Top 11 Best Video Editing Software For YouTube

Have you ever come across a Youtube video that uses beautiful transitions, funny video effects similar to Snapchat filters, incorporating animated characters in real space with subtitle integration like Japanese anime,  hi-res audio effects that can be detected only using top-notch Bluetooth speakers, and after viewing them you wanted to create your own video and release it in Youtube? Well, you are in luck, because we have compiled a collection of the top video editing software for Youtube, which includes both paid and free software and can run on your favorite gaming laptop while utilizing every bit of juice from the hardware you paid for.

When it comes to video sharing and OTT viewing platforms, YouTube is unquestionably the best of the best. With a content library that easily exceeds tens of millions of years of binge-watching, it is the second-largest search engine in the world, behind Google. Being a YouTuber nowadays may seem to be a piece of cake, but that is not the case. YouTube has become oversaturated as a result of increased competition from both like-minded and different content makers. The only thing that will distinguish you from the rest of the pack is if you edit your films appropriately and in a non-disturbing manner.

There exist different Video Editing apps for Android smartphones and desktop PCs alike, and it might feel difficult to pick out the best one for yourself. Some video editing apps might include exclusive features such as Automatic Video conversion, while others might have a collection of pre-applied filters and mask for easy application and publishing on Youtube. It might become tiresome to go through these features separately, so in this article containing the top 11 video editing software for Youtube, we have compiled and listed the pros and cons of individual apps for easy comparison. Such simplification will help you a great deal, and proceed to the next section to know more!

1. Final Cut Pro X

When we say Final Cut Pro X, we aren’t messing around. Final Cut Pro X is a professional-grade video editing software for YouTube and other platforms. It has a user-friendly interface with a tonne of basic and advanced features such as Multicam support that imports up to 64 camera angles. Get your hands dirty on its 90-day free trial, pay a one-off fee to unlock all features and tools. 

The software is beaming with advanced features such as noise reduction, multichannel audio tools, color grading, to name a few. Since we are talking about the best video editing software for YouTube, you will be amazed to know that Final Cut Pro X is used by the likes of Marques Brownlee, iJustine, Dude Perfect among others. Anyway, you get a 360-degree video editing tool making Final Cut Pro X a choice for professional editing. 

Key Features: Magnetic Timeline system | Multicam support | Motion graphics templates | Accelerated performance

Pros:

• 4K HDR Support
• Regular updates
• Advanced video editing tools
• Superfast rendering

Cons:

• It supports Mac only
• Outdated graphics & titles preset
• Overkill for beginners

Price: Free Trial Available | Pro at $299.99

Download: Final Cut Pro X

2. Filmora X

If you have used Filmora 9, you must try Filmora X which is its upgraded version with a tonne of upgrades. It is pretty easy-to-use and powerful video editor software for YouTube. The video editor has a tonne of basic to advanced features right adding text, emojis, managing videos in multiple timelines, and so on. Filmora X gives you efficient motion tracking, color grading as well as green screen features as well.

Use its audio ducking feature which makes transitions between background score and dialogues stand out. You get a tonne of royalty-free music on its audio library. Users can add animations, emoji, text, and videos as presets for future videos to create. There’s a split-screen and PiP feature available on-board as well. Its freemium version packs in many tools but it is still limited and imposes watermarks on videos produced. You can get rid of the restrictions & watermark simply by purchasing its premium plan. 

Key Features: Audio keyframe | Green Screen Keying | De-noise & video stabilization | Set presets | Split Screen & PiP mode | Multiple timelines

Pros:

• Great video editing software for beginners
• Super easy to use
• Advanced video editing features included

Cons:

• Premium tools are hidden behind a paywall
• There’s a watermark on each video you produce (Free version)
• There’s no audio keyframing

Price: Free | Windows at $7.99/mo to  $69.99/One-Time | Mac at $9.99/mo to $44.99/mo

Download: Windows | Mac

3. Lightworks

If you don’t mind investing some time in learning a few things about video editing, Lightworks is a great video editing software. It does have a rather intimidating interface but once you get a gist of all the features and tools, you will love using Lightworks for sure. The software allows exporting files in various formats including HD to 2K to 720p. It has a well-designed timeline that makes it easier to edit both audio and videos.

