Note: for the simplest tasks in the spirit of "glue two videos, overlay music", the most basic system editors are enough — Photos in Windows, iMovie on Mac or Youtube editor on any platform. Also on the web you can find a huge variety of not too well-known editing applications like Camtasia, MAGIX, VSDC or video editing. In contrast, the programs presented in this text have passed the test of time, are respected by professionals and are capable of installation of any complexity. For convenience, they are sorted in the order of "sophistication", from simpler applications of the caliber of Lightworks to monsters like Final Cut and Adobe Premier. It is also important to remember that this software is designed specifically for editing, and for special effects, working with sound and colour correction, there are familiar things like After Effects and DaVinci Resolve.

Lightworks

The free multifunctional editor is rightfully considered one of the best for the amateur level, as it allows you to work with the vast majority of media formats, supports multi-channel playback and collaboration on projects. Among the key features of Lightworks are more than a hundred different effects, convenient tools for cutting video and audio, a small size and a simple intuitive interface. Plus, Lightworks is not too demanding of resources, so you don't need a powerful computer for a thousand or two dollars to work with it.

The only noticeable disadvantage for novice users is the lack of Russian—language localization. On the other hand, there is a fairly large and useful profile forum for mastering the editor and a detailed collection of training videos on the official website of the project. And Lightworks itself runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Movavi

According to numerous reviews, it is the best semi—professional software tool for working with videos today. In addition to the standard video editing functions, the editor allows you to work with chromakey, add various filters, transitions and titles, capture videos from any media (DVD, CD, videotapes, etc.), directly upload the mounted video to Youtube and other hosting sites, etc. In general, the functional set here is close to the professional level and at first it will be redundant for many.

The big plus of Movavi is its simplicity and accessibility. The application has an intuitive menu, in order to get behind the wheel and go there, it is not necessary to take an extreme driving course, as with Adobe Premier. And to use the programme, you do not need a super-powerful computer, an average machine or a simple laptop with 8 GB of RAM and a modern 4-core processor is enough by today's standards. For example, Acer Aspire 5 A515-54G (A515-54G-51BG) or Asus VivoBook S15. The disadvantages of Movavi can only include an incomprehensible system for downloading purchased content and a short period of free use.

Popular performance laptops

Avidemux

This free software can scare away with its unsightly interface in the spirit of Windows XP, but this is the case when you should not meet a book by its cover. In terms of customization options and embedded capabilities, Avidemux can give odds to some paid analogues: the programme supports high-resolution video, allows you to import streaming broadcasts, includes presets for importing ready-made videos into the format of mobile gadgets, boasts a huge database of already embedded video codecs.

Hardcore users will be pleased with the ability to control via the command line, a portable version for a USB stick, a tiny 15 MB distribution kit and the fact that Avidemux has open source code. Among the disadvantages of the programme, we can note a slightly intricate scheme for creating a new project — before you start working, you need to specify a number of technical parameters of the finished video. If you do it for the first time, you can get confused without even starting the installation.

Sony Vegas Pro


The developers of Vegas Pro are Sony, a recognized leader and "trendsetter" in the world of digital video. Given this fact, it is not surprising that this software is particularly popular with TV and TV series creators. Sony keeps its ear sharp and timely provides the video editor with all innovative tools.

The strength of this video editor can be called a huge set of video filters that can significantly improve the quality of the picture and apply impressive visual effects. Also worth noting is a separate mobile application for iPad Vegas Pro Connect, designed to help complete projects faster. It does not work very smoothly, periodically hanging up and losing connection, but the idea of linking a PC and a tablet looks promising.

The main disadvantages of Vegas Pro are the excessive complexity of the interface and not periodic failures in operation. However, as experienced people say, you just need to get used to the interface of this software, and this is one of the easiest to learn pro-programs for installation. Well, to further simplify the process, Sony has released a younger version of Vegas Movie Studio with a less loaded interface and a more affordable price.

Popular tablets with a large screen

Final Cut Pro X

Users of Apple software claim that the programme is much more convenient and understandable to use than other video editors. And this is not unfounded bragging, for a reason Final Cut is most often used when teaching editing, and only then they switch to the great and terrible Premiere.

Since the initial release of Final Cut Pro X in 2011, Apple has been constantly releasing large-scale updates, adding new features and improving stability. The latest version of Final Cut Pro X supports 360° video and VR video. In the latest version of the programme, the shortcomings of previous versions and interface flaws were removed, and a great many new useful plugins were added.

In addition to the ability to make clear and convenient interfaces, Apple has always been famous for its ecosystem. For example, there is a free iMovies app on iOS, which is essentially a somewhat simplified and touch-adapted version of Final Cut. Considering that Apple has returned support for styluses, launched a separate OS for tablets (we are talking about PadOS) and seriously took up a line of large and powerful Apple iPad Pro 11 2018 64 GB Price from 35 112 up to 42 636 ₴, we can conclude that there is hope that the tablet will become a serious tool in the hands of editors.

Avid Media Composer

Avid is the grandfather of video editors. It has existed from the very beginning and still occupies the lion's share in the professional video editing market. And although many professionals are gradually switching to Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro, Avid remains the industry standard in the film industry. At the same time, Media Composer is not a programme for the faint of heart. On the one hand, the interface here is painfully familiar (after all, it was Avid who set the fashion for other programs), on the other hand, you can't figure it out without half a liter. The system is very powerful, complex and not the most understandable, since the interface is totally rebuilt for itself. Although, after the 2019 update, the interface has become more convenient.

Among the main advantages are the speed and stability of work, the ability to edit very long sequences and playback of superimposed effects in real time, regardless of gluing and preprocessing. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the need to convert the video material into its own format, which somewhat slows down the preparatory stage of the work.

Adobe Premiere Pro

The most recognizable brand among professionals. If we look for analogies, then this is a Formula 1 car among expensive racing cars. Therefore, installation courses usually start with the basics and simple software, and only then transfer to Premiere. Although, personally, it does not seem too confusing to us, just from the habit of the head can go round from the number of various functions and lotions. Moreover, for beginners there is a basic simplified version of Adobe Premiere Elements with a free trial period.

The love of the pros for Premiere Pro is explained by a number of factors. Firstly, the programme is able to work with any video formats and videos of different quality within the same project. Secondly, a huge number of various plugins are sewn into it. Thirdly, Adobe has a fairly convenient ecosystem of products, so it's easy to switch from Premier to conditional After Effects to add titles and special effects, and then switch to Audition to tweak the audio track.

All this good has one drawback — demanding of processor resources, and, especially, RAM. For comfortable work in any conditions, you need a processor of the caliber AMD Ryzen 7 Matisse 3700X BOX Price from 10 350 up to 18 921 ₴ or Intel Core i7 Coffee Lake Refresh i7-9700 BOX and at least 16 GB of RAM. And even better, a new AMD Ryzen 9 Matisse 3900X BOX Price from 29 395 up to 30 172 ₴ and 32 GB of RAM. Premiere Pro will start up without any problems on a car of the caliber of Intel Core i5 Coffee Lake Refresh i5-9400F BOX + 8 GB of RAM, but then you will have to face performance limitations when using plugins, and the workflow will not be too fast.

In general, if you are faced with the choice of not only a programme for installation, but also a suitable assembly, then be sure to look at our material "Assembling a PC for video editing and streaming games: system unit and peripherals" with more tips on choosing a suitable computer.