In today's visually-driven world, video content has become increasingly competitive. From engaging social media stories to professional cinematic masterpieces, compelling videos are everywhere. Whether you are making long form content or short videos for fast moving apps like TikTok or Instagram. But behind every viral hit and stunning production lies a crucial tool: video editor. Whether you're a budding YouTuber, a small business owner, or an aspiring filmmaker, choosing the right video editor can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life.
Here are some of the best video editors for this year:
- FireCut Shorts:
FireCut Shorts is a web-based editor which uses AI to automate all complex video editing tasks such as silence cutting, adding zooms, J-cuts and captions etc. It makes video editing faster and simpler. It is an essential tool for both one-person brands and large businesses. FireCut Shorts can deliver fast, high-quality short-form content ideal for virality.
Features:
- AI silence cutting
- Automated dynamic zooms
- Adds animated captions
- Relevant B-rolls
- Background music
- Sound effects
- AI generated title and description suggestions
Pros:
- Cost effective- it is 90% cheaper than hiring an editor.
- Quicker- it makes your workflow 10x faster.
- Simpler- the interface is very user friendly so you don’t need much video editing experience.
Cons:
- While it is cheap, it's not completely free.
- It is a web-based browser so not mobile friendly.
- Capcut:
CapCut is a free, all-in-one video editing app popular for creating social media content. It offers a wide range of features for both beginners and experienced editors, with a focus on user-friendliness and trending effects.
Features:
- Ready-made templates
- Extensive asset libraries like music, sound effects, stock videos
- AI-powered tools such as auto-captions, background removal, AI models, AI scripts
- Audio editing including noise reduction, voice effects, beat-matching
- Speed adjustments and speed ramping
- Rich filters, effects, and transitions
- Beauty and face filters
- Keyframe editing
- Long video to shorts conversion
Pros:
- Most features are available for free, with a Pro subscription for premium assets.
- Automates tasks like captioning and background removal.
- Cross-Platform- Available on mobile (iOS, Android) and desktop.
Cons:
- Exported videos often have a watermark unless shared directly to TikTok or using the Pro version.
- Desktop version may not be as robust as the mobile app for advanced features.
- Can lag with complex or long projects.
- Recent changes in terms & conditions have raised privacy concerns amongst users.
- Filmora:
Filmora is a versatile video editing software known for its balance of user-friendliness and powerful features. It caters to a wide range of users, from casual editors to semi-professionals, offering a rich library of effects and growing AI capabilities.
Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Large library of transitions, effects, filters, and overlays
- AI tools (AI Color Palette, AI Sound Effect, AI Translation Lip Sync, Smart Scene Cut, Smart Short Clips, AI Auto Masking, AI Copilot Editing, Text-Based Editing, Vocal Remover)
- Audio mixing and background noise removal
- Speed control and freeze frame
- Motion tracking
- Color correction and grading
- Title and text effects including animated templates
- Multicam editing (in Pro version)
- Stock media library integration
Pros:
- Offers a wide array of editing tools and effects.
- Accessible for beginners while providing advanced options.
- Includes various AI features to streamline editing workflow.
- Generally boasts quick export speeds.
Cons:
- Different subscription models and perpetual licenses can be confusing, with some features tied to specific plans or AI credits.
- Watermark (free trial): Free trial exports will have a watermark.
- While easy for basics, some advanced features might require more exploration.
- Can sometimes slow down or lag with bigger projects.
- Imovie:
iMovie is Apple's free video editing software, pre-installed on macOS and iOS devices. It's renowned for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to create polished videos, especially for Apple users.
Features:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Built-in themes and templates (including "Trailers" for Hollywood-style intros)
- Video trimming, cutting, and joining
- Audio editing (adjust volume, add music, sound effects, voiceovers)
- Transitions and filters
- Titles and text options
- Green screen effects
- Split-screen and picture-in-picture
- Video stabilization
- Color correction
- 4K video support
- Direct sharing to platforms like YouTube and TikTok
Pros:
- No cost for Apple device owners.
- Intuitive for beginners and casual creators.
- Works seamless across apple products e.g ipad, iphone, mac.
- Supports 4K resolution.
- Excellent for quick edits and creating simple, polished videos.
Cons:
- Only available on macOS and iOS devices.
- Lacks professional-grade tools like multi-track timelines, advanced motion graphics, or extensive third-party plugin support found in more robust software.
- Templates can be somewhat restrictive for highly unique projects.
- InShot:
InShot is a popular mobile-first video editor, highly favored by content creators for social media platforms. It's known for its intuitive interface and a strong array of features for quick and engaging video edits on the go.
Features:
- Basic video editing (trim, merge, split, crop, rotate)
- Music, sound effects, and voice-overs
- Text, emoji, and stickers
- Filters, effects (including Glitch, Fade), and transitions
- Speed control and speed ramping
- Keyframe editing
- Background blur and canvas adjustments (ratio for different platforms)
- AI tools (Auto Captions, AI Body Effects, Auto Remove Background, Smart tracking)
Pros:
- Designed for easy use on smartphones and tablets.
- Offers a comprehensive range of editing tools for a mobile app.
- Ideal for creating short-form content for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts.
- Offers many features without payment, though with ads and watermarks.
- Allows 4K export in the free version (with watermark).
Cons:
- Exported videos will have an InShot watermark unless a subscription is purchased.
- The free version includes advertisements.
- Primarily a mobile app, not suitable for desktop-heavy editing workflows.
- Some users have reported concerns regarding data collection and media access requirements.
- May not offer the depth of control and professional tools found in dedicated desktop software.