How to edit 4K videos with Aiseesoft 4K video editor on Mac and Windows? Step 1 Download the Windows version or Mac version on your computer. Run the program. The operation on Mac and Windows are similar, so here we just describe the stesps of how to edit 4K videos on Windows 7 as an example. Top 10 Video Editors for Drone Footage. So you have spent your entire day taking awesome aerial videos from your drone. Now what you need is a decent video editor for drone footage which would allow you to get the most out of your footage.
Apple computers have long been aimed at the creative professional, particularly when it comes to photo and video editing. Unfortunately, industry-leading packages like Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Apple’s own Final Cut Pro aren’t cheap.
Fortunately, there’s a selection of capable free video editing apps for Mac to sink your teeth into. Some are made for beginners, while others will satisfy seasoned video editors with their impressive feature sets.
These are our favorite free video editors for Mac.
1. iMovie
Summary: A free, consumer-grade video editor. It’s well-optimized for Apple hardware and suitable for most personal projects.
iMovie is free for anyone who owns a Mac. Plus, the iOS version is free to all iPhone and iPad owners. The software is aimed at consumers who want to quickly create videos with footage stored in their Photos library. To facilitate this, iMovie uses a simplified timeline editor that doesn’t allow for multitrack editing.
Despite the linear editing and basic UI, iMovie is a highly optimized piece of software that can handle 4K video and green screen compositing. It also supports picture-in-picture video and slow-motion/fast-forward visual effects. iMovie can generate titles, drag-and-drop transitions, and motion graphics like 3D globes and travel maps.
The app comes with built-in music and sound effects that are ready to go. It can generate Hollywood-style trailers using footage that you supply. Additionally, the app allows you to export directly to YouTube and Vimeo at up to 4K resolution.
Download:iMovie (Free)
2. DaVinci Resolve
Summary: A powerful, professional-grade video editor that lacks the color grading tools the developers are famous for.
The Studio version of DaVinci Resolve costs nearly $1,000, but the basic version is completely free. Better still, it includes the same high-quality image processing abilities as the pricier version. You get a powerful video editor, some of the best color correction capabilities around, and even support for external hardware panels to enable faster editing.
There are limitations, of course. The main one is that Resolve can only output in SD, HD and Ultra HD, which is likely more than enough for most users. Also, the app places limits on some of the advanced grading and tracking tools. However, these restrictions are mainly in place to convince professional users to upgrade.
The app might have quite a learning curve, but DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful video editing suites on the planet and you get a lot for free. See our comparison of DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm ExpressHitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve: The Free Video Editor BattleHitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve: The Free Video Editor BattleWe pit HitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve and compare to see which one wins the free video editor battle.Read More for more on how it stacks up.
Download:Da Vinci Resolve (Free)
3. OpenShot
Summary: A free and open source video editor with an impressive list of features. However, the interface is outdated and may put some users off.
OpenShot is a cross-platform open source tool that’s been around since 2008. It’s built with the aim of providing a stable, free, and accessible video editor. The project receives several major updates per year, in line with the expectations for an open source project with a small team.
OpenShot’s feature list has grown over the years to include great support for a variety of formats, keyframes for animation, and unlimited video/audio tracks. It also packs in transition and compositing support, titles, and a heap of extra features you’d expect from a modern video editor.
Past criticisms have panned OpenShot’s reliability, but it’s still worth a shot for free.
Download:OpenShot (Free)
4. Shotcut
Summary: A capable open source editor with an interface that’s superior to OpenShot.
Here’s another free, open source, cross-platform video editor. Shotcut’s feature list is just as impressive as OpenShot, but Shotcut features a great-looking interface. It more closely resembles a pro-tier application than a free one.
The app supports a wide range of video files and formats, including 4K, ProRes, and DNxHD. Shotcut also includes great support for working with audio, an impressive list of video effects (including compositing and transitions), and a flexible UI.
Of note are support for advanced features like 5.1 surround sound, three-way color correction, and a huge number of video and audio filters. There’s even a full set of official Shotcut video tutorials you can watch to get you up to speed with the editor.
Download:Shotcut (Free)
5. Blender
Summary: Not a purpose-built video editor, but it’s a powerful tool for free.
Blender is a free 3D modeling and compositing app used in some high-profile productions. Yet many don’t realize Blender is also a capable non-linear video editor, provided you’re willing to take the time to learn.
