Video editing is a huge part of the world that we live in today. There are many people who make their entire careers on YouTube and many people that use video editing to create a portfolio that they can use to get a job in a digital media field. Many people have hobbies that involve shooting videos and editing them to share with friends and family. For those who want to edit videos, whether for work or play, there is much to learn about software. The following guide will teach you all about the best apps for video editing macs.
Macs are synonymous with creating and editing video. But there’s so much more you can do with your Mac than just import and edit content—you can design it from scratch.
Whether you’re a professional videographer or a hobbyist, these apps will help you create the perfect product to share on your website.
Here are some of the best apps for video editing Mac software.
Best Apps For Video Editing Mac
7 Best Video Editing Software for Mac
1. PowerDirector 365: Best Choice Overall
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Key Features:
- Built-in transitions, templates, and overlay effects
- Simple & powerful plug-in for creating video collages
- Advanced tools for creating effects based videos
- Ability to save videos to a hard drive in several formats, publish to YouTube, or share on Facebook
User Friendliness: 10 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 10 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 10 / 10
PowerDirector is a premium video editing software that offers easy-to-navigate features for beginners, expert editors, and everyone in between. It includes professional tools that won’t break the bank but can turn your videos into Hollywood-level projects.
A traditional timeline interface with a streamlined design makes adding video overlays, titles, and transitions easy. In addition, you can edit in square and vertical aspect ratios perfect for social media clips. Drag-&-Drop effects and motion graphics are great if you’re a beginner, but all these features are customizable, which makes them ideal for experienced editors.
When compared to other editors on this list, PowerDirector 365 will give you the most bang for your buck. You’ll be able to jump right in with its easy-to-use interface and avoid spending hours learning the software like some other less intuitive programs.
So download it for free below and see why Techradar called it, “Powerful and affordable”Pros
- Easy learning curve to get you editing in no time
- Fully loaded with basic and premium features
- Multiple updates throughout the year, including new, exclusive features and creative packs
- Works on M1 Macs
Cons
- Mac version isn’t quite as comprehensive as the Windows version
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2. Adobe Premiere Pro: Best Choice for Professionals
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Key Features:
- Precise editing and trimming tools
- Automatic functionality
- Advanced editing features
User Friendliness: 6 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 8 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 9 / 10
If creating videos professionally is your thing, Adobe Premiere Pro is the tool you need to be using. This program is an industry-standard, and professionals use it to produce content for mainstream media.
The range of features and professional-level quality make the hefty price tag worthwhile. You’ll have everything you need to cut a TV Show or feature film. You can create an immersive video with support for VR 180 with effects. Plus, have access to high-definition and 4K video assets in the program at an additional cost via Adobe Stock.
Adobe Premiere Pro will be a bit out of a beginners league. If you haven’t edited before, please be mindful of this. Getting started could take hours.Pros
- Professional-quality tools and interface
- Compatibility within Creative Cloud
- Works on M1 Macs
Cons
- Steep learning curve especially for beginners
- Requires a high performing computer
3. Final Cut Pro: Best Choice for Apple Loyalists
Compatibility: Mac
Key Features:
- Magnetic timeline
- Cinematic mode adjustments
- Color grading and motion graphics
User Friendliness: 6 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 8 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 8 / 10
If you are an advanced video editor with a Mac, Final Cut Pro X is the best program for you. This program has a selection of smart features and a clean, intelligent interface that will enable you to create Hollywood-level videos from your desktop.
Paying the one-time cost of $300 will give you access to all of its features forever. These include the new Object Tracker, which utilizes machine learning to detect faces and objects then matches movements with titles and effects. A unique feature to Apple-made video editors is adjusting focus from videos captured in Cinematic mode on an iPhone 13.
Final Cut Pro takes advantage of the new M1 chips and, for this reason, can be a better choice than Adobe Premiere Pro if you have a new Mac. However, if you don’t, you won’t be able to take advantage of this, so it might not be worth the upfront cost.Pros
- Not subscription-based
- Intuitive interface
- Range-of-effect options
- Works on M1 Macs
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve
- Expensive
4. DaVinci Resolve: Best for Color Correction and Audio
Compatibility: Linux, Mac, Windows
Key Features:
- Multi-user collaboration options
- Cross-platform capabilities
- Professional audio, color correction, and effects
User Friendliness: 4 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 8 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 10 / 10
DaVinci Resolve offers incredible high-end features that go above and beyond simple editing tools for a free program. For example, the program’s detailed color correction allows you to adjust skin tones and eye color quickly, and its audio production is professional-level.
It features new image processing for the latest wide gamut HDR with HDR grading tools and an AI-based magic mask. In addition, an audio engine for immersive 3D audio workflows supports 2,000 tracks. Plus, a node-based visual effects workflow and hundreds of 2D and 3D tools. It’s all you’ll ever need to start your post-production studio.
DaVinci Resolve has a massive learning curve. It’s so complex you can’t sit down and start creating videos with no former knowledge of video editing. Even advanced users can struggle with it at first. But, yes, you can do a training program or watch hours of tutorials and become proficient with it. Pros
- Quality audio editing tools
- Color correction
- Fusion editing modules
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Needs a powerful computer
- Cannot export directly to social media
- Operates best with specially designed expensive hardware
5. Apple iMovie: Best for Beginners on a Budget
Compatibility: Mac
Key Features:
- Automated video editing
- Audio and soundtrack adjustments
- Transitions, overlays, effects, and slicing tools
User Friendliness: 9 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 9 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 3 / 10
iMovie is a video editing program that comes pre-installed on Mac devices. It features a range of editing tools to create a polished video. iMovie also stands out for including premium audio-editing options that you can’t find in a lot of other free software.
