Video Editing Software
NLEs and post-production software.
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Compressor | Encoding and delivery companion app for Final Cut Pro. | $49.99 perpetual | Paid | FCP Encode · Mac | FCP encode/deliver |
| Apple Motion | Motion graphics app and FCP template authoring tool from Apple. | $49.99 perpetual | Paid | FCP Companion · Mac | FCP motion graphics + titles |
| Avid Media Composer | Long-standing film/TV finishing NLE. Standard for collaborative editorial in features and broadcast post. | From $23.99/mo (Ultimate $79.99/mo) | Paid | Industry Standard · Film/TV | Film and TV editorial |
| Avidemux | Simple OSS cut/filter/encode tool. Not a full NLE. | Open Source | Open Source · Utility | Quick cuts + reencodes | |
| CapCut Desktop | ByteDance's free desktop/mobile editor, dominant in social workflows. | Freemium | Free · Social-first | Social/short-form editing | |
| Clipchamp | Microsoft's browser editor bundled with Windows 11. | Freemium | Bundled w/ Windows · Browser | Quick Windows editing | |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free professional editing, color grading, Fusion, Fairlight audio. | Freemium | Free Pro · Full Post Pipeline | Color grading, editing, full post pipeline | |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | Paid Resolve with neural engine, advanced noise reduction, HDR grading, and multi-user collaboration. | $295 perpetual | Paid | Pro Tier · One-time Buy | Full pro post pipeline w/ collaboration |
| Descript | Transcript-driven video and podcast editor. Edits by editing the text. | Free / $15/mo Creator / $30/mo Pro | Freemium | Transcript Edit · Podcast | Podcast and talking-head editing |
| Filmora | Wondershare beginner-friendly editor; watermarked free tier. | ~$80/yr | Freemium | Beginner · Templates | Beginner editing |
| Final Cut Pro | Apple-native NLE with magnetic timeline. | Paid | Mac-only · Magnetic Timeline | Mac-based editing | |
| GoZen | Free open-source video editor built with Godot (alpha). | Open Source | Godot-built · Alpha | Lightweight editing, Godot integration | |
| HitFilm | Artlist-owned editor + VFX combo. Free tier plus Pro paid version. | Free / $7.99/mo Pro | Freemium | Editor + VFX · Free Tier | Editor + VFX in one app |
| iMovie | Apple's free consumer editor for macOS and iOS/iPadOS. | Free | Free · Apple | Consumer Mac/iOS editing | |
| Kdenlive | Free open-source NLE. | Open Source | Open Source · Cross-Platform | Linux/cross-platform editing | |
| Lightworks | Pro NLE with free tier (1080p export) and paid Pro/Create tiers. Used on feature films historically. | Free / $9.99/mo Create / $23.99/mo Pro | Freemium | Free Tier · Pro NLE | Pro NLE on a budget |
| OBS | Software designed for capturing, compositing, encoding, recording, and streaming video content efficiently. | Open Source | Capture · Open Source | Screen capture and streaming | |
| OpenShot | Award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows. | Open Source | Open Source · Beginner-Friendly | Cross-platform beginner editing | |
| Premiere Elements | One-time-purchase consumer Premiere variant. | ~$99 perpetual | Paid | One-time Buy · Consumer | Consumer Adobe editing without subscription |
| Premiere Pro | Industry-standard NLE from Adobe. | Paid | Industry Standard · Adobe Suite | Broadcast, film editing | |
| Shotcut | Free open-source video editor. | Open Source | Lightweight · Beginner-Friendly | Quick edits, beginners | |
| VEED | Browser editor with auto-subtitles, AI tools, and screen recording. | Free / $12/mo Lite / $24/mo Pro | Freemium | Browser · Auto-Subs | Browser-based quick edits + subtitles |
| Vegas Movie Studio | Consumer/prosumer Vegas variant for hobbyist editing. | ~$79 perpetual | Paid | Consumer · Windows | Hobbyist Windows editing |
| Vegas Pro | Magix Windows NLE with track-based timeline, HDR, and AI-assisted tools. | From $19.99/mo (perpetual $599) | Paid | Windows Pro NLE · Track-based | Windows-only pro editing |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Windows non-linear editor, free + Pro tier. | Freemium | Free · Windows | Free Windows editing |
Related:
- DaVinci Resolve Training. Official free training (hundreds of hours).
- Premiere Pro Learn. Official Adobe tutorials.