Top 21 Best Video Editing Software (Free and Paid) For Windows, Mac and Linux

This is the list of best professional editing software for any operating system. Visual content is the future and the world is witnessing the revolution that YouTube videos and other social media channels have created worldwide. However, the biggest challenge faced by many such visual content creators is finding the best video editing software. Today, I will be listing down top free and paid best professional video editing softwares that you can try in 2017.

YouTube has evolved as the second largest search engine and one of the most widely used social media channels across the globe. Whether you’re an individual or a brand, to be a step ahead of your peers and competitors, a YouTube channel with interesting and educating videos are a must to get popularity and fame among the mass today and you should start trying best professional video editing software to make your videos look rich.

In order to create magnificent videos, you don’t just need a good camera or video capturing skills but also video editing skills and professional video editing software. And, there’s no doubt that your video editing skills in this digital age are as good as your video editing software. While there are so many different varieties of video editing software options available out there on the web, it is quite difficult to pick one or find which one is the best of all.

Well, if you are in such dilemma too, then here’s something crafted just for you.

Video editing software industry experienced a boom with the YouTube culture shifting gears over the years. In this digital world, YouTube is considered as a professional platform, where creators can publish their work and earn money, fame, and popularity through their videos and channels.

While YouTube is just one medium, there are aspiring filmmakers, animators, graphic designers, and more, who are always looking for the best ways to edit and create the best video from their range of different clips.

Professional Video Editing Softwares for Windows Mac and Linux (Free and Paid)

Here is the list of top 21 best video editing software, we shall check out compatible platforms, features,  I/O formats compatibility, pros, cons and price of each professional video editing software listed.

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is one of the most widely used professional video editing software by Mac users, especially top level YouTubers around the globe. The software was also a pioneer in helping the filmmakers make the final cut for some of your favorite movies like The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Being an Apple product, Final Cut Pro is also feature-rich and one of the best video editing software out there if you own a Mac and willing to spend some money on editing your videos professionally.

• Compatible Platforms: Mac OS
• Features: Supports HD videos, Dual Audio Track, Single Video Track, Non-destructive editing
• Input Formats Compatibility: All QuickTime supported video formats.
• Output Formats Compatibility: All QuickTime supported video formats
• Pros: Superior HD Video Capability, Multi-Channel Audio and Video, Wide Range of Plugins, Commercial Quality DVD Authoring, Easy Pro Level Transitions, Light and Color Correction
  
• Cons: Only available for Mac users
• Price: $299

Download Final Cut Pro

2. Sony Vegas Movie Studio

Sony Vegas Movie Studio is among the top video editing software list since Sony is a brand that’s highly reputed when it comes to audio or visual media. You can find this brand almost everywhere, whether it is movies, music, or gaming. Well, for the starters, Sony Vegas Movie Studio is the miniature version of company’s already popular and thoroughly expensive Sony Vegas Pro. Passionate video creators, who are looking for a simple interface loaded with a wide range of features, can opt for Sony Vegas Movie Studio. It is available for Windows users and is quite an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows platform.

• Compatible Platforms: Windows
• Features: Drag-and-drop timeline editing, Fade adjustments for better effects and transitions, Advanced image stabilization, Built-in Video Effects, Slideshow wizard, Music Maker software
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: AVI, MP4, WMV, MPEG-4, QuickTime, WAV, etc.
• Output Formats Compatibility: MP4, AVI, WMV, WAV, MPEG-4, etc.
• Pros: Improved, customizable interface, Multicam editing, Supports 4K video editing, Lots of effects and transitions, with plug-in capability, Search for media and effects, 3D content editing, Color matching
  
• Cons: Old-school professional video terminology, Cluttered trimmer window, Weak multicam implementation, Rendering is slow unless you get all the settings right
  
• Price: $49.99 (Includes Trial Version)

Download Sony Vegas Movie Studio

3. Lightworks

Lightworks is the only option that works on all the three major desktop platforms such as Mac, Windows, and Linux among all different professional video editing software options out there. Taglined as “The Professional Editor for Everyone”, Lightworks lives up to its promise as anybody can become a professional video editor using this software.

• Compatible Platforms: Mac, Windows, and Linux
• Features: Cross-platform compatibility, Supports major input/output formats, Multicam editing, Enhanced VFX and Boris FX, Dedicated web export
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Output Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Pros: Cross-platform across Windows, OS X and Linux, Free or paid-for versions available (Pro includes a range of codecs and advanced features), Supports video editing at a professional level, Resolution independent, User interface designed and tested by professional editors
• Cons: Pro version gets a price increase and changes from subscription to one-off payments, No help and only basic hints, Still no FireWire capture support for Linux, Minimal effects available for audio
• Price: Lightworks is free, whereas a Pro version is also available

Download Lightworks

4. Blender

Blender is the open source free video editing software that is compatible with all the popular operating systems worldwide under the GNU General Public License. This free video editing software is equipped with some advanced features such as character animation tools, modifier based modeling tools, a node-based material, etc.

