What Editing Software do YouTubers Use? (Which One to Pick)

Last Updated: 

February 1, 2025

Every minute of the day, 500 hours of video content are uploaded to YouTube, which translates to 30,000 hours of content every hour or 720,000 hours of content every day! With that sheer amount of video content, it can be difficult to stand out from the competition.

However, using the right kinds of tools can simplify the creative process in terms of editing and publishing your videos. Today there is an overabundance of editing tools available to everyone to use, not just a selected few.

If you want to have thousands of views on your YouTube channel and increase the number of subscribers, you must use editing apps. When launching a YouTube channel you need a few basic items to get started and video editing software is one of them.

Many YouTubers use editing apps to boost productivity, in addition to being cost-effective. They offer a simple and easy option that saves a ton of time, money, and effort, allowing them to use those resources for the betterment of your channel.

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What Can YouTube Video Editing Tools Do

You always want to know the best tips and tricks of video editing. To do that you will need to get familiar with video editing tools. Check out how using professional video editing software can help you create kick-ass videos:

1) Save you money

Many video editing apps are free or you may require to pay a very little amount in membership fee to unlock a competent tool that lets you edit your videos professionally.

2) Boost productivity

Using editing tools for your video can massively boost your productivity since by saving you money and time, they free you to channel those resources to better use in some areas of your production.

3) Enhance your video editing skills

Video editing apps allow you to add beautiful graphics and transitions, thus streamlining the entire process and giving you a complete video editing experience.

How Can Video Editing Software Improve a Video?

Video editing apps can let you add proper name tags, icons, highlighted points, gifs, your logo, and even images to expound your brand visibility. Videos that are edited before publishing tend to do six times better compared to those that are not edited.

Also since you add intros and extras as well as screen separators and time-lapse features, a video editing app can make your content more interesting and easy to digest, which allows your viewers to get quick information from the content.

Depending on the software you use, video editing software can also let you add color, animation features, and themes to your videos to help highlight important points of your content so that viewers can easily grasp the main points.

Your message can be effectively conveyed to your targeted audience if you can do video editing really well. Remember that editing your YouTube videos before publishing boosts them six-folds, helping you gain more views and subscribers.

What do YouTubers Use to Edit Videos?

Although there is a wide pool of options to choose from when it comes to video editing software, it is never always easy to pick the right one for your business. Below, we are going to explore some of the video editing tools favored by many YouTubers. We will look at their corresponding features, pros, and cons.

1) Adobe Premiere

Loved by Hollywood filmmakers, Adobe Premiere Pro is trusted by many YouTubers around the world thanks to its vast number of features that can help users create stunning video content that engages them.

Features

  • Shared projects
  • Simultaneous projects
  • VR editing
  • Motion graphics templates
  • Transitions
  • Direct publishing
  • Multiple format support
  • Video titling and graphics
  • VR audio editing
  • Direct publishing
  • Multiple video types

Pros

  • Easy playback
  • Intuitive interface
  • Flexible interface with custom keyboard shortcuts
  • Separating video and audio elements
  • Moving text balloons
  • Plenty of filter options

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Long reorganization of menus

2) Final Cut Pro

This is among the most popular and best video editing software for YouTubers. It comes with an abundance of features and is also used on blockbuster movies sometimes, meaning it can handle some of the most complex editing mandates.

Final Cut Pro has been upgraded to Final Cut Pro X, so if you want the latest and greatest you need to upgrade to  Final Cut Pro X.

Features

  • HDR video support
  • Asset management
  • Plug-ins
  • VR headset playback
  • Moving and trimming clips
  • Effects
  • Presets
  • 360 degree VR editing
  • Motion graphics templates
  • Multi-cam editing

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Impeccable sound
  • Fast delivery
  • Cinematic openers

Cons

  • Limited transition variety
  • One-time purchase tool
  • Available only on Apple devices

3) iMovie

This video editing software comes with all Apple devices free of charge. It has for many years been the first option for those with limited editing skills as well as seasoned YouTubers. It comes with an array of editing features that when properly used, can have impressive results.