You can use Blender to cut and splice video, mix and sync audio, or apply adjustment layers, transitions, and filters. You probably won’t edit a whole film together in Blender, but for basic editing tasks it might suffice.
Blender isn’t the easiest system to learn, but underneath the hood is a powerful non-linear video editor. Check out Daniel Pocock’s quick guide to editing video in Blender and the official Blender video sequencer manual to learn more.
Download: Blender (Free)
6. Lightworks
Summary: A powerful editor with plenty of features, but some seriously restrictive output options make the free version feel more like a trial.
Lightworks is one of the most powerful apps on this list. I’d happily recommend it above all other packages if it wasn’t so restrictive for the free user. The free version includes video effects, multicam editing, and titling, as well as the usual multi-layered timeline approach you’d expect from a comprehensive editor.
Unfortunately, rendering (exporting your project) is limited to 1080p output on Vimeo, and 720p output to YouTube. You can also render to Lightworks Archives, but you lose H.264, MP4, or even DVD export options.
So while the toolkit is vast, Lightworks isn’t a very appealing free editor unless you’d like to thoroughly try it out for free and upgrade at a later time.
Download:Lightworks (Free, premium version available)
7. Avidemux
Summary: A capable freebie, but lacking in polish and features.
Avidemux made our list of the best Linux video editors7 Free Open Source Video Editors for Linux7 Free Open Source Video Editors for LinuxVideo editing on Linux is constantly improving. A good selection of open source video editing software is now available to Linux users, and we've got seven of the best for you to check out.Read More. Though it’s basic in nature, it works well for simple editing tasks. The app supports a wide variety of input and output formats. The project undergoes several updates a year, with development continuing at a steady pace.
Thankfully, the team maintains parity among all three major versions, so you won’t miss out on any features if you opt for the Mac package.
Avidemux is best reserved for simple tasks like cutting a video down to size, applying video or audio filters, and transcoding. If you’re willing to dig a little deeper, you’ll find a highly capable script editor to automate many of these common tasks.
Be sure to check out the Avidemux wiki for learning materials, and the Avidemux forum can help in case you get stuck.
Download:Avidemux (Free)
Mac Video Editing on a Budget
So which is the best video editor for you? iMovie is probably the best all-rounder. It’s free, easy to use, and carefully optimized for Apple hardware. There are plenty of features in it to satisfy beginners and mid-tier users. However, it lacks the raw power to compete with Final Cut or Premiere Pro.
Da Vinci Resolve, on the other hand, is surprisingly-feature rich. It offers multi-track editing and a huge number of professional-tier features to play with. Blender is open source and powerful, but is bogged down by complexity. Shotcut and Openshot are pretty evenly matched, so why not test drive them both? And if you’re looking for something specific to 4K video editing, check out VideoProc.
If you want a simple video conversion app instead of a full-fledged video editor, try these top macOS video convertersThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSNeed a Mac video converter app? Here are the best options for easily converting any kind of video on macOS.Read More. And if you need to edit images as well as video, check out our lists of free and paid image editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacHere are the best free and paid Mac image editors, whether you're a professional professional or amateur shutterbug.Read More and free Mac photo editorsThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacHere are the best free and paid Mac image editors, whether you're a professional professional or amateur shutterbug.Read More too.
Image credit: Gustavo Devito/Flickr
Explore more about: iMovie, Mac Apps, Video Editing, Video Editor.
For me, Video Editor MovieMator is the best! It helped me from easy to medium level. Now I use the Pro version to make more fantastic videos (has become my hobby).
The interface of Video Editor MovieMator is the most intuitive and clear one among the 6 apps you talked about and it's perfect for beginners.
iMovie doesn't accept some video formats, FinalCut and Premiere are not that easy to pick up. Compared with them, I would choose MovieMator which is easy, functional and can create films of high quality.As privacy/security expert I have to warn against Filmora. a) the free download includes UNSTATED limitations and nowhere will the firm tell you what they are, nor have they responded to inquiries. b) the fine print states they monitor use of the software. They do not use the term meta data, but imply it so that they can better understand usage and make the product better. HOWEVER, they partner with the Red Chinese (Army - which owns 51% of all Chinese corporations), presumably coders, which means this software could have a back door used by Chinese Intelligence. Again, the firm declined to address this question. They understood I am a published author in my area of expertise, and still remained silent. I do not take that as a good sign that they actually care about the customer, but it does imply they don't want people to know the answers. They are either a badly run company, or something worse is afoot.