Lightworks offers an arsenal of features including optimized import, render, and export durations. For those who don’t know, rendering and exporting produced videos can take more time than editing the videos sometimes. The software has a multi-cam editing feature that allows syncing clips from different cameras and angles into one movie that you can post on YouTube and other platforms. 

Key Features: Multicam support | Audio & video FX | Timeline editing | Real-time effects | Feature-rich | Royalty-free audio and video

Pros:

• Supports several formats as 2K, 4K, NTSC, PAL & HD
• Super easy to use
• Compatible with all major OSes
• Custom-made interface

Cons:

• It has a learning curve
• Requires high-end computer specifications
• Freemium version has a limited export cap

Price: Free Version | $24.99/mo, $174.99/yearly

Download: LightWorks 

4. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editing software for YouTube and other platforms. It is a perfect blend of basic and advanced features and tools producing videos up to 8K resolution plus it supports VR formats as well. Of course, the software isn’t a piece of cake to use and has a bit of a learning curve. However, once you get a hold of it, you can produce videos such as Jake Paul, Smosh, PewDiePie among others.

The multicam angle editing feature lets you work with up to 64 angles synching both audio and video uniform. The Lumetri Color Tools ups the game to Photoshop level allowing color manipulation to the next level. Premiere Pro CC Audio Mixer gives you precise and upper hand controls over the audio part of the video being produced. One of the traits why Premiere Pro CC has an upper hand in terms of video editing is its cross-compatibility and linking to other CC apps such as SpeedGrade, Prelude, After Effects, Encore, Audition, among others. 

Key Features: Adobe Dynamic Link | Premiere Rush | Auto Reframe | Stock Audio Library | Stellar technical support | Pro-grade editing tools

Pros: 

• Top-ranking and powerful video editing software
• Sets the industry standards
• Supports a massive range of file formats

Cons:

• Over-powerful for beginners 
• Expensive
• Free trial but pay to use it

Price: 30-days free trial | $20.99/mo 

Download: Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Also Read – 10 Best Video Converter Software for Windows & Mac

5. Vegas Pro

To be honest, once you get to know how to use Vegas Pro, you won’t even look for any other editing software. Although not as powerful as Adobe Premiere Pro, Vegas Pro offers you a lot of features and there’s no replacement. Vegas Pro is a non-linear video editor with chops such as video stabilization, planar motion tracking, nested timeline, color grading to name a few.

I agree that Vegas Pro can be intimidating for beginners but there’s a tonne of tutorials available on YouTube that would get you started. Once you know the tools and what they do, it is fun to use to edit videos for YouTube and other platforms. If you are aware of plug-ins, Vegas Pro has a tonne of them that enables you to extend its capabilities to the next level.

Key Features: Robust audio editing | Advanced hardware acceleration | Flicker Control Filter | Intuitive & nested timeline | Planar Motion Tracking

Pros:

• Powerful frame-by-frame editing tools
• Extensive online community for support
• Plugins to get things done
• Extensive tutorials on YouTube

Cons:

• Pricing is expensive
• Requires a learning curve
• Not available on Mac

Price: Pro starts at $249 to $399

Download: Vegas Pro

6. VSDC Video Editor

Assuming that you are new to video editing and don’t know the intricacies, check out VSDC Video Editor. It is a powerful yet user-friendly and easy-to-understand video editing software for YouTube. It gets you a full video editing suite on its free version while paying a little for the Pro to extend its capabilities. VSDC is lightweight and has a minimum RAM requirement of 1GB when compared to others in the market with up to 16GB of RAM requirements. 

VSDC is capable to export high-quality videos with its HEVC/H.265 video compression that squeezes the size of even a 4K video file. The tool is equipped with all basic to advanced video editing tools including cutting, cropping, speed effects, green screen, and masking among others. You have multiple timelines at your disposal to carefully place audio, video, and other segments that make up a video. You can even add a PiP window to your video and export it in high-quality resolution. 