Features

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Timeline
  • Green-screen control
  • Trailers and themes
  • Intuitive trimmer
  • People detection
  • Reduced background noise
  • Sharing options
  • Video sharing

Pros

  • Special video effects
  • Arrange videos in a sequence
  • Edit the sound
  • Incredibly easy to use
  • Quick edits
  • Easy to add titles

Cons

  • Not as intuitive as other tools
  • It is a bit resource hog
  • No social media transitions

4) KineMaster

Although most video editing tools are designed for laptops and desktops, there is an increasing need for more editing apps designed for mobile and tablet devices.

While iMovie is designed for mobile devices, it is pretty basic for my liking. KineMaster on the other hand is made for mobile and is a little bit more advanced compared to iMovie.  

Features

  • Audio effects
  • Multi-layer editing interface
  • Lighting and color adjustments
  • Title graphics
  • Easy to apply transitions
  • Customer support
  • Speed control
  • Multiple layers
  • Frame by frame trimming
  • Animation styles
  • Real-time recording
  • Social media sharing

Pros

  • Good audio
  • Supports text, image, and media
  • Chroma key
  • Multilayer supported

Cons

  • Limited layer
  • Doesn’t support audio formats
  • Doesn’t support 4k

5) Filmora Go

This mobile video editor is designed for both iOS and Android devices and helps users create videos or fine-tune their edits, add some special effects, and then share them. The app comes with a plethora of features that will let you edit your videos in a professional manner.

Features

  • Ready-made templates
  • Project creation
  • Screen recording
  • Audio equalizer
  • Color tuning
  • Split screen
  • 3D lut
  • Video stabilization
  • Advanced text editing
  • Green screen
  • Pan and zoom
  • Overlays and filters
  • Transitions and elements

Pros

  • Great editing interface
  • Multi-platform for both iOS and Android
  • Good variety of tools
  • Store options

Cons

  • Limited features
  • The store is bare
  • Can’t edit effects

6) GoPro

GoPro released GoPro Quik app with powerful but simple editing tools for its users to edit videos and photos.

Features

  • Green screen
  • Speed control
  • Audio mixer
  • QuikCapture
  • Unlimited editing
  • Speed adjustment option
  • 190 background music tracks
  • Additional video and photo filters
  • Unlimited mural events

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Faster delivery
  • Competitively priced
  • Unlimited editing for users
  • Easy to import files
  • Straightforward visual adjustments

Cons

  • No audio wave
  • Difficult to sync files with time
  • One video timeline

7) Sony Vegas Pro

Sony Vegas Pro provides all-encompassing tools for video editing, however, some users lament about how the app is not as organized as other software in the market. Nevertheless, Sony Vegas is an enduring name in YouTube video editing, having been created by Sony although now is owned by Magix.

Features

  • Composting and video effects tools
  • Enhanced interface
  • Logical docking window controls
  • Automatic crossfades
  • Crop OFX plugin
  • Velocity envelops
  • 4K support
  • Audio editing
  • Blue-ray and DVD authoring
  • On-preview window controls
  • Instant freeze frame
  • Fast and seamless timeline editing

Pros

  • Vibrant color grading
  • Timeline support
  • Free stock videos
  • Competitive pricing

Cons

  • Unusable multi-cam
  • No tutorial
  • Poorly designed interface

8) PowerDirector

This video editor is fast, smooth and full-featured, and loved by many YouTubers. It is designed to be compatible with both Windows and Mac and is extremely easier to use.

