As creators veer toward more and more video content, brands and creatives are expected to follow and deliver eye-catching visuals. If you’re new to video editing, most software programs can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, some of the best video editors for beginners have incredible capabilities that let you create stunning videos.
From rendering in video editing to subtle light manipulation, video editing is a whole other ballpark. Movement, framing, composition, lighting, timing — these are just some of the things to consider when you delve into video creation. While it takes a lot of skill and practice to perfect the art of videos, the best editing software is the one that makes storytelling much easier.
If you’re a blossoming video editor or someone looking to re-dip their toes into video editing, check out this list of the best film editing software for beginners.
The Best Editing Software for Beginners
Lumen 5
Compatible Platforms: all, since it’s an online video editor
Lumen 5 is easily one of the best video editors for beginners who aren’t looking for a deep dive into the more complex side of video editing. It has an easy drag-and-drop interface and can easily transform your social media and blog posts into creative and compelling videos. Lumen 5 is perfect for content creators that create short yet impactful videos for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Here are some of Lumen 5’s notable features:
- Easy and convenient interface for beginners
- Massive media library with a huge number of stock photos and icons available for commercial use
- Smart and seamless video creation with the help of Artificial Intelligence
- Customizable presets for quick on-the-go video editing
- Unlimited 720p watermarked videos for free accounts
Cost: Lumen 5 is free to use and allows unlimited creations of 720p videos, although they will be branded with a Lumen 5 watermark. For those who want to remove the watermark and further customize for their brand, they may pay a monthly subscription that ranges from $19 USD to $149 USD.
Animaker
Compatible Platforms: all, since it’s an online video editor
Another online video editor, Animaker offers an easy-to-use application that allows you to create videos with your own photos, text, and audio files. Like any beginner-friendly editing software, Animaker has an intuitive interface that also allows collaborative editing. It is also lightweight and can be used in just your web browser. You can easily download your video and even GIF projects depending on their subscription.
Animaker has the following features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface that doesn’t have complex timelines or layers
- Collaborative features that allow multiple editors to work on a video in real time
- HD video quality for free accounts
Cost: Animaker already offers a variety of features for free accounts. To unlock additional features such as more downloads or higher definition videos, you may choose to pay for the Basic ($10 USD), Starter ($19 USD), or Pro ($49 USD) subscriptions.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Compatible Platforms: Windows and Mac
Everybody in creatives knows about the Adobe Suite. After all, it’s become a staple in the industry. Adobe Premiere Pro is the standard for editing most videos nowadays — and it is also a surprisingly easy beginner video editing software. Adobe Premiere allows you to do a great deal of manipulation and edits on your clips, including color grading, audio adjustments, and video trimming.
As part of the Adobe Suite, Premiere offers several features that seamlessly integrate with other Adobe software such as:
- Easy import methods if various video files
- Versatility and the ability to compress and work with the best video file formats
- Intuitive color and audio adjustment panels
- Seamless integration with Adobe Premiere Elements and After Effects
Cost: Adobe Premiere Pro has a monthly cost of $20.99 USD. You may also get an annual subscription of $239.88 USD (which effectively reduces the monthly cost to $19.99 USD).
Adobe Premiere Elements
Compatible Platforms: Windows and Mac
Adobe Premiere Elements is perhaps the better editing software for beginners within the Suite’s programs. Simple and clean, this video editing software can reliably make quick fixes to your clips and add simple transitions to your projects. It is also very beginner-friendly, thanks to the guide that’s a staple in the application.
Adobe Premiere Elements has the following features:
- Guided Edits that are perfect for beginners
- A comprehensive suite of effects, including transitions, that can be used for GIFs, slideshows, and short videos
- Clean and organized interface and display, perfect for content creators who prefer to keep their workspace sleek
Cost: Compared to the more modern Adobe Premiere and recent video editors, Premiere Elements costs a hefty tag of $99.99 USD.
Movie Maker 10
Compatible Platforms: Windows
For quick edits and simple touch-ups, Movie Maker 10 continues to be one of the best contemporary video editing software for beginners. It has all the basic functions of most editors, made easier by its simple interface. While you won’t be able to do extensive animations, it can easily fuse videos, add background music, overlay text captions, and enhance video elements such as overlays, filters, and transitions.
While it’s not the most advanced of video editing software, Movie Maker 10 can still pack a punch with the following features:
- Simple, clear, and intuitive layout
- Support various media formats, including .avi and .mkv
Apple iMovie
Compatible Platforms: Mac
If you’re a Mac user, let’s face it — finding the right programs to mesh with your device can be quite difficult. But that doesn’t mean that you have a lack of incredible programs that can help you with your editing needs. The Apple iMovie is a great option for Apple users considering its sleek layout, strong editing capabilities, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
The iMovie can compare to the editing capabilities of Adobe Premiere and has the following features:
- Apple product integration which allows direct import of videos shot via iPhones and other Apple devices
- Green screen or “chroma-key” tool that allows users to put unique backgrounds and elements
- Audio platform integration via iTunes and GarageBand
- Powerful editing capabilities, including overlay, video trimming, image filters, and various transition effects
- Cloud-storing capabilities
- Support for the production of 4K resolution videos
Cost: The Apple iMovie is free and included in any purchase of Mac products.
Blender
Compatible Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
If you’re quite confident with your basic skills and want to try your hand at other forms of video manipulation, Blender is a great video editing software for animation beginners. It lets you traverse the basics of 3D modeling and rendering quite easily, without sacrificing the basic functions of any editing software. Aside from animation, Blender can easily fuse, mask, and manipulate videos for your project.
Blender offers these key features:
- Live previews
- Animation and video editing functions, including luma waveform, chroma vectorscope, and histogram displays
Cost: Blender is a free and open-source video editing software, making it a great option for beginners!
Pro-level Video Editing for Beginners
Video editing takes time to learn and develop, which is why more complex projects require professional services. When such projects come by, it is always advisable to outsource video editing to reputable companies such as NarraSoft. These pros ensure that you have seamless and crisp videos that fit your goals and brand narrative.
Outsourcing video editing services means that you can connect with pros to help you produce competitive quality clips for your brand. There are a lot of services that you can choose from, ranging from creating branded clips to actually helping you with pre-production. If you’re unsure of what you should get, contact NarraSoft today and we can help create seamless and professional video content for your business.
NarraSoft offers the following outsource video services:
- All-year-round video editors and talents for video projects
- Pre-production assistance, which includes visual creation, raw footage and music selection, and even storyboarding
One of the benefits of outsourcing video editing as a beginner is that you can collaborate extensively with professionals to achieve the content you desire. Even if you’re using an easy beginner video editing software, your knowledge of how things work can be valuable when you speak to professionals. More importantly, you can also gain immense video editing knowledge and techniques from the professionals when you work closely with the pros.
Unleash Your Creative Muscles with Top Editing Software for Beginners
Developing your skill in video editing takes time and effort — but using some of the best film editing software for beginners can make the process much easier.
Whether you’re a Windows, Mac, or even Linux user, there’s an array of incredible video editing applications that can help you craft a story with video. From short clips to full length movies, the best editor will supplement your vision and offer a variety of features that can make your story more compelling. If you’re a beginner, don’t be afraid to learn by tinkering and experimenting with these software programs.
Practice around with easy-to-learn and accessible editing software for beginners today and take the first step towards creating stunning video content in your creative journey.