10 Best Video Editing Software for Mac Users
It is no surprise that videos are the one type of content that is ruling over all platforms. Be it YouTube videos or mini offerings like reels or TikToks; video creation has become a popular way to express one’s thoughts and skills. If you are a pro video editor or someone looking to start on this journey, it is essential to use good video editing software to help you make professional videos.
It could be that you are looking for video editing software just on a one-off project basis, but that shouldn’t stop you from picking out the best ones, even if they are paid. A Mac already has a video editing software called iMovie, which is quite efficient, but do not expect advanced features.
Some softwares are one-time purchases, while some are subscription-based (like Adobe Premiere Pro CC). The former is great if you will be engaged in video editing for some time. We have compiled a list of the 10 best video editing software for Mac. It’s a good mix of free and paid programs that are suitable for both pros and novices.
10 Best Video Editing Software For Mac
1. Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Adobe Premiere Pro CC (Creative Cloud) is undoubtedly the most favoured video editing software for Mac. You need to have a Creative Cloud subscription to use it. It offers a wide variety of features which can help you make videos, short films, etc. The interface is understandable with time, so even if you are a hobbyist looking to hone your video editing skills, this is the perfect software, to begin with.
Adobe keeps bringing out regular updates, which gives you constantly evolving and improving software to work with. One of the best things about this comprehensive video editing software is that you can subscribe to it for the duration you require it. Additionally, this software doesn’t have a version that is exclusive to Mac. There is a single edition that works on all devices. Although you have complete control over customizing the settings, there are embedded layouts available too.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC packs with it a variety of plug-ins, scripts, and templates which make it an excellent choice for advanced video editing. Subscribing to Adobe’s Premiere Pro CC also provides you with the ability to edit 3D and 8K videos, which is still a new and upcoming segment and has a lot of room for creativity. Apart from this, it is easy to integrate your work from other Adobe softwares like Illustrator or Photoshop that you may use.
What We Like:
- High-quality editing
- Works seamlessly on Mac and other devices
- 3D and 8K video editing is possible too
What We Don’t:
- A daunting learning curve
2. Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro X is Apple Inc’s own offering among other video editing softwares. It has a relatively intricate and unique interface, but one that is understandable after a few tutorials. It is a tool for professional video editing, but even hobbyists will find it to be approachable. Plus, its complexity adds to the journey of learning new editing tricks and features that it has now and then. You can consider this option even if you lack previous experience in video editing.
Final Cut Pro X has a Magnetic Timeline that allows you to edit your videos without tracks. You can edit 360-degree videos along with effects and graphics using this software. If you are into creating HDR content, it is easy-breezy to do so too. That’s not it; another pro feature that Final Cut Pro X offers is that you can edit multi-cam recordings with smooth switching between different angles.
Despite all these fantastic features, there’s one area where this video editing software could still improve; colour correction. It isn’t about the efficiency of the tool as much as it is about the ease of use. You can only use the mouse to adjust colour, which then requires extreme precision if you have to make slight adjustments only. Typing in the parameters would be far more accessible. Final Cut Pro X works exclusively for Mac, but if you don’t switch devices, this shouldn’t be a problem. It is available at a relatively affordable price, and you can even opt for a free trial before making the purchase.
What We Like:
- Abundance of embedded settings
- Wide variety of audio editing features
What We Don’t:
- Colour corrections are possible only with a mouse
3. Apple iMovie
Since this software was designed to be used for home video editing, we should begin by ruling out that it isn’t right to expect pro features. Apple iMovie offers everything required to create beautiful videos. The interface is extremely easy and takes little time to learn, which is perfect for amateur and hobbyist filmmakers.
It is a free video editing software, and that only adds to its list of advantages. This helps if you are looking for software, to begin with, as other video editing softwares can be quite pricey. It is available for both Mac OS and iOS so that you can edit your videos seamlessly on all your Apple devices.
You can combine videos, layer them with audio, add titles or captions, or pick a pre-installed filter. You can do much more, like adding picture-in-picture and special effects. The latest version of Apple iMovie even allows you to edit 4K videos which is a great feature for free software to have.
What We Like:
- Easy to use and well-designed interface
- Many pre-installed video presets and audio effects
- Beginner-friendly
What We Don’t:
- Audio can’t be changed
4. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is your go-to for all things professional video editing, and that too free of cost. You can opt for the paid Studio version, but that is when you have the requirement for more advanced features or effects. This software is an excellent option if you wish to edit high-end videos in SD, HD, Ultra HD, or even 8K for free! It offers plenty of tools like video stabilization, enhanced colour correction, exporting it in any format you wish to, and much more.
One of the best features of DaVinci Resolve is the fully digital audio workstation that has many audio parameters to choose from. The free version is available on the App Store and is quite capable in itself. You must check this out if you are thinking of upgrading to a more advanced video editing software for Mac in 2021.