Features

  • Magic movie wizard
  • Encoding and exporting
  • Motion tracking
  • Full feature software editor
  • 3D and 4K
  • True theater color
  • Action camera options
  • 360 degrees video tools
  • Express project module

Pros

  • Quick rendering
  • Lots of effects
  • Screen recording
  • Clear interface
  • Motion tracking

Cons

  • Overwhelming interface

9) Lightworks

If you are just starting in the world of clip editing, give this platform a chance. It is easy to use, compatible with a bunch of video formats and comes with a full slate of great functionalities

Features

  • Video routing
  • Color correction & blend modes
  • Content management
  • Drag-n-drop interface
  • Boris FX plugins
  • Rendering effects keyboard shortcuts
  • Edit multicam sources
  • Export option
  • Effect keyframes
  • Fusion compositor
  • Croma keys
  • Configurable monitors

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly tool
  • Additional effects
  • Supports different formats (2k, 4k, NTSC, HD, and PAL)
  • Plenty of flexibility
  • Great support
  • Work with multiple sequences

Cons

  • Crash-prone
  • Can do with update interface

10) VSDC Video Software

For those looking for inexpensive video editing software, VSDC is priced competitively and has enhanced both usability and power.

Features

  • Desktop video capture
  • HD and 4K support
  • Non-linear video editing
  • Video converter
  • Audio and visual effects
  • Supports a variety of formats
  • YouTube uploader
  • Share option
  • Charts and diagrams
  • Masking

Pros

  • Cost-effective
  • Text animation
  • Motion tracking
  • Powerful

Cons

  • Hidden functions
  • Poorly designed interface

11) Freemake

Freemake is a safe and very efficient YouTube video editing software. Most users are satisfied with this platform in general thanks to its wide-ranging features and functionalities.

Features

  • Convert videos with subtitles
  • Supports HD and 4K
  • Fast and simple
  • Pull visuals
  • Uploader option
  • Blue-ray and DVD
  • Share option

Pros

  • Easy to use tool
  • Supports a variety of input formats
  • Merges clip files
  • Preconfigured for mobile devices
  • Imports subtitle

Cons

  • Slow conversion
  • Infrequent update

FAQ’s

Q: Is iMovie only for Apple?

Yes, up to now Apple has not released the Windows version of iMovie and there is no plan for developing iMovie for PC. Luckily, there are many alternatives to iMovie for Windows users.

Q: Is iMovie a good video editor?

With iMovie, you can produce professional-looking YouTube videos without prior editing skills. It comes with a wide range of features that you cannot find anywhere else. So yes, iMovie is a good editor for your videos.

Q: Why is Final Cut so expensive?

Final Cut is powerful and complex video editing software, and that is why it is so expensive compared to other editors in the market. But with its great features, Final Cut Pro is worth the money.

Q: What is the easiest app to edit YouTube videos?

If you are looking for the easiest editor to edit your YouTube videos, you should check out Adobe Premiere Pro, which is known for being among beginner-friendly editing software for your videos.

Q: Which free app is best for YouTube video editing?

There are a number of best free apps for YouTube video editing, but I recommend KineMaster and Power Director.

Q: Which is the best app for video editing?

Just pick any video software editor from our list that meets your needs and the needs of your channel. Note that the effectiveness of editing software depends on your skills.

Q: How do YouTubers edit?

Most YouTubers like to use Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere Pro to edit their YouTube videos. These tools are ideal for both seasoned editors and beginners.

Q: How can I edit a video like a pro?

To be honest with you, a video editing app is important but if you are a beginner you can just use a free basic application. The key is planning out your videos before recording. Planning can go a long way in ensuring your videos come out looking professional.

Q: What editing software do YouTubers use?

YouTubers tend to use KineMaster, GoPro, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, and FilmoraGo to edit their YouTube videos. But there is no doubt that Adobe Premiere Pro is the preeminent software for editing software for most YouTubers.

Q: How YouTubers edit their videos on phones?

Some of the video editing apps listed in this review are compatible with Android, iOS, or both devices, including iMovie, GoPro, FilmoraGo, KineMaster, Power Director, and Adobe Premiere Pro.

Q: Is Final Cut Pro free?

Final Cut Pro is one of the most popular video editors among YouTubers because it comes with all the features you need to start editing and upload video clips from start to finish. However, the software is not free and will cost $300.

Q: Is OpenShot good for YouTube?

OpenShot is good for YouTube at any editing skill level from beginners to professionals. If you don’t want to use a web browser to edit, OpenShot is easy to use and comes with the Upload to Web option.

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