Basic video editing is where iMovie excels. It has all the tools needed to edit both video and audio. Create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning videos. Add photos and videos to projects, trim clips, add seamless transitions, and fade audio.
Advanced features are where iMovie falls short. It does have chroma key, picture-in-picture, and split-screen effects, but that’s about it. Apple has reserved its truly impressive features for Final Cut Pro. Pros
- Pre-installed
- Excellent audio editing tools for a basic editor
Cons
- Not built for professional results
- Lacks advanced features like motion tracking
6. Hitfilm Express: Best for Professionals on a Budget
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Key Features:
- Layers and masking
- Range of import formats
- 180+ editing effects
User Friendliness: 6 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 7 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 7 / 10
Hitfilm Express is a good choice for premium, professional software that won’t break your budget. Most of its features are free, but it does require some time to learn.
It has found a unique position for itself in the video editing world. It is not entirely professional and not quite a consumer product; it is ideal for intermediate editors heavily interested in visual effects. It is the most accessible editor for creating 3D effects on the market. This is really what the software is designed and marketed as.
You can use both Video Copilot and Red Giant plugins. It is the only After Effects alternative available that supports both. If you are interested in becoming a visual effects artist and not ready to jump into Adobe After Effects, Hitfilm Express is a great option.Pros
- Professional features
- 3D effects support
Cons
- Tricky interface to learn
7. Adobe Premiere Elements: Best for Beginners
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Key Features:
- A decent selection of effects
- Smart functionality
- Video stabilization options
User Friendliness: 8 / 10
Basic Video Editing Tools: 8 / 10
Advanced Video Editing Features: 3 / 10
Premiere Elements is Adobe’s basic video editing software. Users who are new to video editing or are looking to edit videos for fun will find the interface easy to navigate with all of the necessary features.
The program’s AI tools will walk you through some of the steps of the video editing process. You can make quick fixes or add effects, transitions, and animations with Guided Edits. Or create slideshows and video collages for social media.
Adobe Premiere Elements is the most beginner of paid software on this list and doesn’t give a user much room to grow. But it does have Smart Tags, facial recognition, and more for easy organization, making it ideal for home movies.Pros
- Simple interface
- Artificial intelligence features
- 4K support
Cons
- Can perform slowly with heavy use
- Has limited functions
best video editing software for mac free
We’ve summarized the features, pros, and cons of these best video editing software for Mac users in the comparison table below. You can choose the best suitable one based on your editing skills and needs at the current stage.
Level | Products | Input formats | Output formats | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
For beginners | Apple iMovie | DV, HDV, AVCHD, Apple Intermediate Codec, Motion JPEG/A, iFrame, h.264, MP4, MOV… | H.264/MPEG-4, MOV, AVI, DV… | Available on iPhone/iPad; Compatible well with Apple ecosystem | Audio is copyrighted |
Avidemux | 3GP, ASF, AVI, FLV, H263, JPEG, MKV, MP4, MPEG, MPEG4, MPG, and OGM | AVI, FLV, M1V, M2V, MKV, MP4, MPEG, MPG, OGM, and TS | Clean and easy to use interface; Open-source software without built-in purchase | The exporting process is slack | |
OpenShot | WebM, AVCHD, HEVC… | MP4, AVI, MPEG… | Provides free built-in effects and animations; Supports 3D title | Buggy at times; Freeze and crash often | |
ZS4 Video Editor | AVI, WAV, Image Files | AVI, WMV, WAV, Jpg, Png | More than 120 built-in video effects; unlimited tracks | The user interface is not friendly | |
HyperEngine-AV | AVI, BMP, Cubic VR, DLS, DV, FLC… | AIFF, AVI, BMP, DV Stream, FLC, MPEG-4… | Includes twelve studio-quality effects; Create slide shows | Discontinued to release a new version | |
For semi-pros | Kdenlive | AVI, MP4, FFmpeg… | QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG… | Open-source software | Not friendly for green hands; Update slowly |
Blender | STL, ABC, FBX… | FBX, DAE, ABC… | Fast poly modeling tools; Customizable input | Unintuitive layers system; Animation management is not smooth | |
For pros | FilmoraPro | AVCHD, AVI, DV, HDV, MP4, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MXF, MOV, WMV… | AVI, QuickTime, OpenEXR, MP4, Image sequence… | Offer numerous preset options, effects, overlays, and transitions; Auto color correction. | The plug-in extension is not supported. |
Lightworks | MPEG-2, AVC, RED R3D, DPX, Apple ProRes… | MPEG4/H.264 | The package is lightweight; Only need 3GB RAM to use | Effect library is limited | |
HitFilm Express | H.264, AVCHD, QuickTime, AVI, M2T, M2TS, MTS, MXF | H.264, Apple ProRes, AVI | High-level video effects compositor | No motion graphics feature |
From the above comparison table, we can see so many pros and cons in different aspects. However, you may want to take a look at another software – Filmora – before you decide to use the one you like. It is an excellent Mac video editor that can meet your basic and advanced needs.
Conclusion
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