-year plan costs $39.95 and a lifetime subscription is $79.95. These each cover one device and all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

6. Adobe Premiere Elements

(Windows, MacOS)

Adobe Premiere Elements comes with a fairly high price tag and this may be off-putting to some users. That said, you can try it with a 30-day free trial, and it can be bundled with other Adobe software making it more affordable overall. The Adobe name itself might sit well with some users and not so with others. After all, many of Adobe’s tools have a reputation for being too complex for everyday users.

However, Premiere Elements is a pared-down version of its more advanced software, Premier Pro. While the latter has a steep learning curve, this app was designed with beginners in mind. Indeed, one of the main selling points of Premiere Elements is its 20+ guided edits, which essentially walk the user through the editing process. It also offers three different user levels (Quick, Guided, and Expert), so it can continue to cater to your needs as you become more proficient.

So what can you do? Well, Premiere Elements offers a wide range of themes, collage tools, titles, music scores, animated objects, and effects. It can even help you with motion tracking, time remapping, 3D motion, and more. If there’s something you can’t quite work out, don’t worry: there’s a huge community of fellow users ready to help you out on the forum.

Price: Pay a one-time fee of $99.99 (or $79.99 to upgrade from an older version). Adobe extends a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. Adobe Premiere Rush

(Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS)

Adobe Premiere Rush is the company’s cross-platform offering that’s mainly designed to create videos for sharing. If you’re looking for a mobile editor that’s a bit more versatile than iMovie or KineMaster, then Premiere Rush could be the one for you. Plus it works on desktop, giving you even more freedom. It’s a bit pricey but you can pay for a monthly subscription which is great for short-term use.

Unlike Premiere Elements, this software does come with a video recorder, so you can shoot directly from the app. Premiere Rush has fewer features though, so there are trade-offs. Nonetheless, this tool is very easy to use and you can still do plenty with it. Features include titles, transitions, color and audio adjust, easy sharing, customizable motion graphic templates, filters, and lots more.

Adobe Premiere Rush is built for sharing, so sending your finished product to your chosen platform is a breeze. That said, the focus on sharing means that there is only one export file type available: MP4. While many import types are accepted, the lack of export options could be a turnoff for some.

Price: This software is included with Premiere Pro, which costs $34.49 per month or $22.99 monthly if you’re willing to commit for a year. Adobe subscription products have a 14-day refund policy.

8. KineMaster

(Android, iOS)

KineMaster is a freemium video editing software that offers mobile apps for Android and iOS users. It has a large following on both platforms. This software is very easy to navigate and has more options than its main competitor iMovie (which we discuss below).

Features include basic editing, adding layers (including media, text, effects, overlays, and handwriting), and audio and video fade. You can record video and audio directly from the app. The built-in KineMaster Asset Store enables you to browse for things like soundtracks, effects, transitions, overlays, fonts, and graphics. Note that many of these items are only available with the Premium subscription. A paid plan is also required to get rid of the watermark on finished videos. Like many of its rivals, Kinemaster has embraced AI, adding a magic background remover to its toolkit.

With its large following, the KineMaster support community should be able to help you out with issues. Although, more recently, some Android users have complained that the app is glitchy. The main concern seems to be with exporting videos, so you may want to check that this runs smoothly for you before you embark on a time-consuming project. As long as you have luck with exporting, sharing to various platforms is simple.

Price: The basic free version might be enough for some users, but if you want to go for a paid plan, you can pay monthly ($4.99 per month) or annually ($39.99 per year).

9. Instasize

(iOS, Android)

Instasize was first introduced in 2012, enabling Instagram-lovers to quickly edit mobile images and post the polished product to the platform. The iOS and Android apps have come a long way since then. In keeping with the trend of Instagram’s  increasing popularity as a video-sharing site, Instasize now allows for video editing too.

The iOS and Android apps are highly intuitive for both image and video editing. Although the name suggests a focus on Instagram, presets allow you to tailor the finished product for other popular social platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

The tool is focused on the aesthetics of your images and videos, so think borders, filters, backgrounds, and text overlays. There are also background-removal tools, an AI-powered upscaler, and basic conversion features, though you can’t cut or merge videos.

Instasize is a paid tool but it does offer a three-day free trial so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Price: After a 3-day free trial, you’ll need to pay $4.99 per month.

10. CyberLink PowerDirector 365

(Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS)

CyberLink is one of the more powerful tools on this list and as such, doesn’t fit strictly in the realm of “beginner” software. That said, it is pretty easy to use and comes with excellent support material. If you think you might need a more advanced tool in the future, this could be a good fit. While it’s not the cheapest option, it’s still affordable and offers good value for money.

There are a ton of options and effects to choose from when editing. On top of some of the more standard features, you get a built-in recorder, motion graphics, animated titles, customizable vector shapes, title animations, green screen editing, transition effects, and advanced motion tracking. You can even use AI-powered tools to apply filters to moving objects, automatically generate subtitles, remove things from your scene, or replace the sky entirely.

CyberLink has versions for both desktop and mobile operating systems, which is great if you tend to switch between devices. The desktop version did take a while to install, but otherwise works well.

Price:Plans start at $19.99 for one month of access or $54.99 for a year. CyberLink offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

11. Apple iMovie

(iOS)

Apple iMovie is a great little tool if you just want a quick and simple way to edit videos. Indeed, many iOS users rave about it being the best free video editing software available.

It helps you quickly and easily edit video clips and merge multiple videos together. You can shorten, split, and duplicate your clips to create your final product. Other features include speed and volume adjust, title text, filters, themes, soundtracks, and fade options. You can import existing videos or record through the app.

iMovie makes it easy to publish your videos with plenty of sharing options. Since it’s such a popular tool, there are a ton of tutorials available if you need help or inspiration, both on Apple’s official site, and through independent sites and forums.

Price: Apple iMovie is totally free with no in-app purchases.

12. Corel VideoStudio Pro

(Windows)

Corel VideoStudio Pro is another paid app but it does come with a full-feature 30-day free trial so you have plenty of time to try it out before you submit any payment details. This one has a few more bells and whistles than others on the list, but these are accompanied by a bit of a learning curve.

Features include stop motion animation, color and lens correction, batch processing, and green screen. There’s also multi-camera editing, motion tracking, 360-degrees VR video support, and over 1,500 filters and effects. Aside from the editor, the VideoStudio suite comes with a screen recorder, a slideshow maker, and a DVD burner. Additionally, there’s 8K input support, speech to text conversion, and a built-in music library with hundreds of songs.

There’s a wealth of support materials available, plus Corel also offers support via phone, email, or live chat which is always welcome news to beginners. The one major downside to the software is its performance in that it’s just a bit sluggish.

Price:This software will cost you a one-time payment of $47.99 or $34.99 if you’re upgrading from an older version. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Methodology: how we find the best video editing software for beginners

To help you choose the perfect video editing software for your requirements, our experts go through a series of steps to assess the suitability of each app for beginners. Check out some of our criteria below:

• Suitability: First, we download and install the apps on our devices. We then go through the interface to get a feel for the editing experience each one offers. This is where we see any potential issues that might make an app unsuitable for beginners, such as a steep learning curve or a confusing interface.
• Features: We also look at the app’s features in detail, including whether it offers anything unique that might be particularly helpful for beginners. We then assess the quality of the export options and whether the app supports popular video formats.
• Value: Finally, we consider each app’s price and any free trials or money-back guarantees that are available. Only the best performing video editing software for beginners makes it onto our list.