Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Best overall video editing software. Platform: Mac/Windows Free trial: 7. Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Premiere Pro is a complete video editing platform with extensive format support and built-in tools for audio editing, titles, graphics, color correction and compositing. This industry-leading software is a favorite among enthusiasts and professionals alike. However, for more heavyweight tasks such as video editing, these machines may struggle which is where iMacs come in. In this particular article, we’ll be looking at the best Apple devices for using Premiere Pro, Adobe’s industry-leading video editing software. For this list, we’ll start at the top with the awesome iMac Pro.
© Provided by T3 Video editing softwareThe best video editing software could be the difference between an enjoyable project and an eye-melting struggle. That's why we've rounded up the best video editing software for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, among others, so you can find the ultimate tool for you.
Part 1: Top 15 Adobe Premiere Pro Plugins for Transitions and Effects; Part 2: FAQ about Adobe Premiere Plugins; Best Alternative to Adobe Premiere - FilmoraPro. The Premiere is excellent if you can find the best Adobe Premiere plugin at the time and money price. If you want to edit videos easily, here we recommend using FilmoraPro.
From professional editors to would be filmmaking amateurs, there is something there to suit all levels. There are also, as you'd imagine, a range of prices from pretty pricey premium stuff all the way to totally free video editing software.
If you want easy video editing or simply the best free option, then will be something in this broad list of the best options out there right now.
From trimming clips and applying filters to working with green screens and adjusting playback – there are plenty of features to look out for when deciding which is the best video editing software for you. You might be on team Adobe and simply have to get one of the many options there, or you may be more open to trying some lesser known names that offer a great experience for a lower price.
We've got the best video editing software right here, each organised by what they offer, which stands out, so you should be able to find the right tool to create your next work of art on video, right here.
Best video editing software
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Adobe)1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Platform: Mac/Windows | Free trial: 7 days | 8K support: Yes | Upload to YouTube: Yes | 360 support: Yes | Price: Subscription
Wide support
Not cheap
The very best video editing software title has got to go to one of the oldest players in the game Adobe, with its latest Premiere Pro CC. As the name suggests this is the do-it-all tool that professionals use to create top-end video. As such this isn't cheap, paid for on a subscription model. But for that cost you get everything you could possibly want from basic trimming and layering right up to 8K and 360-degree video editing support – presuming your machine has the power to run that.
This works on both Mac and Windows and is crammed full of keyboard shortcuts to help make the process easy to use.
There is an option to upload directly to YouTube, making this a one-stop shop for any self publishing social media video makers out there.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Future)2. Final Cut Pro X
Platform: Mac | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Unlimited
Simple to use
![Editing Editing](https://images.sftcdn.net/images/t_optimized,f_auto/p/c6947758-96d8-11e6-bdfc-00163ed833e7/2512488018/adobe-premiere-pro-screenshot.png)
Expensive
Final Cut Pro X is simply the best video editing software you can get on Mac. Sure Adobe options are great too but this is built by Apple, for Apple. So, as you'd expect it's super clean, minimal and as such easy to use. But that doesn't mean to say it scrimps on features, far from it.
This software offers lots of features to justify the high price. These include special effects, grouping tools, adding and editing audio plus multi-camera editing and smart colour balancing tools. You also get access to unlimited video tracks so you should never feel constricted. With a 30-day free trial it's definitely worth giving this powerful video editing tool a try.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Adobe)3. Adobe Premiere Elements
Platform: Mac/Windows | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Unlimited
Feature rich
Could be faster
Adobe Premiere Elements is the second Adobe software on the list in just three so far. Yup, Adobe is that good. This video editing suite offers a more affordable and easy to user alternative which is crammed full of useful features like facial recognition, to name but one.
Simple but really effective features we love include video stabilisation, automatic motion tracking, audio effects and a selection of soundtracks included as standard. The fact it's all easy to use is just a great bonus. If you work with a lot of people based videos then the smart toning is a great feature for skin – a bit like how a selfie camera makes you look smoother skinned. This helps give the videos a more professional finish. And for the pros you can enjoy effects like chroma-keying, opacity, transitions and more. Something for everyone then.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Lightworks)4. Lightworks
Platform: Mac/Windows/Linux | Free: Yes | Video tracks: Multi support
Very customisable
Not the easiest to learn
Lightworks is a stunning video editing tool when you consider that it's absolutely free. This software is good enough to get you professional quality videos without charging you pro-grade prices. The hidden cost? This isn't quite as easy to use as some of the above options, but if you put in the effort to learn, it can be as effective.
Import and render footage in the background then preview video effects in real-time – some seriously high-end features you might not expect to see in a free tool. Set custom keyboard shortcuts to speed up the working process and enjoy multi-track editing for complex end results.
There is the option to spend a little money and upgrade to Lightworks Pro, which will let you export projects to different formats and enjoy features like 3D modelling and straight to YouTube uploads.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Hitfilm Express)5. Hitfilm Express
Platform: Mac/Windows | Free: Yes | Video tracks: Multi support
Templates
Must pay for better features
Hitfilm Express is another really useful free video editing programme which comes with a friendly and easy to use interface. That makes this a great option for anyone new to video editing that wants to give it a try. That said, it does have some decent features for more seasoned users too.
