The use of video editing has radically accelerated in recent years, in particular thanks to social networks such as YouTube, TikTok and Vlogs. Whether you are an amateur or professional, choosing the right video editing software will allow you to create high-quality video content in a reasonable time.

There are many video editing software offering a wide range of features and prices, but with so many options it becomes difficult to find the software that suits you according to your budget. That’s why we have prepared the ultimate list of the best video editing software giving you an overview of their pros and cons.

Short on time? We recommend PowerDirector, the best video editing software in our opinion because it makes video editing easy and quick thanks to its intuitive interface, smart tools and numerous effects, titles, transitions and video templates.

What is video editing software and how to choose?

Video editing software allows you to improve and repair a video clip, but also to combine and organize several sequences into a single video. Video creation can be done for private sharing, on social networks (TikTok, YouTube, etc.) or for promotional purposes.

Here are the main criteria to take into account when choosing video editing software:

- Compatibility: be sure the software will work on my operating system?

- Price: some software is completely free, others are paid with a trial version.

- Intuitiveness: the handling of the software and its workflow are important criteria to take into consideration

- Features: depending on your needs, some features will be more important than others (e.g. royalty-free content for marketing videos)

In general, try the software for free before purchasing to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Now find our selection of the best video editing software.

The 15 Best Video Editing Software on PC

Here is our selection of the best video editing software for your Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, those software are proven by top influencers:

1. PowerDirector 365
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
3. DaVinci Resolve
4. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
5. Pinnacle Studio
6. Hitfilm Express
7. Windows Movie Maker
8. Canva
9. Lightworks
10. Avidemux
11. Adobe Premiere Elements
12. Shotcut
13. Kdenlive
14. VideoPad | NCH Software
15. Openshot

1. PowerDirector – Best Video Editing Software for Everyone

PowerDirector is our best choice for video editing software because it's easy to learn and offers an intuitive interface, precision features as well as transitions, titles and effects templates to make your videos look real masterpieces quickly and easily.

Widely recognized as the best video editing software, PowerDirector has won numerous awards such as PC Magazine's Editor's Choice and is highly recommended by TechRadar Pro as the best video editing software for users of all skill levels.

In addition, PowerDirector software continues to invest in AI technologies, regularly offering new tools ranging from dance effects to cartoon effects including the very recent AI sticker generator.

When we tried the software, we found that PowerDirector is one of the few video editing software that has advanced editing features while maintaining an intuitive interface that will allow even beginners to create spectacular montages.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro – Best Professional Video Editing Software

If creating professional videos is your job, then Adobe Premiere Pro is the tool you need. This program, defining industry standards and used by major media. If video editing is your job, then its many professional features make its price attractive.

However, if you are just starting out in the video editing industry or only have an "intermediate" level, then this video software may not be suitable for you.

Indeed, Adobe Premiere Pro is excellent video editing software, unfortunately its complexity will not make it a suitable solution if you do not first have at least a few years of experience.

3. DaVinci Resolve – Best choice for color and audio correction

For a free program, DaVinci Resolve offers much more than a video editing solution. Designed for professionals, the program allows very advanced color and audio corrections.

In addition, thanks to a powerful database, Davinci Resolve will allow you to work in a group on the same project in real time. The perfect solution if you need to work as a team on editing a video.

However, please note that this software uses a greater number of resources than the majority of video editing software. You will therefore need to have a fairly powerful computer.

4. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate – Budget Editing Software

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is a basic editing program that allows Windows users to produce high quality videos at a single affordable price. Its unique interface is easy to learn, so beginners can pick it up quickly without knowledge of other programs.

To sum up, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate will be the perfect solution if you have very little money to invest in video software and only want to do minimal video editing.

5. Pinnacle Studio - Software for making simple video edits

Pinnacle Studio is a simple program that includes easy-to-use features for beginners. It costs around $50, but includes thousands of effects and tools beyond what you might find in a free program.

If you're not ready to commit to the price, you can use the program for free for 30 days. Users looking to make simple edits or create videos for fun will find that Pinnacle offers everything they need.