• Compatible Platforms: Linux, Mac OS and Windows
• Features: Live preview, chroma vectorscope, Audio mixing, waveform visualization, Up to 32 slots for adding video, images, audio, scenes, masks and effects, Speed control
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Output Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Pros: Free, Amazing number of features, Great user interface, Quality help section
  
• Cons: Time consuming
• Price: Free

Download Blender

5. VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC Free Video Editor tool is another free alternative to the high-end premium video editing software available across the web. You will get a wide range of settings including multiple effects and filters to enhance your videos. With VSDC Free Video Editor, you can work with multiple scenes and transitions as well as add text to your videos to make a professional level high-quality movie. However, VSDC has a bit odd style of working featuring an unusual user interface compared to other video editing tools in the industry.

• Compatible Platforms: Windows
• Features: Multimedia support, Multiple video effects, Multiple audio effects, Non-linear editor, Built-in conversion tools, DVD authoring
• Input Formats Compatibility: AVI, MP4, MKV, MPG, WMV, 3GP, FLV, etc.
• Output Formats Compatibility: AVI, MP4, MKV, MPG, WMV, 3GP, FLV, etc.
• Pros: Free, Multiple output options compatible with different types of devices, Useful filters, Enhanced text editing
  
• Cons: Takes huge amount of computer resources
  
• Price: Free

Download VSDC Free Video Editor

6. Avidemux

Avidemux is an excellent professional video editing software for your everyday video editing needs. It is compatible and supports all the major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. It’s a free professional video editing software designed to create videos with simple cutting, encoding, filtering tasks.

• Compatible Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, BSD
• Features: Non-linear video editor, Keyframing, Correction and Adjustment, Transformation effects, Visual effects, Color correction
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: AVI, MPEG, MP4, ASF, etc.
• Output Formats Compatibility: AVI, MPEG, MP4, ASF, etc.
• Pros: Simple to use, Doesn't re-encode unnecessarily
  
• Cons: A tad complicated for newbies or rookies
  
• Price: Free

Download Avidemux

7. Machete Video Editor Lite

Machete Video Editor Lite, as the name suggests, is developed to offer a simple and quick solution to the users, who don’t wish to get into the depth of video editing. While the video editing software supports limited video formats and isn’t capable of audio editing, it is on the list for the mere reason that it can be a handy tool for those having zero video editing experience and looking for a basic solution to cater to their video editing needs.

• Compatible Platforms: Windows
• Features: Supports both video splitter and video joiner, Audio track removal function, Edit tags functionality
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: AVI, WMV
• Output Formats Compatibility: AVI, WMV
• Pros: Free, Easy to use
  
• Cons: Limited Video formats compatibility, No audio editing option
  
• Price: Free

Download Machete Video Editor Lite

8. AVS Video Editor

If you are a Windows user, then you will love AVS Video Editor. This easy-to-use professional video editing software is bundled with an array of different useful features such as multiple effects, Blu-ray video support, available in multiple languages, direct sharing feature on different social media platforms and much more. Created by Online Media Technologies, AVS Video Editor is undoubtedly one of the finest video editing software for Windows users.

• Compatible Platforms: Windows
• Features: Supports major video formats, Supports HD, Slideshow, Supports Blu-ray videos, Video recorder, Multilingual support, Online sharing
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: MP4, MKV, FLV, AVI, 3GP, VCD, DAT, AMV.
• Output Formats Compatibility: AVI, MP4, WMV, SWF, FLV, MPG.
• Pros: Wide range of transitions and video effects, Easy to use interface, Reasonable pricing, Multiple output video format options
  
• Cons: Output quality not up to the mark, Inability to share videos on popular social media sites like Google+, Instagram, Pinterest
  
• Price: AVS Video Editor is included in the bundled offer including other AVS tools at $59. There’s an unlimited trial version too with limited features.

Download AVS Video Editor

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe is a top brand when it comes to visual media. The company is already known for its image editor software like Photoshop and CS. Hence, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Adobe Premiere Pro among the list of best video editing software. Alongside Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premier Pro is widely popular as this tool is available for both Windows and Mac users. If you’re looking for a professional video editing software and ready to spend, then Adobe Premiere Pro is a worthy product because it allows easy integrations with other Adobe products such as After Effects and Photoshop as well as offers excellent transitions and quality-rich video masking features.

• Compatible Platforms: Mac, Windows, and Cloud
• Features: Accelerated Dynamic Link, Lumetri Color enhancements, Auto-aware VR, Easier collaboration with Team Projects, Typekit font sync, Adobe Audition audio effects, Keyboard shortcut mapping, Dynamic Link with Character Animator
  
• Input Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Output Formats Compatibility: All video formats including HD
• Pros: Simple and clean interface, Flexible trimming tools, Helpful support panel, Multicam angles, Easy integration with other Adobe products, Excellent stabilization
  
• Cons: Occasional crashes. Slower at rendering than Final Cut Pro
  
• Price: Multiple Plans are available based on usage on their official website.  

Download Adobe Premiere Pro

If you need even more video editing tools, continue to the next page to find another 11 best professional video editing softwares for Windows, Mac and Linux.