For Mac or Windows users, there is a free online service called Video Grabber. It always helps me edit video by adding basic effects. Its interface looks very elegant. If this is what you need, maybe it worth a shot to look at.
Nice list but most of them don't run as expected. Shotcut closes frequently, KDEnlive doesn't even open a window and gives an error message after start.
Da Vinci is nice! Didn't know about the free option.
Blender is stable, lightning fast and can be used for nearly everything in media business (Modelling, Rendering, making Games, making Movies and so on).
One recommendation: Natron is a video compositor software like blender or da vinci. It's not just for video editing. Very promising open-source project!
Mac users should try Hitfilm Express. Great features, cross-platform (Mac & Win), and free.
Mac users should also try HitFilm Express. Great, cross platform (Mac & Win), free.
You can download the free
IMOVE
from:
then updated it to the latest version automatically it will update and you will have
the latest version of iMove free without having to pay the $14.99 usdYou just earned yourself a place in heaven
aww thanks
Doesn't work any more. The linked file is an updater which, when you launch it, says
'ALERT: iMovie 9.0 or later is required to install this update.'dc
this article was written in 2012 ! So don't be a smart ass Dima when posting your remarks at the end of 2015
I own a mac but iMovie costs money to download, how can I get this for free?
Sure its free...
you can download it at:
And the updated it to the latest version...
Works like a charm...Cheers ........ :)
I'm having problems. After I download it and run it, it says 'Imovie 9.0 or later is required.'
Me too! Have you figured out a way to get it to run or update?
I'm having this problem too! Have you figured out a way for it to work or update?
None of these apps are actually on the app store except for iMovie
???I HAD iMovie on my iMac, but after a hd crash, I reinstalled the latest version of the OS (OS X El Capitan) and if I want to reinstall iMovie I have to pay 15 euro :(
From where did you downloaded iMovie and what version of OS X you have (name or numeric version or both[better])?
iMovie is not free anymore and doesn't come with iLife. Hasn't been in 2 years. Wtf you are talking about.
Honestly, I've still yet to figure out how to get iMovie to do anything, but I haven't tested it in the past few months. I find that, for a VERY basic editor, QuickTime actually fulfills my needs, which is literally just syncing audio and footage. Just something to keep in mind for beginners looking for baby steps.
I didn't even realize that I had iMovie on my Mac. Thanks
my iMovie keeps on crashing....
iMovie is TERRRIBLLE. Do not get Apple made programs for your computer. Apple is making all their money from iPhones, so they've pretty much stopped making things. Adobe is pretty much taking over, so get their stuff. I updated my laptop and iMovie doesn't even exist anymore...
iMovie Agreed IT IS TERRIBLLE!!!
I bet you just don't know how to use it because its great!!
it's hard to get to know this program as the stupid, frigging thing crashes every time you open it. iMovie = FAIL
How come we have to pay for iMovie now? (just a random question) Just sometime ago I downloaded a free version?
I'm having problems uploading videos to iMovie . Any video I have on file is not an option, I was going to try loading the file to the iMovie selections but not sure that will resolve it….
Lightworks is just out for Mac users yay my windows is too slow for the program finally my mac can be put to good use.
I tried most of this software and I have to say that
- iMovie isn't free
- Blender is 3D modeling software so use it for video editing is a little bit hard
- Kdenlive requires all KDE packages installed, and I prefer something other
- Jahshaka is something from another reality, it's hard to learn
- VLMC looks good and simple but it's PRE-ALPHA now, so it's buggy
- I haven't try Avidemux because I can't find any working dmg
My choise is VideoPad, it's simple and can do anything I want.
Shame on you cause I spent whole day to test all this thingsat first I was shocked thet you put imovie on number 1 . Then I realized this article was written in 2012 . Imovie 13 wasn't born yet :)
Great article! Saw the amount of work you put into this and thought I'd just say thanks man! Very helpful.
iMovie isn't free
iMovie should serve most of mac user well
Imovie ha sa lot of bugs. Impossible to share your movie on your pc.
Daniel do you love me?
iMovie for me is the best.
A pal was trying to get info related to this editors a couple weeks ago..will def forward him this link!!
Can't wait for Lightworks. The Windows version is nice.
