Best Video Editing Software in 2026
Edit videos like a pro with the right software for your skill level.
By Toolradar Editorial Team · Updated
DaVinci Resolve is the best value—professional features completely free. Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry standard for professionals. Final Cut Pro is excellent for Mac users wanting one-time purchase. CapCut is perfect for quick social media edits. Choose based on your needs, not the priciest option.
Video editing software ranges from phone apps that take minutes to learn to professional suites that take years to master. The good news: the free options have gotten remarkably good. DaVinci Resolve offers Hollywood-level tools at no cost. The 'best' editor depends on your footage, output, and commitment to learning. Don't buy Adobe subscriptions for YouTube clips when CapCut would do fine.
What Is Video Editing Software?
Video editing software lets you cut, arrange, and enhance video footage. Features range from basic trimming to complex color grading, visual effects, and audio mixing. Modern editors include AI features for tasks like auto-captioning, background removal, and intelligent editing assistance.
Why Video Editor Choice Matters
Video editing is time-intensive—the wrong tool multiplies frustration. A professional timeline editor is overkill for TikTok clips but necessary for documentaries. More importantly, your computer needs to handle the software. Performance matters more in video editing than almost any other creative work.
Key Features to Look For
Arrange clips on a visual timeline
Split and shorten clips precisely
Visual polish between and on clips
Adjust sound, add music, mix tracks
Output for various platforms and quality
Adjust colors and create looks
Add text and motion graphics
Layer multiple video and audio tracks
How to Choose Video Editing Software
Evaluation Checklist
Pricing Overview
DaVinci Resolve (professional-grade), CapCut (social media), iMovie (Mac basics)
DaVinci Resolve Studio ($295), Final Cut Pro ($299.99), Filmora perpetual ($79.99)
Premiere Pro ($22.99/mo), Creative Cloud All Apps ($59.99/mo)
Top Picks
Based on features, user feedback, and value for money.
Anyone serious about video editing who doesn't want to pay a subscription — from YouTube creators to professional colorists
Professional editors in Adobe ecosystem who need After Effects, Photoshop, and Audition integration for motion graphics and complex post-production
Social media creators making TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts who need speed over control
Mistakes to Avoid
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Paying $276/yr for Premiere Pro for YouTube videos — DaVinci Resolve is free and used in Hollywood; the 'industry standard' label only matters if you're working with studios or agencies
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Using DaVinci Resolve for 15-second Reels — CapCut's template workflow creates social clips 5x faster; match the tool to the content complexity
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Editing 4K footage on a machine with 8GB RAM — video editing is the most hardware-demanding creative work; upgrade RAM to 16-32GB or create proxy files first
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Not learning keyboard shortcuts — professional editors type more than they click; J/K/L for playback, I/O for in/out points, and C for cut save hours daily
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Color grading before locking the edit — grade after your edit is finalized; re-grading after every cut change wastes massive time
Expert Tips
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Try DaVinci Resolve for 2 weeks before paying for anything — its free version is more capable than most paid editors; if it's too complex, CapCut or iMovie are simpler free options
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Create proxy files for 4K and higher — right-click footage in DaVinci or Premiere, generate proxies at 1/4 resolution; edit smoothly, then switch back for final export
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Budget $0 for video editing — DaVinci Resolve Free + CapCut covers 95% of creator needs; upgrade to DaVinci Studio ($295 one-time) only if you need noise reduction or neural engine AI
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Organize footage into bins before editing — create folders for A-roll, B-roll, music, SFX, and graphics; the 10 minutes spent organizing saves hours of searching during editing
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Use DaVinci's Cut page for fast assembly — the Edit page is for fine-tuning; the Cut page's dual-timeline design is specifically designed for quick first-pass editing
Red Flags to Watch For
- !Adobe Premiere Pro at $22.99/mo ($276/yr) forever — DaVinci Resolve does 90% of Premiere's work for $0, and the $295 Studio upgrade is a one-time purchase; only pay Adobe if you need After Effects integration
- !CapCut's free tier has ByteDance data collection — if you work with client footage or confidential content, avoid CapCut; DaVinci Resolve and iMovie process everything locally
- !Final Cut Pro at $299.99 is Mac-only with no migration path — if you might switch to Windows/Linux, your project files become unusable; DaVinci Resolve works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- !Filmora adds a watermark on free exports and pushes constant upsells — use DaVinci Resolve (free, no watermark, no upsells) instead of any freemium editor with export limitations
The Bottom Line
DaVinci Resolve (free) is the best video editor for anyone willing to learn — Hollywood-grade tools at $0. Upgrade to Studio ($295 one-time) for AI features. Premiere Pro ($22.99/mo) is justified only for Adobe ecosystem integration and professional team workflows. CapCut (free) is the fastest path for social media content. Final Cut Pro ($299.99 one-time) is excellent for Mac users who want one-time purchase with Apple Silicon optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DaVinci Resolve really free?
Yes—the free version includes full editing, color grading, audio, and visual effects. The $295 Studio version adds a few advanced features but isn't necessary for most users.
What's the best free video editor for beginners?
CapCut for social media content. DaVinci Resolve for more serious editing—it has a steeper learning curve but is worth learning if you'll edit regularly.
Should I use Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro?
Final Cut if you're on Mac and want one-time purchase with great performance. Premiere if you need Adobe integration or work in teams that use it.
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