6. Hitfilm Express – Reference for creating VFX (visual effects) videos

Hitfilm Express is a good choice in terms of high-end professional software for small budgets, it is particularly used to edit certain Hollywood productions. Most of its features are free but you will need some time to master them.

With several hundred effects and the features of layers and masks, you'll have plenty of fun for a while.

If you can get past Hitfilm's outdated and unintuitive interface, then this software is for you.

7. Windows Movie Maker - Solution for Casual Users

All the basic tools for creating simple videos are available in a structured Windows-style interface. All tools are accessible from the main interface making its operation ultra simple, making Windows Movie Maker a unique solution on the video editing market.

If you are looking for the simplest and most basic software that can be offered to you in 2023, then look no further, Windows Movie Maker is the video editing software for you!

Please note that this software does not have automatic backup features and that it can sometimes crash while editing your video. You will therefore need to remember to save the changes made to your videos fairly regularly.

8. Canva – Online _Video Editing Solution

Canva is a superb online video editing solution available on Windows and iOS systems.

With Canva, you won't need to download any software. In fact, all you have to do is go to your search browser, Chrome, Firefox or other and access the Canva site to start editing a video.

The free version of Canva will be more than sufficient for quick edits. However, if you want to go further in editing your videos, you will need to opt for one of the pro plans starting at €9 per month.

In addition, keep in mind that an online video editing solution, although very practical, has its share of inconveniences. In fact, these sites are much less powerful than video editing software and if unfortunately your internet connection is unstable, you may lose all the work you have done.

9. Lightworks – For Professionals on Windows

Lightworks is a powerful non-linear video editing software that offers a wealth of tools for creating stunning films.

Although easy to use, some basic features could be simplified. If you want to have the most advanced features and export over 720p you will have to pay for it.

10. Avidemux – For cross-platform edits

Avidemux is free and easy-to-use video editing software. One of its specificities is being able to encode your videos.

Find all the basic functions for cutting, trimming, cropping your videos or even adding audio. Some automated tools will help reduce creation time, however most basic video editing software does better than Avidemux.

11. Adobe Premiere Elements - Adobe software for beginners

Premiere Elements is Adobe's core video editing software. Users new to video editing or looking to edit videos for fun will find an easy-to-navigate interface with all the necessary features. Better yet, the program's AI tools guide you through some of the steps in the video editing process.

Designed for beginners, Premier Elements will satisfy all your basic editing needs such as cropping or, for example, rotating your videos.

However, this software will quickly appear limited in terms of the creative possibilities it offers. In addition, we do not recommend working on large projects with this solution since it may tend to slow down during intensive use.

12. Shotcut – Software for Intermediate Users

If you use Windows Movie Maker, Shotcut is an interesting solution to continue your learning in video editing. Being open source, you will have access to all its modules and you will be able to personalize its interface according to your preferences. Shotcut offers, in addition to basic tools, certain effects and filters in order to create good quality videos.

We think Shotcut is a good alternative for those of you who already have some video editing experience but don't yet feel ready to use more complex software like Adobe Premiere.

13. Kdenlive - For open-source professionals

Kdenlive is a non-linear and open-source video editing software suitable for professionals mainly on Linux system. The software offers an unlimited number of audio and video tracks on its timeline, audio curves and previewing as well as numerous effects, transitions and filters.

Kdenlive also allows editing, previewing and live streaming on Linus systems and provides full access to many formats without the need to convert or re-encode them.

14. VideoPad | NCH ​​Software - For 360° and 3D video editing

VideoPad is a good tool for learning the basics of video editing, and is geared towards sharing on social networks. To access all the features, plugins and audio tracks, you will have to pay starting from $99.

We would rather recommend this solution to Windows users than to MacBook owners. The features present on the Windows version are more numerous than those on iOS systems.

15. Openshot - For beginners with some advanced features

Openshot is free and open-source video editing software with all the features you'll need. It is possible to adjust and move the different modules of the interface in order to adapt them to your preferences.

The software also offers some intermediate functions and effects, however the workflow is sometimes not very intuitive, and we recommend another free solution that is more intuitive if you are starting out in video editing.