Didnt know you could edit video in blender
I edit my wrist in a blender
OOOps ! ...for mac , sorry :)
its okay
Don't worry it's all good.
You forget Novacut , it's in dev ; kickstarter funded
The cutting workflow is very good,
works with ubuntu 12.04qin works : the multitrack sound and multicam,
so it's a project to follow :D
I can't believe all these software are free! They look so professional , I'm starting to move from win to Mac so this kind of article are attractive and useful for me.
KDEmlive on Mac is a pain in the ***.
I don't have a mac but my uncle does and I remember us trying out loads of different video editors to compare them to the full priced equivalents (premiere pro, final cut pro, sony vegas) and I remember us trying out the first three. The limitations of iMovie may be a downfall for enthusiastic video buffs but for the novice it's great and also it's pre-installed, even better! Blender was also a pretty good one, as I recall you could import your 3D modelling into the video suite for some nifty animation. CineFX I think was probably our favourite, pretty easy to use and was like an advanced iMovie, loved every second of using it! hope this helps anyone :)
Mmm... maybe I should try Jahshaka looks really cool.
I have Lightworks on my desktop and it really is nice, but my computer just isn't powerful enough to run it very well. I guess a lot of it has to do with only having 3gb of RAM, but the video card and processor aren't all that great either. Hopefully my new computer (which hasn't arrived yet) will be able to run it (and everything else) better.
Once just a job for Hollywood and professionals, video editing is now done by just about anyone wanting to post a video on Youtube, online for work or mere entertainment. It is now as simple as just dragging and dropping your raw footage in the most basic program like Final Cut Pro 7, Sony Vegas Pro, Camtasia, Studio 8, Pinnacle Studio 20, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, Avid or just Youtube’s editiong software to enjoy many features that used to only come with high-end software programs. With just a decent camera and a good video editing software, we are now able to create high quality videos in a very short amount of time.
Product | Info | Features | |
---|---|---|---|
PINNACLE STUDIO 20 | Click to see Price and more Info | -Easy to Use -Great Built in Functionalities -Affordable | |
SONY VEGAS PRO | Click to see Price and more Info | -Expensive but delivers full value to the user -Four point editing modes | |
CAMTASIA STUDIO 8 | Click to see Price and more Info | -Compatible for both Mac and Windows -Easy to create dynamic videos and share them across any platform -Free trial available |
You may wonder what video editing software do Youtubers use? There are many different software programs available online. However, before clicking on the “Buy” button, there are a few key things to take into consideration. It is best to first think of the sort of features you need before making a purchase. Different software programs comprise of different features, therefore it is advisable to be realistic about what you’ll use, so you don’t end up buying software you don’t need. For example, a user editing their home videos to upload on YouTube will have different needs than a designer who wants to create videos for professional use.
Another important factor to consider is the video formats you’ll be shooting in. This is very important because not all raw footage work with every program. Therefore, look at the software programs formatting capabilities.
Finally, take into account the sharing capabilities. Ensure the software you purchase is capable of multiple sharing options. Below is a list of the top 12 best video editing software programs in the market for any level of expertise, from professionals’ to beginners’.
Good Video Editing Software Used by Pro Youtubers
Pinnacle Studio 20 Ultimate
Pinnacle Studio has the best value and comprises
of great features. The program has been rated as the easiest to use among video editing software programs. It can upload videos directly to Facebook, YouTube, and other websites. The program has multi-camera editing for 6 cameras, the drag and drop HD video editing feature, 200+ effects, tra
nsitions, and templates, a free studiobacklot.tv training, a live screen caption, 3D import, editing and export among many other features.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Minimizes the work load by helping the user with the built in functionalities
– Cheap Youtube video editing option
Cons:
– The numerous functions can be a bit confusing for a while.
Camtasia 2018
With an attractive and easy to use interface, Camtasia Studio software is compatible with both Mac and Windows platforms. It is ranked the best video editing software program available in the current market. Camtasia has the ability to directly upload the professionally edited videos to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and other websites. Camtasia comprises of an easy-to-use screen recorder, which allows the user to easily record anything on the screen without having to be a video professional. The software allows the user to edit videos easily and fast using the Camtasia’s professional video editor, ready-to-use themes, animated video backgrounds, graphics, callouts, and much more. You are also able to import your HD videos, photos, music, and many more from your camera or other sources.