Key Features: Full video-editing suite | Color Correction | Plenty of tutorials available | Direct social media sharing  

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Supports HEVC/H.265 for compression
• Masking tool & Green Screen support
• Video stabilization

Cons:

• Only available for Windows
• The free version is limited in tools and capability
• You may need some time to master

Price: Free | Pro version at $19.99

Download: VSDC Video Editor

7. HitFilm Express

If you are looking for video editing that would help you with VFX on a budget, HitFilm Express is what you want. It is a free-to-use video editing software that offers an abundant number of features right from basic to advanced VFX-grade tools. Add your files on unlimited tracks, slice the parts not needed and use a green screen to create professional-grade composite shots. 

HitFilm Express offers mask editing and rendering features unmatched by any other software (for free). If you want to add some special effects not available on HitFilm Express, you don’t have to purchase the Pro variant. Simply purchase the special effects as an add-on and you are done. Other features include tracking locking, voiceover, formats like UHD, numerous animation tools, and so on.

Key Features: Masking, compositing & rendering | Track/layer locking | PiP mode | 3D camera projection | Color grading and correction

Pros:

• Full 2D and 3D composition
• Highly extendable
• 410+ presets and effects
• Abundant tutorials

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Requires high-end system
• Add-ons can be built up to a lot

Price: Free | Add-ons available from $19.99 to $49.99

Download: HitFilm Express

8. DaVinci Resolve 17

If you are looking forward to professional video editing software, do check out DaVinci Resolve 17. Used by filmmakers and TV show production houses around the globe, Resolve 17 is a high-caliber tool with everything from visual effects, color correction, video editing, motion graphics, and audio production included. It is famed as the number #1 choice by filmmakers and thus, it is a great software if you are into professional video editing. 

I must add that it is expensive and that kills most of the joy, but it’s worth it. The software supports 8K video editing as well. You can use it both online and offline with its state-of-the-art complex and advanced features available to fine-tune your videos, add motion graphics, and more. It does require a steep learning curve but once you understand how it works, editing professional videos will be your thing. You can use it for YouTube as well.

Key Features: Full-featured video editing suite | Color grading and management | Available online & offline | High-end VFX and motion graphics tools

Pros:

• Free version available 
• Available on all major operating systems
• Pro-grade graphics, motion, and video editing tools

Cons:

• Overkill for beginners
• Premium version is expensive 
• Steep learning curve

Price: Free | Premium at $269

Download: DaVinci Resolve 17

9. Shotcut 20

If you are looking for open-source free-to-use video editing software, you must check out Shotcut. Originally developed for Linux, the developers now have Mac and Windows clients too. The software offers a much-balanced interface allowing users to edit videos with ease and effectiveness. Shotcut has robust and advanced audio tools which are what makes it great for those who want to tweak the audio of any video for that matter. It includes filters like bandpass, compressor, balance, bass, and treble among others. 

It has several features including a native timeline editing wherein you don’t have to import video files into the media library but rather on the project file itself. No doubt Shotcut is often added as one of the best video editing software for YouTube and it’s free. Shotcut keeps on updating the number of new formats including both audio and video, it supports. Right from 4K to FFmpeg to ProRes, it supports them all. 

Key Features: Keyframing | Advanced audio tools | Supports up to 4K UHD video | Intuitive interface

Pros:

• Supports the latest video and audio formats
• Native timeline editing
• Available for all major operating systems

Cons:

• No thumbnail preview for transitions
• Not that powerful
• No multicam & motion tracking 

Price: Free

Download: Shotcut

Also Read – 10 Best Video Editing Apps for Android

10. Pinnacle Studio 24

With Pinnacle Studio 24, you get so many features that you would stop using any “free” video editing software right there and opt for it. Pinnacle Studio 24 does offer a million features (metaphorically) such as motion tracking, video masking, multi-cam editing & unlimited tracks to name a few. Thinking about editing your 360-degrees video or want to use keyframing and adding motion blur? Pinnacle Studio 24 has got your back. 