You can enjoy features like 3D composition tools, green screen chroma key setting and create custom video masks. Plus there are more day to day tools like trimming of clips, colour balancing and, of course, exporting to various video formats.
The system is easy enough to use with a traditional interface that's easily recognisable to anyone who's used video editing tools before. Just make sure you have a machine with plenty of power as this makes your hardware work hard to crunch that data.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Adobe)6. Adobe Premiere Rush
Platform: Mac/Windows/iOS/Android | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Four
Great sound editing
Free plan is basic
Adobe Premiere Rush is the ultimate mobile editing tool, designed specifically for use on smartphones and tablets. That means you can fire up this app on your iOS or Android device and edit a video entirely within that app. Presuming your phone or tablet is new enough, you can even edit high-quality 4K video footage with up to four video and three audio tracks at once.
Since this is on your phone is makes exporting super simple, with specific options to export straight to social media accounts. All that can be enjoyed for free using the Rush Starter Plan, with a three video export limit. Or pay a nominal fee and enjoy the full service right there on your phone or tablet.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: GoPro)7. GoPro App
Platform: iOS/Android/Windows/Mac | Free trial: Yes | Video tracks: Multi
Over 20 themes
Controls are minimal
The GoPro App is a great way to instantly start editing your live action video footage from a GoPro camera, or any other compatible device for that matter. Since this is made to be used quickly, on the move, it's super simple to work. It will automatically import footage and can create videos synced to music right away, without you having to do much at all.
There are more complex options like adding photos or time lapse sequences as well as cool graphs and charts to express speed – ideal for action camera footage. Share the videos on YouTube or Facebook easily with a great option to go through, frame by frame, to find the perfect picture to lead your post.
If you pay and subscribe to the GoPro Plus version you'll have a lot more than the standard 20 soundtracks and can auto upload videos and photos to the cloud for editing from whatever device you want.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: CyberLink)8. CyberLink PowerDirector
Platform: Windows | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Multi
Wizard optimisation
Could use more fine controls
CyberLink PowerDirector is a great option for anyone relatively new to video editing that fancies a fully fledged and complex tool which is also easy enough to learn to use. That means features like 8K video editing and 360-degree support but also super simplifying tools like a wizard that optimises video in seconds. This is a great tool for a quick edit to bung up on social media in a hurry.
But there are more complex features too with a standard post production interface that includes motion graphic titles, social media friendly 1:1 video ratios and high-quality video editing.
What you'll have to pay extra for, with the Ultimate version, are features like 4K video editing, audio scrubbing and library preview features.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: KineMaster)9. KineMaster
Platform: ChromeOS/iOS/Android | Free trial: Free app | Video tracks: Multi
Pro level
Could be faster
KineMaster is a great video editing option for Android, ChromeOS and iOS users with a device new enough to run it. We say that as this has some seriously complex features that make this good enough even for professional editors to use on the move.
You can edit multiple layers with up to four audio tracks in one project. There are also little extras like adding handwriting and text annotations and even editing at the frame and subframe levels. All that is free so even if you're not sure we'd say give this a go as it'll more than likely serve the needs of most, even the more demanding editor.
© Provided by T3 (Image credit: Corel)10. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
Platform: Windows | Free trial: 30 days | Video tracks: Multi
Affordable
Too basic for some
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is a really great video editing option for anyone new to splice and hacking clips together. While it might be a bit basic for professionals, this has a lot of features despite how easy it is to pick up and use. That includes high-end extras like 4K, multi-cam editing and 360-degree VR video editing.
The interface is easy to pick up and features a music library as well as a whole host of effects that can be added to your video project. The key here is that the software is intuitive enough to make it easy but also – crucially – fun, so you can actually enjoy the process of creating the final cut of your video edit. And with over 2,000 customisable filters to pick from this gives you a great opportunity to really personalise your footage to offer something uniquely fun.
Apple didn’t get its reputation for performance and accuracy from nowhere.
Everything from phones to paper-thin notebooks are engineering to work efficiently, and this makes their MacBooks ideal for all levels of video editing.
Besides integrating extremely well with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and many other third-party photo/video editing software, they offer a streamlined experience that will work well in any freelance or industry position.
In this guide, we’ll point out some key points for choosing the best MacBook Pro that will most effectively work for video editing at various levels, and showcase some of our own recommendations as well.
Quick Summary
- For the casual creative, we recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 256GB SSD, which offers quality performance without unnecessarily bulking up the specs. It doesn’t offer touch bar, but it is portable and sturdy.
- If you certainly aren’t a hobbyist but not a pro either, 13-inch MacBook Pro with 512GB SSD is a better choice. The storage has been beefed up a bit, and the touch bar offers a new dimension of functionality.
- Lastly, the professional creative looking to max out their performance power would be best served with a 15-inch MacBook Pro with i9 Processor and 512GB SSD. This model offers insane amounts of processing power, though you’ll likely still want an external monitor for the sake of screen space.
Is MacBook Pro Good for Video Editing?
