Skip to content
TheSoftwarePick
Submit a tool

Best video editing software in 2026

Video editors range from free beginner apps to professional suites used in film and TV. Newer tools add AI features such as automatic captions and editing by transcript.

12 tools compared. Top picks first, then alphabetical. No paid placements.

Professional video editing used in film, TV and YouTube.

Best for: Professional editors and serious creators.

  • Multi-track timeline
  • Color and audio tools
  • Text-based editing
  • Adobe integration

Camtasia

Free trial

Screen recording and video editing for tutorials and training.

Best for: Educators, trainers and software tutorial makers.

  • Screen recording
  • Simple editor
  • Cursor effects
  • Quizzes

CapCut

Freemium

Easy video editor for short-form social videos.

Best for: TikTok, Reels and Shorts creators.

  • Templates
  • Auto captions
  • Effects and filters
  • AI tools

Professional editing, color, effects and audio with a powerful free version.

Best for: Creators and professionals who want pro tools for free.

  • Editing
  • Industry-leading color grading
  • Fusion effects
  • Fairlight audio

Descript

Freemium

Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript.

Best for: Podcasters and talking-head video creators.

  • Text-based editing
  • Filler word removal
  • Studio Sound
  • Screen recording

Final Cut Pro

Free trial

Apple professional video editor with a one-time price.

Best for: Mac users who want pro editing without a subscription.

  • Magnetic timeline
  • Fast rendering on Apple silicon
  • Color grading
  • Multicam

iMovie

Free

Free, simple video editor from Apple.

Best for: Beginners on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

  • Simple timeline
  • Templates and trailers
  • Titles and effects
  • Green screen

Loom

Freemium

Quick screen and camera recordings you can share with a link.

Best for: Teams replacing meetings with short async videos.

  • Screen and camera recording
  • Instant share links
  • Comments and reactions
  • AI summaries

HeyGen

Freemium

AI avatar videos and video translation.

Best for: Marketing and sales teams creating personalised videos.

  • AI avatars
  • Video translation and lip sync
  • Custom avatars
  • Templates

Runway

Freemium

AI video generation and editing tools for creators.

Best for: Video creators and filmmakers experimenting with AI.

  • Text and image to video
  • Video editing tools
  • Motion brush
  • Green screen

Synthesia

Freemium

Create videos with AI avatars from a script.

Best for: Training, onboarding and internal communication videos.

  • AI avatars
  • 140+ languages
  • Templates
  • Screen recording