The software has many variants that you can choose from depending upon what your needs are. Of course, you can upgrade as well, pay just a few bucks and enjoy the next-gen video editing experience with Pinnacle Studio.

Key Features: Video Masking | Color Grading | Motion Tracking capability | Master audio | Tonnes of overlays, effects & filters

Pros:

• Unlimited tracks
• Enhanced keyframing
• Stop motion
• Regular updates with features

Cons:

• Motion tracking capability is limited
• Available on Windows only
• Some features are reserved for the Ultimate version

Price: $49.95 to $129.95

Download: Pinnacle Studio 24

11. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2021

The VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 software package is unquestionably a terrific choice for Youtube content makers searching for a cost-effective video creation and editing software solution. While the tools on offer are not sufficient to meet the demands of experts, there are more than enough options to allow Youtubers to make professional-looking videos with relative simplicity. In addition, you will receive DVD-making tools, screen capture software, and slideshow production software at a low price with your purchase.

The complete edition of VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 is only $99.99 / £89.99, which represents fantastic value for money when you consider everything you receive for your money with this program. This is also a permanent license, which means that you will not be required to pay a monthly membership price, as you would with some other video editing software for Youtube competitors.

The program is simple to use, and the interface is built so that it is not scary while still providing access to an extensive range of helpful and creative features. Corel VideoStudio remains a user-friendly and capable video editing solution for amateurs and professionals alike. This program is practically professional-level in terms of support for slip, slide, stretch, and roll editing; color wheels and LUTS; Multicam editing; strong-motion tracking; and extensive audio settings, among other things. With these features, as well as a slew of additional effects, a nifty stop-motion tool, a reasonable price, and the fastest rendering speed of any application, Corel VideoStudio had earned the PCMag Editors’ Choice distinction for consumer video editing software.

Key features:

• Crop, trim, rotate, resize, split videos
• Lens correction, color correct clips
• Use Templates, transitions, tile presets, filters
• Color Correction, Color Grading, LUT Profiles
• More than 2000 drag-n-drop effects and filters
• Use animated overlays and graphic elements- bubbles, lens, flare
• Apply AR Stickers to videos
• Powerful Video Masking
• Instant slideshows and movies – Instant Project Templates, Highlight Reel, FastFlick
• 360° Video editing – Convert, Export, apply effects, and modify
• In-built screen recorder software, 6-angle Multicam Video editing
• Add sound effects (royalty-free music), Audio Ducking, Record Voiceover
• Different plugins and written tutorials available on the Internet

Pros:

• Clear and uncluttered user interface
• Real-time fast graphics processing
• 360-degree virtual reality, 4K ultra HD, and 3D media are all supported.
• Multipoint Motion tracking
• Color grading
• Cool stop-motion tool

Cons:

• There is no way to organize content material using keywords.
• Too many easy-to-use tools
• Audio-editing skills that fall short of those offered by some of the competition

Price: 30 days free trial, $99.99 (Permanent License)

FAQs

What skills do video editors need?

Some fundamental apps, like iMovie, do not need the acquisition of photography, technology, or design abilities. All you need is video footage from any device, as well as a computer to edit the video material you already have.

What are the primary functions of editing?

Video editing software often contains tools that assist with converting file formats, joining clips, re-sequencing clips, cut parts (trimming), rotating or cropping footage, adding sound, changing brightness and contrast, and adding transitions and special effects to videos.

What are the steps in video editing?

The five significant steps of video editing are logging, initial assembly, rough cut, excellent cut, and final cut.

How can I improve my video editing skills?

The most effective technique to enhance your abilities in anything, including video editing, is to put in the time. Please choose one or a few tools from this collection of the best editing software for Youtube beginners, download and install them, and begin practicing with them. You may get started by watching a few short videos on your smartphone.

Conclusion

And with that, we conclude our list of the top 11 best video editing software for YouTube. It’s quite apparent that we weren’t able to list all the software here given the limited scope of the listicle. This list contains video editing software easy and difficult in terms of usability, as well as free and paid ones so, do check it out.