Choosing the Right Editing Software for the Job

I get asked on weekly basis what are the best editing software programs are. There are a few options worth looking at and that which you choose is dependent upon your specific needs. The top three that I recommend cover all bases, from beginners to experts, and Mac’s to PC’s.

The first and the majority widely used software program is Adobe Premiere Pro. It’s the gold standard of user-friendly, professional grade editing software. It conditions both Mac and PC as well as your subscription will allow access to both. It has all of the functionality I’ve ever needed know what’s even better is that it’s constantly expanding. The quite recent Lumetri Color grading panel is a particularly useful feature that assists with creating a fast convert and efficient workflow. Being able to do everything ‘in house’ is wonderful. It’s a little about the pricey side at about $19.99 every month but if you’re set on wanting to make videos then it’s worth taking into consideration.

Final Cut Pro X by Apple is a contender, although in the last years popularity has dropped significantly. FCP gained a good name for favoring amateur productions like skate and surf videos and so a lot with the professionals attended look elsewhere (including myself). The software also only conditions Mac’s which means you might not be an alternative for individuals who prefer and own PC’s. If you’re a fan in the Mac interface then an software has each of the user-friendliness that you would expect. It handles 4K video clip better than other software on comparable machines as a consequence of how it renders and manages background files. Overall Final Cut is simple to get to grips with but at $299.99 I recommend beginners test water with Premiere Pro first. Ultimately both software are good for learning basic fundamentals of editing, but Premiere could be more beneficial while you begin to demand advanced features.

For people who don’t want to spend anything at all, iMovie is a superb option. As you might expect having a free computer program, it’s geared towards beginners and does not have the maximum amount of functionality as being the others. You can get the standard editing functions down with minimum past experience, but ultimately you may not have much flexibility and some in the stock options look amateur (titles and transitions, etc). If you’re looking for something accessible and simple to use, this may be for you.

Bonus: If you want to enjoy the fun editing on the phone, look into Premiere Clip. You wouldn’t be prepared to be able to edit over a phone but this might take you be surprise. Combine it with an app like Filmic Pro for advanced mobile camera controls plus you’ve got a great ‘mini’ setup. There have even been award-winning films like ‘Unsane’ shot entirely for the iPhone!