Nectar elements serial number. In this case, it isn’t about whether or not a Mac will be effective for video editing, but a matter of how much power you really need.
If you just plan on doing minor work for youtube, you won’t be troubled by extensive renders or clamoring for screen restate, so it doesn’t make sense to pay for specs built for something ten times as processor-intensive.
Adobe Premiere Pro For Mac
However, if you plan on doing digital animation or working in 4K, it’s definitely time to look at higher-end machines that will be able to handle what you’re throwing at them.
If you’re not planning on editing videos in some way, you should not treat this article as a collection of the most powerful MacBooks overall.
Intensive computer work demands different specs depending on what you plan on doing, so you can’t assume the best for editing will be the best for say, gaming.
Best MacBook Pro for Video Editing: What to Consider in 2020?
Graphics
The key to a fast render is a high quality dedicated graphics card, and while lower-level work will likely be fine using an integrated card, you’ll want a dedicated one for anything beyond the casual home video or Youtube vlog. Dedicated graphics allow your computer to utilize RAM (Random Access Memory) specifically for the high-quality visuals you’ll be rendering as effectively as possible.
Processor
The processor is going to be handling every detail of your video as you build it, so you’re going to want to look towards the latest generations of the Intel i5 and i7 lines. Since video software can make use of multiple threads as well, these will benefit you while creating your project.
RAM
The final element that will make or break the performance of your MacBook while working on video editing is RAM. It’s used in every aspect of your computer’s execution of processes, and you’ll want a minimum of 8GB for amateur work, with a goal of 16GB if you’re editing professionally.
Best MacBook Pro for Video Editing in 2020: Our Picks
1. Casual Video Editing: 13-inch MacBook Pro (2.4GHz, Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB)
If you’re going to be editing home videos and content for Youtube, you probably won’t be doing intensive 3D renders or completely utilizing heavy programs even if they are installed. This version of the 13″ MacBook Pro comes with the processing power to reach your goal without unnecessarily overcompensating.
Pros:
![Best Editing Adobe Premiere Pro Mac Best Editing Adobe Premiere Pro Mac](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/yob_8Dudweh75n9dXH9Sr6Qj61A=/2560x1440/filters:fill(auto,1)/15-smmdi-adobe-premiere-5c156c8546e0fb0001b0b7ca.png)
- The 13″ model is extremely portable, so you’ll have editing power at your fingertips wherever you go.
- RAM is the perfect amount for this type of user and should last several years.
- SSD drive means that renders and saves will be completed faster than with a physical HDD disk.
Cons:
- SSD is pricey, which is why this model only comes with 256 GB in disk space. You’ll definitely want to purchase an external drive to compensate for this when storing your videos.
- Additionally, this model uses an integrated graphics card which will be fine for this level of editing but doesn’t offer room for growth.
2. For Amateur Movie Making: 13-inch MacBook Pro (2.4GHz, Intel Core i5 processor, 512GB)
Whether college student or budding short-film director, you need power and a modern flair without the expense of a professional setup. This model of MacBook is a great compromise, offering Apple’s latest touch bar and touch ID technology packed into a 13″ body powered by an integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655.
Pros:
Best Editing Adobe Premiere Pro Mac Torrent
- Offering both portability and power, this modern masterpiece has all the specs to get you where you want to go without any unnecessary bulk.
- The brand-new touch bar is also included and known to have great integrations when working in Final Cut Pro or the Adobe Suite.
Cons:
- While offering more space than the aforementioned 256GB model, it’s still a bit on the small side for storing large video files.
- It also has an integrated graphics card, which is slightly less than ideal.
3. For Professional Creatives: 15-inch MacBook Pro (2.3GHz, Intel Core i9 processor, 512GB)
Truly a top of the line machine, this MacBook Pro model was built for precision and nothing less. The 8-core i9 processor can stand up to just about anything you throw at it, it has a powerful graphics card UHD Graphics 630. The 15″ screen offers some more real estate than the smaller 13″ models.
Pros:
- It has nearly unbeatable power between the mix of RAM, dGPU, and processor.
- The beautiful screen will produce accurate colors and the touch bar will allow you to work even more effectively in your favorite editing programs.
- You have the option to choose more storage space if needed.
Cons:
- When editing professionally, you need all the screen space you can get, and no size laptop is going to be able to offer that. If you don’t have an external monitor, check out our recommendations.
Useful Mac Video Editing Resources
Just getting started with editing your own videos? LifeWire offers a great tutorial on getting started, from which software will be the most useful to whether you’ll fare better with some peripherals. Also, check out this complete video editing tutorial for non-editors on Mac:
A fan of iMovie? MacWorld has made a fantastic list of best tips on how to get the most out of Apple’s video editing software for macOS.
You could also check out this list of free and paid Mac video editing apps (TechRadar), which will let you experiment before deciding exactly what you need in a paid program.
Final Words
Video editing is a prime example of technical work that eats RAM and CPU power like no other. Luckily, a MacBook Pro was made to stand up to these things and is sure to perform if you’ve picked an adequate model.
What set up do you currently use to edit videos? Let us know and share which specs you think are most important for productive work.