Pros:
– Compatible for both Mac and Windows operating systems
– Free trial available for unsure clients
– Easy to create dynamic videos and share them across any platform, anywhere
Cons:
– Can be difficult to use for a first timer
For users not sure about Camtasia Studio, visit their website to download their free trial software. It has no annual fees or subscriptions. You get a discount to upgrade your previous version to the latest one.
Sony Vegas Pro
Sony Vegas Pro is one of the most expensive software programs. It is a great program to have because it comes with both standard and advance modes as well as two other additional modes. However, it is a bit limiting as it is only compatible with iDevices.
Pros:
– This program, though expensive delivers full value to the user
– The best features of the program is the four point editing modes available
Cons:
– It is only compatible with iDevices
– In case of a malfunction, the editing has to be done from the beginning again
This software offers a 30 Day Free Trial.
Final Cut Pro
The Final Cut Pro software is ranked as the most valuable when it comes to video editing software programs. This is because it comes with two modes (Standard and Advance) so there is no need to purchase separate programs. The interface of the program is very easy to use and switching from one mode to another is not a problem to the user. The program is updated on a regular basis to ensure the user is always up to date with the new features available.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Regular upgrades
Cons:
– The program sometimes crashes when used with Windows OS
Price: The program approximately costs $299.99.
Good Video Editing Software Used by Beginning Youtubers
Adobe Premiere Elements 11
This program is ranked the most professional version for beginners. For users who are constantly using the adobe suite for other tasks, this program will seem very familiar to you. It has an easy to use interface accompanied by effects such as a slow motion program and a speeding up program.
Pros:
– Set up is the same as other adobe products making it easy to install
– It has a one click video sharing option to ensure instant uploads
Cons
– It does not have regular updates as other programs
– Some people find it difficult to use the features of the program despite the easy interface
Price: This program costs $99.99
AVS video editor
This program is very easy to use and a favorite among beginners. It comprises of unlimited number of features and video editing effects. The manufacturers have tried to make the functions simpler with every update. This program supports every format available from HD to Adobe Flash.
Pros:
– Easy to use making it one of the most recommended video editor for beginners
– Comprises of the easy to use drag and drop technique to place the transition into effect
Cons:
– It is very time consuming
– The program is very sensitive so the user needs to pay attention when using it.
Price: This program costs approximately $59
iSkySoft Video Editor
This program is easy to use and makes the process easier for beginners with both standard and advance modes. You do not require separate programs when using this video editor. The standard mode can be enabled by a first time user of YouTube video editing and upload. The mode ensures the video editing process is made easier for the beginners to use and the features provided are the best. The standard mode ensures the user does not need to worry about the complex functions within the program. The advance mode is best for large and more professional projects. When the mode is activated, the work is done in a more stylish and quality manner.
Pros:
– Easy to use and straight forward methodologies
Best Drone Videos
– The program comes with a trial that can be downloaded to enjoy both standard and advance modes for a period of time
Cons:
Cheap Video Editing For Drone Macbook
– It is difficult for the user to use the Tilt Shift and Scene detection feature
Price: This program costs $39.95
Pinnacle Studio 20
This video editing program is great for beginners who are looking for more features than the ones found in a free video editor program. The program comprises of multi-camera editing for 2 cameras, drag and drop HD video editing, 1,500+ effects, transitions, and templates, a 6-track frame-accurate editing, and a 64-bit performance.
Pros:
-The program comprises of many easy to use features
Cheap Video Editor For Drone Machine
-The drag and drop features makes it easy for a first time user
Cons:
– Does not allow Live Screen Capture
Video Editing Software Used by Youtubers for Free
HitFilm Express (PC/Mac)
This video editor is the most powerful free software available. This free version can do just about anything the user requires when starting out. It is a great start to video editing programs and the user can purchase premium add-ons as they progress further into video editing.
iMovie (Mac)
This is a free and easy to use video editor for Mac users. It comprises of a number of good features and can be used as a main video editor by YouTuber’s. The software is free for Mac users only otherwise it costs $14.99
YouTube Video Editor (PC/Mac)
This program is YouTube’s free video editor. This video editor is online and lacks many features. It however can be useful for a while before the user decides on a better video editor software to purchase.
Windows Movie Maker (PC)
This is a free and very basic video editor for Windows users. It is okay for beginners but as you progress, you will require a good video editing software program with more features.