The Mac is hugely popular among creative professionals, so it's no great surprise that there are lots of video editing tools available for it. Whether you just want to add titles, transitions and a soundtrack, or you want to add Hollywood-style effects and access to professional color correction there's a Mac application that will do the job.
Jul 12, 2018 The best video editing software for Mac is, ultimately, the one that does what you need to do in a way that you enjoy working. There's lots of Mac video editing software, and much of it is free. Take time, try out as many applications as you can and choose the best one for you.
12 Best Video Editing Software for Mac 1. InVideo is ideal for brands, publishers, and marketing agencies that need an affordable and easy-to-use video editing platform. The software is known for its wide selection of video templates that are suited for various promotional content, such as Facebook videos, invitation videos, campaigns. Free vs paid video editing software. There are some free video editing solutions out there. Programs such as DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut are free downloads, and iMovie comes preloaded on every new Mac computer. While these products may be good for small projects and advanced users, they're not ideal for beginners and they often lack features. Best Video Editing Software for Mac iMore 2020. Your Mac is a great tool for editing video, but the software needed can get a little pricy. If you're looking for something less expensive, or at least want to see what is on the market, you've come to the right place.
The really great news is that many of these programs are free. You might expect that free video editing software would have fewer features or produce less professional results than expensive software, but many of the free tools featured here are more than good enough to produce professional-looking movies. The only downside is that they tend to have a steep learning curve and they don't walk you through the process of editing. However, there are plenty of video on YouTube to help you get started. Here are the best free and paid-for video editing applications for the Mac.
Best free video editing software for Mac
1. iMovie
Apple's consumer focused video editing tool used to only be free if you bought a new Mac. But now everyone can download it free from the Mac App Store. It's a brilliantly easy to use application. One of its best features are the movie trailer themes that allow you to create amazing cinema-style trailers in a few minutes.
If you want to create your own movies, there are tons of effects, transitions, sound effects and title styles to help you. And it's easy to import your own audio tracks and photos and add them to your production. If you're looking for a free video editor for Mac, iMovie could be the only tool you'll ever need.
2. DaVinci Resolve
If iMovie isn't for you, give DaVinci Resolve a try. It's the free version of DaVinci Resolve Studio, but being free doesn't mean there aren't many features. It's loaded with professional tools like some of the best color correction and image stabilization there is. In the free version, you can work at frame rates up to 60fps and export your movie in SD, HD and Ultra HD.
It has a full digital audio workstation for sound editing, meaning you won't have to leave the app to get the audio just the way you want it. It's available on the Mac App Store, but if you want the full features of the free version, download it from the Blackmagic website.
3. Lightworks
While DaVinci Resolve gives away lots of its high end features in the free version, the same can't be said of Lightworks. There's still plenty here though, including: effects, multicam editing, titling, and a timeline with multiple layers.
There's also access to royalty-free video and audio content for you to include in your projects. However, output in the free version is restricted to 1080p on Vimeo and 720p on YouTube. And there are no detailed export options for H.264 or MP4. Also, if you want to use the free version for more than seven days, you'll have to register.
4. OpenShot
OpenShot is an open source video editor with a user interface that's much simpler than most. That doesn't mean it's short of features, though. It has templates for creating titles, effects, the ability to remove the background from your video, and slow motion and time effects. You can also create 3D animated titles and effects, there's support for unlimited tracks, and for more than 70 languages. The interface isn't the slickest you'll ever use, and there have been question marks over its reliability in the past, but it's definitely worth trying if you want a free video editor for the Mac.
5. Video Editor MovieMator
Video Editor MovieMator allows you to trim, split, move, and merge clips from a variety of different sources. It handles every consumer file format you're likely to need and can import directly from your iPhone or GoPro. There are lots of built-in effects and transitions, and, of course, you can add titles too.
The interface is simple enough for most people to get to grips with quickly and the real-time preview makes it easy to see exactly how your video is coming along. There is a significant limitation on the free version of the app — exports are listed to videos that are up to five minutes long. Also, there is only one transition and a handful of effects in the free version.
Best paid-for video editors for Mac
1. Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro has come a long way since it was overhauled a few years ago and lost several features that caused lots of criticism to be directed at Apple. The fact that it's designed by Apple means that it takes full advantage of hardware on the Mac, particularly the Mac Pro and iMac Pro. It pushes their multi-core CPU and GPUs to the maximum.