What We Like:
- Tutorials in multiple languages
- Certified training courses
- Multi-cam editing
What We Don’t:
- Complex interface for novices
5. Lightworks
Lightworks is a fantastic video editing software that works wonders if you are looking for freeware to edit your videos. Of course, a paid Pro version allows you to export the edited videos in higher resolutions and in more formats. If you can get the job done in 720p web-ready video quality, then the free version works just fine. It is slightly tricky for novices to get the hang of it, but it’s easier to learn than Shotcut.
One of the star features of Lightworks is that you get to add unlimited audios and videos to the timeline. As all video post-production occurs in real-time, you must ensure you have a powerful Mac to assist the smooth running of the software. This software is compatible with Mac OS, Windows OS, and even Linux OS.
What We Like:
- Abundance of pre-installed effects
- Excellent for home-use
- Supports 3D video editing
What We Don’t:
- Hard to grasp
6. Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements is excellent editing software that is essentially a slightly packed down version of Adobe Premiere Pro CC. If you are an amateur video maker or a hobbyist looking to brush up your video editing skills, starting with Premiere Elements is a good idea. It is not as vast as Adobe Premiere Pro CC but still offers everything it takes to make amazing professional-looking videos.
It is available as a one-time purchase on Mac and PC both, which makes editing videos pretty portable if you switch devices often. Adobe Premiere Elements offers more than enough tools for combining multiple videos, adding images, and audio files in one comprehensive video, all of which are easy to use. Using Premiere Elements will also give you an idea of whether you need to switch to a more advanced video editing software or not.
What We Like:
- Easily approachable
- One-time purchase
What We Don’t:
- Lesser features than Premiere Pro CC
7. VideoProc
VideoProc is a very versatile video editing software. And, keeping up with the times, it can be used to edit 4K videos too. You can create a variety of videos using this. From podcasts and game reviews to reaction videos, it is possible to produce all sorts of video content because of the plenty of features offered by VideoProc like video stabilization, noise cancellation, etc.
But one feature that sets VideoProc apart from other apps is that you can record your screen while broadcasting it live. Yes, all you gamers out there were waiting for this one! Right before you export your video in the format of your choice, you get a preview of the video in the same format, so you know what it looks like. Although the free version will suffice if you don’t need advanced features, it is still somewhat limited to editing options available.
What We Like:
- Supports making 4K videos
- Over 420 output formats
- Record streams and videos with it
What We Don’t:
- Restricted free version
8. Blender
An open-source, free video editing software, Blender has much more to offer than just video editing tools. You can do 3D modelling, simulation, animation, opening UV, motion tracking, game creation, and much more! This does show the sheer versatility of the software but also adds to the complexity of its interface. If you are averse to using complicated video editing software, then this isn’t the best option.
But if you are a 3D enthusiast or even a dedicated hobbyist, it is worth giving it a shot. Watching tutorials should and eventually learning as you use the software should help you get used to the difficult interface.
Blender is available on Mac for free and doesn’t take up too much space on your laptop. One of the main reasons why Blender is so popular among creatives is because it is a one-stop shop for so many disciplines. If you don’t end up editing videos, you will find something you love to do on Blender!
What We Like:
- Excellent for creating visual effects
- Plenty of add-ons
- It isn’t limited to video editing
What We Don’t:
- Not as easy to use
9. Shotcut
Shotcut is a great editing software to create high-quality videos by collaging them and editing them using the host of tools it offers. It is available on Mac and Windows free of cost, so you have nothing to lose in case you don’t like working on it.
It allows you to customize your workspace to fit your editing requirements. Shotcut can handle a wide range of file types for both input and output., even 4K. And, you can also do colour correction, adjust video quality, add lighting effects, etc. too.
You can export your edited videos in LOSSLESS mode, which means the quality of the video will remain intact. This software is a strong contender for the best video editing software for Mac in 2021 if you can adjust and learn to navigate through the tricky interface.
What We Like:
- Customizable toolbar
- Supports 4K videos
What We Don’t:
- Filters haven’t improved
- Steep learning curve
10. Movavi Video Editor
The Movavi Video Editor is a simple-to-use yet powerful video editing software for Mac. It has an impressive variety of tools and pre-installed effects, texts, graphics, audios, etc., at a wallet-friendly price. So even if you are an amateur or hobbyist looking to do video editing while saving a buck or two, this is it.
Movavi has some top-of-the-class features like cropping the video, adding effects like blur, contrast, or chromatic balance, making a slideshow, and importing 3D or DVD videos, among other things. This is a free video editing software, so do not expect very advanced features, but even then, you get more than enough tools to make high-quality videos.
What We Like:
- Neat and intuitive user interface
- Upload directly on YouTube
What We Don’t:
- Lacks color wheel, histogram, and vectorscope
Our Verdict
As tricky as video editing is, good video editing software is the perfect helping hand that adds a professional touch to your videos. If you are serious about editing videos and are ready to invest both money and time to learn the software, we suggest you go for Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro X. Apple iMovie and Adobe Premiere Elements are better options for home use, but the latter is still quite advanced. We hope this article made choosing among the 10 best video editing software for Mac in 2021 a lot easier for you.
