Video editing tools for mac and windows

This post will cover a range of video editing programs available for Mac and Windows that are perfect for bloggers and vloggers.

I’ve been meaning to write about this topic for so long, since I originally posted about the Alternatives to Photoshop Part 1 and Part 2 on my previous website.

There’s quite a lot of options out there but here are some of the most known along with my recommendations. The majority of programs offer a free trial so try a few out and see what you prefer.

Video editing tools – MAC / WINDOWS

Adobe Premiere Pro CS6/CC
One of my favourites, allowing you to do pretty much anything with your video. Very similar to Final Cut Pro. Get Premiere Pro for $19.99/mo alone or with Adobe Creative Cloud for $49.99/mo, payment plans available.

Adobe Premiere Elements
Another simple editor with effects, transitions, themes and allowing to share directly to YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo. Premiere Elements is about $100/€100.

Lightworks
Another great editor with a gorgeous interface allowing you to edit video, add effects, text and transitions, advanced colour correction and export for web, YouTube and Vimeo. Free and Pro packages available here.

VideoLAN Movie Creator
A free simple editor with a similar layout to iMovie, it allows you to share directly to YouTube. Download it from here.

Jahshaka
Let’s you edit multiple clips, add audio, transitions and effects. You can also use it for animations. Download it for free here.

Avid Media Composer
Another great editor that is full of features, pretty much letting you do anything in terms of editing. Pretty expensive but if you’re interested in testing it out they do offer a free trial here.

VideoPad Video Editor
You can apply effects, cut frames, add captions, voice-overs, soundtracks and adjust video speed. Also let’s you to share directly to YouTube. Is available on android and iPad devices as well as for Mac and Windows. You can download it from here.

Wondershare Video Editor
Something pretty similar to iMovie which is available for Mac and Windows. You can add text templates, filters, transitions and special effects. Switch between Timeline and Storyboard modes for basic or advanced editing, record voiceovers, adjust speed and separate audio. Allows direct upload to Facebook, Vimeo and YouTube. Available here for about $50 (currently on offer for $40).

Video editing tools – Mac only

Final Cut Pro X
Definitely one of my favourites. Let’s you do just about anything and pretty similar to Adobe’s Premiere Pro. You can cut, trim and edit video, separate or add audio, adjust speed, add transitions and effects, plus lots more. It’s about €270/£200/$300, available here with trial available.

iMovie
Actually really good for quick simple editing like cutting clips, adding text and such. Has built in transitions, effects and music. Newest update gives it a Final Cut Pro look. Available to download here for about €14 / $15.

Shave Video
Very simple video editor allowing you to quickly edit videos and directly upload to YouTube or social media. Download here from the App Store for $10 / €9 / £7.

Video editing tools – Windows only

AVIDEMUX
Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks supporting many file types.

Cyberlink PowerDirector
Easy to use video editor with a nice timeline interface. Allows you to edit video, add transistions, effects, color presets and text effects. You can choose from Deluxe, Ultra or Ultimate packages here and prices start at about €60 with free trials available.

Sony Vegas Software – Movie Studio + Vegas Pro
Movie Studio is the cheapest option, letting you edit video with transitions, titles effects and uploading directly to YouTube and Facebook. Available to download here with a free trial.

Pinnacle Studio
Video editing with effects, transitions, templates and sharing online. Starting from $60 available here.

Corel VideoStudio
Video editor allowing you to upload directly to YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook. Pro and Ultimate packages available here starting from $80, with a free trial.

Serif MoviePlus
Simple editor with Storyboard and Timeline editing modes allowing you to edit and trim video, add transitions and effects and title with multiple export options. Free starter pack available to download here, full version is $80.

Other Options
Other editors include Ezvid, MAGIX Video Pro X + MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, AVS Video Editor and Edius.

Video editing tools – Online

YouTube
YouTube also has an Editor which is helpful if that’s where you’ll be uploading your video. The Editor allows you to add different videos, sounds and photos as well as cut, trim and move clips. You can edit the videos brightness, contrast and add filters. There’s also a few transitions to choose from and the option to add text. You can access the Editor here.

My Recommendation

My favourite programs are Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro, I’ve used both for five years now. Both are expensive but if you’re willing to invest, they’ll do a whole range of things for you. iMovie is great too for simple editing. Lightworks, Wondershare Video Editor, Sony Movie Studio and Adobe Premiere Elements are also part of my top recommendations.