Features like the Magnetic Timeline 2 and Enhanced Timeline Index may be beyond the needs of most of us, but if you edit videos for a living, you'll appreciate them. Support for up to 64 camera angles with automatic audio syncing is another feature that makes video professionals lives much easier. And of course, it supports the formats you would expect of a serious video editor including ProRes, RED, and XAVC, as well as H.264 from digital SLR cameras. When it comes to Mac video editing, Final Cut Pro X has all the bases covered.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Like all of Adobe's professional products, Premiere Pro is only available as a subscription package and subscribing for a year will cost you almost as much as buying Final Cut Pro X outright. However, if you prefer your video organisation tools and especially the timeline to look and work like a traditional non-linear video editor, you may prefer Premiere Pro over Final Cut's Magnetic Timeline.
In other respects, Premiere Pro is very similar to its Apple rival, offering a full range of audio editing and color correction tools, as well as effects, support for multiple formats (including Apple's ProRes) and all the output options you're likely to need.
One area where Mac users will notice a difference is in rendering performance, particularly on a high-end Mac like a Mac Pro or iMac Pro. Adobe's application is designed for Mac and PC and so optimized or for the Mac's multi-core CPU and GPU the way that Final Cut Pro is.
3. Adobe Premiere Elements 2018
Best Video Editing Software Macbook Pro
The simplest way to describe Premiere Elements is that it is to Premiere Pro what iMovie is to Final Cut Pro. But Elements and iMovie are two very different apps. For a start, while iMovie is free, Elements costs $100. The other main difference is that Elements is set up to automate much of the process of creating your movie masterpieces. So, for example, Quick mode takes the clips and other media you've imported and throws them together on the timeline, you can then re-order them, trim them and add transitions and other effects. Even here, however, the emphasis is on letting Elements do the hard work for you. So, press the Fix button and it will apply image stabilization and other ‘fixes.' If you want to be more involved, a guided mode prompts you with onscreen tips. Of course, if you'd rather work completely manually, you can. Elements doesn't make it as easy to import media as iMovie does, and you'll have to download much of its additional content, like music scores, individually.
4. Filmora
FIlmora allows you to import clips from your Mac's hard drive, a camera, and even from social media accounts. It has a somewhat quirky interface, that may take some getting used to if you've used other video editors. But it has plenty to commend it including lots of effects, titling options, and audio controls. It's neatest feature could be the lighting preset options that allows you to emulate the look of Game of Thrones, Star Wars, or House of Cards at the click of a button.
How to make space for video on your Mac
Working with video editing software means you need lots of free space on your Mac's main drive — video clips use several gigabytes of space for every hour of content, and that's before you export the final version. You should also make sure your Mac is running at its optimal speed, you'll need every ounce of power to render video.
One quick and easy way to both improve your Mac's performance and clear space on its hard drive is to use CleanMyMac X. CleanMyMac identifies 'junk' files that sit on your Mac's drive, taking up space and slowing it down. It makes removing the files very easy and could claw back tens of gigabytes of space. You can download it free here.
The best video editing software for Mac is, ultimately, the one that does what you need to do in a way that you enjoy working. There's lots of Mac video editing software, and much of it is free. Take time, try out as many applications as you can and choose the best one for you.
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Content creators rely on good video editing software as much as they do on their camera gear and other accessories. This is because the footage can only be enhanced further with impressive effects, filters, crops and much more. While there are literally tons of options available on the web, only a few are impactful and have everything that creators look for. For this reason, in this article, we will be taking a look at the best video editing software for Mac and one that you should consider right away.
#1. Apple Final Cut Pro
If you're a Mac user, then the Apple Final Cut Pro needs to special introduction. It has been a go-to choice for many vloggers and content creators out there. The software offers advanced colour grading, HDR support and much more to be termed as the best video editing software for Mac.
Since it's an Apple product, the software is well optimised for MacBooks and offers better control over the editing and output. It offers faster renders and the new Metal engine allows you to edit more complex projects and works with higher frame rates and more effects.
Price: $299.99
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#2. Adobe Premiere Pro
This is a top video editing software for Mac from a reputed brand like Adobe has everything that most users are looking for. It can edit 8K and virtual reality content, making it unique and one of a kind in the segment.
