4 Best Video Editing Software For In-House Editors

Raw footage is like a gem fresh from the earth. Sure, it’s got some natural beauty, but it needs some cutting and polishing to truly shine. That’s where video editing comes in.

There are many different video editing software out there, and we’re here to help you pick the right one for your team. Let’s dig in!

What is video editing software?

Video editing software is a program you can download and install on your computer to edit videos. Many of these programs come with more tools than what you usually get with online video editors.

These are particularly great for businesses tackling big video projects and looking to create super professional and polished videos. With a good program, you can handle extensive cuts, add smooth transitions, apply a wide range of effects, mix sound for clarity and impact, perform color grading to get the perfect look, and more.

What should I look for in video editing software for my business?

Video editing can be a big job, so you want software that’ll make it easy for you with these must-have features:

Support for multiple video formats

When you’re out there creating videos, you might be juggling different gadgets: your trusty smartphone, a fancy DSLR, and maybe even a GoPro. The thing is, each of these devices records in its own format. And when you throw stock B-roll clips into the mix, you might find they’re in yet another format.

That’s why it’s key to have video editing software that can handle multiple formats. This way, you avoid the hassle of converting files and you don’t have to worry about quality loss.

Collaboration tools

Making marketing videos is rarely a solo adventure. You’ve got stakeholders, video producers, and other team members who want to help shape the final cut during the post-production process.

Well, the good news is that you don’t need to schedule a bunch of meetings or dig through emails, messages, or stray sticky notes for feedback. You can just get a video editing program that supports collaboration workflows and have everyone access the footage and leave feedback in the same place.

The ability to resize and cut for social media

In today’s digital world, getting your content on social media is a big deal. So look for editing software that makes it a breeze to resize and cut your video for a variety of social platforms.

Affordability

When you’re on the hunt for video editing software, remember that it’s all about finding the right fit for your needs. You don’t want to go overboard with a fancy suite with features you won’t use.

You may want to consider opting for software with tiered pricing plans. These options often kick off with a free or budget-friendly basic version. This lets you get acquainted with the platform without splurging from the get-go, then you can upgrade as you level up.

The ability to handle multicam recordings

Shooting with multiple cameras, like during interviews or live events, means you’re catching every angle of the action. But trying to sync all those clips by hand in post-production? Total headache.

That’s why a video editor that puts all your multicam footage in one spot is a game-changer. It lets you sync up and swap between angles easily, so you can always pick the best shots without any fuss.

A user-friendy interface

Want to spend less time figuring out how to use the software and more time perfecting your videos? Find a video editor with an intuitive layout, clearly labeled tools and features, accessible elements, keyboard shortcuts, and quick access to frequently used tools. The more user-friendly an editor’s interface is, the quicker and smoother your editing process will be.

Performance and stability

In the past, you needed a hefty, specialized computer setup to edit videos. But now, most editing programs will work on just about any ol’ desktop or laptop. But not all programs can handle large files and multiple layers and effects.

You’ll want to pick a program that’s all about smooth playback, fast rendering, and real-time effects processing. And definitely one that won’t freeze or crash on you when you’re in the middle of editing or rushing to export your final cut.

Without further ado, here’s a list of video editing software that fit the bill:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is your video editing Swiss Army knife with a bunch of features bundled into an intuitive, user-friendly interface. And it’s one of the fastest and most robust video editing software available.

Frame.io is built into this program, which means you can have an unlimited number of folks edit the footage or leave comments in real time. And this software supports multi-camera recordings, comes with a feature that automatically resizes your videos for social, and is renowned for its powerful color correction tools and vast library of video overlays and effects.

2. Apple Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X stands as the top choice for Mac users seeking the robust capabilities of Adobe Premiere Pro but within the Apple ecosystem. It has a super user-friendly interface and it does a great job catering to the diverse video needs of marketing teams.

With this program, you’ll get to choose from various extensions for easy collaboration with your team right on the video timeline. It also simplifies multicam editing, supports a wide range of video formats, and offers options to boost its performance when needed (like turning off background rendering).

Final Cut Pro X is a one-time buy. While it means paying a bit upfront, you’ll end up saving cash in the long run.

3. Apple iMovie

iMovie is like the cool, easy-going cousin of Final Cut Pro X. It offers a simpler, more straightforward video editing experience, which makes it perfect for beginners and those who only need basic video editing capabilities.

This program supports up to two video tracks, meaning you can edit footage from two different camera angles. It also makes resizing your videos for social media a breeze. And the best part? You can share them directly to your favorite social platforms.

One major drawback is that iMovie doesn’t come with any collaboration tools or plugins. But the good news is that collaboration tools aren’t exclusive to professional-grade software. Some online video editors (like Wistia) offer a simple, user-friendly editing experience and the ability to collaborate with your team right on the video’s timeline.

If you can do without collaboration tools, iMovie is a great option. It comes free on most Apple desktops and laptops, so you can start editing right away without any extra cost.

4. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve covers all the important post-production jobs like video editing, color grading, adding visual effects, and audio editing.

This video editing software supports lots of video formats, resizing for social media, and even multicam editing. Plus, its teamwork tools are a total game-changer for marketing projects, letting multiple people work on the video at the same time.

There’s a free version you can start with. If you’re digging it and want more features, you can upgrade to the paid version with a one-time payment.

Which software is best for editing business videos?

There’s no one right answer. It all comes down to your team’s post-production needs.

At Wistia, our in-house video team uses Adobe Premiere Pro for big video projects because it can be integrated with many different high-quality applications, like After Effects for visual effects and Frame.io for easy team collaboration — both of which are super important to us.

But remember, just because Adobe Premiere Pro is right for us doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for you too. Your needs might be different, so it’s a good idea to check out various options to find what works best for your projects.

Which is the best free video editor?

If you’re just doing simple edits, there’s no need to spend big bucks on fancy software. A basic video editor will do the trick. And we highly recommend using an online one. That way, you don’t need to download or install anything.

Wistia’s free online editor is a pretty solid option for simple stuff like trimming, splitting, adding transitions, and more. Plus, it’s part of the Wistia video marketing platform, which means you can edit your videos, share them, and track their success without downloading a single thing.

Which software is best for editing YouTube videos?

Short answer: Any of the above! Long answer: Check out this article to see more software options (and mobile apps) and details about why each one is good specifically for editing videos on YouTube.

Pick the software that fits your business needs

If you’re tackling big video projects with needs like color grading, sound mixing, and the whole nine yards, any of the four software options we’ve mentioned will work great.

For simpler tasks like trimming webinar recordings, pulling clips for social media using AI, or picking highlights from a long-form video, Wistia’s online video editor is just what you need.