With a wealth of video editing suites to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you.

Whether you’re simply looking for some software to work on your home video projects, or you’re looking for some high-end kit to kickstart a video marketing campaign for your business, we’ve pulled together a list of the best to help make your project a success. 

What to Look for

First, there are some general considerations to take into account before you choose. Our list is a mix of both big name and smaller platforms, but whichever you land on you’ll need to think about:

• Affordability
• Number of features
• Ease of use
• Tiered plans
• Smart features
• Licensed stock content

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro remains the best video editing suite on the market by far. The tech giant has decades of software development under its belt, and its latest tool incorporates the most up-to-date, cutting-edge technology.

It’s the go-to choice for professional videographers and is capable of editing 4K and 8K HD as well as virtual reality too. Other top features include Multicam video editing, a range of pre-designed motion graphics templates, generous cloud storage, and compatibility with a huge range of file formats and cameras.

What’s more, Adobe has added in a number of smart AI features to make
the editing process smoother. 

You might want to turn on automatic video formating to enable your videos to render into the perfect format for all platforms or try out the color match AI which automatically applies the same color grade across different shots.

The interface is detailed, but simple to get to grips with, and new users will have access to a range of tutorials to help get them started. The only downside is that the software is a little pricey, with one license costing $20.99 per month.

If you don’t mind less functionality, you can opt for Adobe Premiere Elements, which is a trimmed-down version of Pro and can be bought outright for just $69.99.

Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is a must-have for anyone and is the best video editing program that does the bulk of its video editing on a Mac. While it’s not as feature-packed as its more sophisticated cousin, Final Cut Pro, it still packs quite a punch and is completely free.

It won’t quite be enough for full-time professionals, but Apple has added 4K support, the ability to edit on any iOS device, a generous bank of special effects, transition tools, a music library, and dozens of title options. 

You’ll be able to learn the basics of the interface in no time at all, and the software works seamlessly with just about all of Apple’s products.

There are some that might find what’s on offer a little too basic, but you can’t argue with what you get when the package is completely free, meaning it gets a stamp of approval from us. 

Corel Video Suite Ultimate

Corel is a Canadian software company that has been quietly working away on top-quality products since 1986. It might not have the big-name recognition of Adobe or Apple, but it’s certainly no slouch when it comes to video editing. 

Its Ultimate suite is a solid rival to Premiere Pro and comes with 360-degree editing features, 3D text support, split-screen options, collaging, 4K video, and a library of more than 2,000 special effects.

Best of all, it’s a much cheaper alternative to Adobe’s flagship product, and you can get yourself a full version for just $99.99. You won’t be locked into any subscriptions either. 

However, it’s only available on Windows devices at the moment, so Mac and Linux users will need to try another provider from the list. In addition, you’ll find fewer customization options than with other platforms, but it’s still a great tool for the price. 

CyberLink PowerDirector 365

Cyberlink has produced a mid-range editing suite that can produce professional-level results. As well as a solid set of features like motion tracking, green screen editing, and keyframe control, it also comes with an interesting ‘Action Camera Center’.

This tool lets you play around with a range of video enhancements and speed effects that can all be applied in just one click.

Perhaps the platform’s biggest selling point though is access to the full Shutterstock catalog of royalty-free images and stock video, giving users a huge range of customization options.

All of this can be yours for just $69.99 per year, making it an option that won’t break the bank. 

Some users might be put off by the simplicity of the platform, but most will find more than enough to keep them happy here.