Since it's an Adobe product, it works with Photoshop, After Effects, Adobe Audition and others. The Adobe Premiere Pro has been used to edit feature films, such as Deadpool, Gone Girl, Terminator Dark Fate and many more.
Price: $20.99/Month
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#3. iMovie
Another product from Apple is iMovie. It supports 4K content editing and supports cross-platform, meaning you can start editing on Mac and finish it on the iPhone or iPad. There are tons of animated title and credit templates that can be used for your footage.
Apple iMovie offers over 10 different filters to add a cinematic look. There's support for voice-recorder to add your own voice, built-in sound effects and more. It is one of the best Mac video editing software that comes by default on most Apple products.
Price: Free
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#4. Filmora
This Wondershare Mac video editor software has a simple drag and drop interface with over 800 effects and 4K resolution. It is equipped with the most basic functions like noise removal, speed-up, reverse, Gif, and more.
It's no secret that most content creators use green screen during production and Filmora supports changing of background and create special effects using the Chroma key tool. There's support for colour tuning, stabilise the footage and multiple formats.
Price: Free
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#5. DaVinci Resolve 16
Right from 8K video editing to colour correction, audio post-production and many more, DaVinci Resolve 16 got it all. It features a neural engine that uses machine learning to enable facial recognition, distinguishing itself from others in the list.
DaVinci Resolve 16 rocks VFX features to further enhance and spice up your video footage. It offers over 500 royalty-free foley sounds from Blackmagic Design. The software also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ projects. it is easily one of the top video editing software for Mac.
Price: Free
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#6. Adobe Premiere Elements 2020
Another noted video editing software from Adobe suite is the Premiere Elements 2020. It is capable of automatically arranging the videos and photos and creating final output, thanks to the Adobe Sensei AI.
The Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 can seamlessly create dynamic time-lapse videos using a series of photos and videos. Creators can replace the static skies to moving objects for a more eye-catching effect. It supports multiple aspect ratios as well.
Price: $99.99
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#7. Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is one of the best video editors for Mac. This simple video editing app from the family of Adobe is the company's gift to those of you who do not want to learn and explore the higher end Adobe Premiere Pro CC. The Premiere Rush projects on Mac can be shared across other platforms via Creative Cloud.
You can make the videos more interesting using the custom titles and video effects. The app also lets you add music, record voiceovers besides packing the advanced tools that are backed by Adobe Sensei artificial intelligence.
Premiere Rush is a perfect choice for the vloggers and travellers because if the battery gets exhausted in one of the devices, you can continue editing on the other device.
Price: $9.99/Month
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#8. Lightworks
Lightworks is the perfect choice for those who want to edit videos in a simple interface on Mac. Despite the simplicity of the interface, the software doesn't compromise the quality of output.
It provides you access to a plethora of amazing effects and royalty-free media right from the timeline. This best video editing software on Mac comes with a set of tutorial videos. Lightworks lets you export the content to a wide range of formats.
Price: $24.99/Monthly
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#9. CameraBag Pro
With its wide range of one-click filters that can be applied to photos and videos, CameraBag Pro is undoubtedly one of the top video editing software for Mac. It's not overstuffed with a lot of pointless features like higher-end apps. And at the same time, it is not very light either.
CameraBag Pro sports a tile-based interface in which all the changes can be made non-destructively. After inserting the adjustments as a tile in the bottom tray, you can even reorder and alter them. It is more robust than a regular editing interface.
Price: $50.00
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#10. Capto
Just as the name sounds, you can capture and edit the video on Mac using Capto. The app lets you capture the content in both full screen and partial screen modes. You can also make the videos interesting with a crystal clear audio.
Final Cut Pro
After recording, Capto lets you cut, trim and join the video clips. You can also drag and drop the images to make the videos more informative in this best video editing app. After arranging and editing all the clips, you can export the content to other apps in a single click.
Price: $17.99
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Signing off..
These were some of the best video editing software for Mac. They offer features like 8K video editing, VR playback, automatic clip arranging, sound and VFX effects and more. Apple MacBooks are usually known for their well optimised macOS operating system that can run programs butter smooth without any unexpected crashes or stutters, which is what required for content producers.
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So, which of the best video editing software mentioned above you liked the most, and which will you be trying? Let us know in the Comments section below.
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
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